Winter 2023-2024 St. Joseph County Parks Activity Guide

St. Joseph County Parks www.sjcparks.org

Want to see your photography on the cover of our seasonal Activity Guide?

Photograph through the seasons and capture the beauty of your local county parks for the 2024 Life through the Lens Photography Contest!

Visit sjcparks.org for more information!

Winter Activity Guide 2023-24 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 For program information or reservations, call 574/654-3155. Follow or like us on Facebook or X (Twitter) for program updates and for fun family activities in the parks.

December Winter Wonderland Ornament Hunt

Every Friday, December 1-31 St. Joseph County Parks Fee: Free, *Regular gate fees in effect Elves have hidden ornaments around the St. Joseph County Parks and they want you to embark on a quest to find them! Every Friday in December, the elves will unveil clues on the St. Joseph County Parks’ Facebook page to help lead you to the secret ornament hideaways. Join the game, locate the ornaments, snap a photo, and submit them for a chance to win park prizes!

Cocoa, Candy Canes, and Crafts

Saturday, December 9, 10am-12pm Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center Fee: $5/person It’s not too early in the season to start making your own ornaments! Put a unique, nature-themed spin on this year’s handmade projects by using materials collected right from nature. Tunes, treats, and a warm drink will be provided. Registration and payment required

by December 6.

Santa Paws Pet Pictures

Saturday, December 9, 1pm-4pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: Pet related donation Bring your furry friends to meet Santa Claus!

Receive a complimentary, professionally taken photo with a donation of a pet related item. Go out on a hike in search of mini elves for the chance to win a prize. Enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores, available for purchase.

Mid-Winter Yeti Night Hike Overhead and Underfoot: Autumn’s Subtleties and Splendor

Saturday, December 2, 8:30am-10:30am St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: $7/person Meet a naturalist and observe how life prepares for the onset of Fall, the diminishing sunlight, and cooler temperatures. This 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 naturalist-led hike to look and listen for nature in action.

Registration and payment due by November 28.

Disc Golf Poker

Saturday, December 2, 12pm-5pm Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Fee: $1/poker hand & regular disc golf fees We combined disc golf and poker! Stop by the Gatehouse to pay and pick up your hand. As you play the course, switch out a card at select holes to make the best hand you can. The person with the top hand will win a 2024 Disc Golf Combo Pass.

Friday, December 15, 6pm-8pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: $3/person Are you Yeti to party and enjoy our winter trails by lantern light? Join us for a Yeti celebration of family fun. Walk the night trails in search of glowing yetis, enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores by the fire, and make silly poses with our Yeti in a frosty photo booth! This will be a great opportunity for friends and families to experience the wonders of forest nightlife.

Yeti, Set, Go! Registration and payment required by December 11.

Lantern-Lit Solstice Hike

Thursday, December 21, 6pm-8pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: $3/person Bundle up and join us for a hike on the longest night of the year. Enjoy the brisk air while following a glowing trail. Afterwards, enjoy a fun treat, hot cocoa, and make a solstice ornament. Lanterns will be available for each family to help guide the way. Registration and payment required by December 19.

January Cross Country Ski Lesson

Saturday, January 6, 9:30am-11:30am St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Fee: $15/person Learn the basics of cross-country skiing in a friendly and fun group setting. Participants will learn the basics of kick and glide on the ski trails. *Trail conditions permitting. Back-up date January 20 in case conditions are poor on January 6. Registration and payment required by January 3.

Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake: Winter Birds

Wednesday, January 10, 5pm-7pm St. Patrick’s County Park: White Barn Harvest Room Fee: Free!

Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake to discover the secrets of Indiana’s winter bird population. A park naturalist will share tips on how to find and identify winter birds and how we can help them survive the challenges of cold weather. The presentation will be followed by refreshments and a brief meeting where you can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways that the Friends organization supports the parks.

