Published: June 06, 2009 08:54 pm      

Backyard gem

France Park offers visitors variety of activities throughout the year

For anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors, France Park may be the ideal place to stop.

The local park offers a variety of activities for people of all ages, including hiking, biking, scuba diving, swimming, fishing, camping, miniature golf, disc golf and volleyball.

Park superintendent Sandy Heckard is hoping more area residents take advantage of the park this summer and in the future.

“We would like to see a lot more Cass County people use the park,” Heckard said. “It’s a shame more Cass County people don’t visit us.”

Surprisingly, many of the park’s visitors are from out of town and even other states, Heckard said.

“People in Cass County need to realize what a gem we have here,” she said.

Located along U.S. 24 west of Logansport, the county-owned park spans 515 acres.

France Park opened in 1969 and is home to a number of activities for family and friends to enjoy, not only in the summer but all year long.

Enjoying the outdoors

Many single-day visitors make use of the swimming opportunities at the Old Kenith Stone Quarry. The beach opens each year on Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.

Heckard said swimming in the old stone quarry was something that made the park unique. She said the quarry was mined by the Casparis and France stone companies. According to the park’s brochure, workers struck a spring in the quarry in 1943. The water filled the quarry overnight and left the workers’ equipment and tools behind.

To this day, visitors are able to scuba dive to the bottom of the quarry and see some of the items left behind. All scuba activity is administered through the Diving Den. Certain rules are set for those interested in diving, and diving fees are charged at the Air Station.

Another activity on the water at the park is fishing. Those fishing can expect to catch crappie, bluegill, bass, sunfish and catfish, according to Heckard.

An Indiana fishing license is required to fish. The park prohibits the use of gas motors on the lake, but electric trolling motors are permitted.

For those interested in other types of sporting events, the park has an 18-hole disc golf course, located near the front of the park. A miniature golf course with nine holes is also open Fridays and Saturdays and can be used for an additional fee.

Hiking the trails

The park’s numerous trails offer another popular attraction for single-day visitors.

The trails are used all year. Visitors can hike, jog, mountain bike, observe wildlife and even cross-country ski during the winter. The trails take visitors around quarries, creeks and woods.

Lafayette resident Eric Bestrom stopped by the park to check out the trails on his bike after reading about the park on a mountain biking Web site.

“It was fun,” he said. “It was interesting, and there was a lot of cool stuff. It is very diverse. I saw a lot of deer, birds and other animals.”

In addition to biking on the trails, the college biology major also took some time to stop near the quarry and hike for a bit to enjoy the scenery.

The trails will also lead visitors past the park’s two prairies, known as Peoples Prairie and Arrowhead Prairie. An observation tower stands tall in Peoples Prairie. Arrowhead Prairie is a habitat for wildlife, including deer, rabbits, raccoons, fox and even coyotes.

“You can see a little bit of everything and anything,” Heckard said.

Spend the night

Long-term visitors have the choice of staying in the park’s primitive or modern camping sites.

“They come out camping to relax and get away from the real world,” said Heckard.

The primary camping season starts in April, but most people usually start in May. During the summer, Heckard said the park has an increase of weekend campers.

“We are open year round,” she added. “That is one misconception people have. The die-hard will come out in the winter.”

Once the water is shut off, campers can stay for a maximum of three consecutive days. The water is normally turned off by October, although Heckard said it all depends on the weather.

The park offers 200 modern and primitive campsites with modern restrooms, electric, water, and sewer disposal. The main campground also has shower facilities.

The spaces are available to campers on a first-come, first-served basis for the tent or trailer camping. Those staying over must be at least 18 to reserve a camping spot. The park is alcohol free.

Campers can also take advantage of picnic tables and fire rings, which are available at many of the sites.

For those camping or just spending the day at the park and forget something, the Kenneth Depot has a variety of items for sale. Everything from toiletries and limited camping supplies to pre-packaged sandwiches and ice cream are available, Heckard said..

Scheduled events

In addition to the activities it offers, the park is also the host site for several events during the spring and summer.

The Eel River Pow Wow opened the season over Memorial Day weekend while the River City Triathlon, sponsored by the Cass County Family Y, is Saturday. The event includes a 500-yard swim, 14 miles of biking and a 3.3 mile run.

D.I.N.O. Xterra biking series will take place on Aug. 15-16 while the season wraps up with Fright Night on Oct. 23 and 24.

Staying true to nature

Each year the park makes an effort to add something new or improve a certain area of the park.

This year employees made improvements to the two playgrounds for children and placed stone at some of the camping pads. The color of the park’s signs and buildings also got a new look as with a green-and-white paint scheme.

The Kenneth Bennett Memorial Wildlife Observation Building is being renovated by a group of volunteers. Heckard hopes the building will be completed this summer and opened as an educational center by appointment only.

Visitors also make use of the scenic waterfall located in the park for weddings. Heckard said those interested must call ahead of time and make an appointment.

“The sooner the reservation, the better chance to get the date,” she added.

The Flory Shelter is rented for such things as graduations, birthday parties and family reunions. The building has eight picnic tables, a fire place, electricity and a water spigot outside.

Heckard encourages Cass County residents to stop by and enjoy nature’s beauty.

“The situation with the economy, a lot of people don't have the money to take a big vacation,” she said. “You can stay local, but still have fun.”

Heckard said the park’s natural beauty is one of its best highlights.

“You’re getting back to nature,” she said. “We try to keep it as natural as we can without commercializing it. It’s a beautiful facility.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com





SUMMER HOURS: Sunday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

BEACH HOURS: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., only open when a lifeguard is on duty.

COSTS: Park admission is $2 a person for anyone 6 or older.

PHONE: (574) 753-2928