St. Joseph County Parks www.sjcparks.org
Spring Activity Guide 2023 St. Patrick’s County Park Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve
St. Joseph County Parks
Bendix Woods County Park Spicer Lake Nature Preserve Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park
Calendar of Events Follow or like us on Facebook for program updates and for fun family activities in the parks. For program information or reservations, call 574/654-3155.
March
Sugar Camp Days
Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19 8am-3pm Bendix Woods County Park Fee: $8/vehicle Save the date for our 50th annual Sugar Camp Days! Join us in celebration of the end of winter! Watch sap cook into syrup, enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast (a New Carlisle Lion’s Club fundraiser), tour the Sugar Bush, purchase homemade baked goods made with pure maple syrup, try a maple hot dog, and much more!
March 1974 - Cooking maple syrup at Bendix Woods County Park
Sky Dance of the Woodcock
Saturday, March 25, 7:15-8:45pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Meet in the White Barn parking lot Fee: $5/person Treat yourself to the sky dance of the American Woodcock! Fondly known as Timberdoodle, Bogsucker, and Labrador Twister, this unusual shorebird performs an unparalleled “sky dance” to win mates. Prior to sunset, meet with a Park Naturalist to learn about the life, history, and lore of the woodcock. Then take a short quiet hike to the woodcock’s staging grounds to observe this amazing spring ritual, which begins shortly after sunset. Registration required by March 21. *Weather permitting.
Bike Swap Meet
Sunday, March 26, 11:30am-2pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn This annual event is sponsored by the Michiana Bicycle Association (MBA) and the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association (NIMBA). There is no charge for buyers or sellers. Anyone is welcome to bring bicycle-related items to sell. Sellers should arrive between 10:45-11:15am to set up. First-come first-served for table space.
April Spring Break Disc Golf
April 3-7, 10am-7pm Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Fee: Free for youth 17 and under Keep the kids busy over Spring Break and get them outdoors for a FREE round of disc golf and rental.
Easter “O” Hunt
Sunday, April 9, 1-3pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: $5/child Recommended for children 6 and up Hop on over and take part in a fun family challenge exploring the park for Easter eggs! Maps will be available to help you navigate. Afterwards, turn in the eggs for candy. Don’t forget to bring your Easter basket! Registration and payment required by April 4.
Audubon Rummage Sale
Saturday, April 22, 8am-1pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Fee: Gate fee in effect after 10am Shop through a barn full of treasures! This annual event is organized by the South BendElkhart Audubon Society. Drop off your donated items at the Red Barn April 19-21 from 1pm to 6pm. Donations of electronics or sofas not accepted. For more information, call 574-339-2675.
Garlic Mustard Zap!
Saturday, April 22, 9am-12pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Meet in the Berta Shelter Parking Lot Volunteer and help the St. Joseph County Parks remove the aliens (invasive plants of course). Bring gloves and wear clothes for getting dirty. Registration required by April 19.
Girls Ambitious about Learning Science (GALS)
Saturday, April 15, 10am-2:30pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Hurwich Shelter Fee: Free! Calling all 5th-8th grade girls interested in science! Come enjoy a day of outdoor fun with hands-on, feet-stomping experiments and presentations led by local women in science. Join these women as they share their passion for research, animals, and sustainability! Lunch and snacks will be provided. This program is free thanks to a generous grant from the Dr. Elmer R. Graber Youth Fund for Exploring Nature. Registration required by April 10.
Earth Day Trivia
Sunday, April 23, begins at 1pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn area Fee: $10/group, up to 6 people Grab some snacks, spread a blanket out in the grass, and test your environmental knowledge with a friendly game of trivia. Park prizes will be given to the 1st and 2nd place winners. Registration and payment required by April 18.
For program updates and nature notes, “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/sjcparks and follow us on Twitter at @SJCoParks.
May Nature-Inspired Pottery
Saturday, May 6, 11am-3pm Bendix Woods County Park: Van Paris Fee: $12/person Discover the beauty of spring with a guided hike observing nature’s display of wildflowers. Afterwards, create your own nature inspired piece using self-hardening clay. All materials provided. Registration and paymentrequired by May 1.
Night Orienteering
Wednesday, May 24, begins at 8pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: $10/team, up to 4 people It’s National Scavenger Hunt Day so grab a partner(s), bring a flashlight and let’s go play outdoors and enjoy the falling darkness! Use your flashlight and locate checkpoints throughout the park within the 60-minute time limit. Registration and payment required by May 19.
Best Poker Hand Wins
Thursday, May 25, 2-7pm Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Fee: $1/poker hand & *Regular disc golf fees We combined disc golf and poker! As you play the course switch out a card at select holes to make the best hand you can. Prizes will be awarded to top hands. Pay at the Gatehouse.
Wildflower Tea Party
Sunday, May 7, 2-4pm Bendix Woods County Park: Runnels Shelter Fee: $10/person Experience one of the most beautiful spots in St. Joseph County – the Bendix Woods Nature Preserve in spring! Join us for a wildflower walk with a naturalist to discover the spectacular display of woodland flowers. Afterwards, enjoy tea and treats served outdoors in the fresh spring air. All ages welcome. Registration and payment required by May 3.
