Winter hike series underway at state park

The Mysterious Hills Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will continue through March 28. Remaining hikes include:

• Winter Dog Hike, Saturday, Feb. 1 — This scavenger hunt-style program will allow participants and their pets to journey out into the park, along most of the trails and unique park locations to collect codes. Each code is worth points. Hikers can try to find them all or just hike one or two trails. Prizes are awarded for the most points collected, best pet and owner costume and more. Pick up a map and score sheet at the Nature Center any time after 9 a.m. Score sheets are due back to the Nature Center at 3 p.m.
• Boulder in the Tree Hike, Saturday, Feb. 8 — Meet at the Nature Center at 11 a.m. and carpool to the trailhead. This hike follows Horse Trail A for a short distance before touring the most beautiful places in the park. The hike is 2 miles round-trip, lasting 1 1/2 hours. Hiking boots are encouraged to be worn as most of the hike is off-trail.
• CCC Ruins and Deserter’s Cave Hike, Saturday, Feb. 22 — The journey will start at 11 a.m. by heading south along the park road to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp area, then to the ruins of this camp area before heading back to the road. Trek into the woods, off-trail to Deserter’s Cave. The hike is a little over an hour and about 2 miles with some rugged and steep terrain.
• Curious Quarry Hike, Saturday, March 14 — Beginning at 11 a.m., the hike follows Horse Trail A for about 1 1/2 miles, then on to another trail for another half-mile. The trail can be quite rugged and sloppy, so hikers are encouraged to wear hiking boots and be ready for a trek. Hikers will explore the quarry area before heading back to the trailhead.
• 10 O’clock Line Nature Preserve Hike, Saturday, March 28 — Carpool from the Nature Center at 11 a.m. to the trailhead and head out along a fire trail toward the 10 O’clock Line Nature Preserve, the largest nature preserve in the state. After about 1 mile on the fire trail, hikers will meet up with Horse Trail B for a hike around the nature preserve. The distance is about 2 1/2 miles and it will last about 2 hours.

All hikes meet at the Nature Center. They are free with the $7-per-car park gate entry fee or a state park annual pass.

Call 812-988-5240 for more information on the state park and activities.

Monthly biking for women planned at state park

Trek Tribe Thursday happens at the Brown County State Park every first Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. The next ride is Feb. 6.

Activities are led by Trek women’s advocate and professional mountain bike instructor Kate Nolan of Brown County.

Participants need to bring their bike, helmet, friends and lights during the winter months. Rides are weather-permitting and meet at the Upper Shelter inside the North Gate.

The event is free and for all skill levels.

For more information, visit dnkpresents.com.

Town council appoints bike/pedestrian board

Seven Brown County residents have volunteered to serve on a new board that will look at improving the safety of walkers and bikers in and around Nashville.

All seven volunteers who put in applications to be on the ad hoc Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board were accepted. The Nashville Town Council had originally voted to make it a five-member board, but amended the resolution to include all seven.

Members are Cliff Cressey, David Bower, Kara Hammes, Anna Hofstetter, Scott Mills, Erika Rudd and Dennis Sloan.

The group hasn’t set any meeting dates yet. They were appointed at the Jan. 16 town council meeting.

The group’s purpose will be to create a bicycle and pedestrian master plan for Nashville, but it also may advise the town council on matters involving bicycle and pedestrian transportation; recommend updates to town policies regarding sidewalks; review bicycle and pedestrian ordinances and regulations; create a citizen-driven process for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure requests, including sidewalks, crossings and bike racks; advise the council on opportunities for funding such requests; and advocate on related issues.

Meeting times and locations will be posted in the Brown County Democrat’s government calendar when they are announced.