What We Do
Since the start of the Friends group in 2003, members have spent countless hours in support of our beautiful Turkey Run and Shades State Parks. How lucky are we to be able to share the beauty and wonder of our stunning state!
Our Mission
The mission of the Friends of Turkey Run and Shades State Parks (FTRSSP) is to work with park staff to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the parks, and to educate the public about this heritage. To accomplish this, members of Friends will create educational opportunities, solicit funding, and assist in the preservation of historic and cultural aspects of the parks.
“I am sick of soul. Who would have dreamed that a few men’s dollars could step in and destroy all this - the most beautiful spot in all Indiana, one that all the money in the world could not restore once it is gone.” Juliet Strauss 1916 (when a lumber company outbid the Turkey Run Parks Commission by $100 to purchase the heavily-wooded acres. Six months later the Parks committee reached a settlement with the lumber company to purchase the land and Turkey Run became the second state park in Indiana thanks, in part, to Strauss’s efforts.)
What We’ve Achieved
*Personnel and fund-raising support for Eagles in Flight weekends that host hundreds of visitors to the parks.
*Restore and maintain 1840’s kitchen garden at the Lusk Home
*Repaired and rebuilt part of Trail 1 after erosion damage
*Helped at the Nature Center, Earth Day, Smokey Bear’s birthday, Archaeology Day, Pioneer Days
*Led informative hikes and birding field trips
*Helped eradicate invasive species such as garlic mustard and bush honeysuckle
*Assisted in building of the amphitheater and sound system at Turkey Run
*Annual subscriptions for periodicals and other materials in the Nature Center library
What We Have In Mind
With a resurgence of ideas and energy we have so many fun things we want to do. We could use your help! Let us know if you’re interested in these:
*Art in the Park/Artist in Residence
*Music in the Park
*Nature journaling hikes
*Nature photography guided hikes
*Biocubes in association with the Smithsonian
*Forest bathing
*Family scavenger/treasure hunts
*QR codes to share information/history
*Astronomy and dark skies programs at Shades
*And on and on….the possibilities are endless!