The Kankakee River gained status over the weekend as a National Water Trail. The National Park Service and the Department of Interior conferred the status on the historic ditch that paddlers can access near Crumstown, following a straight, channelized line of water as it widens, then wiggles naturally as it crosses into Illinois.
We know its peculiar past, once part of a nearly million-acre marsh that teamed with wildlife. Paddlers know that, even though it was dredged in Indiana a century ago, the river still boasts fish, birds and wild shores.
Now the federal status will draw extra attention to its 133 miles in two states. Eventually that could mean more access and better care for the Kankakee, says Dan Plath, president of the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, which started work eight years ago to map and mark the river and garner support, pulling in dozens of letters of support from cities, parks, industry, historical societies, conservation groups and others... To continue reading this article you can go on the South Bend Tribune's website or CLICK HERE
We know its peculiar past, once part of a nearly million-acre marsh that teamed with wildlife. Paddlers know that, even though it was dredged in Indiana a century ago, the river still boasts fish, birds and wild shores.
Now the federal status will draw extra attention to its 133 miles in two states. Eventually that could mean more access and better care for the Kankakee, says Dan Plath, president of the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, which started work eight years ago to map and mark the river and garner support, pulling in dozens of letters of support from cities, parks, industry, historical societies, conservation groups and others... To continue reading this article you can go on the South Bend Tribune's website or CLICK HERE
