Located on the north side of Sagamore Parkway between Duncan Road and Schuyler Avenue, Bicentennial is the most recent acquisition of the Tippecanoe County Park and Recreation Board. The 196 acre property was purchased from Fairfield Builders Supply with grant funding from Bicentennial Nature Trust, the Indiana Heritage Trust Fund and the Tippecanoe County Park and Recreation Foundation, Inc.
Bicentennial Nature Area is open on a limited basis from the Sagamore Parkway exit ramps only. During the warm weather months, the Sagamore Parkway gates will be open from approximately 7 AM until dusk, seven days a week. Hours in the winter months are yet to be determined. Park rules signs are in place just inside the entrance to the property, and visitors are respectfully requested to strictly adhere to those rules for their own safety and the best interest of the future of the park property. Signage clarifying the park location will be placed on Sagamore Parkway near the park entrance by no later than August 2017.
While only the southern portion of the property, which features a large pond (approximately 70 acres), this portion of the park allows for limited bank fishing, small boat fishing (electric trolling motors only), kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and windboards. Life jackets are required when on the water, and swimming is not allowed.
In late summer 2017, a public input session/planning workshop will be held to take input from stakeholders on the priorities for future development and improvements on the site. These improvements and prioritizing of development projects must be in accordance with a Conservation Easement that has been executed between the Park Board and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Please feel free to contact the Park Office at (765) 463-2306 or at tcparks@tippecanoe.in.gov if you would like further information about Bicentennial Nature Area or if you would like to be included in a contact list for the public planning session.
