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Whitewater
Gorge
Trail Information
Parking Areas
(Numbers
refer to points of interest on Map)
All exit numbers are exiting from Interstate 70.
All north/south directions enter Richmond via U.S. 27
1.
INDUSTRIES ROAD (Parking on South side of road)
East/West: Take Exit 149A. Go east on Industries Rd.
North/South: Go west on Industries Rd.
2.
PARKING IN SPRINGWOOD LAKE PARK (expected
completion in 2003)
East/West: Take Exit 151 onto U.S. 27 S. Go west on Waterfall Rd.
North/South: Go west on Waterfall Rd.
4.
BRIDGE AVENUE (Parking on East side of road) (expected
completion in 2003)
East/West: Take Exit 151 onto U.S. 27 south. Go west on
Waterfall Rd. Turn south at Sheridan St ("T"
intersection).
North/South: Follow instructions for east/west.
6.
NORTH 3RD STREET (Parking across railroad tracks)
West: Take Exit 151 onto U.S. 27 south. Go west on U.S. 40. Turn
north on N 5th St. Go west on N "D" St (right before
stoplight). Turn south on N 3rd St.
East: Take Exit 156A onto U.S. 40 Westbound. Follow instructions
for west.
North/South: Follow instructions for west.
8.
PARKING IN STARR GENNETT AREA (expected
completion in 2003)
West: Take Exit 151 onto U.S. 27 south. Go west on U.S. 40. Turn
west onto Main Street. Go south onto S 1st St.
East: Take Exit 156A onto U.S. 40 Westbound. Follow instructions
for
west.
North/South: Follow instructions for west.
9.
RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL PARKING Lot (Parking on East side of
road, NOT handicapped accessible - Stairs lead to
trail)
West: Take Exit 149A. Follow Williamsburg Pike as it turns into NW
5th
St. Go East on U.S. 40. At first light turn south onto Hub Etchison
Parkway. Park on east side of road across from high school.
East: Take Exit 156A. Follow U.S. 40 West through town. After
crossing
the U.S. 40 bridge turn south onto Hub Etchison Parkway. Park on
East side of road across from High School.
North/South: Go West on U.S. 40. Follow instructions for east.
13.
TEST ROAD (Parking
on North side of road)
East/West: Take Exit 149A. Follow Williamsburg Pike as it turns
into NW
5th St. Go east on U.S. 40. Turn south on SW 2nd St (which turns
into Abington Pike at third 4-way stop). At fourth 4-way stop turn
east on Test Rd.
North: Turn west on N. "A" St (U.S. 40). Go south on NW
5th St. Veer
west on Liberty Ave. At 4-way stop go west on Test Rd.
South: Turn west on S "L" St. Go north on S 5th St. Turn
west on Liberty
Ave. At 4-way stop turn west on Test Rd.
Points of
Interest (Numbers
refer to points of interest on Map)
3.
Thistlethwaite Falls
This beautiful waterfall is a prime fossil
finding location. Please only look. DO NOT TAKE FOSSILS FROM THE GORGE. To find,
follow instructions to parking area 2. The falls are across from
the entrance to Springwood Lake Park.
5.
Weir Dam
Weir Dam was used to power a flour mill, established in 1864, that
later became Richmond Roller Mills. Weir Dam was also to run an
electric power plant at one point in Richmond's history.
Driving directions:
North/South:
Enter Richmond via U.S. 27. Go
west
on Sim Hodgin Parkway. Dam will be on east side of road. There is
a large parking area.
East/West:
Take exit 151 off I-70. Go south
on U.S. 27. Follow directions for north/south.
7.
Historic
Starr-Gennett Area
Of all the activity the gorge supported, the
Starr
Piano Company was the most significant. The first piano craftsmen
arrived in Richmond in 1872 and the Starr Family purchased
property in the Whitewater Gorge in 1878. They had over 600
employees who produced over 25 pianos each week. Many Jazz greats
made recordings in the Gorge including: Jelly Roll Morton, King
Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, with Louis Armstrong, Lil Hardin, and
Bix Beiderbecke. To reach this area, follow directions for parking
area 8, or walk to the site along the trail.
10/11.
Fossil Sites
Please only look. DO NOT TAKE FOSSILS FROM THE
GORGE.
12.
Test Mill Ruins
The large grassy area on the west side of the trail at the
Test Road Trailhead was where the Test Mill used to stand. This
mill burned many times over the course of history. After the fire
of 1900 it was not rebuilt, but there are lingering remains of the
stone foundation. Located next to #13
parking.
Emergencies
Call 9-1-1 for
emergencies.
Trail Maintenance
The Adopt-A-Trail Program is a volunteer program created to keep
the Whitewater River Valley Gorge Park Trail clean. Participants
make a commitment to hold at least four clean ups per year for a
period of two years. The program is supported by donations. Though
these volunteers do wonderful work, it is up to everybody to keep
the trail clean, so we ask each of you to remember to take out
what you bring in.
Please report
any vandalism or unsafe conditions on the trail by calling (765)
983-PARK, or stopping by at the Glen Miller Park Administration
Office at 2200 East Main St. We try to keep the trail in excellent
condition, and we need your help to do so.
Volunteer
Information
We would welcome any donations in time or money
to help us improve and maintain the Whitewater
River Valley Gorge Park Trail. To become a
volunteer, donate money, or if you would like
more information about the Whitewater Valley
Gorge Park Trail or the Richmond Parks
Department, please call (765) 983-PARK (7275)
or send your name, address, phone number, and questions, comments
or donations to:
Richmond Parks
and Recreation
Gorge Trail
50 North 5th St
Richmond, IN 47374
Trail
Regulations
1. No unauthorized motor vehicles, including ATV's, snowmobiles,
and motorcycles are allowed on the trail.
2. Do not use
more than half the trail to prevent blocking other trail users.
3. Do not use
the trail under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Illegal drugs
and alcohol are prohibited on park property.
4. Keep all pets
on a short, secure leash at all times. Do not allow your pet onto
private property. Clean up after any messes your pet makes.
5. DO NOT
LITTER! Take out what you bring in, including pet messes and
cigarette butts.
6. No fires are
allowed in the Gorge area.
7. The trail is
open from dawn till dusk seven days a week. Use after hours is
prohibited.
8. Obey all
signage. Cross traffic is NOT required to stop at street
intersections. Please use caution.
9. Bicyclists,
skateboarders, and in-line skaters are strongly encouraged to wear
helmets and other safety devices (pads etc.).
10. Respect all
property. Not all property adjacent to the trail is publicly
owned. Please respect adjacent property owners. Do not deface or
damage the trail or adjacent property.
Trail Etiquette
1. Be courteous
to other trail users. Maintain a safe speed at all times, and be
aware that participants of all ages and skill levels will be using
the trail.
2. Keep to the
right and pass on the left. Faster traffic must always yield to
slower traffic. Be aware of your surroundings before pulling out
to pass another user.
3. Give an
audible warning prior to passing. A bell or a voice signal such as
"Passing on the left" will give other users significant
warning.
USERS OF THE
TRAIL DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK!
Information
supplied by the Richmond
Parks and Recreation Department, March 2003.
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