A group of volunteers works hard to complete the decking for the new overlook

The new, completed overlook at the Tippecanoe River State Park Nature Center

The group’s latest project was the replacement of a river overlook by the nature center. The previous overlook was old, worn out and in need of repair. Although construction of the project officially began in late January of 2013, the weather caused many delays, mainly because the park was above flood stage on several occasions. 

Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park President Jon Chapman and board member John Wheeler were a vital part of organizing funding, supplies and volunteers. Wheeler worked with local businesses to procure steel tubing and brackets, and performed most of the welding for the project. Mike Manion, park maintenance tech, was instrumental in designing, organizing supplies and building the frame with the help of park staff Justin Howard and Steven DeLorenzo. Once the framework for the project was in place, in August, it was finally time to enlist the help of other friends members and local contractors. In just two hours, the decking was built. Park staff worked on the hand railing the next day, and the overlook was finished with caps and stain.

This project would never have been possible without the help of several individuals. William and Sandra Goble of Winamac donated $4,500 in memory of their son Greg, who was a former employee of Tippecanoe River State Park and spent much of his life along the river. The Friends group has extended its gratitude to the Goble family for their generosity and support of this cause.

Also contributing to this project were the following companies: Plymouth Tube Company, GalFab Inc., Good Oil Company, Gabe Wheeler and Wheeler Construction, Jason Keller and Keller Construction, Don Linback and Linback Construction, Two Guys Mechanical and DeSabatine Brothers Excavating. Thanks to their help and the support of the community, this project will serve Tippecanoe River State Park for years to come. 

Anyone interested in becoming a member of Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park, monthly meetings are the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. EST, at the Winamac Edward Jones Office on U.S. 35, Winamac, or at the nature center at Tippecanoe River State Park. See the Friends of TRSP Facebook page for more details, or stop by the state park office on your way to see the new overlook!