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Climbers group urges Jennings County to clarify Muscatatuck Park closure, offers insurance help and sign donation
Summary
Dylan, representing the Indiana Climbers Coalition, asked Jennings County officials to clarify the status of climbing at Muscatatuck Park and offered the group's help obtaining supplemental insurance and donating a sign to prevent confusion from removed signage.
Dylan, a representative of the Indiana Climbers Coalition, told Jennings County commissioners that climbers are unsure whether climbing at Muscatatuck Park remains closed after a sign and website language indicating a suspension disappeared. "We're under the impression that climbing is allowed in the park again because of the lack of the sign and the change of the website," he said.
County staff replied that the closure decision was driven by insurance concerns and that signage should not have been removed. An unidentified county speaker said, "it was really the only this you know, it was really a decision made because of insurance," and cautioned that if someone fell the county could be in trouble.
Dylan offered the coalition's assistance to reopen discussions, noting the group is backed by a national organization, the Access Fund, and can help with insurance and site-management planning. "We would be happy to help arrange some supplemental insurance if that would help the case for reopening," he said, and also offered to donate a sign to clarify the park's rules.
Commissioners said they would check on the missing signage and directed the coalition to follow up with Nikki (staff) to explore options; no formal action was taken. The exchange also highlighted the group's argument that reopening climbing could draw tourists and local spending, while county officials emphasized ongoing liability concerns.
