Current Closures to Trails At "The Preserve"

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Occasionally, trails may be flooded due to the location of "The Preserve" on a flood plain, resulting in seasonal damage to the soft trails or full closures while trail is under water. Additionally, trails, boardwalks, or bridges may be closed due to needed repairs, fallen trees, tree maintenance, or other restorative habitat activities such as invasive species removal. All long-term closures will be posted on the Coffee Creek website, social media platforms, and clearly marked on the trail heads. 

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ATTENTION:
​Bridge #7, the Southern-most bridge in The Preserve is CLOSED for reconstruction of the approach ramps. Please follow the posted signs for alternate routes. 

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Update: February 24, 2022
Beginning February 24th, Bridge #7 (the bridge on the very south end of the trail system) will be closed until further notice to accommodate the dismantling of the aging approach ramps.    Use bridge #5 as an alternate trail loop until the renovations of the wood ramps is complete (Early Spring 2022).
The existing approaches leading up to bridge #7 are being removed and replaced with new.  We hope to have the bridge back open in no time! 
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Update: January 2022
The much anticipated renovations to the main boardwalk, "Creekview Boardwalk" have begun. Contractors have dismantled the existing structure north of Bridge 4 so a full replacement can be made in the Spring of 2022. The boardwalk is being replaced with a state-of-the-art, pre-fabricated boardwalk by Wickcraft Boardwalks. This product will look familiar if you're a regular hiker at the Indiana Dunes State and National parks!  

​Update: September 15, 2021
Boardwalk repairs are moving along, with the completion of the damaged boardwalk section at Northwest side of the property (Off Village Point and Voyage Blvd). This boardwalk section was damaged late June 2021 from a large storm system that wrecked havoc through the property. In this case, a large Cottonwood Tree fell on the section. This section is now OPEN, restoring access to those paved trails. 
At this point, the only boardwalk remaining closed is the small, meandering section from Bridge 4 beyond the Creek Overlook structure. (Which will remain closed, due to major structural integrity, until further notice. A plan for full replacement is in the works with the Board of Directors and SEH Engineering.) 

Update: June 30, 2021
The boardwalk from "Molly's Hill" past the Osprey nesting platform, through the prairie to Bridge 4 is now reopened! This reopening allows for walkers to pass freely over the creek in the center of The Preserve. 
Some repairs had to be made to the boardwalk and major boards were fully replaced on Bridge 4 to make this happen.
The remainder of the boardwalk will remain closed until further notice. Our BOD is working with an engineering company to fully replace this section in the coming months.  

UPDATE: March 10, 2021
An outside engineering and design firm is working with the Board of Directors and CCWC Staff to assess overall trail issues, and specifically, the Creek Overlook Boardwalk failures. An overall design plan (to include wooden boardwalk replacements, bridge assessments, long-term trail repairs, and overall guest experience to The Preserve, among other priorities) is being created at this time. 
This design plan will allow the BOD and Staff to prioritize projects and  target outside funding (donations and/or grant dollars) for these large scale, and expensive projects.

UPDATE: December, 2020
Preliminary work has begun on addressing the infrastructural needs of the wooden boardwalks. As detailed information becomes available, check back on social media and our website for up-to-date information! 

November 2020
Due to the aging condition of the wooden boardwalk that runs along Coffee Creek (Creek Overlook), the Staff and CCWC Board Of Directors have CLOSED the wooden boardwalk and Bridge 4 until sustainable repairs can be made. Due to the magnitude of the project, the boardwalk and Bridge will remain CLOSED until further notice. 
Unauthorized entry into these closed areas is trespassing. 

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**Would you like to contribute, financially, to the renovation of the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve's boardwalks? Do you have specialized skills you would like to offer to the Non-Profit, Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy? Fill out the form below to reach out to our team and Board of Directors!