5 stars. Nice wide…read morepath. There are nice restrooms located at the education center. We saw lots of wildlife: squirrels, deer, raccoons, birds, etc. The raccoon was the fattest I've ever seen - and he crawled out of the garbage can at the education center. Scared me to death! Excellent for jogging, walking, biking, whatever.

The set of trails here runs by what I would call a lake through some woods, wetlands, and meadows…read more It isn't the most amazing environment I've ever seen by any means, but it offers a nice variety of sights, and perhaps moreso a distinctive soundscape. The infrastructure was quite well maintained, with signs apologizing that some trees had to be cut down due to parasites, but overall a clean set of trails, a visitor center with needed facilities, and a bike path running through. I did not see any celery; I'm not sure if I'm missing something or if this is just my own ignorance of what the actual plant looks like.

The best trail for running in the West Lafayette/Lafayette area. On the southernmost point, you can…read morepark at Fort Ouiatenon, take the sidewalk 3/4s of a mile to the trailhead then follow the dirt path along the Wabash River up to the pedestrian bridge, where you can cross over to the Lafayette side or continue up a bit more on paved surface toward a small park, restaurants and the edge of Purdue's campus. If you head over to the Lafayette side, the trail continues on paved surface for a while before returning to a dirt surface and concludes at the Tippecanoe Battlefield Park in Battle Ground, roughly 13 miles from Fort O. The trail is mostly flat and runnable from start to finish. After heavy rains, the river regularly floods the southern part of the trail.

The Wabash Heritage Trail is 13 miles long making it a perfect training ground for a mini marathon…read more However, today we were exploring nature with our granddaughter. We started on the north end at Battleground Memorial. At the head of the trail is a sweet little nature center (Wah-ba-shik-a Nature Center) filled with descriptions of wildlife and fauna that are native to the area. My granddaughter was delighted to see the big white owl that greeted us at the door. The volunteer at the Center was welcoming and admission was free. They had maps for the trail that you can take. There are also special programs offered throughout the year. The trail starts and Battleground and extends all the way to Fort Ouiatenon. We only toured a couple miles along a creek that eventually meets the Wabash River. The trail is mulch covered and easy to navigate by foot. It would be difficult to maneuver a stroller or wheelchair onto the trail. The trail is lined with very large sycamores, oaks, walnuts and other trees native to the area. Some of the trees were at least 300 years older. The creek is clear and suitable for a little stomping. There are occasional benches along the trail as well as informational markers. There were also picnic tables and a water fountain at the trail head. We did not see any restroom facilities, but there were probably some in the Battle Ground Museum. The hike is quiet during the week. You can enjoy the sounds of birds and squirrels. I can imagine how beautiful the trail is when the leaves are changing color. There is some highway traffic noise as you get closer to the highway. The trail does not loop, so you have to backtrack to return to your car. There was plenty of parking at the Memorial. The map indicated that there were about five parking lots along the trail. We enjoyed the hike and will return to do a different section soon. I highly recommend.

A nice paved path and pretty wooded views make this an enjoyable trail. We saw a group of folks…read morewith a few people in wheel chairs and we were encouraged that many people can enjoy this beautiful walk.

