2024 Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department
Programs & Special Events
For all Griffin Bike Park Events please click on the link below:
Griffin Bike Park Events
April
- April 8th Total Eclipse of the Haute Eclipse Viewing at Fowler Park
- 8th Total Eclipse of the Haute “Daytime Night Ride” at Griffin Bike Park
- 14th Plant ID Hike at Prairie Creek with Vigo Invasives Management
- 20th and 21st Kids Youth Turkey Weekend Hunt at Ruble Park by the National Wild Turkey Federation
- 22nd Earth Day Celebration at Wabashiki
- 27th Steel Dynamics GM Gravel Grinder
- Griffin Bike Park Team begins
May
- 4th Explore Otter Creek at Mill Dam
- 4th Mothers Day Copper Rose Class
- 15th Thompson Thrift Short Track Series
- 17th West Side End of School Year Movie in the Park at Lee Fields
- 18th Summer in the Village at Fowler
- 18th Blacksmithing Class at Fowler
- 18th Hiking Club
- 19th thyssenkrupp Presta North America Pump Track Series
- 27th Afterburner Memorial Day Ride
June
- 1st and 2nd- Free fishing weekend
- 13th – 16th Vintage Camper Rally
- 16th – 19th Micro Camper Rally
- 15th Summer in the Village at Fowler
- 15th Blacksmithing Class at Fowler
- 15th Hiking Club
- 16th J’s Bikes Dual Slalom Series
- 17th – 21st Crossroads Cyclery Summer Camp at Griffin Bike Park
- 26th Thompson Thrift Short Track
- 30th J’s Bikes Dual Slalom Series
- 29th thyssenkrupp presta North America Pump Track Series
- 29th Griffin Bike Park Dinner
Mom and Tots Walking Group
Every Tuesday at 5 p.m.
All Ages Welcome
Getting exercise in with kiddos can be hard to do and easy to put off. It makes it easier when you have the support of your friends, other moms and some good conversation while you get your steps in. Load up your kids in their strollers, bikes or however they go on walks, and join us in our county parks for some fresh air with our Mom and Tots Walking Group! We’ll meet every Tuesday at 5 p.m. starting April 2nd and rotate throughout our county parks to get some fresh air while getting in shape.
Kayak the Wabashiki- Earth Day Celebration
April 21st from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Kayak Rentals $10 per kayak for an hour
All Ages Welcome
Free Admission
Join the Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department as we celebrate Earth Day! Explore the Wabashiki FWA on a bike on your own, rent a kayak to kayak around Dewey Point or take a bike ride around Wabashiki FWA guided by our Griffin Bike Park Manager. Bike rides will begin at 1 p.m. Kayak rentals can be made here. For more information contact us at our office by phone at 812-462-3392 or by emailing our Natural Resource Programmer at [email protected].
Kayak rentals at Earth Day Celebration
Mass neutral start for all categories – 11 AM
Check-in and registration begin at 9 AM
Located at 10700 Bono Road, Terre Haute, IN 47802
Parking at the site.
Parking at the site.
$40 Pre-registration fee until April 19th. $50 until April 25th and $60 Day of Entry. Your registration is a donation to Griffin Bike Park.
The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department presents a Springtime Gravel race with fabulous views of well-known attractions like Garbage Mountain (the local dump) both out and inbound, ride by many pork and turkey farms, and over Numerous train tracks in this Lil more than a Metric long course. There will also be a medium-length course that cuts off the final loop at the Sag stop. This will be an all-weather event (barring serious weather) so dress accordingly. The course is a mix of chunky gravel, dirt roads, a bit of pavement, a few hills, and probably lots of mud.
There will be timing/placing for the top 3 in each class, course marshals, and signs to mark the route. GPS devices ARE advised and course route files are available on RideWithGPS. You will find yourself in the middle of Nowhere, Indiana. Often. This is NOT road bike friendly.
Min 1 sag stop will be provided at the 35-mile area. And 2 sag vehicles will be on the course at all times.
Categories
Veteran Long Course
Novice Long Course
Veteran Medium Course
Novice Medium Course
April means the start of our Griffin Bike Park teams! Are you interested in mountain biking? Contact Rich to join our team!
