Two of Indiana’s oldest State Parks, McCormick’s Creek and Turkey Run, turn 100 years old next summer. Not only will there be centennial festivities throughout the parks, the state will celebrate its bicentennial in 2016 as well. The celebrations will happen most of the year, and will range from small events to large extravaganzas.

The creation of the Indiana State Parks was a legacy project developed by Indianapolis businessman and German immigrant Colonel Richard Lieber in 1916 as part of the state’s centennial celebration. Now former governor Mitch Daniels created the Bicentennial Commission at the end of 2011 to help plan and execute the state’s 200^th birthday celebration. The Indiana State Parks system will be celebrating both birthdays with events and projects endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project.

In 2010, Outdoor Indiana started publishing a series of collectable pullout articles about the state parks. The last one is set to publish in 2016. You can find these and other collectable items at Indiana State Park Store online, Mother Nature’s Mercantile.

There are many other Legacy Projects throughout the state, offered by many different organizations, as well as Events everyone is invited to attend. From bike rides, to music, and even an old fashioned picnic in a city cemetery, the fun will last into next year.

Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources has published a list of upcoming special events on their website. Special events include a horseshoe tournament at Lieber State Recreation Area, an Archaeology Weekend at Prophetstown State Park, and Smokey Bear’s 71^st birthday celebrations at many of the parks.

For more information about upcoming events, visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.in.gov/dnr/, or visit your local state park.

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