Afleveringen
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In nearly every episode, you've heard from the state park's interpretive naturalist. But what exactly is that job? In a word, they're storytellers. Listen to find out why I think this may be THE most important job in the state parks! You'll get to hear about the woman who started it all, why white tennis shoes are important, who was the state's top interpretive naturalist in 2024 (hint: we met her already this season!), and what it takes to be an interpretive naturalist. You'll hear a few familiar voices from past episodes and meet a couple new women who oversee the work at the state level. I loved talking with all of them!
Plus, don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS. (FYI: Orders will arrive after Christmas.)
And you'll definitely get a good nightâs sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15%.
Any mistakes are my own.
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Travel to Versailles State Park in southeast Indiana where you'll learn about the incredibly supportive family culture the staff has that extends to everyone who visits the park. And this place is an outdoorsy person's dream! You've got mountain biking, hiking, and horse trails plus a lake for boating, kayaking, and fishing! There's also camping, history, and a supportive community that welcomes guests into the family. The pool is perfect in the summer and you can't beat the leaf gazing in the fall!
Mountain bikers, be sure to learn more about SIMBA and how to get involved with their work. And definitely look into Hassmer Fest! Hikers and trail fans should learn more about Mammoth March. See you at the 20 mile hike on June 28, 2025! If you're in the area, you definitely want to join the Friends of Versailles State Park.
Don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS.
And you'll definitely get a good nightâs sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.
Any mistakes are my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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It's a special Holidays IN the Parks episode! Your shopping list, wish list, and holiday events are all taken care of! Listen now and you'll be in the know for the best gifts, events, and family traditions.
Holiday Gifts
1. Buy a vintage-style state park, national park, or any poster from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS
2. Purchase a 2025 state parks pass
3. Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine
HOT TIP: Purchase the state parks Holiday Gift Pack while supplies last (2025 state parks pass, Outdoor Indiana subscription, and gift card to an inn or campground)
4. Get a good nightâs sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.
5. Buy awesome state parks merch and gear from the DNR store
State Park Holiday Events
Pokagon â Ride the toboggan all winter and go on the Christmas Eve morning walk
Potato Creek â The Hillsiders Band concert
Chain Oâ Lakes â Christmas Carol Clue Hunt
Ouabache â Wonderland of Lights and Santa Saturdays
Prophetstown â Head to The Farm for Breakfast with Santa or Christmas on the Farm (UPDATE: Breakfast with Santa is sold out at both times; waitlist available)
Mounds â Drive or walk through Nights of Lights
Lieber SRA â Drive through lights display
Spring Mill State Park â Drive through lights and Holiday in the Village
Clifty Falls â Call Clifty Inn for Breakfast with the Grinch or get tickets to the New Yearâs Eve party
Any mistakes are my own. (Including a grammatical one in this episode!)
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Let's visit an Indiana State Parks fan favorite: Clifty Falls State Park! Clifty Falls is another beauty and is well-loved for its history, hiking, and waterfalls. Oh, and the bats! In this episode, you'll see what it means to be a good neighbor thanks to the actions of the city of Madison and the Friends of Clifty Falls volunteer group. From battling invasive plants to finding new ways to offer accessibility, Clifty Falls is supported by a variety of people who love it. And yes, we'll learn about an Indiana bat species too since they live in Brough's Tunnel in the park.
If youâd like to learn more about the Friends of Clifty Falls, including becoming a member or volunteering, visit their website or Facebook page. On the DNR website, you can also Report A Mammal to track park populations or use the Sick or Dead Wildlife Reporting site. (Please note, that is not for roadkill or animals hit by cars.)
This episode also covers Clifty Inn, chimney swifts (a kind of bird), and the CCC impact. Plus, save the dates for women's hiking events and the Vintage Camper Rally which happens yearly at the end of June!
If youâre hungry for some ice cream after your time at Clifty Falls, be sure to visit Chillbilly Treats. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option â customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.
Any mistakes are my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Come back to Prophetstown State Park with me and enjoy time at The Farm, a non-profit in the park that tells the story of Indiana farm life in the 1920s. The Farm at Prophetstown is an ideal spot for a Third Place. Never heard of the term "Third Place" before? Thatâs okay; neither had I! So listen and learn along with me.
Youâll also hear about their farm-to-table dinners, all the animals, the farmhouse, tenant house, blacksmith shop, and windmill. Whether youâre interested in raising chickens, want to remember what your great-grandfatherâs house was like, or want some outdoor fun, The Farm at Prophetstown is the place to be!