Explore Otter Creek
May 4th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Markle Mill Park
All Ages Welcome
Free Admission
Get your feet wet and explore what lives in the Otter Creek Watershed at Experience Otter Creek. Get up close and personal with Otter Creek and the Indiana State University Earth and Environmental Systems to discuss bugs that live in the Otter Creek Watershed that flows through Vigo, Clay and Parke Counties. Join the Vigo County Parks Department to learn more about our parks and trails and other organizations to learn more about wildlife in the area, trails, trees, beekeeping, gardening and soil!
Family Hiking Club
Third Saturday of every month beginning in May from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, December 21
All Ages Welcome
Free Admission
As the weather is warming up, it’s time for family hikes! Gather your family and join us for our monthly hiking club! The third Saturday of every month starting this May we’ll meet in one of our county parks to go on a guided hikes on some of our beautiful trails. Hikes will be at 1 pm and last until about 2 pm, though some can go longer.
Mother’s Day Copper Rose Classes
May 4th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Fowler Park Log Barn
Ages 10+, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
$70 Registration
Preregistration Required
Are you looking for a special homemade gift for your mom? Join us for our Copper Rose classes at the Fowler Park log barn! All participants will get to make their own Copper Rose to take home with them after the class. Tickets can be purchased at the link below:
May 4th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Fowler Park Log Barn
Ages 10+, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
$70 Registration
Preregistration Required
Are you looking for a special homemade gift for your mom? Join us for our Copper Rose classes at the Fowler Park log barn! All participants will get to make their own Copper Rose to take home with them after the class. Tickets can be purchased at the link below:
West Side Movie in the Park
May 17th
All Ages Welcome
Free Admission
Join the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the SCC Parent Club at Lee Fields Park for an end of the school year celebration featuring the new movie Migration! Admission is free and this is an event for all ages. Glow items and concessions will be available for purchase.
Summer in the Village
Third Saturdays of the month May – August from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
All Ages Welcome
Free Admission
Join the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department at Fowler Park as we open our Pioneer Village for all to enjoy! Our cabin caretakers will open their cabins for you to explore and to demonstrate a variety of 19th century skills and crafts. New this year, each month will have a focus on a different craft or skill for you to learn. May’s focus will be on gardening for those interested in learning how to garden!
Blacksmithing Classes
Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fowler Park Pioneer Village
Ages 10+
$60 Registration
Preregistration Required
Check out the blacksmithing classes at Fowler Park! Participants will learn how to operate a blacksmith forge, understand the parts of an anvil, and the uses of various hand tools in the blacksmith shop. They’ll also get to shape metal using learned techniques including forging a curve, a twist, a square, and more! Join the VCPRD for blacksmithing! Classes fill up quickly so make sure to register ahead of time by calling 812-462-3392 or by emailing our Natural Resource Programmer at [email protected].
Thompson Thrift Short Track Series
Race Dates are May 15th, June 26th, July 24th, FRIDAY! August 2nd, and September 18th.
All Ages Welcome
$20. On site registration- Series passes are available
Racing starts at 6:00 pm
Join Griffin Bike Park for the Thompson Thrift Short Track Series. Come out and try your hand at racing or bring your family and watch some of our local talents go at it on the ever-changing Griffin Bike Park short track! Classes for everyone and maybe the easiest courses you will ever see at GBP!
Your best 4 out of 5 races including the finals count towards your season-end awards.
Awards to top 3 at each race and top 5 at season end
Your best 4 out of 5 races including the finals count towards your season-end awards.
Awards to top 3 at each race and top 5 at season end
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing
Race Dates are May 19th, June 29th, July 27th, August 10th and Finals are September 21st
All Ages Welcome
Registration is ONLY $15 and the day of the first race begins at 10:00 A.M.
Age Classes
Men and Women: Strider Bike
• 7 and Under
• 8-10
• 11-14
• 15-18
• Adult
Men and Women: Strider Bike
• 7 and Under
• 8-10
• 11-14
• 15-18
• Adult
Join Griffin Bike Park for the thyssenkrupp Presta North America Pump Track Series! Bring your speed and skills to Griffin Bike Park to race on the Pro Pump Track for prizes and bragging rights! This is a five-race series and will culminate with the Finals on September 21. This race will be a time trial individual style racing against the clock and your competition times. Your best 3 attempts will be averaged to find a winner. This will determine class champions for each age group and overall points for the race series.
This race is a BMX-style race, BMX and mountain bikes are highly recommended. We encourage all racers to arrive early to check out the pump track and register!
General rules
• If an athlete is younger than 18 years, his parents have to sign the “waiver for minors“ and bring this to the onsite check-in. No waiver = no ride.
