Episode 7Travel & OutdoorsNortheast

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

IN the Parks·Allison Martin·Jul 7, 2026·25 min

Show Notes

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
Episode Details
Show
IN the Parks
Category
Travel & Outdoors
Topic
IN the Parks
Region
Northeast
Duration
00:25:25
Published
Jul 7, 2026
About the Host
Allison Martin
Allison Martin
Host · IN the Parks

Allison Martin tells the stories behind Indiana's state parks: the best trails, the campgrounds, the history and the corners worth the drive.

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Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction
  2. 00:40Trine Overview
  3. 01:06Meet the Park Naturalist
  4. 02:00Helen Swenson, the Woman Who "Started" Trine
  5. 02:41Interview with Helen's Great-Niece
  6. 05:25Helen's Style
  7. 06:21Helen's Journey to Indiana State Parks
  8. 09:28Developing the Style of Wing Haven, Which Became Trine
  9. 12:04Helen's Artistic Influence
  10. 14:33The Transition from Wing Haven to Trine
  11. 17:09Trine Facilities & Features Today
  12. 20:25Bird watching at Trine
  13. 23:00Visiting All the State Parks & Indiana's True Hidden Gem

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

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.

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