Daviess County Fiscal Court is pleased to announce the reopening of the award-winning elevated trails at Panther Creek Park.
Initially closed due to storm damage in July 2023, the County has been replacing the original wooden walkway, fencing and handrails on the longest section of boardwalk.
At roughly 600 feet, this section of the elevated trail begins near the main parking lot and continues to the Nature Lair Gazebo.
The elevated trails were first constructed in the early 1990s with used rails donated by CSX Transportation. While the support rails remain in good condition, the wooden walking planks and fencing needed to be replaced for safety and longevity.
The trails are elevated to allow access to the scenic backwoods when Panther Creek overflows its banks, a semi-regular occurrence in the winter and spring.
Panther Creek Park has received widespread recognition for trail accessibility, most notably, the “Enjoy Outdoors America” award from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
With the completion of this project, the County will have replaced three of the four original elevated trails. The final section is scheduled to be reconstructed in the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. This work will include a rehabilitation of the Nature Lair Gazebo and covered bridge.
