The master plan for Big Bone Lick State Park calls for eventual development of the entire area as a physically connected, completely integrated recreation facility. Completion of this development is to be phased, however, and some portions of the park are to be improved immediately, while others are designed as Future Development Areas.

       Proposals for the initial improvements are shown on the master plan development sheets covering the entire study area. The four development sheets are keyed to the map index and the projects shown on them are discussed at length below, those areas not shown on the development sheets will be developed later and will not be treated in detail in this report.

      Expansion of existing park boundary is in dicated in the Master Plan, and discussion of this should precede detailed examination of the individual projects scheduled for initial development.

      The recommended acquisitions are needed because:

      1. The lack of other outdoor recreation facilities in the area, and its closeness to I-71 and to a large population center will make Big Bone Lick State Park a prime use facility, and the area included within its present boundaries cannot possibly accommodate the expected increased demand.

      2. Purchase of surrounding hills to their ridge lines is needed to maintain the integrity of the park and to prevent the destruction of park views because of nonpark uses or features. This buffering area also will provide for scenic hiking trails and serve as a wildlife and nature preserve area.

      3. The overriding necessity of preserving the area’s scientific assets justifies the purchase of all lands where fossil remains are located.

      4. The recommended acquisitions will provide a physical connection between the park and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers marina facilities being obtained by the State.

      5. Control of all Bender Road will permit the provision of a single entrance to the park and better administration of the area. The alternative to land acquisition is purchase of scenic easements. This was considered but rejected because the cost of easements is nearly equal to that of outright purchase, and easements tend to create continuing enforcement problems.

      Land south of Big Bone Creek and Mud Lick Creek will be held in a scenic easement, however. The principal purpose of obtaining this easement is to prevent nonpark use of the creek shoreline to assure that the tree cover on the opposite bank remains. If the land were purchased there would be no direct park use of the land due to the barrier presented by the wide creeks.

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BIG BONE LICK STATE PARK

DEVELOPMENT COST SUMMARY

PHASE I	        Facility Cost	$1,985,570

        Utility Cost    818,560
	Subtotal       $2,804,130

PHASE II	Facility Cost	$3,125,810

        Utility Cost	1,281.770
	Subtotal       $4,407,580

PHASE III	Facility Cost	$1,161,300

	Utility Cost	795,930
	Subtotal $1,957,230

PHASE IV	Facility Cost	$ 571,730

	Utility Cost	215,350
	Subtotal $ 787,080 

	          TOTAL*	$9,956,020