Big Bone Lick

I found this interesting 1972 Master Plan for Big Bone Lick State Park on the web:

The master plan for Big Bone Lick State Park calls for eventual development of the entire area as a physically connected, completely integrated recreation facility. Completion of this development is to be phased, however, and some portions of the park are to be improved immediately, while others are designed as Future Development Areas.

Proposals for the initial improvements are shown on the master plan development sheets covering the entire study area. The four development sheets are keyed to the map index and the projects shown on them are discussed at length below, those areas not shown on the development sheets will be developed later and will not be treated in detail in this report.

Expansion of existing park boundary is in dictated in the Master Plan, and discussion of this should precede detailed examination of the individual projects scheduled for initial development.

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Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf has published online the architecture plans it used to build the Visitors Center at Big Bone Lick State Park.  The plans are reposted here with permission:

“Phase One of the park’s new museum and welcome center consists of a freestanding structure of 4,300 square feet.  The exterior finish of horizontal wood siding covers the entire building.  A small, arced canopy with copper fascia provides cover at the main entry.  The orientation of the building takes advantage of views from the road and into the park as the grade falls away into the forest.  A large picture window frames the view of an existing prehistoric bone yard exhibit.  Parking is benched into the hill on the upper side of the building, providing visitors with a clear view of the museum and its complementary relationship with the surrounding topography.”

And here is the finished Visitors Center:

Reed Construction has posted an overview of a $2,173,280 (est.) construction project at Big Bone Lick State Park:

• Demolish existing Nature Center (2400 sq. ft.) and construct a new center (2000 sq. ft.)
• Install new fire protection line through park
• Convert campground pool to spray ground
• Repair root cellar in campground
• Improve golf course
• General upgrade to all playgrounds
• New playground at picnic area below restroom building along road
• New small shelter at former tent area near restroom building
• Replace columns of shelter near church
• Extend permanent power to areas for Salt Festival
• Loop area near shelter below church
• Repair swinging bridge
• Develop permanent archaeology dig site
• Install skate board ramps at one end of existing game courts
• Demolition of old small recreation storage building near tennis courts
• Improve walkways around tennis courts to game courts
• Expand parking near present picnic areas
• Improve and pave road to area below dam

Project Lead