Saturday, May 5th, 2015
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Last canoe goes out at 1:15 pm
**UPDATE: The park was closed for debris cleanup following Monday's storm, however, the park will be open tomorrow for our event. Volunteer Al Hindrichs and others checked the canoe route and will clear trees from the path. We will be canoeing on Gum Bayou and not the actual Tangipahoa River, so the current and water depth will not interfere with our nature adventure. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.**
CANOE * EXPLORE ACCESSIBLE NATURE TRAIILS * VISIT THE
NATURE CENTER
PLAY AT THE WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND
· Volunteers will assist with the canoeing and therapists will help with modifications to seating in canoes, if needed
· Anyone who wants to go out and paddle in a canoe can, but no person under 18 years of age can be in a canoe without an adult.
· Lifegurads will be out on the bayou as participants paddle
· Lunch will follow, courtesy of BASF.
· Thank you to our volunteers from the Department of Environmental Quality, BASF, and many others
Directions to Tickfaw State Park:
- From Baton Rouge take I-12 East toward Hammond/Slidell. Continue to Highway 43/Exit 32. This is the Albany/Springfield exit. (32 miles from Baton Rouge)
- After exiting turn right (south) on Highway 43. Highway 43 will curve to the left and merge with Highway 42 after about 5 miles.
- Continue south on Highway 42 1 mile to the center of Springfield.
- In Springfield turn right (west) at the light on Highway 1037 (Blood River Road). Springfield Methodist Church will be near by.
- Approximately 4.9 miles from Springfield, Highway 1037 will make a 90 degree turn to the right. This looks like a four way intersection but the road to the left and straight ahead are not well marked and of lesser quality. As you approach the intersection, straight in front of you will be a bunch of campground and other signs. You need to turn right to stay on Highway 1037. There should be a clear sign for Tickfaw State Park but it has been missing in the past.
- Continue west on Highway 1037 past the previous intersection to Patterson Road on the left. Look for Woodland Baptist Church on the right. Turn left (south) on Patterson Road. (NOTE: This left turn is located on a bend of the highway making it hard to see Patterson Road in time to turn. Be sure to watch your mileage and slow down when you get close to 6 miles from Springfield.)
- Continue 1.2 miles to the entrance to Tickfaw State Park. When you’ve about given up on getting there you’re almost there.
- At the entrance tell the gate attendant you are attending the McMains Children’s Developmental Center canoe trip. The park is waiving the normal entrance fees for persons attending the trip and providing the canoes and pavilion free of charge!
- Follow the signs to the canoe landing and nature center which are both approximately 2/10 mile from the entrance. The canoe landing parking lot is immediately before the nature center parking lot.
