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Come with me to Tippecanoe River State Park where there is so much to discover! Hear about the history, fire tower, diverse ecosystems, wildlife, camping, generous community, and activities at this beautiful park.
I learned about the Works Progress Administration (later renamed Works Projects Administration) on several sites: Britannica, PBS, the state of North Dakota, Indiana DNR.
If you’re staying at the campground, go for a ride or run on the Panhandle Pathway
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Learn more about black oak savannas and their importance from the National Park Service. Watch this video of a glass lizard! They’re really cool!
If you want to help out with the Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park and stay up to date with events and the WPA cabin project, be sure to follow them on Facebook.
You are going to learn about:
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The importance of the Tippecanoe River
Diverse ecosystems like black oak savannas the park is restoring
The park’s origins with the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s
How Winamac and the Friends group generously support the park
Check out these great clips from the show:
00:55 First Impressions of the Park
01:40 Meet the Park Manager
03:15 Park Features
04:20 Access to the Panhandle Pathway and Erie Trail
04:50 Tippecanoe River’s Ecological Importance & Clean Water
06:09 Recreation on the River
06:46 Fish and Mussels in the River
07:00 The Importance of Mussels and Their Impact
09:19 Otter Reintroduction Program
09:58 Seeing Bobcats in the Area
10:35 History of the Area Before the Park
11:15 The Works Progress Administration Work at the Park
12:00 Differences Between the Civilian Conservation Corps and WPA
13:29 WPA work at Tippecanoe River
14:32 Pine Trees Everywhere
15:00 The Winamac Fire Tower at Tippecanoe River State Park
15:45 Splitting off the Winamac Fish & Wildlife Area
16:25 Support from the Community of Winamac
17:00 Getting to all the State Parks
17:25 Why Tippecanoe River State Park Feels Unique
17:41 Why There’s So Much Sand
18:24 Use of Prescribed Fires
18:45 Black Oak Savanna Ecosystem Restoration
19:25 What a Black Oak Savanna Is, Why It Matters, and How to Spot It
23:33 Meet a Friends Group Volunteer
26:07 Benefits of Being with People Who Love Parks
26:21 Friends Group Park Responsibilities
27:40 The Poker Paddle on the Tippie
28:32 Fundraising to Move a WPA Cabin and Share Its History
30:12 Best Time of Year to Visit the Park
31:45 Halloween at Tippecanoe River State Park
33:53 Connect with People Who Love the Park
34:33 Why You Should Come to the Park
36:07 Get Your Kids Involved with the Outdoors
37:52 Restaurant Recommendations in Winamac
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Want to join my IN the Parks journey? Check out the podcast, follow along on Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to share with a friend. Now, go make some of your own memories, and I hope to see you in the parks!
Allison Martin
Apr 29, 2026
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