TERRE HAUTE —
Most people only get a glimpse of the Wabash River when they drive across a highway bridge.
Even just standing along the mighty river’s well-tended banks in Fairbanks Park can’t give a full appreciation of the state’s longest waterway.
“You want to get people on the river, and let them know why we’re doing this,” said Joe Hoopingarner on Tuesday to organizers of the 2013 Year of the River celebration.
Sure, Hoopingarner has an economic interest in his suggestion — he operates Joe’s Airboat Rides out of Fairbanks Park. But, he said, the river takes on a new beauty for the people who have their perspective changed by traveling on the waterway.
The river is not navigable for large boats, however, so a suggestion to bring in riverboats for public rides did not float far with a committee meeting in the Vigo County Public Library to plan arts and environmental events for next year’s celebration.
Mary Kramer, executive director of Art Spaces Inc., was joined by Jon Robeson, executive director of Arts Illiana, and Steve Letsinger of the Rose-Hulman arts program, to encourage various organizations to link their upcoming activities to the yearlong celebration.
A new logo for the celebration has been selected, and is being distributed for organizations to use on print material as well as their own websites. Art Spaces administrative coordinator Ariane King said a 2013 Year of the River website is under construction, and should be rolled out in October.
Terre Haute native Brendan Kearns agreed with many at the planning session that the river is a peaceful place for people to enjoy via canoe or kayak, and it’s hard to appreciate the Wabash River without being at water level with it.
Access to the river is limited, he said, and unfortunately, a boat ramp built in 1992 near Tecumseh has fallen into disrepair, Kearns said, noting that another way to increase on-river traffic would be to develop a safe haven for kayakers who want to camp along the river.
City Planner Pat Martin said the city is now developing a riverside walking trail running south from Fairbanks Park to the former International Paper property. City leaders are definitely interesting in giving more positive attention to the river, and will also be directing attention the new Maple Avenue Park developed in a backwater area of the Wabash River.
The river will be the focus of a Healthy Rivers INitiative celebration on June 12 when the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy highlight conservation efforts in the 43,000-acre floodplain set aside in 2010 as a protected wildlife corridor.
For now, the committee is coordinating a calendar of events of area arts and environmental programs that draw attention to the river. Kramer said the committee is also open to other communities along the Wabash River who want to tie their communities to the Terre Haute effort.
“It will be nice to have it grow as big as it wants to,” Kramer said.
Anyone wanting more information about the Year of the River can contact Kramer or King through the Art Spaces website at www.wabashvalleyartspaces.com.
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
2012 Year of the River logo
Discussion
Group working to promote Wabash River
2013 designated as ‘Year of the River’
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Today in History May 25
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Today in History May 24
ShowBiz Minute: Shelton, King, Lopez
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
President Obama Heckled at National Security Speech
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
