Indiana parks receive $50 million grant

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Lily Endowment Inc. awarded a $50 million grant to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for improvements to Hoosier parks.

DNR plans to use $25 million of the grant for projects across the state. The DNR is providing an additional $10 million.

Some of the projects include:

• $10 million for campground improvements: upgrading campsites with electricity, water, and sewer connections.
• $11 million for playground replacements: renovate and repair aging equipment.
• $3 million for historic structure repair: masonry and accessibility improvements for historic log and stone structures, staircases, and retaining walls dating back as far as the 1930s.
• $1 million for motorized wheelchairs: improve park accessibility.

The remaining $25 million will be allocated to Prophetstown State Park in West Lafayette, IN. Prophetstown State Park is the newest in the Hoosier state and celebrated its 20th anniversary last month. The park is part of the Myaamia homelands. Prophetstown was where tribes gathered with Shawnee leaders Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh from 1808 to 1811.

Chair of the Native American Indian Affairs Commission Scott Brewer says, “We are happy to see this investment in Indiana’s state parks. We particularly appreciate and look forward to strengthening the connections that help Hoosiers understand and appreciate Native American ties to the land at what is now Prophetstown State Park.”

In the last five years, Indiana has invested $100 million toward DNR properties.

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