Story by GLENDA WINDERS
How about the next time it’s your turn to plan an event—family, corporate, bridal, whatever–you surprise the participants with a fresh, unexpected venue they’ll all enjoy, regardless of age or background? Imagine a place where they can relax even when they’re busy, and where Mother Nature has already taken care of the décor.
Seven of Indiana’s 24 state parks offer comfortable accommodations where you can do just that. One is the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park, with eight flexible gathering spaces throughout the property. The spaces can accommodate large conferences or be divided into more intimate settings for smaller sessions.
The Lake James Ballroom can accommodate up to 350 people and includes the adjacent Stillwater Lounge and a private patio. The Crooked Lake Room accommodates up to 100 guests, while the Jimmerson Lake Room can be divided into two smaller spaces for more intimate gatherings.
The options continue with the Snow Lake Room, Wig Wam Room, and Director’s Room. Depending on the season, you can even take your event outdoors to the Sun Deck or Courtyard. Audio-visual systems are available, along with the convenience of in-house catering.
For meals on their own, guests can enjoy the Lakeview Restaurant and Courtyard Café. Beyond the inn, they will have access to all 1,260 acres of the park, which lies on the shore of Lake James, one of the state’s largest. Between scheduled activities, guests can enjoy a variety of ways to spend their free time. Depending on the time of year, options may include hiking, boating, horseback riding, swimming, or fishing. Spend some time crafting, or enjoy the exercise room, indoor pool, and sauna. And for those who prefer a quieter break, there’s always the option of curling up in the library with a good book.
During winter events your guests will delight in the state’s only refrigerated toboggan slide. With a vertical drop of 90 feet over a quarter of a mile, everyone in your party is sure to have fun.
When it’s time to turn in, the inn offers 126 guest rooms, along with four cabin suites and 12 cabins, with a variety of room styles to choose from. For group events, staff can arrange a block of rooms for reservation purposes, allowing guests to select and reserve the accommodation that best fits their individual needs.
Farther south, Brown County State Park, the largest in Indiana at 15,776 acres, offers plenty to keep your group entertained. A major highlight is the indoor aquatic center, complete with a zero-entry swimming pool, water slide, lazy river, fountains, water volleyball, basketball, and hot tub for guests ages 18 and over. And many of the outdoor adventures available at Pokagon can be enjoyed here, too, including biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Meeting rooms here include Melodeon Hall, which can accommodate up to 400 guests; the popular Allison Peabody Room with its fireplace, stonework, and beamed ceiling; and the Ms. Princess Room, which can be configured in a variety of ways according to your needs. If your event is a wedding, the Bridal Suite offers a comfortable place for the bride and her party to relax and get ready before the ceremony
The catering department can tailor meals to your group and provide snacks during meeting breaks. Fancy a barbecue at a shelter house to wrap up the day? They can arrange that, too, as well as prepare box lunches for an outing. For meals on their own, guests can enjoy Indiana favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Little Gem Restaurant.
At either park, being surrounded by nature is one of the best parts of the experience, and plenty of windows throughout the venues help bring the outdoors in. No matter the season, the scenery and wildlife add something special to your group’s stay. Come in the fall, though, and the views can be breathtaking.
For more information visit: www.in.gov/dnr/
