Indianapolis
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
~c' +s6 4 'kr -Zrve A,'i Director's Page As we face a new administration in state government, the Department of Con- servation has many responsibilities and hopes for future progress. Unlike four years ago, most of the personnel is familiar with the jobs and what is expected in terms of job assignments. Goals and direction have been more firmly established. Two excuses, so to speak, are not going to be very logical; namely, 1. that we don't know what the job requires, and 2. the situation was left to us in a terrible mess. These two statements are not acceptable since most positions will continue to be filled by experienced persons, and should the situation be in a sorry condition, we know certainly in part who put it that way. With these thoughts in mind, the performance should move with much more speed and sureness than in past years. The Department accepts the responsibility. On the other hand, there are problems that cannot be solved without aid of outside agencies: the legislature which must appropriate the funds and outline the necessary framework of law to accomplish the purposes and intent of conservation; the administration leaders and supporting administrative agencies which must imple- ment and support the operation of a department, and, thirdly, an understanding lay public who, in the last analysis, will benefit most from an efficiently run Depart- ment of Conservation. Funding in sufficient amounts and sustained over a period of years is necessary to developing resources to their maximum use. Recreation facilities just don't hap- pen. They must be planned, developed and maintained. Sporadic support by legis- latures can, in effect, be "penny wise and pound foolish." Continuity of employment and assurance of some security after proven per- formance is necessary if we are to expect efficient and dedicated application of funds. Expansion and strengthening of merit in Conservation employment is important to the continued professionalizing of an important field. I have commented on only a few areas, any one of which can be a limiting factor in the continued progress of conservation in Indiana. We feel the Department as an agency is ready and willing. Let's avoid being a part of the limiting factor in that progress. DONALD E. FoLTZ, Director Indiana Department of Conservation OUTDOOR INDIANA INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION MATTHEW E. WELSH, Governor DONALD E. FOLTZ, Director Commission: Anton (Tony) Hulman, Jr., Chairman, Terre Haute John A. Hillenbrand II, Batesville The Hon. Paul D. Ewan, Lafayette Wilbur Yates, Vincennes DIVISIONS AND DIRECTORS Administrative Assistant-Robert D snn Forestry--Robert D. Raisch Accounting-Harold B. Smith Geological Survey-John B. Patton Comptroller-Wm. Dean Lacy Oil ntodGs-Homer R. Brown Enforcement-Harold D. Raisor Public Information-Thomas B. March Engineering-Henry C. Prange Purchasing-Anthony E. Sheppard Entomology-John J. Favinger State Parks-Robert D. Starrett Fish and Game-Woodrow W. Fleming Water Resources-Charles H. Bechert Vol. VIII, No. 7 January, 1965 CONTENTS NO CLOSED SEASON FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION OUR OUTDOOR HERITAGE . 8 THE HISTORIC PRAIRIE CONNER FARM . .. 12 LOCATING RECREATION SITES . 16 ICHTHYOLOGICAL ICE IDIOSYNCRASIES . 22 CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS . 26 CRESTED FLYCATCHER (KNOW YOUR INDIANA BIRDS) . 31 Cover photo of ice skating on Lake Sullivan at Indianapolis, by Joseph N. Hartley THOMAS B. MARCH, Editor Published monthly by the Indiana Department of Conservation, 6th BETTY BENNETT, Associate Editor Floor, State Office Building, Indianapolis, Indiana-46209. Second class mail privileges authorized at Indianapolis, Indiana. Out-of-state MAC HEATON, Art Director subscription rate $2.00. Change of address should be reported promptly. PHILIP VAN BLARICUM, Photographer Permission to reprint any material in this publication may be granted GENEVA CAHILL, Circulation Manager to responsible parties upon written application to the editor. Interest in winter sports is increasing steadily in Indiana, with numerous recreation spots de- voted entirely to such a program. Toboganning, such as in the picture here, is among the most popular, with bob sledding, ice skating and skiing also gaining interest. No cIlose-d samIson Ifo By JERRY WETTSTONE THE REALLY busy season in Indiana Division of State Parks state parks and forests begins in mid- June and extends to Labor Day; how- those hardy souls contemplating ever, more and more people are post- camping in snow or freezing weather. poning their summer vacations or When the parks are all but empty taking second vacations in the fall of human life, one can really enjoy and winter. the quietude of the wild. Autumn, with