Trine State Recreation Area: Seeing Through an Artist's Eyes

IN the Parks visits Trine State Recreation Area near Pokagon, a Steuben County hidden gem shaped by artist Helen Swenson and made for fishing, birding and quiet trails.

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Podcast Summary

Come discover what may truly be Indiana State Park's hidden gem: Trine State Recreation Area. The beautiful property is just minutes away from Pokagon State Park, and we have a woman named Helen Swenson to thank for the personality and style at each park. Helen's hand-drawn maps of each property still exist. Her attention to detail and intention in every design choice reflect a deep love for nature, color, and purpose.

Today, Trine is still an oasis for people who love fishing, bird watching, quiet mornings, and scenic trails.

If you want to see some of Helen Swenson's art and read more about her, visit the ACRES Land Trust website.

You are going to learn about

Helen Swenson, the woman who started Trine State Recreation Area
Helen & Ben's origin story at Pokagon
Why an artist's perspective helps you appreciate nature better
All the features and activities at Trine

Timestamps

Episode chapters

0:00Introduction
0:40Trine Overview
1:06Meet the Park Naturalist
2:00Helen Swenson, the Woman Who "Started" Trine
2:41Interview with Helen's Great-Niece
5:25Helen's Style
6:21Helen's Journey to Indiana State Parks
9:28Developing the Style of Wing Haven, Which Became Trine
12:04Helen's Artistic Influence
14:33The Transition from Wing Haven to Trine
17:09Trine Facilities & Features Today
20:25Bird watching at Trine
23:00Visiting All the State Parks & Indiana's True Hidden Gem

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Where is Trine State Recreation Area?

Trine State Recreation Area is in northeast Indiana's Steuben County, just minutes from Pokagon State Park near Angola. Formerly known as Wing Haven, it's an oasis for fishing, bird watching, quiet mornings and scenic trails.

Who was Helen Swenson?

Helen Swenson is the artist credited with shaping the personality and style of the property that became Trine. Her hand-drawn maps of the parks still exist, and her attention to detail reflects a deep love for nature, color and purpose. You can see her art on the ACRES Land Trust website.

What can you do at Trine State Recreation Area?

Trine is popular for fishing, bird watching and hiking its scenic trails, with quiet mornings that make it feel like a true hidden gem. The IN the Parks episode walks through the park's features and activities and how an artist's eye helps you appreciate it all.