The Monon High Bridge Trail is part of Delphi, Indiana's 10+ mile system of historic trails that…read morerun throughout the city that rests alongside the Wabash and Erie Canal. The trail became an infamous part of Indiana's crime history on Valentine's Day in 2017 when teenagers Abigail Williams and Liberty German were murdered on the trail after having gone there for an afternoon of hiking on an unseasonably warm February day in Indiana. I must admit that I hesitated to add the trail, a previously popular trail on Delphi's Eastside that seems to be mostly used at this point by those seeking some sort of closure in dealing with the crime and by other curious Hoosiers. For a smaller city, Delphi has a rather nicely developed trail system. Since the tragedy occurred in 2017, Delphi has been making tremendous strides in raising funds and working toward further enhancing the safety of its trails. As a longtime activist in the area of violence prevention, I've long been outspoken about violence involving children and the Delphi killings struck me particularly hard as it was right around the time I was doing one of my Tenderness Tour events. Over the past year, I'd wanted to try to wheel this trail, knowing that it wasn't quite as developed as I usually try to stick to, but it has never felt quite right given the tragedy and my overwhelming desire to not exploit those involved. Having done a recent event, however, I had the opportunity to visit Delphi and to wheel this trail without any publicity and with no commercial attachments. While I am not connected to Delphi, Abby, or Liberty, like many it felt very personal. The trail is a 1.5 mile trail accessible by the abandoned Monon Railroad and from County Road 300. There is some parking available, though I should say up front that neither the parking area not the actual trail would likely be considered wheelchair friendly. The parking area isn't paved - it's more natural dirt/gravel road with a gravel pathway to the actual trail that is actual gravel and not crushed stone. It's not an easy wheel. You can tell you're in the right place if you see a Centennial Stone dedicated to General Samuel Milroy There's a very clear Delphi Historic Trails sign also present. The trail features Indiana's second highest railroad creek crossing, a crossing that is currently blocked off largely related to the crime and issues with private property and planned renovations. When you visit the trail, you are immediately overwhelmed with the fact that the trail is relatively close to a highway and also a property that is on the National Register of Historic Places. While I was able to make my way up to the closed area in a wheelchair, it's pretty clear that the pending renovations and lack of utilization have allowed for some wear to exist on the trail that would likely be addressed more fully if the trail was more actively utilized. We ran into an elderly area couple on the trail while out there - they acknowledged it was their first time on the trail since the killings and they shared their insights about the town's ongoing inability to use the trail. It appears this is magnified because no one has been arrested for the killings. The trail itself is mostly natural, somewhat cleared yet definitely one that requires full attention to ensure safe passage. While the bridge itself was blocked off, it is well known the railroad crossing would not be wheelchair friendly even for a pretty extreme adventure guy like myself. The trail also offers access to the Mary I. Gerrard Nature Preserve, a 6-acre nature park that is right near the end of the trail where the kilings occurred. There's also a memorial to Abby and Liberty that is still presence, a simple yet powerful reminder of the tragedy. It feels weird to "rate" the Monon High Bridge Trail "as is." Yet, it's a trail that remains open to the public and is due to be renovated and upgraded with enhanced safety features. While it remains to be seen if the public will return to the trail, one hopes that the beautiful setting will once again be visited even if it must wait until someone is held accountable for the tragedy that occurred on the trail. The trail is open dusk to dawn. The trail itself does not wind around - once you reach the end, you'll turn around and return the same way. It should be obvious, but if you choose to visit the trail do so respectfully. Delphi is a city with very little crime and the tragedy that occurred on the Monon High Bridge Trail has truly shaken its soul. Please be respectful of anyone you see and the memorial markers that continue to be present toward the end of the trail. Ultimately, the trail is best for hikers and those without mobility concerns. Those in wheelchairs and those with other gait or walking concerns may want to stick to the paved trails closer to town.

Stockton Park is a beautiful small pocket park wedged into a corner between Erie and Sheridan…read moreStreets along Ferry St. There is no parking along any of the streets (I pulled into a private business nearby long enough to take pictures), so the park's location doesn't help attract visitors. Basically, the park has a central shelter with tables, a bench swing on the side, a water fountain, and a single spring toy for kids to sit on and rock. The park does have some well maintained gardens and terracing. There are paved sidewalks leading around and into the park as well. Review #1084

Beautiful well kept park for sport and summer games and ice skating in the winter, there is easy…read moreand free parking, even more nearby at the mall, easy access right off State Street, good lookout points to the river, and excellent walking to downtown via the pedestrian bridge which also leads to the trails. Makes for a relaxing bit of green amidst downtown, campus, and a good stopping point on the Wabash Heritage Trail that runs all over for both running and biking.

Location! Sometimes a park benefits from having an ideal location more than any of the amenities…read moreyou find there. For Tapawingo, the location is ideal. Located along the Wabash River, the park is on the north side of the State\Columbia Street Bridge. As you cross the river into West Lafayette, head north at the roundabout onto Tapawingo Dr and head to the north end of the park. Turn right onto Brown and you will find free pull-in parking there. The park is lush and green with mature trees lining the paved pathways through the park. The northwest corner has a decent playground for the kids to enjoy. To the east is a small shelter. South of the playground is an elevated art installation that appears to be the bones of a ship called "Tapawingo Travelogue" by artist Eric Nordgulen (2015). Continuing south, there is a building that hosts outdoor ice skating in the cold months. I am not sure if there is any activity there during the summer, but it seems they out to let kids roller skate during the warmer months to make full use of the space. At the south end of the park is Margerum Fountain, named after a former mayor. The fountain is one with the high spray in the center and a small circle of spray surrounding it. Another benefit of the location is that the John T Myers footbridge is directly east of the fountain. If you haven't crossed the bridge, it has the makings of a great festival area and offers even better views of the river. (If you go, check out the large Millenium Sundial by David Aho - 1999). Lots to see and do at this park...or do nothing at all. You can still have a great time here. Review #1126

I wasn't sure what I'd find at this park on the northwest side of Delphi. When I pulled into the…read moreparking lot on the south end, I was immediately aware of a high ridge with a fence on it that I couldn't see over. There was a small plaza with benches and a sculpture and a dedication plaque to George Obear. Beyond the plaza, there was a grove of mature trees with a picnic table in the center. And then I noticed the structure that is the overlook part of the park's name. I climbed the structure and saw a plaque describing the man-made lake that was in front of me. Apparently, the area beyond the ridge had been a limestone quarry that stopped producing in 1994 and was allowed to fill with water. Wow! I went on a sunny day and I can honestly say that I have never seen water so sparkling blue in my 60+ years. Even though the water is about 100 feet deep, I can only imagine the white limestone helps reflect light back to the surface to make the water appear so light in color. It's a shame that the fencing around the overlook takes away from the view (I had to get my camera up against the fence to shoot through it.) I never made it to the north end of the park since it was extremely hot on my visit and I didn't try to walk to the north end. Note that there are some private lots along the road that takes you up to the north end of the park, so it isn't so easily recognizable. Not sure what else there is to see on that end. Even if you don't make it to that end, pick a sunny day and check out the view. The view of the lake is worth the trip! Review #2793

