River Etiquette Signs to be Installed as Part of Pulaski County ‘Adopt a River’ Program

Tippecanoe River State Park

Visitors to the Tippecanoe River will soon see signs reminding them to observe proper etiquette while enjoying the waterway. That’s according to Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer.

He told the county commissioners last week it’s part of the county’s new “Adopt a River” program. “The signs have been printed and we’re getting them on posts and they’ll be going in the ground soon,” Origer said. “That all came with as we’ve been pushing more tourism, trying to make sure to offset some of the concerns with more people in the river.” The CDC’s efforts to increase tourism have been met with concerns about intoxicated river users and increased garbage.

While the new signs are ready, Origer said he’s still looking for local organizations willing to “adopt” a portion of the river. “We’ve signed the agreements with the state to be able to put them at the access point, but we’re not going to do the garbage cans until the spring,” he explained. “We don’t want to have them out there until we have people to adopt them, so it’s not our responsibility to take care of every one. That’s the whole point, is community engagement.” However, he stressed that the CDC will oversee the program.

Origer also told the commissioners that the county’s planned bike route system has gotten the necessary permits from the state, and the CDC is now getting quotes for signs and brochures.