Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 November 1996 — Page 4
The Muncie Times, November 7, 1996, Page 4
Governor opens Ft. Harrison State Park
Gov. Evan Bayh has dedicated Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. In doing so, he invited the public to celebrate the transition from a semiclosed military installation to a public park open for hiking, picnicing, wildlife viewing and family recreation. “Today, Hoosiers are giving a gift to our children and grandchildren,” said the Governor. “We took the unfortunate closing of Fort Harrison and transformed it into a historic opportunity to preserve our Hoosier heritage and our natural resources.” “In the 8 years of the Bayh/ O’Bannon administration, we have developed five new state parks all across Indiana, making this the largest expansion of our state park system in 60 years,” Bayh said. Four parks have opened during the past 8 years—Summit Lake, Falls of the Ohio, Charlestown and Fort Harrison. Prophetstown State Park, in Tippicanoe County, is currently under development. “But this park, in the heart of the state’s largest urban area, can provide recreational experiences for people who have never had the chance to travel to one of our other state parks. City dwellers will thrill
to the sight of great blue herons in flight. They will enjoy strolling through a walnut plantation or wetting a line at a fishing hole,” said Bayh. “All these things are available because the State of Indiana was willing to not only take over stewardship of a large portion of the closed military base, but also develop the land for recreational use.” Fort Harrison was slated for closure by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 1991. A feasibility study for a new state park at the fort was completed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 1993. Bayh submitted the new state park plan to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which approved the governor’s request in 1994. Park planning efforts continued with the Army, the Fort Harrison Reuse Task Force, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the City of Lawrence from 1994 to 1996. In 1995, the Fort Harrison golf course was acquired by the state and renovation of the course, with a new design by Pete Dye, has continued since last year. The course is set to open in 1997. Much park preparation work
has progressed in 1996, including construction of a gatehouse, Delaware lake picnic area and Cherry Tree picnic area. Facilities available to the public include the Garrison restaurant and conference center, lodging at the Harrison House and three Wood Street houses, picnic areas, hiking trails, and fishing on Delaware Lake and Duck Pond. In the future, facilities will include a nature center, an environmental education center, a large picnic shelter, modem restroom build ings and a saddle bam and prc shop. “Many people and organizations deserve recognition for their tireless efforts to convert a large portion Fort Harrison into a state park. I especially want to call to your attention Secretary of the Interior Bruct Babbitt, Secretary of the Army Togo D. West, Jr., and Gen. Ronald Brooks for their leadership in making it possible to open this extraordinary facility to the public,” Bayh said. The Fort Harrison State Park entrance is at 59th and Post Road. From Interstate 465, take 56th Street east, and turn north on Post Road. Already open are: • The Garrison Restaurant
and conference center, formerly the Officers’ and Civilians’ Club, the Harrison House Inn and former officers’ home. • Picnic areas with shelters, play field and play structures, and fishing lakes. • Naturalist-led activities. • Park gate house, office and service area.
year are: • An 18-hole golfcourse and driving range. • Nature center with fulltime naturalists. • A 2 1/2 mile paved multiuse trail. • A saddle bam with a 2-mile guided trail ride. • An environmental educa-
Scheduled for opening next tion center.
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