Come out and play!
County parks getting ready for summer activities
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

French Post Park An eight-foot concrete teepee monument erected by founding park members stands on park grounds. The teepee is admired by all who visit there. Photo provided

When the weather turns warm (it was bound to happen soon), people just normally gravitate toward outdoor activities to fill their free time. Fishing, camping and boating enthusiasts, as well as those who just like to be outdoors in rustic settings, may be scoping out areas to use to fulfill their woodsy wishes. And it's Carroll County to the rescue!

County residents and nonresidents alike are encouraged to set their sights for both county-maintained parks this summer. The county owns and operates Deer Creek Park and French Post Park, located in opposite corners of the county, for residents and visitors to enjoy the great outdoors and to appreciate some of what makes Carroll County a special place in Indiana.

Park board president Bob Burton has accumulated a history of Deer Creek Park that tells a tale of long-time use and enjoyment. Burton said the old Washington Township Conservation Club sold the park to the county in 1967 for one dollar.

Common activities for the time included trap shoots, softball games, fish frys and euchre tournaments.

Deer Creek Park campers The Carroll County Park Board would like to fill Deer Creek Park with campers this summer. Campers were a-plenty several years ago and the park is still equipped to accommodate several forms of camping. Photo provided.

Located on SR218, just west of SR29, the park offers a variety of amenities for today's visitors. Campsites with electrical hook-ups, water and sanitary disposal are available for rent. Playground equipment, basketball goals, picnic shelters, a tennis court, modern bathrooms and a lake to fish in are free to use. The clubhouse is available for rent, by the hour or day, for groups to hold meetings or reunions.

"Deer Creek Park is a great place to fish and take the family," Burton said.

Reservations for camping are not necessary. However those with questions about park usage can call park caretakers at (574) 859-2371.

French Post Park, which was dedicated Aug. 18, 1923, is more rustic, without all of the modern conveniences of its sister park. However, it has one thing the other park does not - a boat ramp.

"French Post is a wonderful place to launch a canoe or boat into the Wabash River," Burton said. "It is also a great place to sit back and just watch the river flow."

Iron Workers Local 379 formed and poured concrete and built picnic tables for the French Post shelter house in the 1950s. They used the facility for annual picnics until the 1970s. Boy Scouts cared for the park and held meetings during the same period.

French Post Park is located off of Towpath Road near Lockport. It offers a handicapped accessible boat ramp, shelter house with picnic tables, fresh water and playground equipment. A portable restroom is available from spring through fall.

Everyone is encouraged to lace up their hiking boots or pack a picnic lunch and visit both parks this summer. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and visit these two Carroll County diamonds in the woods!