• Riders are allowed to participate in as many races as they choose. The best 4 out of 5 races plus the Finals count towards season-end awards.
• All riders have to register and sign the waiver 1st before going on the track for free practice.
• Riders are free to choose their preferred bike. The bike must not have an engine.
• The start will be placed in a way that gives MTB and BMX equal chances.
• Riders will go one at a time.
• Riders get ready with one foot on the ground, the other foot on the pedal,. The time starts running as soon as the rider crosses their start/finish timing line and stops when they cross it again.
• Riders must run 3 laps. Your 3 best laps will be averaged to determine your time and placing.
Please note:
Rider safety
• Riders will bring all equipment needed in a fully operational condition.
• The bike should have at least 1 rear brake.
• No bikes with any kind of automatic transmission, pedal-assist motors, or engines.
• No protruding parts on the bike, which can injure other riders (such as pegs).
• Protective gear.
• Helmet: open face mandatory, full face recommended.
• T-shirt is mandatory, long sleeve with pads is recommended.
• Long pants or knee protection is recommended.
• Shoes mandatory, no flip flops or open shoes.
• Gloves recommended.
Awards
Top 3 to each class per race.
Top 5 per class Season Awards
This race is a BMX-style race, BMX and mountain bikes are highly recommended. We encourage all racers to arrive early to check out the pump track and register!
General rules
• If an athlete is younger than 18 years, his parents have to sign the “waiver for minors“ and bring this to the onsite check-in. No waiver = no ride.
• Riders are allowed to participate in as many races as they choose. The best 4 out of 5 races plus the Finals count towards season-end awards.
• All riders have to register and sign the waiver 1st before going on the track for free practice.
• Riders are free to choose their preferred bike. The bike must not have an engine.
• The start will be placed in a way that gives MTB and BMX equal chances.
• Riders will go one at a time.
• Riders get ready with one foot on the ground, the other foot on the pedal,. The time starts running as soon as the rider crosses their start/finish timing line and stops when they cross it again.
• Riders must run 3 laps. Your 3 best laps will be averaged to determine your time and placing.
Please note:
Rider safety
• Riders will bring all equipment needed in a fully operational condition.
• The bike should have at least 1 rear brake.
• No bikes with any kind of automatic transmission, pedal-assist motors, or engines.
• No protruding parts on the bike, which can injure other riders (such as pegs).
• Protective gear.
• Helmet: open face mandatory, full face recommended.
• T-shirt is mandatory, long sleeve with pads is recommended.
• Long pants or knee protection is recommended.
• Shoes mandatory, no flip flops or open shoes.
• Gloves recommended.
Awards
Top 3 to each class per race.
Top 5 per class Season Awards
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing
Race dates are June 30, July 28, SATURDAY, August 3, September 22.
Qualifiers at 1:00 p.m. Racing at 2:00 p.m.
August 3rd times Quals 5:00p.m. Racing at 6:00 p.m.
August 3rd times Quals 5:00p.m. Racing at 6:00 p.m.
All Ages Welcome
Costs:
$25
$30 Dash for Cash. Non-points 80% payout to top 3 finishers.
$25
$30 Dash for Cash. Non-points 80% payout to top 3 finishers.
Classes:
Men and Womens
10 and under
11-14
15-18
Adult Men
Rookie Class (non points, 2 wins must move to age class)
Men and Womens
10 and under
11-14
15-18
Adult Men
Rookie Class (non points, 2 wins must move to age class)
Join Griffin Bike Park and J’s Bikes as they bring you Dual Slalom Racing on our dual slalom course at the Griffin Bike Park. Our true King of the Mountain competition. Riders will be broken down into age classes. Racing 2 heat bracket racing to determine class champions for each race and overall season points Championships.
Medals to the top 3 finishers in each race.
Awards to Series champions. Must Race 3 races including Finals on September 22
Medals to the top 3 finishers in each race.
Awards to Series champions. Must Race 3 races including Finals on September 22
Crossroads Cyclery Summer Day Camp
June 17 – June 21
Ages 8-14
Drop off is 8:00 am and pick up is 5:00 pm each day.
$40 per day or $150 for the full week
Register by June 13
Join us for the Crossroad Cyclery Summer Day Camp! We will provide bike riding clinics, structured rides, hikes, educational content, and fun games and activities all week at the bike park. Be sure to pack clothes to be outdoors, bug spray, sunscreen and a sack lunch. We will have some downtime after lunch and will provide some drinks and snacks.
