Major upgrades and overhauls are coming to Redbird State Recreation Area, which became the DNR’s first property for off-road vehicle (ORV) nearly 15 years ago.
Improvements include new trails, major trail repair and reroutes, and paved access from County Road 350 North to Whitetail Shelter.
Because of the paving project, Redbird will be closed to the public from spring to early fall of 2019. Actual dates will be announced closer to construction time. The goal is to complete the project in one phase, which helps reduce total cost and keeps trail closures to a minimum.
“We are responding to concerns expressed by members of the off-roading community about access to the most commonly used trails and event sites,” property manager Carman Jackson said. “The interior paving project will set the stage for future development and enhancements.”
While Redbird is closed, property staff will add approximately five miles of new dirt bike trail, reroute trails 0 and 3 to avoid conflict with traffic on the new pavement and rebuild multiple trails that sustained damage during the wet 2018 season. Staff will also add amenities such as trail-side rest areas at scenic vistas. Other plans include increasing signage and adding new trail designations to help visitors better navigate the property and avoid areas beyond their skill level.
Jackson says the projects will not adversely affect features that are visitor favorites but will improve parking and dust control at Power Line Hill and Whitetail Shelter.
While Redbird is being worked on, ORV enthusiasts may want to explore the DNR’s other ORV riding property, Interlake SRA, just over an hour south, near Lynnville. Interlake offers 3,500 acres and more than 100 miles of ORV trails.
For more information on Redbird, see, dnr.IN.gov/outdoor/4225.htm. More information on Interlake is at dnr.IN.gov/outdoor/4226.htm.