State to Dedicate New Recreation Area
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Department of Natural Resources this afternoon will dedicate the new 200-acre Trine State Recreation Area. The Steuben County site includes a dozen rental cabins, a welcome center and conference amenities. It served as a church camp and resort from the late-1940s until 2006. May 15, 2014
News Release
STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. – The public is invited to Trine State Recreation Area in Steuben County to celebrate its grand opening on May 15 with Gov. Mike Pence and DNR director Cameron Clark.
A dedication ceremony is at 2 p.m., followed by an optional walk along one of the trails. Refreshments will be provided by Potawatomi Inn.
Purchased in 2006, the nearly 200-acre property is east of Pokagon State Park and Interstate 69. It has been undergoing renovations since the purchase to prepare it for public use.
Trine SRA was Wing Haven Resort from 1948 to 1972. It was Camp Calvary church camp and Oakhill Resort and Conference Center from 1972 until 2006.
DNR acquired the property through a gift from Steuben County philanthropists Ralph and Sheri Trine. Other partners in the acquisition included DNR's Indiana Heritage Trust, the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, ACRES Land Trust, Steuben County Community Foundation, McClue Nature Reserve, Steuben County Lakes Council 101 Lakes Land Trust, Blue Heron Ministries and a number of individuals.
“The purchase and development of this site is a great example of a public-private partnership to promote outdoor recreation, conserve land and preserve water quality,” said DNR director Cameron Clark.
Since 2007, Sheri and Ralph Trine have continued their initial generosity and donated building materials, furniture, flooring, appliances, and decorations to restore 12 overnight cabins and Swenson Lodge and furnish the new Trine Welcome Center. The Swenson Lodge Conference Center is available for board meetings and retreats and has a board room, kitchen, dining area and lounge.
A soft opening was held in November 2013 to allow guests to use trails and fish. The grand opening coincides with the opening of Trine SRA's 12 cabins, which will be available for overnight rental. The cabins can be reserved at camp.IN.gov.
Trine is on the shores of Gentian Lake and offers boat rentals, fishing, hiking, picknicking, a bike trail inside the property, and three multi-purpose trails.
Admission for the dedication and on the weekend after the dedication will be free to allow visitors to explore the site. Rental fees for facilities will be in effect.
Trine SRA is accessible from Feather Valley Road, one-half mile east of County Road 50 West. A property map is available at stateparks.IN.gov/2973.htm. Its address is 145 W. Feather Valley Road, Fremont.
Source: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources