Photos courtesy of Maris Dodge Photography
From Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond to Deep River County Park in Hobart to Stoney Run County Park in Hebron, Lake County Parks and Recreation cares for some of the county’s most significant natural and historic locations. Although each of Lake County’s parks offers something different and has its own unique atmosphere, each one benefits visitors’ physical, mental, and emotional health in a variety of ways.
Emily Trisler, communications director at Lake County Parks and Rec, feels that the county’s parks offer a welcoming space where visitors can improve their holistic health.
“It’s important for people to have a place where they can go when the world gets a bit too loud,” Trisler said. “Our parks are accessible to everyone and there's no added pressure of having to dress a certain way. They’re spaces that invite people to come as they are. Everyone seems to feel that they have to be ‘on’ all of the time these days, but a trip to one of our parks can help quiet things down and let them be in their own head for a while. Even a 10-minute walk along one of our parks’ trails can greatly benefit their mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.”
Almost all of the county parks affiliated with Lake County Parks and Rec parks are open 365 days a year, and offer a variety of seasonal activities. For instance, during the winter months, Stoney Run County Park and Oak Ridge Prairie both offer ski rentals. The biking and hiking trails at Lake County Parks and Rec’s parks are kept clear of snow, allowing visitors to stay active even during the colder seasons. According to Trisler, anyone can get a good workout at one of Lake County’s parks, whether they’re looking for a challenging mountain bike ride or a casual stroll through the woods.
“Lake County Parks and Rec has plenty of options to choose from if you’re looking for a place to get some exercise,” Trisler said. “We have several dog parks, some great golf courses, and many hiking trails. You will definitely get some exercise on the stairs at Deep River Water Park, too! Your experience at a Lake County Park can be whatever suits you, it doesn’t have to be traditional or by-the-book. You don’t have to be a trained hiker with a lot of expensive gear to enjoy our trails. I believe the versatility of our parks and the fact that they have something for everyone is one of Lake County Parks and Rec’s greatest strengths.”
Trisler herself has attended the community events held at Lake County parks, such as the Fall Fest that is held at Buckley Homestead County Park every October. Each time she attends this event, Trisler runs into several of her neighbors and even some family members. She enjoys the opportunity to engage with her neighbors in a more in-depth manner than usual. Trisler has also seen for herself how similar social interactions that occur between Lake County park visitors have benefited their mental health.
“Being disconnected from others can have an extremely negative impact on one’s mental health,” Trisler said. “It’s great for individuals to interact with the people in their lives, but it’s important to interact with strangers, too. I've seen people sitting next to one another at an art program, on a biking trail, or even at a vintage baseball game at one of our parks make a connection over their common interests. They exchange phone numbers and eventually become friends. That’s an organic way to meet someone who enjoys the same things you do. Connecting with those around us is a huge part of maintaining our mental health, and Lake County parks offer an abundance of opportunities to make those new connections.”
Trisler feels that visitors’ encounters with nature at Lake County parks significantly improve their emotional health.
“Spending time in nature helps you reflect on the world around you and your place in it,” Trisler said. “An act as simple as contemplating a tree that’s been growing for hundreds of years can shift your mindset and help put things in perspective. Experiencing nature at a Lake County park can also help remind people that we, as members of the Lake County community, are stewards of this land and have a responsibility to take care of it. It encourages us to think about something beyond ourselves and what’s going on in our lives, which I consider a significant part of emotional growth and emotional health.”
Want to visit a Lake County Park? Here is a list of locations that are affiliated with Lake County Parks and Rec, along with their addresses:
Buckley Homestead County Park: 3606 Belshaw Road, Lowell, IN 46356
Deep River County Park: 9410 Old Lincoln Highway, Hobart, IN 46342
Deep River Water Park: 9001 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, IN 46307
Gibson Woods Nature Preserve: 6201 Parrish Avenue, Hammond, IN 46323
Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park: 21690 Range Line Road, Hebron, IN 46341
Lake Etta County Park: 4801 West 29th Avenue, Gary, IN 46406
Lemon Lake County Park: 6322 West 133rd Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307
Stoney Run County Park: 9230 East 142nd Avenue, Hebron, IN 46341
Three Rivers County Park: 2800 Colorado Street, Lake Station, IN 46405
Turkey Creek Golf Course: 6400 Harrison Street, Merrillville, IN 46410
Oak Ridge Prairie: 301 South Colfax Street, Griffith, IN 46319
Check out lakecountyparks.com to learn more about Lake County Parks and Rec’s services and upcoming events.