its colorful foliage, Although, for the more experienced warm days and clear, crisp evenings winter campers, camping during has become an increasingly popular heavy snows presents no great prob- time to take to the woods and it is lems, there are many winter week- also an excellent time to gain the ends when temperatures are adequate experience that will be useful later to for those less experienced in day and Page 2 • OUTDOOR INDIANA January, 1965 overnight use of Indiana state parks. rooms. In the few parks that do not This is especially true when campers provide pit toilets, self-contained are using travel trailers or camping trailers are the only means of camp- units on pick-up trucks. ing in the winter. State parks offer a variety of de- However, there are those for whom lights for individuals who are seeking camping means tents, outdoor fires, a new experience by camping during inconvenience (judged by city stand- the off-season. The feeling of rough- ards) and the roughness reminiscent ing it and the touch of pioneer living of pioneer days. But there isn't any appeals to many campers, whose sons need to be uncomfortable in a tent, may already be familiar with it since even in the really cold weather; all Boy Scout troops provide this experi- you need is common sense, loose, ence as part of the overall training warm, comfortable clothing for day program. time and a change of clothes for With the snow and below-freezing sleeping, a good tent or shelter for weather, campgrounds are winterized. protection from the wind, a ground- Water is shut off and lines are cloth and, possibly, an air mattress to drained, tables are stacked for pro- further insulate the sleeper from the tection, the park superintendent's cold ground (newspapers are excellent staff is reduced and turns to indoor insulation) and a sleeping bag. This work projects that have been set last item should be of a porous va- aside during the busy season. Since riety, since campers have been known the lines are drained, all modern rest- to freeze to death in rubberized or rooms are closed and campers use the other waterproofed sleeping bags, all-season "pit" toilets which make up simply because they perspired and about one-half of our total park rest- then became chilled when body ac- !K A scene like this one invites people to participate in one of the most popular outdoor activi- ties: the old-fashioned walk in the snow. With the sounds of the city and highway muted, the world is transformed into a crystal-frosted wonderland. January, 1965 OUTDOOR IDAA"Pg A self-supporting tent such as this one lends itself well to winter camping because of the minimum number of stakes that have to be driven into the ground. A small log in front of the entrance will help keep the slush and snow out. tivity reached its low point after go- or carbon monoxide. Another way to ing to sleep. keep warm is to build a reflector fire In the past, campers could find in front of the tent or shelter and evergreen boughs to make their leave enough of an opening to let in ground beds, but now this is forbid- the heat. This, of course, should be den in almost every part of the coun- built close enough to provide heat, try and especially in Indiana since but not close enough to scorch the there just is not enough of this kind shelter. Otherwise, if no fire is used, of groundcover to go around, hence flaps should be closed, leaving just a the ground cloth and air mattress. If small ventilation opening. Your own a heavy groundcloth is not available, "animal heat" will carry you through a lighter cloth and lots of newspapers the night, providing you are insulated will serve if the paper is put between from the ground, your sleeping bag is the groundcloth and the air mattress warm enough and you don't work up or sleeping bag (ground cold is far a "sweat." more intense than that from above). Since snow is a good insulator, it For more comfort at night, it is ad- can be used to seal off open spaces visable to change clothes to give the around and under the tent wall. day-time wear a chance to dry and To facilitate control and provide air out. (Night wear can be warmed the camper with locations and infor- in front of the campfire and in the mation on water and toilet facilities, morning, day time clothing may be it is requested that winter camping warmed in the sleeping bag.) parties check with the park superin- As for heat, there are tent stoves tendent upon arrival. Camping fees that are supposed to do the job; how- are collected as usual in the winter ever, there is always danger from fire, season. Page 4 - OUTDOOR INDIANA January, 1965 Families which do not have the CAMPING IN INDIANA equipment or are not inclined toward STATE PARKS winter camping, will find four state during the period from November park inns open year round.