It seems like there is a lot of construction around the area where 3rd Avenue crosses the Patoka…read moreRiver. The Riverwalk runs along the Patoka for quite a distance. I thought I would be able to find parking at the address assigned on Yelp, but that parking has signs posted that state the parking is for specific businesses only. Fortunately, I found a nice parking lot on the south side of the Patoka and one block west of 3rd Avenue. (Take Brucke Strasse west to Cemetery Drive and there will be shaded parking on both sides of the street.) This lot is really convenient for anyone who wants to check out the Jasper City Mill (when it is open) or the City's first handicap accessible playground (at least that is what the tombstone style marker claims.) Because of time constraints, I didn't try hiking the entire 2+ mile length, but was able to check out the downtown area. Next to the Mill, a bridge spans the Patoka with great views of the small dam/waterfall next to 3rd Avenue. It also offers views of the working side of the Mill. The trail goes east underneath 3rd Avenue to avoid the traffic and soon leads to an area called the Dave Buehler Plaza. Back near where I parked, the playground has equipment targeted towards smaller kids. There is also a fitness station with several pieces of workout equipment available. Note that during my visit, some construction cones were in the area, so be advised that at times, passage may be limited until the work is completed. Review #3190

There is nothing that I don't love about this part of Jasper! This riverwalk is absolutely…read moregorgeous and a perfect way to get out and get some running, walking, jogging or biking in after all and the meat and potatoes you consume! I wish this trail was closer to where I live because I would be on it every day! The Riverwalk "stretches 2.1 miles from the Ruxer Golf Course on South Clay Street, to 15th Street. It follows the Patoka River through scenic wooded areas and along farm fields." As you pass through the 2.1 mile route you take in the Jasper City Mill and bridge, a deeply wooded area where you'll find some fisherman throwing lines and some squirrels that aren't afraid to stay on the trail and eat the corn that passers-by leave for them. It makes for great photo ops! The trail can obviously get a bit hot and sweaty in the summer months in the unshaded, sunny portions but it's well worth the time! There's even an ice cream shack you can stop by to cool you off a bit and if the river is high enough, it's fun to just sit and listen to the running water. A truly beautiful place! Know before you go: No restrooms! However, the owner of the Mill lets me use his but I ALWAYS buy a little something when I do. Their old candies and cornmeal are my top favorites! A perfect place for my 300th review!!

I am so glad I made time to explore this park in Huntingburg at the end of my road trip. I had no…read moreidea that this park contained League Stadium, home of the Dubois County Bombers. The Bombers is a team of guys who had enough talent and enough love for the game to keep playing after their days/seasons of high school and college baseball were over. They are part of an eight team league in Indiana and Kentucky that have regularly scheduled games. And, because the stadium has a "throwback" look to it from the golden years of baseball, the stadium was used to film two movies! The most notable was "A League of Their Own" starring Tom Hanks as the manager who utters the memorable line "There's No Crying in Baseball!" But even if you aren't a baseball fan, there is so much to do here. There is a large swimming pool with an impressive water slide. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, shelters, a gazebo, and more playground equipment than the average adult can chase kids around. There is also centrally located parking (paved) that makes it nice for visitors regardless of game night or not. This was one of the gems of my southwest Indiana journey! Review #3188

This is a nice neighborhood park. It features a small basketball court, a small shelter/gazebo,…read moreand a playground for smaller kids. There are individual rocking pieces, a sandbox, and a mini fort with a slide. The park allows free street parking, but does not have a designated lot to use. I did not find any restrooms or running water available on site. Review #3199

Just west of downtown Jasper is this multi field soccer complex. There is a large paved parking…read morelot on the north end (along 2nd) and fields are arranged by size to accommodate soccer games for all ages. For the little ones not playing and who get antsy during or between games, there is a central playground for them to climb on. Review #3193

