Indiana : Two Trails to Explore

Old Town Trail at Waverly Park Festival

Check out this year’s Old Town Waverly Park Festival, September 23 and 24l This annual festival takes place at Old Town Waverly Park along the banks of the White River. The little village of Waverly was at one time a thriving river town and was actually one of only two finalists to becoming the Indiana state capitol when they moved it north from Corydon.

Old Town Waverly Park was created after catastrophic flooding in 2008, using funds from FEMA to help buy out property owners whose homes were in the flood area. Using that land, Morgan County created Old Town Waverly Park to help celebrate the small community’s history and share it with visitors while also creating recreational opportunities and river accessibility. Here’s what you’ll find at this year’s festival:

Throw a Tomahawk

Kids and adults alike can take a turn at hitting the target with a real tomahawk. Meet historic characters and participate in fun activities.

Blacksmith and tinsmith demonstrations

See how fire, hammers and metal can create useful and beautiful creations. Watch the tinsmith craft useful items from sheets of tin.

Meet the Animals

A variety of farm animals will be on hand to meet and pet.

Old Fashioned Challenges

Tug o war, watermelon seed spitting, nail driving and more! Kids Town and Straw Town activities and games.

Quilting & Weaving

Learn how to create fabric through weaving and utilize scraps to create beautiful quilts. Be sure to ask if you have any questions!

Golf Cart Tours

Offered both days. learn more about the history or riverview off the Waverly area .Cost is $2.

Reenactor Encampments

Trappers, the post-Civil War era and the wild west!

Arts, Crafts, Food

A wide variety of vendors for shopping on both days.

Live Entertainment

Throught the 2-day festival.

For more information, visit www.visitmorgancountyin.com

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New Mountain Biking Trai

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Southeast Indiana Mountain Bike Association (SIMBA) recently announced the opening of a new mountain bike trail at Versailles State Park.

The was constructed by SIMBA, with help from a $200,000 Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced in March 2021 as a part of the second round of NLT.

“Versailles State Park solidifies its position as one of the top destinations for mountain biking in southern Indiana, and the recent construction of a new trail only reinforces its recognized standing,” said DNR Director Dan Bortner. “Thanks to Next Level Trails and SIMBA, we have not only created a significant connection between the park and the town, but also expanded the already extensive trail system.”

The recently opened Potato Peeler Trail is a 5-mile loop west of the existing mountain bike trails at the park between Finks Road and Hassmer Hill Road. It is the second of two trails constructed with NLT funds. The first opened in July 2022, connecting the town of Versailles to the Busching Bridge and the park entrance.

As part of the governor’s Next Level Connections initiative, NLT is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The now $180 million program is administered by the DNR and facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. To date, NLT has awarded $150 million to 75 projects across the state.

In May, Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced details for the fourth round of the NLT grant program, which will dedicate an additional $30 million to connect communities through more hiking, biking, and riding trails across the state.

The fourth round will award up to $22.5 million to regional projects and up to $7.5 million to local projects. The application period for the fourth round began on July 1 and ends on Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. CT. Eligible applicants include units of government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applicants are limited to one application per round.

Including the new trails at Versailles State Park, 22 NLT projects are complete, opening over 75 miles of new trail to the public. An additional 40 trail miles are under construction.

Mountain bike trails in Versailles State Park are multi-use. They are open to hiking and trail running as well as bicycling. Riders should obtain a $5 daily or $20 annual pass before using the park’s mountain bike trails. Passes can be purchased at gates, the park office, or ShopINStateParks.com.

More information about the NLT is at on.IN. gov/NextLevelTrails

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