Flexing at Baugo
Saturday, May 13 Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Tee off anytime between 9am and 4pm. Choose your group: Minimum of 3, Maximum of 5. Visit discgolfscene.com closer to the tournament date for more details and to pre-register (recommended).
Armed Forces Day: Vets Golf Free
Saturday, May 20, 10am-7pm Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Fee: Free for military To pay tribute to the men and women who serve across all six branches in the US military, we are offering a round of disc golf to them and their immediate family. Gate fee and disc rental included. Valid military ID required.
*Program Series Overhead and Underfoot: Life Springs Into Action
Saturday, April 1, 8:30-10:30am Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center Saturday, April 29, 8:30-10:30am Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter Saturday, June 3, 8:30-10:30am St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: $15/Person for three-part series Meet a naturalist at a county park on three Saturdays in Spring to discover and observe life’s post-winter rebirth. Each program begins with an indoor introduction to what’s going on with the plants, animals, and insects that share our world. Then head out for a hike to look and listen for nature in action. Registration and payment required by March 28.
Boomers and Beyond: Spring Walking Club
Grassland Bird Hike
Saturday, May 27, 8-10:30am Beverly Crone Restoration Area Fee: Free Enjoy a morning of birding at Beverly Crone Restoration Area. We will walk the gravel path in search of Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolinks, and other grassland birds. The Restoration Area is located at Jackson Road and Locust Road, west of U.S. 31. Park on the spur on the south side of Jackson, just east of Locust. Registration required by May 24.
St. Joseph County Parks Photographer Recognition Thank you to all photographers who participated in the 2022 Life Through the Lens Photography Contest! We sincerely appreciate your contributions that showcased the beauty of the county parks. Featured in this Activity Guide is photographer: Ellen Van Arsdale
Wednesdays, April 19 & 26, 11am-12:20pm Wednesdays, May 3, 10 & 17, 11am-12:20pm Locations vary Fee: $20/person for 5 sessions Join a naturalist from the St. Joseph County Parks for another series of exercise and exploration on our local walking trails. We will be visiting two St. Joseph County Parks, two Nature Preserves, and finish up by exploring Pokagon State Park in Angola, IN. Plan to devote a few hours for the Pokagon trip! *State Park entrance fees are not included in the course cost. Fees will be due and collected at the first class. Registration required by April 14.
Outdoor Adventures Summer Nature Camp It’s time to celebrate the return of Outdoor Adventures summer nature camp at St. Patrick’s County Park! Bring on the summer and outdoor fun by hiking, paddling, and splashing your way into natural fun! Enjoy the many health benefits of spending time outdoors and experience new adventures every day. For more information, or to request registration materials, please call 574/654-3155, or visit www.sjcparks.org.
Volunteer Spotlights NIMBA Zachary Richey Lippert Components Powell Florist Martin’s Supermarket Matthy’s Farm Pete and Ella Farrough Sanaiya Wells Johnathan Wise Terry Colby José Ramirez Pat and Dean Skaggs Chris Jones Evelyn Teske Jamie Barrier June Kohler Jesse Wisler Jodi Magalski Elizabeth Hooser Yasuko Duff
Jimtown Cross-Country Brian, Alana, and Kayla Witkowski Sierra Freeman Alan Canales-Garrido Seth Quick Kimberly Cantero Katelyn Garcia Savannah Barrier Mary Dominick Konnor Kudrecki Liz Zapf Monica Tetzlaff Colt Frame Tasia O’Brien William Pontius Nolan Smith IDEM Northern Regional Office Trident Naval Society/Navy ROTC Notre Dame Club
Steve Hummer Ben Reinoehl Nancy and Gary Beall Nick Hancock Mike Ebersole Todd Eliott Andrew Mrozinski William and Drew Wolter Daragh Deegan Robert Hiser Brian Weldon Dick and Donna Pfeil Lise and Ed Schools Evie Kirkwood Fritz Hancock Ruth Nieboer Jill Delucia Kevin Clawson Michael Denman Tom Faludy
Volunteers and donors help the county parks in many ways! Thank you to these recent volunteers and donors! If you would like to become a volunteer, join the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation, or join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake, visit www.sjcparks.org.
Picnic Shelter and Facility Rentals The Red Barn and Gazebo
V.I.P. Dr. Monica Tetzlaff & IUSB Students
Dr. Monica Tetzlaff, a professor at IUSB, has built a partnership between the Parks and her Humans & the Environment class. During the 2021 and 2022 Bendix Woods Fall Special Events, her students expressed great enthusiam, hard work, and a willingness to learn. Their presence made a difference in educating park patrons and provided a fun and engaging atmosphere. Thank you for owl you do!