This park is okay. It consists of a high ground area with a soccer field and playground, and a…read morelower ground area with a shelter, paved parking, beach volleyball and a pair of basketball courts. There are also two baseball fields (note that one has a separate entrance of Meridian St and a small parking lot just for that field. In between the two fields is a wooded area with a paved hiking trail which seemed nice since it takes advantage of the shade, but I am not sure I would want to walk it unless it was bright daylight since there is no lighting along the path. I am not sure if they let kids sled down the hill during winter or not. Seems like it would be a fun hill (though somewhat short) for kids to zoom off. Review #3189

My family and I lived near the park. It was a very nice park for walking. We will drive down and…read morehave picnics under the shelter house with other couples. The kids really enjoyed the playground a lot and especially running on the soccer field. It was a nice place to meet other families. I enjoyed walking the trail because one side

I am a Jasper native for 71 years; I love the focus on family friendly opportunities, especially…read moreoutdoor parks; I enjoy the growing disc golf sport; I gravitate to the 4H facility mainly, but, I think would gain popularity within the city limits to individuals, as well as the community, as disc golf has tournament popularity; the old Ruxer golf course could be renovated resonably, just a suggestion Gary R. Buehler garyrobertbuehler@gmail.com 812-827-1673

Small yet relaxing state forest!…read more Found the forest while looking for a nice spot to have a picnic. It's small but never seems crowded. I've been on both weekdays and weekends, and most weekdays you'll only share the place with a handful of people. It's $7 to enter the park (if someone's at the gates), $13 / night to camp, and $5.35/hour to rent a small boat or canoe. The forest hosts a lake for swimming (sand beach) or boating, two playgrounds, a plethora of grills, and many covered pavilions with picnic tables. Things to know before you go: there is no running water that I could see, however the restrooms were kept well stocked. This is also a place where you leave with everything you came in with, including trash. There are no trash cans available. I usually make it a habit to stop at the gas station headed back into town. ALSO: bring bug spray!

Since COVID 19 is still an issue we were looking for local places to try while avoiding crowds so…read morewe spent a day here. If someone is on the gate the price is $7 to enter and despite the fact that its a smaller park it does have a lake that allows for kayaking, fishing & electric trolling motors only. Jon boats & canoes can be rented by the hour and the lake has a beach area where a handful of children were taking advantage of the good weather. A lifeguard isn't provided but there is a changing house. There are grills within the park and we had a small portion of the lake to ourselves while grilling. There are picnic tables & benches around one side of the lake and it made for a peaceful break during the normal work week. Camping is available for tents and other sections for campers & RVs. The hiking is limited but if you combine all the trails & fire lanes its about 10 miles. The city of Ferdinand is what I call a sleepy little city and I mean that in the best way, so on a Wednesday I saw only a dozen people on this day and relaxed, avoided COVID and look forward to a time when its safe to try the local brewery & restaurants.

Really great tour--informative and enjoyable! Definitely worth a visit. I came during the…read moreoff-season, so it was a bit slower, but still an awesome experience.

An amazing day trip. The staff are amazingly sweet and welcoming. The property was clean and well…read moremaintained. I adored the barnyard rescue animals. Pigs, sheep, and goats all were rescue animals. The cabins and gristmill are so peaceful and serene. If you go be sure to look for the cats that call Squire Boone home....Scotty and his buddy are very friendly and love being petted. And of course a trip to the cave is not complete without rock candy which is handmade.

In the town of Ireland, there is a sports park on the south side of town near the elementary…read moreschool. There are three baseball diamonds with fencing and a concession stand area, and the standard dugouts. The road back is gravel and there isn't a lot of parking on the site, but because it is near the school, there is some parking there and across the highway. Not the most convenient, especially if you are hauling anything like a cooler for the teams afterwards. The fields looked in pretty good shape for the end of the season. There also is a decent playground that may belong to the elementary school as well, but because of where it is located, I suspect that equipment is shared with the park. Review #3187