Whitewater Memorial State Park

Whitewater Memorial is the sixteenth state park in Indiana. It is located 47 miles (76 km) west-southwest of Dayton, Ohio. At 23,000 acres (93 km2), it is the third-largest state park in Indiana; its seventeen miles (27 km) stretches between Brookville, Indiana, and Liberty, Indiana, paralleled by Indiana State Road 101.[1][2]

Whitewater Memorial
Entrance sign at Whitewater Memorial State Park
TypeState Park
LocationIndiana USA
Nearest cityLiberty, Indiana
Coordinates39°36′50″N 84°57′55″W
Area1,710 acres (7 km2)
Created1949
Operated byIndiana DNR

The park was established as a memorial to those American soldiers who lost their lives in World War I & II. The park is located within Union County.

Part of the facilities available to visitors to Whitewater Memorial State Park include Brookville Reservoir. Brookville Reservoir was created as an artificial lake by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1974, spanning 5,260 acres (21 km2). The dam which enables the lake is 181 feet (55 m) high and 2,800 feet (850 m) long.[3] Whitewater Lake itself is 200 acres (0.81 km2).[4]

Popular recreation options in the state park include houseboats, five hiking trails, a nine-mile (14 km) horse trail and lake swimming. Bass, bluegill and other small fish are the attractions for fishermen. An archery range is available by the reservoir.[3] Hayrides are also occasionally offered.[5]

Hunters are attracted to the park's deer, rabbits and raccoons. Non-hunted wildlife include woodpeckers and owls.[6]

Within the state park is the Hornbeam Nature Preserve, which features the rare hornbeam trees. It is 37 acres (150,000 m2) in area, and was established in 1974.[6][7]

Whitewater Memorial State Park hosted the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall from September 4–8, 2008. It was placed at the beach's grassy southern edge. Surviving veterans of the four counties were specifically honored.[8]

References
  1. Conn, Earl L. My Indiana:101 Places to See (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2006). pg.172
  2. McKinney, Sally. Hiking Indiana (2000) p.111
  3. Conn 172, 173
  4. Information page containing trip reports, weather, and a complete set of maps for Whitewater Memorial State Park, an Indiana State Park
  5. Guided Trail Rides LLC | Giddy Up!
  6. McKinney 111
  7. Property Map
  8. Liberty will host Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall meeting Feb. 28 Accessed February 19, 2008
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