Neon Night Tubing

Thursday, January 11, 6pm-8pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: Free Experience the magic of winter nights in a new way – night tubing! Gather your friends and enjoy an evening filled with thrills and laughter on our tubing lanes. Help us light up the night by dressing in neon colors. Glow sticks will be provided. Sponsored by Robert Leonard, Realtor® with Cressy and Everett Real Estate.

Not recommended for children 3 years of age or younger. *Tube Hill conditions permitting.

For program updates and nature notes, “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/sjcparks and follow us on X (Twitter) at @SJCoParks.

Snowshoeing at Spicer Lake

Tuesday, January 16th, 1pm-3pm Spicer Lake Nature Preserve Fee: $5/person Winter is here! Join us for a leisurely afternoon of snowshoeing at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve. This program is open to beginners and experienced snowshoers alike.

Dress for the weather and meet at the Visitor Center. Registration required by January 12.

Winter Fling for the Little Ones

Thursday, January 18, 10am-12pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: Free!

Winter is a lovely time to get outdoors with kids!

Join us for a special morning of activities for children five and under. Experience the best of the season with a cool outdoor adventure including crafts, stories, and snacks around the campfire. Then head out onto the hill for some tubing! This program is free thanks to a generous grant from the Elmer R. Graber Youth Fund for Exploring Nature, but registration is required by January 16. Weather permitting.

Sweet and Savory Maple Cuisine

Saturday, January 20, 11am-1:30pm Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center Fee: $20/person Join us as we reveal the magic of maple syrup and explore the different ways to enjoy it. Learn how to sweeten your side dishes by cooking with pure, local maple syrup as we prepare and cook maple inspired salads, cornbread, and candied pecans. Come hungry! Space is limited. Registration required by January 17.

Please notify if there are any food allergies.

Basics of Pruning Grapevines Tuesday, January 23, 1pm-3pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Adair Orchard Fee: Free Come and join us this winter as we prune the grape vines at the Adair Orchard. This program is great for beginners, but patrons with any experience level are welcome to join in the fun. Participants will get hands-on experience pruning the vines while learning the basics of vineyard maintenance. Dress for the weather and bring gloves and hand pruners, if possible.

Please meet in the Red Barn parking lot.

Pioneer Skills

Saturday, January 27, 2pm-4pm Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Interpretive Center Fee: $10/person *Adults and children 12 and up.

Come explore Indiana’s history with a hands-on introduction to the old-time skills of spinning wool and weaving cloth. Learn to spin wool on a drop spindle and practice weaving on antique and modern looms. Enjoy refreshments and take home a sample of your own handmade yarn! Registration and payment required

by January 24.

Date-Day Valentine Ski

Wednesday, February 14, 11am-4pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Fee: Regular ski rental fees in effect Strengthen your bond this Valentine’s Day by taking your loved one skiing. Afterwards, cozy up with hot cocoa. *Snow conditions permitting.

March Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake: Maple 101

Wednesday, March 6, 5pm-7pm Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter Fee: Free!

Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake for a sweet program on how maple trees produce sugar and how we turn that sugar into maple syrup. The presentation will include visits to the Sugar Bush, where maple trees are tapped, and the Sugar House, where syrup is cooked. The program will be followed by refreshments and a brief meeting where you can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways that the Friends organization supports the parks.

Sugar Camp Days

February Tapping Day

Saturday, February 10, 10am-12:30pm Bendix Woods County Park: Sauk Trail Shelter Fee: Free The sap will soon be running and it’s time to tap! Volunteers are needed to get the Bendix Woods Sugar Bush ready for making maple syrup! Experienced sugar-makers will take you out into the woods and show you how to tap maple trees and hang tubing used to collect sap. This activity is outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather. Registration required

by February 7. *This year, the date will be chosen based on the best-fit weather for the start of the season. Back-up date is February 17.

Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17 8am-3pm Bendix Woods County Park Fee: $8/vehicle Save the date for 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, enjoy family music, and much more!

Series Spotlight Overhead and Underfoot

Winter’s Secrets Saturday, January 13 St. Patrick’s County Park: White Barn Harvest Room

Saturday, February 10 Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center

Saturday, March 9 Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter

8:30am-10am Fee: $7/person per session or $15/person for the series Meet a naturalist this winter to discover the surprising amount of migrating, courting, and rebirth that occurs in the wild during our cold, snowy months.

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 naturalist-led hike to look and listen for nature in action.

Registration and payment due by the Tuesday prior to each program.

Click and GO!

Cross-Country Skiing Lessons Is your goal to learn how to ski with those weird sticks strapped on your feet?

Friday afternoons, receive a “Click and Go!” on the basics of skiing and hit the ski trails! *Trail conditions permitting.

Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the program.

Fridays, January 5, 12, 19, 26

Fridays, February 2, 9, 16, 23

St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn 3pm-4:30pm Fee: $15/person; includes ski equipment

u o y ank Volunteers and donors

Th

You all help the county parks in many ways!

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.

Antonette Needham • June Kohler • Elizabeth Zapf • Tom Faludy • Yasuko Duff • Ella Farrough • Evie Kirkwood • Ken Peterson • Bud Blower Brian Rowe and children • Susan Antonovitz • Gary and Nancy Beall • John and Alice Bentley • Evelyn Teske • Dean and Pat Skaggs Kaynen Johnson • Brian, Alana, and Kayla Witkowski • Mary Ann Moran • Nikki Rector • Molly Wynen • Joel Bowers • Larry Catanzarite Judy Carlson • Clayton Thrasher • Rick, Cindi, and Kevin Clawson • Megan Vermilyer and family • Patty Fowler • Steve Gawrys • Press Ganey

V.I.P. Notre Dame Family Alumni Volunteer Camp Catherine Pellegrino • Donna Pfeil • Jamie Robbins • Tracy Slattery • Brenda Phillips • Mary Dominick • Aaron Pabon • Keri Oursler Deb Fleming • Susan Ortiz • Emma Brewer • Diana Zebroski • Julia Hostetler • Jeff McGowan Jr. and Jeff McGowan Sr. • Camera Snider Brooklyn Mania • Sara Amouri • Nadene Amouri • Nancy Owsianowski • Adrien Barger • Paige Miller • Braxton Leed • Monica Tetzlaff Dominick Miller • Pat Higgins • Brandon Sanchez • Jadyn Alexander • Mara Barnhart • Justin Neilson • Sabrina Riffle • Delaney Murphy Parks Board: Virginia Calvin, Larry Catanzarite, Emily Evers, John Ferrettie, Thomas Panzica, Donna Pfeil, Tim Sexton

Winter Leisure Activities Public Inner Tubing When: December 26 - January 7, daily January 13 - March 3, weekends only *Snow conditions permitting Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn & Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Baugo Station Time: 12pm-5pm Fee: Gate fee plus $5/person Enjoy some winter fun on the snow! Our tube hills offer multiple supervised lanes and canvas-covered snow tubes with plastic bottoms and handles. Sleds and toboggans are not permitted. Not recommended for children 3 years of age or younger. The inner tubing hill has a capacity of 150 active tubers at a given time. Check our Facebook page or X (Twitter) feed for updates and hill status.

Private Inner Tubing Parties Private parties are great events for your club, school, business, or family event. Parties of up to 80 people are available during the week and after public hours on the weekends at both inner tubing sites. To print off registration information, log onto sjcparks.org. For more information, or to make a reservation, call 574-654-3155. Parties are only confirmed when payment and contract are received.

Preschool Tubing When: Thursdays, January 11 - February 22 *Snow conditions permitting Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Time: 2pm-4pm Fee: Free Ages: 3-5 years old Fun for families with preschoolers, snow tubing is a perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon together. Leave the older kids at home – this one is just for the little ones!

