By: John Griffee Staff Writer Across railroad tracks and nestled on a dirt road is Topinabee Lake Preserve. There is no grand entrance or signs screaming out to drivers, nor is there a parking lot. Topinabee Lake Preserve is highly reminiscent of one of the first parks I ever covered: Chamberlain Lakes Nature Preserve. If
By: John Griffee Columnist As I approach the end of my time at IU South Bend, I feel that I can look back in a positive light at the experiences that this college has held in store for me. In reflection of my time studying at this college, I can say that one of the
By: John Griffee Staff-Writer Nestled off of County Road 3 in Elkhart lies Boot Lake Nature Preserve, the premier view of multiple types of environments in the area. Boot Lake is reminiscent of many parks that have been covered before for the series, most similar to St. Patrick’s County Park and Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve.
By: John Griffee Staff-Writer Around the world, spring marks the rebirth and resurrection of what once was lost to winter. Spring holds a deep significance in a multitude of cultures and faiths, representing wholly a time of change. This sentiment of rebirth stems from the way that our surroundings begin to shift and transform in
By: John Griffee Columnist Huckleberry Road in Berrein County hosts the entry way to Love Creek County Park. Love Creek is a 200 acre natural area that offers six miles of winding trails, with paths for mountain biking and cross-country skiing. The entrance to Love Creek is easy to pass up on the first drive
By: John Griffee Staff Writer Long before South Bend’s establishment, there was a humble river that flowed through the area, influencing the course of history and the shaping of our environment: The Kankakee River. Though the Kankakee has lost most of its grandeur and size due to human intervention, the river still flows through the
By: John Griffee Staff-Writer You only have to turn your ears to skies to hear the first signs of spring’s impending arrival. It was just four months ago that tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes were departing from Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Refuge. At peak, there was upwards of 30,000 cranes booking their winter travel plans for
By: John Griffee Staff Writer Signs of spring have begun to creep into the projected weather forecasts, with temperatures rising and snowdrifts shrinking. While the weather is beginning to turn around after a period of strong winter storm fronts, hikers still need to take precautions when heading out to local parks. With the snow piles
