After a two-year renovation project, the fire tower at McCormick’s Creek State Park is officially open to visitors.
Hoosiers gathered Wednesday for a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
The 86-foot-tall fire tower received a fresh coating of paint, new wooden flooring and a re-glazing of the old glass windows in the upper cabin. It was closed to the public starting in April.
The Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park raised $100,000 for the renovation project.
Vicky Basman is the group’s vice chair. She says the restoration project is about making sure the tower is around for future generations to enjoy.
“It restores a piece of the community that people have loved for so long and it’s going to be hopefully here for 100 more years if not longer,” says Vicki.
Nestled on the highest point in the park, the 84-year-old tower was originally used as an observation deck to spot fires.
This story has been updated to add when the fire tower was closed to the public.