A free preview of the Covered Bridge State Forest and Equestrian Center, Western Indiana's newest such facility, will be offered by the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Nov. 7-8.
During both days, 4 miles of horse trails will be open for riding or hiking. On Nov. 7, at 4 p.m., State Forester John Seifert will participate in an open discussion about the facility. A pitch-in dinner, hosted by the Indiana Trail Riders Association (ITRA) follows at 5 p.m. For pitch-in information, e-mail greghersberger@intrailriders.org.
Anyone interested is invited for a few hours, an entire day or both days. There will be no entry permitted after 8 p.m. Saturday. Limited Saturday night camping (10 non-electric sites) will be available by reservation only, limit one trailer per site. Call (812) 648-2810. The event ends Sunday at 3 p.m.
Re-opening of the equestrian center, along with the opening of some employment opportunities, is planned for spring 2010.
The purchase of the land near Annapolis is part of a conservation partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Indiana to conserve natural lands and working forests in the Sugar Creek corridor. DNR's Division of Forestry will manage the land under its multiple-use/multiple-benefit approach to provide continued traditional forest uses, including timber, wildlife, recreation, and protection for the watershed and the area's unique natural resources.
Future plans include allowing limited public hunting. The property will not be available for such use at this time because of work activity and lack of property line markings.
To get to Covered Bridge State Forest and its equestrian center: from Rockville, Ind., take Highway 41 North approximately 6 miles, turn left (west) onto Annapolis Road, go approximately 1 ½ miles through Annapolis, turn right (north) onto Parke County Road 150, go north approx 3/4 mile turn left (west) onto farm lane, then sign in at white horse barn.
For more information, call Covered Bridge State Forest at (812) 648-2810 or (260) 409-6827.
« Back to News Release List
Link to this event: