Improvements Made At Versailles, Clifty Falls State Parks

The improvements were made just in time for the traditional summer recreation season.

(Versailles, Ind.) – When you visit an Indiana State Park this summer, you'll likely notice some improvements

The Indiana DNR says skilled park staff completed many of the improvements, such as enhancing campgrounds, restrooms, trails, and other facilities. Partners and volunteers helped with many of the projects and non-profit “friends” groups contributed thousands of dollars and hours.

“Creative and dedicated employees stretch the dollars that you pay when you enter the gate, rent a campsite, launch a boat or attend a special workshop or program,” said Ginger Murphy, deputy director of Indiana State Parks. Examples of system-wide improvements include:

• New, efficient LED lighting in various buildings, from offices to comfort stations.
• Various small campground improvements in different locations, ranging from leveling and adding gravel to sites to new fixtures, sinks and dividers in comfort stations, and upgrades from 30- to 50-amp service.
• Invasive plant removal, prescribed fire and habitat improvements totaling several thousand acres.
• Fish habitat improvements at several reservoirs.

Locally, Brookville Lake, Clifty Falls State Park and Versailles State Park received the following upgrades:

Brookville Lake

• Courtesy docks were rehabbed at Hanna Creek and Garr Hill, and those at Quakertown, Silver Creek and Dunlapsville will be ready by July 1.

• The camp store was remodeled. • Upgrades were made to campground comfort station fixtures.

• Fish attractors were added near fishing piers.

• The bird viewing platform at Dunlapsville was upgraded.

Clifty Falls State Park

New trail staircases, boardwalks, platforms and/or overlook decks were installed near waterfalls. The Lilly Memorial viewing area was restored with new pavers.

• Big Clifty Falls, Lookout Point, and the Lilly Memorial have newly cleared vistas and great views.

• Comfort stations 1 & 2 have new paint, mirrors, soap dispensers, shower curtains, stalls and fixtures, waterless urinals and sink faucets. Isolation valves will reduce comfort station closures during repairs, and new anti-siphon water bibs add more spots for filling water tanks.

• The pool house floor was refinished and painted, new base molding installed, and new shower curtains and benches added.

• The nature center has a new roof and a new pollinator habitat area.

• A new water line and meter were installed on the north end of the park.

• The Clifty Inn pool was repainted, caulked, and sealed, and new heaters and a filtration system have been installed for the pool and spa.

• All Clifty Inn parking lot lights were replaced with new light poles and energy-efficient LED lights, and all parking lot lines have been repainted.

 • Clifty Inn’s family area ceilings and fireplace were repainted, and the floors were refinished.

Versailles State Park

• The campground comfort stations have new paint and shower fixtures.

• Some campsites were raised and leveled to improve drainage.

• Hiking trails and equestrian trails have new directional marking.

• The Bradt Natural Area on the southeastern edge of the park is open, with a new parking lot, trails and interpretive signage.

Collectively, Indiana State Park properties manage more than 2,000 buildings, 700 miles of trails, 636 hotel/lodge rooms, 17 marinas, 75 launching ramps, 17 swimming pools, 15 beaches, 7,701 campsites, more than 200 shelters, 160 or so playgrounds and 150 cabins.

A complete list of park improvements, including park-specific improvements, is at StateParks.IN.gov/9447.htm.