Park Hours & Gate Fees Bendix Woods, St. Patrick’s, and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks: March-April 9: 10am-7pm April 10-May 28: 10am-8:30pm May 29-August 6: 10am-9pm August 7-September 17: 10am-8:30pm Park entrance fee in effect on weekends and holidays April-October: $4/in-county vehicle $5/out-of-county vehicle $8/vehicle at special events *Gate fees will also be collected on Fridays at St. Patrick’s and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Spicer Lake Nature Preserve opens one hour later and closes one hour earlier than above times. No entrance fee.
The Red Barn and adjacent Goodhew Gazebo at St. Patrick’s County Park are the perfect setting for a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor reception. Dates still available in 2023! May 1: Now booking weddings through all of 2024! For picnic shelter and facility rentals, please call 574/277-4828.
Note: Fees for special events or programs may be different from, or in addition to, park entrance fees. Consult the activity listing in this guide or www.sjcparks.org for more information.
Parks Board: Virginia Calvin, Larry Catanzarite, Emily Evers, John Ferrettie, Thomas Panzica, Donna Pfeil, Tim Sexton
Spring Leisure Activities Free Fishing Days
Disc Golf
When: May 7, June 3 & 4, September 23 Site: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek and St. Patrick’s County Parks Time: Available during park hours Fee: Free gate fee for those fishing, just show us your poles!
When: Open daily, Pro Shop hours vary Site: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Pro Shop located in Gate House Time: Course open 10am-park closing Fee: Daily pass: $4/adult $3/youth (age 15 and under) Annual pass: $40/adult $20/youth (age 15 and under) Combo disc golf/gate pass: $60 Take advantage of a fun-filled family outing, a friendly match, or a personal trek through our 18-hole course. No disc? No problem! The ProShop has discs available for rent or purchase. Stop by for all your disc golfing needs.
These days only, Indiana residents may fish without a state fishing license in Indiana waters. Free Fishing Days were created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1995 and are designated each year by the Department of Natural Resources to promote angling as a recreational activity.
Canoe/Kayak Rentals
Spectacular Spring Wildflowers at the Bendix Woods Nature Preserve Celebrate the coming of spring by visiting the Bendix Woods Nature Preserve, where spring wildflowers carpet the forest in a spectacular display of colors. From yellow trout lillies to dutchman’s breeches, false rue anemones to great white trilliums, this is something you don’t want to miss! Call ahead at 574-654-3155 to see what’s blooming!
When: Thurs-Sun and Holidays Beginning May 24 Closed Mon-Weds (except holidays) *Operation is weather and creek conditions permitting. Site: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Time: 11am-5pm Vessels must be returned by 7pm Fee: *Gate fee in effect Fri-Sun. All rentals are for up to 2 hours.
Thurs-Fri
Sat, Sun, & Holidays
1-person kayak
$20
$25
Canoe or 2-person kayak
$25
$30
Patrons will have the opportunity to paddle on Baugo Creek as well as paddle out to Baugo Bay. Rental includes vessel, paddles, and required life jackets. Renters must be at least 18 years old and present a valid picture ID. Adults must accompany anyone under 18. This activity is not recommended for children 3 years of age and younger.
Join the FUN! Hiring Part-Time Canoe Rental Staff: Weekends and holidays, May-September Canoe Shuttle Drivers: Weekends, June-September Gatehouse Staff: Weekends and holidays, April-October Seasonal Maintenance: Days vary, May-August Leisure Services Internship: 15 hours/week, end of May-August Apply online at sjcindiana.com.
For tips on nature projects and ways to help the environment, watch Outdoor Elements on WNIT Public Television, Sundays at 9am and 12pm, and Wednesdays at 7:30pm.
Join our email list for updates, park news, and events! Or, to receive this Quarterly Activity Guide by mail, call 574/277-4828.
Park Locations Bendix Woods County Park 56960 Timothy Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552 Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park 57057 Ash Rd. • Osceola, IN 46561 St. Patrick’s County Park 50651 Laurel Rd. • South Bend, IN 46637
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOUTH BEND, IN PERMIT NO. 374
50651 Laurel Rd. South Bend, IN 46637-1004 574.277.4828 Return Service Requested
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve 50840 County Line Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552 Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve 58111 Crumstown Hwy. • South Bend, IN 46619 Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area Jackson Rd./Linden Rd. • South Bend, IN 46614 LaSalle Trail Roseland, IN to the Michigan State Line Jasinski Public Access Site Crumstown Hwy. • North Liberty, IN 46554 Access to All St. Joseph County Parks’ programs and facilities are available to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, limited English proficiency, sex, age, or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be requested in advance to provide participation in desired programs and activities. Persons needing services, accommodations, and support for accessibility, or for complaints, please call the County Parks’ office: 574/277-4828. • St. Joseph County Parks are smoke-free. •
St. Joseph County Parks Spring Activity Guide 2023
Girls Ambitious about Learning Science (GALS) Saturday, April 15, 2023 • 10am–2:30pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Hurwich Shelter For 5th-8th grade girls who love science! • Wildlife rehabilitation • Stream water quality sampling • Sustainability, farming, and climate change activism
Look inside or visit sjcparks.org for more information.