We are almost done with our tour of the Vigo County Parks and today’s stop is going to look a little different again. Today, we’re going to look at a piece of a larger park and that is our very own J.I. Case Wetlands in Hawthorn Park because we want to highlight the importance of wetlands! The levee for J.I. Case was built in 1984 and the lake was filled in 1985 and while its purpose of serving as a wetland is important it also serves an important role in waterfowl management. The 50.3 acre lake attracts migratory birds in the fall and the 23.5 acres across from the J.I. Case remains in its natural state to serve as a wildlife nesting area.
J.I. Case Wetlands, and our Wabashiki Wetlands, are just a fraction of Indiana’s 800,000 remaining acres of wetlands, which is less than 20% of it’s original wetland acreage. You might be thinking what are wetlands? When you think of them you might imagine a swamp like the Everglades and while that is a type of wetland, there are actually several different types! Wetlands are areas in the landscape that contain standing water at or near the soil surface for part or all of the year and are defined by their vegetation, hydrology and soil. An area is considered a wetland if more than 50% of its vegetation occurs in a wetland, there is water present at or above the soil level at some point during the year and that water causes the soil to be limited in oxygen. The four types of wetlands are marshes, swamps, bogs and fens. Some wetlands, like at Dewey Point, are not wet year-round!
Wetlands are important because they can help absorb floodwaters and rainwater along with absorb excess nutrients, sediment and other pollutants before they reach rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Wetlands can be constructed to be water treatment to remove chemicals and other harmful pollutants from water. They also help lessen climate change by protecting coastal regions from storms, provide water during droughts, store carbon and create a cooling effect by absorbing heat. Healthy wetlands even reduce mosquito populations.
Next time you’re out on an adventure be sure to participate in the Indiana Wetlands Challenge by visiting J.I. Case!

Today’s stop on our Tour of Vigo County Parks is… Bicentennial Park which includes Dewey Point and the Wabashiki Trail! In 2009 we partnered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to purchase over 800 acres of Wabash River bottomland to create part of the 3600-acre Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area. The purchase of this land was to provide recreational opportunities for the citizens of Vigo County and to preserve natural wetland habitat for native and migratory wildlife. In the spring visitors can kayak at Dewey Point from the kayak launch, especially at events like our Earth Day celebration. Year-round you can hike or bike on the Wabashiki trial as the property offers beautiful scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Wabashiki Trail is a favorite for our Black Friday ride after Thanksgiving and Christmas lights ride! We are continuing to develop this beautiful park and look forward to sharing future projects with you all.

Today doesn’t get a stop in our tour of Vigo County Parks because it’s a very special day. Today is Park and Recreation Professionals Day and we want to celebrate all of the dedicated people who make our parks possible and build a strong community through the power of parks and recreation. We are grateful to have a staff who strive to create high-quality experiences and opportunities for the residents and visitors of Vigo County while also making our parks clean, safe and welcoming. If you’re out today and see any of our amazing VCPRD employees be sure to thank them today!

Today’s stop on our tour of Vigo County Parks is… Ruble Park! This park is a hidden gem in our system and our newest opened park! While we acquired the land in 2014, it opened to the public in 2022. It features 11 miles of natural hiking trails through grasslands and forest and offers hikers ample chances for wildlife viewing and bird watching! What most people might not know is it has 4 entrances! That’s right, there is an entrance at Ruble West on S Cullen Rd, two entrances to Ruble Central on W Dallas Dr and an entrance to Ruble East on Eaton Dr at Ivy Tech! That entrance features the largest parking area and a restroom for visitors to use. This park is perfect for those who are wanting to get out in the quiet to enjoy nature. Be sure to check this park out soon, especially as the leaves start to change this fall.

The next stop on our tour of Vigo County Parks for National Parks and Recreation Month is… George and Ida Smith Park! Or as some would refer to it as, Prairieton Park. This cute neighborhood park is located in Prairieton on Highway 63. It was donated to the department in 1976 in memory of George and Ida Smith by their daughter. It boasts a basketball court, picnic area and playground. You’ll have to check out this quiet park next time you’re in the area!