The Falls Creek Gorge is one of those places that if you go at the right time and/or have the right…read moreclothing/gear, you get a nice experience. Maybe even some great photos, too! The entire trek from parking lot to the potholes, then the mini waterfall, and then back the way you came to your car, is less than a mile. So, if you pack your car accordingly with a change of shoes or water shoes, you may not mind getting your feet wet if the water level is higher than when I went. Know that once you climb down a short stairway, you will most likely have to cross a slightly sloped rock area where water flows over it. I wasn't worried about getting my shoes wet (it was only about 1/4 inch deep) but because of the possibility of slipping and taking a hard fall onto the rock and sliding into the creek. The creek wasn't deep either, but rock is a lot harder than my bones, so I was careful as I crossed the area to the stairs that lead sharply up to the rest of the trail. I was fortunate that the water level was low and easily crossed to a spot where I could stand at creek level to view the potholes. The eddying current of the creek has worn a series of potholes in the river bed than make for a great audio experience hearing the water flow through them. The trail is steep at points and is narrow most of the way as you can get views from above the potholes and the creek. If you continue on the trail, it leads back to a mini waterfall that is only a couple feet high, but because of the setting and the sound, I found I was very pleased I went the extra distance to view it. I understand that the experience can be completely different after a heavy rain or in the winter when ice covers much of the creek. My advice is to know your own skill level at handling flowing water and ice before you undertake this park when the conditions are more challenging. Review #2843

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. This attraction was one of only two in Williamsport that enticed us…read moreto drive here from Indy. The gorge itself was splendid but upon our return to our vehicle we were welcomed by the local anti-economic development committee (the local police force) trying to scare us away. Weird. Oh well, enjoyed the trip anyway.

This is an amazing park tucked away in a small suburb of Lafayette. It sits right in front of the…read morezoo and spans 40 acres. It is relatively well maintained and clean. There is tons of parking available, spread out between a couple of lots and some street parking. The park has lots of shelters with picnic tables under them and a grill just outside of them. I would say there are at least 18 of them that are available to be rented. The park also has a couple of shuffle boards that you can play and a loose picnic tables scattered on the grounds. The park is home to an amazing playground that has just about everything you would want in a playground. It's only negative is that it is on a bed of wood chips. The area is pretty large and divided into different areas for recommended age groups. There is a wide mix of equipment here including traditional and toddler swings, a saucer swing, sit-n-spins, slides, expression swings, and a teen area with a jungle gym that has a suspended pebble bridge and monkey rings. There is a huge jungle gym that sits a top a hill in the area that has a bunch of slides and some monkey bars. The equipment seems to be in pretty good repair and looks great, even though it is a bit older. You will find a share a book kiosk and a glider swing in the area as well. The park features a train depot that sits right across from the zoo entrance and it has an operational train that goes around the park. It was not running while I was there because it was out of season. I really liked the park's man-made lagoon that winds through it. It very picturesque and calming. It adds a nice touch to the park. They have a little pier on the lake where they do paddle boat rentals, in season. You will see little amphitheater at the park. It seems relatively new and is very nice. it has seating and a scenic little plaza area with picnic tables that over look the park's lagoon. There is also a trail, the Columbian Trail, that weaves in and around Columbian Park. It is well paved and has a very scenic view. What sets this park apart though is its veterans area. They have a large area, the Memorial Plaza, located along the water dedicated to memorials to veterans. They have the United Spanish War Memorial, Gold Star Family Memorial, Medal of Honor Memorial, Purple Heart Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial. There is also a bunch of flag waving from flags poles over there and a Howitzer gun on display. You will also see the Tippecanoe County Veterans Memorial, which is the oldest memorial in the park, dating back to 1949. I did not see a bathroom facility dedicated to the park, but I was able to use the one attached to the Zoo's entrance. It was very nice and well maintained. Also located on the water is the Rush Pavilion which serves as a clubhouse that can be rented for special events. It can hold up to 50 people and includes access to a full service kitchen. The wrap around porch can hold an additional 100 people. This is a destination park that you can easily spend a half of day without even going to the zoo or amphitheater. It has everything that I look for in a park and more. It is very picturesque and I really enjoyed my time there. I also like, that they included salutes to veterans in their planning. I highly recommend checking this place out. It checks off all the boxes and will not disappoint.

Im actually sad this park is not closer to home for me. We enjoyed walking around the lake. They…read morehave paddle boats, an amphitheater, lots of picnic shelters and grills, and a small train. Plus playground equipment, a beautiful banquet hall, and a small zoo. My favorite part was the swinging benches. I'd be there all the time if I lived by this park.