Disc Golf When: Open daily, Pro Shop hours vary Site: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park Pro Shop located in Gatehouse 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 Bring your friends! Bring your family! See what disc golf is all about. The 18-hole course is available for public use year-round. Varying levels of terrain and obstacles will challenge beginners and experienced players alike while enjoying the park.

Snowshoe Rental When: Wednesday - Sunday December 26 - March 10 *Snow conditions permitting Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Time: 10am-4pm, snowshoes must be returned by 5pm Fee: Gate fee plus $5/person Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy winter sights and sounds. Plus, it never hurts to get a little added exercise in the winter! Rentals are available for both children and adults and recommended when snowfall levels are at or above 6 inches.

Cross-Country Skiing When: Wednesday - Sunday December 26 - March 10 *Snow conditions permitting Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Time: 10am-4pm, all equipment must be returned by 5pm Fee: Gate fee plus: $5 adult daily trail fee, $4 youth daily trail fee (ages 15 and under) OR $20 adult seasonal trail pass, $15 youth seasonal trail pass, $10 ski rental available *Season passes not valid for special events St. Patrick’s County Park takes on a special beauty during winter. Enjoy the winter scenery, get healthy exercise, and have some fun by skiing over 6 miles of trails. Ski trails are groomed throughout the week. Rentals are available for children and adults. Seasonal trail passes are honored at Madeline Bertrand County Park during regular business hours; gate fee not included. Check our Facebook page or X (Twitter) feed for trail condition updates.

Night Skiing When: Friday, January 12: Glow Ski Friday, January 26: Full Moon Ski Friday, February 2: Groundhog Day Ski *Snow conditions permitting for all Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Time: 6pm-9pm Fee:

$5/person plus $10 ski rental available

Ski by the light of glowing luminaires on snow-covered trails. At the Manion Cabin, warm up by the fire and enjoy a homemade treat! Registration and payment required by the prior Wednesday.

Life through the Lens Photographer Recognition Thank you to all photographers who participated in the 2022 Life Through the Lens Photography Contest! We sincerely appreciate your contributions showcasing the beauty of the county parks. Featured in this Activity Guide are photographers: 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.

Ellen Van Arsdale, Amber Radivojevic, & Nick Radivojevic

Rent a Facility or Shelter!

St. Joseph County Parks offers many facilities and picnic sites for rent throughout the year. Our enclosed buildings are perfect for holiday gatherings, winter weddings, or family reunions. For availability and reservations, call 574-277-4828.

The Brown Barn at St. Patrick’s County Park

The Glenn Bauer Shelter at Bendix Woods County Park

The Moat Room in Baugo Station at Ferrittie/Baugo Creek County Park

Park Hours & Gate Fees Holiday Closings: All county parks will be closed on November 23 and December 25 for county-observed holidays. On December 24, Bendix Woods, Ferrettie/Baugo Creek, and St. Patrick’s County Parks will close at 3:30pm.

Spicer Lake Nature Preserve will also be closed on December 24 and 31, January 1 and 15, and February 19.

Park Hours: Bendix Woods, St. Patrick’s, and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks: November 5-March 9: 10am-5:30pm March 10-April 7: 10am-7pm

Park entrance fee in effect during winter programs and special events. $4/in-county vehicle $5/out-of-county vehicle $8/vehicle at special events

Spicer Lake Nature Preserve opens one hour later and closes one hour earlier than the above times.

No entrance fee.

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 visit www.sjcparks.org for more information.

Park & Trail Locations Bendix Woods County Park

56960 Timothy Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552

Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park 57057 Ash Rd. • Osceola, IN 46561

Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve

58111 Crumstown Hwy. • South Bend, IN 46619

Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area

Jackson Rd./Linden Rd. • South Bend, IN 46614

St. Patrick’s County Park

LaSalle Trail

50651 Laurel Rd. • South Bend, IN 46637

Spicer Lake Nature Preserve

50840 County Line Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552

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. •