DNR receives $5M for tornado damage repair at state park
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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources plans to use $5 million in state funding for repairs and restoration at McCormick’s Creek State Park in the Owen County of Spencer.
The park was hit by an EF-3 tornado on March 31 that caused severe damage to trees and various structures over a 282-acre area.
The DNR closed the park from April 1-6, but reopened to limited capacity on April 7. Park officials hoped to reopen the campground at the park by October, but an DNR spokesperson told IIB it will remain closed indefinitely as cleanup continues.
Crews have already worked to clear roads and are assessing the best ways to reopen closed trails.
“This initial request for funding will go towards engineering and design, cabin repairs, group camp repairs, comfort station replacements, and other recovery work,” DNR Chief Financial Officer Kirsten Haney told the State Budget Committee on Friday.
The DNR said on its website that many of the thousands of trees that were damaged could be reused for other DNR projects or harvested for sale to a private contractor, the proceeds for which will go toward the park’s restoration.
McCormick’s Creek State Park is located about 60 miles southwest of Indianapolis and encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of land.
The DNR is working towards a completion date of summer 2026.