Posted in Local

Lake Monroe Activities Have Gone Virtual

 April 7, 2020

(BLOOMINGTON) – Activities at Lake Monroe have gone virtual.

Below is a list of activities and other information:

Monroe Lake Website: in.gov/dnr/parklake/2954.htm 

Monroe Lake on Facebook: facebook.com/monroelake 

COVID-19 Park Update, as of APRIL 7

Indiana State Parks remain OPEN for day use only with entrance fees temporarily suspended. When you visit, please bring and use hand sanitizer, bring your own drinking water, practice social distancing and if you or someone in your household doesn’t feel well, stay home. 

Read more information about the response of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and stay abreast of any system-wide updates and changes, at http://stateparks.IN.gov/7881.htm. 

OPEN STATE PARK FACILITIES

  • Trails (Foot traffic ONLY)*
  • Paved trails for hiking and biking
  • Limited non-modern restroom facilities (vault and/or portable toilets)
  • Picnic areas (practice social distancing, bring table coverings) – NO shelter use (open air or enclosed) allowed
  • Boat ramps (where available)
  • Archery ranges (where available)
  • Marinas (where available)

*Some high impact and high adventure trails are closed where social distancing is difficult due to trail width and bridges, or safety and rescue concerns are significant possibilities. These will be signed at properties and posted on our property advisories page at stateparks.IN.gov/7881.htm.

CLOSED STATE PARK FACILITIES

  • All campgrounds (modern, primitive, equestrian, rent-a-camp, group camps, rally camps)**
  • Campground comfort stations and all other modern restrooms
  • Equestrian and off-road cycling use of trails
  • Playgrounds
  • Drinking fountains
  • Property offices
  • Entrance gates and campground gates
  • Nature/education centers and all in-person public and group programs
  • Shelter houses
  • Group/rally camps and recreation buildings
  • Cabins (Family and Rent-a-Camp)
  • State Park Inns, restaurants, pools and the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge
  • Fire towers
  • Boat rentals
  • Saddle barns
  • Camp stores
  • Gift shops
  • Shooting ranges (where available)
  • Fort Golf Course

**All those with reservations will be contacted by our Central Reservation System and reservations will be fully refunded with no cancellation fees. For those who wish to reschedule for a later date instead, cancellation and transfer fees will be waived. This timeframe may be extended. For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and DNR properties, visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19.

We’ve Gone Virtual!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person programming at Monroe Lake has been suspended for the immediate future. During this time, though, you can find Monroe Lake’s interpretive naturalist hosting virtual programs! 

  • Join us for a Facebook Live Program* at 11 a.m. every Friday (thru at least May 1) and participate in real-time by responding and asking questions from home. After each live stream ends, we post links to additional resources, activities, and crafts to help you continue learning and exploring! Typical length: 30 minutes
  • Tune in to a Facebook Watch Party* at 2 p.m. every Wednesday (through at least April 29) to chat live with Monroe Lake’s naturalist, and occasional special guests, while you view a newly released interpretive video program. Typical length: 8 to 12 minutes
  • Watch a Craft Tutorial Video* with Facebook Premiere every Saturday, release times vary (through at least May 2). These segments feature crafts that use supplies most people will already have on hand. Each video opens with a short educational segment that ties in with the featured craft. Typical length: 5 to 8 minutes

Not on Facebook? You won’t be able to participate in any of the live components of our virtual programming. However, our Facebook page is public, so you can still access videos (after they debut) on the Video tab of our Facebook page, as well as view photos and other posted content.

Upcoming Virtual Programs: Scheduled

These topics have been finalized and are officially “on the calendar!” Follow the links and select GOING on the event pages to receive an automated reminder, or select “Get a Reminder” on video premiere announcements posts..

Upcoming Virtual Programs: Tentative

​​These topics are still tentative but we’re listing them here so you can keep an eye on our Facebook page for their Event listings and premiere announcements, which will be added as the dates get closer…

  • Canada Geese: Management Matters & Canada Geese: Nesting Season (Facebook Watch Party) on Wednesday, April 15 at 2 p.m. (with special guests Adam Phelps, Waterfowl Biologist, and Anthony Sipes, Natural Resources Manager)
  • American Beavers (Facebook Live) on Friday, April 17 at 11 a.m.
  • Migrating Geese Bookmark Craft Tutorial (Video Premiere) on Saturday, April 18 at TBD
  • Turtles of Monroe Lake (Facebook Watch Party) on Wednesday, April 22 at 2 p.m.
  • Campfire Cooking: Dump Cakes (Facebook Live) on Friday, April 24 at 11 a.m.
  • Constellation Viewer Craft Tutorial (Video Premiere) on Saturday, April 25 at TBD
  • Animal Scat (Who Pooped?) (Facebook Watch Party) on Wednesday, April 29 at 2 p.m.
  • Wild Edible Teas (Facebook Live) on Friday, May 1 at 11 a.m.

Links to Past Virtual Programs

Did you miss a virtual program? No problem! Here are direct links to our virtual programs that have already aired/premiered…

Looking for local stories prior to 2019? Click here