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Posted by: Bridgett Hernandez

  • 11/11/2021

Two LaGrange County trails to close

By Chris Fairfield

This article is part of a series highlighting preserves where ACRES will retire trails as part of our comprehensive plan to update visitor amenities at nature preserves. For a complete list of retiring trails and public access updates, visit acreslandtrust.org/raisingourstandards.

ACRES Land Trust owns and protects natural and working lands, inspiring people to value, appreciate and support these places, for the benefit of all—today and forever.

“…for the benefit of all…” This part of the ACRES Mission Statement aptly describes the intentional relationship that is born when ACRES acquires a property. The “all” includes not only all the people who visit and care for the land. It also includes all the native trees, plants, landscapes, waters and animals who live and migrate there. Two examples of this dedicated connection are in LaGrange County where both ACRES properties serve as natural oases surrounded by scenes of urban progress.

Jack Stark Preserve, a 41-acre preserve acquired in 2004, forms a thriving biological buffer between the industrialized State Road 120 and the Pigeon River. The property includes the riverbank, forested wet swales, bottomland swells and an oxbow where large trees and groves of buttonbush thrive. The initial boardwalk invites the visitor into the canopied floodplain. The preserve—home to many species of trees and herbaceous plants—is a breeding ground for wood ducks. According to allaboutbirds.org, the ducks are cavity nesters, perch in trees, and are comfortable flying through woods.

Jack Stark Preserve | photo by Jack Stark

Jack L. Stark, who served on the ACRES Board of Directors from 2003 to 2008, purchased the property in 2001. In 2004, he sold the land to ACRES to preserve in perpetuity.

G. Richard and Mary H. Culp Nature Preserve, a 20-acre preserve acquired in 2002, features a forested habitat with two isolated wetland areas and gradual elevation change. The canopied land has a beautiful burst of wildflower color in the warmer months. The preserve provides breeding ground, shelter and sustenance to pollinators, thus actively supporting the local farming community.

G. Richard and Mary H. Culp Nature Preserve | photo by Ron Patton

Dr. Culp was born in Goshen, served in the Civilian Public Service, taught in Mennonite high schools, served as a certified family physician for 30 years and authored many books. Dr. and Mary Culp purchased the land in 1976 and transferred it into its forever care with ACRES with the expressed intent that it become a blessing to the community. ACRES is honoring their intention with its constant commitment to protecting the land.

These properties will be open for public visitation until December 31, 2021. After this date the trails will be retired, but the habitat and environmental benefits will continue to be supported by ACRES and its members.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2021 ACRES Quarterly, mailed to members each season. The 20-page Quarterly features ACRES news, stories and events. You can subscribe by becoming an ACRES member with a donation of $20 or more. Click here to learn more!

8 Comments

Jack Stark - February 4, 2022 - 4:07 pm

I have another question: A great amount of planning, coordination and expense went into obtaining from Indiana Department of Transportation access to Stark Nature Preserve from State Highway 120. Is it ACRES plan to give up that access point and allow the State to remove it? Once it’s gone it will be difficult if not impossible to get it back,

Bridgett Hernandez - February 7, 2022 - 11:01 am

ACRES will maintain access to Stark Nature Preserve for stewardship activities, research and events.

Jack Stark - January 30, 2022 - 6:10 pm

I have a question. Would entry to a closed Nature Preserve be considered trespassing by the ACRES management? Will ACRES mark the properties as “No trespassing”?

Bridgett Hernandez - January 31, 2022 - 1:27 pm

Thank you for your question. Entering a closed preserve without written permission from ACRES Land Trust is trespassing. Our stewardship staff is in the process of removing parking lots and constructing gates and "NO TRESPASSING" signs at recently closed properties. For more information about obtaining permission to visit a closed preserve, please call the office at 260-637-2273. -Bridgett Hernandez, ACRES Communications Manager

Jack Stark - February 9, 2022 - 8:57 am

In Indiana the penalties for trespassing are rather severe. If ACRES intends to maintain a no trespass policy for closed preserves, is it ACRES policy to prosecute trespassers? Will a member of ACRES who’s dues are supporting the organization and the preserves be prosecuted for trespassing on a preserve that he/she is supporting?

Bridgett Hernandez - February 9, 2022 - 3:51 pm

As part of ACRES commitment to protect the land it owns, ACRES prosecutes illegal activities that occur on its properties – when advised to do so by law enforcement. Many activities are remedied by law enforcement through means other than formal prosecution. An ACRES membership does not provide immunity from any local, state, or federal laws. To inquire about obtaining permission to visit a closed property, please call the office at 260-637-2273.

Mary Morrison - November 12, 2021 - 9:15 am

I am wondering why you retire trails. Too many visitors? Too many invasive species being tracked in? How long do you keep them closed? Does anyone go in and check on things? A short article on the reasons for retiring trails would be great!

Bridgett Hernandez - November 15, 2021 - 12:26 pm

Thanks for your question, Mary. ACRES is permanently retiring trails at about 20 nature preserves by the end of 2024. Our goal is to reduce the total number of trails we offer so that we can improve visitor amenities at our preserves that will remain open to the public. These improvements include new signs, more parking and better maintained trails. Criteria for retiring trails included proximity to other trail systems, size, inaccessibility due to flooding, low visitation and the inability to enhance visitor amenities to our new standards. You can read more about the project at https://acreslandtrust.org/raisingourstandards/. Although daily public access to these properties will end, ACRES will continue to dedicate the same level of stewardship to these areas. In fact, the majority of the land ACRES protects is closed to the public. Some preserves are closed to protect sensitive areas or natural features. Others are life estates, where a land donor lives and retains land use rights.