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Fall in love with the prairie, farms, and Indiana history at Prophetstown State Park. While most Indiana state parks have ravines, woods, and maybe even a waterfall, Prophetstown is all about the expansive prairie full of wildflowers, tall grasses, birds, rivers, and farms. This land has been loved and developed for thousands of years and been shaped by ice, water, fire, and human hands.
Be sure you also check out The Farm at Prophetstown. If you want to learn more about mussels and see the aquariums they cleaned, visit Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. To learn more about Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, I recommend listening to a couple episodes of Talking Hoosier History by the Indiana Historical Bureau. There are two episodes: The Making of a Prophet and The Rise and Fall of a Nation.
If youâre hungry for some ice cream after your time at Prophetstown, be sure to visit The Igloo Frozen Custard. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option â customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.
Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this âside trailâ episode, we metaphorically take a hike down another path and go birding! My first time birdwatching was a blast, even though my ignorance was on full display. Thankfully, I had experts to guide me! Iâm joined by special guests Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours (check out his international tours), Whitney Yoerger from Indiana Audubon (becoming a member is affordable and supports Indiana conservation work), and my high school German teacher Judy Birkel who has been birding for years.
I cover so many awesome resources in this episode! Be sure you check out the Indiana Birding Trail, save the date for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, and get your city involved in Bird Town Indiana. The apps mentioned here include Merlin Bird ID and eBird. You can also learn about Project Owl-Net on the Indiana Audubon website.
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Indianaâs first state park set the bar for all the rest. In this episode, I get into all the awesome park features like the Canyon Inn, trails, the legend of Wolf Cave, Stone Arch Bridge, and the waterfall. I also share about finding the place where my grandparents took a picture on a date in 1952! (Check out the Instagram page to see me in the same spot.)
But youâll also hear about the impact of the devastating tornado that hit the park on March 31, 2023. The park is open and so are most of the trails, but the campground was destroyed and the rebuilding will take time. You can read up-to-date status reports here and view drone footage from after the tornado. McCormickâs Creek is a lesson in resilience, strength, and hope. To connect more with the park, you can also join the Friends group. After hiking, be sure to visit Jiffy Treet!
And thanks to the showâs first sponsor, Comfort Option â customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.
Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Bonus Mini-Episode Alert! In this side trail, I dive a little deeper into the M20CW with museum president Christopher Schneider. We get into WWI and pickelhelms, Chris shares about why you might need math in life, about the WWII German Panther tank turret in the museum, and much more. We finish up in the chapel and learn about the ultimate sacrifice of 4 chaplains in 1943. You can learn more about them here. Be sure you follow the museum online and give them a visit when youâre at Fort Harrison!
Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Fort Benjamin Harrison historic district is a familiar area in Indianapolis, but have you spent time in the Fort Harrison State Park? It has something for everyone! In this episode, I cover the reasons why animal lovers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and people interested in the military should visit Fort Harrison. And I didnât even have time to get into trail running, birding, and hiking! Itâs a park that is easy to visit multiple times!
Check out Friends of Fort Harrison State Park. Take a ride with Hoosier Mountain Biking Association or at the horse barn. Learn from the Museum of 20th Century Warfare. Then enjoy ice cream at Moo & Lou Frozen Treats.
Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ouabache was a new park for me, but I fell in love right away! This episode covers all the parkâs best features like the bison and the fire tower. But I start out by making sure I know how to pronounce the parkâs name! Ouabache is a living âhow-toâ in developing a legacy. I go back in time to learn about Virgil Simmons and Kenneth Kunkle who had a vision for the property and the Civilian Conservation Corps who built it into a reality. Then we learn about all things bison! Weâll also discover the connection between the fire tower and Friends volunteer group before finishing up with some of the parkâs fun programs.
Check out Friends of Ouabache State Park and be sure to look at their beautiful magazine. Enjoy ice cream from Toppings or hit up Bummies drive-in for a root beer float!
Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Our first episode starts at Mounds State Park and connects the Bronnenberg family to the Native American mounds on the park property. You may be surprised to learn there are supernatural connections all around at Mounds! Youâll also hear about plans for the property, get introduced to the Friends of Mounds volunteer group and hear about their Christmas lights event, and learn about a roller coaster that used to be here!
Check out Friends of Mounds State Park. Take a virtual ride on Leap the Dips in Altoona, PA. Enjoy ice cream at Frazierâs Dairy Maid in Anderson
Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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IN the Parks is a new podcast about Indiana's state parks. I'll take you on an adventure through Indiana's favorites and hidden gems. Each episode will share the story of a different park -- its history, features, and all the people who make it special. Plus, we'll take some side trails to learn about park-related activities like birding and fire towers. The episodes will start airing after Labor Day, but until then, you can follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow and share with a friend. See you IN the Parks!
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