Friends of State Park Projects
June 6 Ribbon cutting at the Peachtree Shelter.
The Friends of Brown County State Park have recently completed three major projects in collaboration with the state park staff, including converting tennis courts into outdoor pickleball courts, designing and installing gardens and a new picnic area west of the Nature Center, and completing the restoration of the Peachtree Shelter, a historic Brown County stone building built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. The shelter, which is on Trail 10 and inaccessible by vehicle, had fallen into disrepair. Thanks to the generosity of the Fabulous 50 Women’ s Giving Circle, Brown County Community Foundation, Indiana Parks Alliance, and many local individuals, the project was funded and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on June 6.
The FBCSP already have their sights on the next project, CLIMB TO THE TOP, the renovation of the Weed Patch Fire Tower in the park. The fire tower has been serving our community for almost 100 Years. Located at the highest point in the county, it was built in 1927 by the Conservation Department of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Originally used as an early warning system when fire danger was high, the Weed Patch Tower continues to serve our with the addition of antennas that are used by the Civil Air Patrol, Brown County Emergency Management, and Southern Brown County Fire Department. Without this wonderful tower, these organizations would be forced to find an alternative.
For the past several years, access to the splendid view in the cab at the top of the tower has been closed off due to safety issues.
The Friends of Brown County State Park are raising funds to completely renovate the tower and make the cab accessible to help celebrate the 100 th birthday of Brown County State Park in 2029.
Checks can be sent to: FBCSP, P. O. Box 1892, Nashville, IN 47448 or donate online at friendsbcsp. org. •
48 Our Brown County • July / August 2025