Connecting park, lake & community
The Chrisney Shared Use Trails connect Chrisney Park, Chrisney Lake, and other destinations in Chrisney, Indiana. Five suggested walking routes offer choices ranging from approximately one mile to 3.4 miles round trip.
Start at the park, Church Street, or the elementary school trail entrance to explore the network. The longer outing includes wooded areas and a section along Church Street, rather than an entirely secluded woodland route.
Walking routes & distances
The Town of Chrisney lists the following suggested outings. Choose a starting point and route that suit your available time.
| Starting point | Route | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chrisney Park Trailhead | Chrisney Lake Loop | 1.58 miles |
| Church Street Trailhead | Chrisney Lake Loop | 1.75 miles |
| Chrisney Park Trailhead | Gazebo Loop | 0.95 mile |
| Church Street Trailhead | Gazebo Loop | 1.0 mile |
| Chrisney Elementary School trail entrance | Wooded loop, Church Street, Chrisney Park, and Lake Loop, returning to the school | 3.4 miles |
These are complete round-trip distances, not separate trail segments to add together. Routes share portions of the network. The 3.4-mile outing includes a Church Street section.
For a route map, contact Chrisney Town Hall at 812-362-8668 .
Lake scenery, fishing & paddling
Chrisney Lake is a 20-acre lake with a boat dock, gazebo, picnic tables, and grills. Trail connections allow visitors to combine a walk with a lakeside picnic, fishing, or paddling.
Fishing
The town lists largemouth bass, channel catfish, redear sunfish, and bluegill among the lake’s stocked fish. A fishing license is required.
Boating rules
Canoes, kayaks, and jon boats are allowed. Gasoline engines are prohibited; battery-powered trolling motors are permitted. Confirm current rules and launch access with the town before bringing a boat.
Chrisney Park facilities
Chrisney Park provides a starting point with parking and recreation facilities. It is connected to the walking trails, lake, and nearby Chrisney Golf Course.
- Playground equipment
- Baseball field
- Basketball and volleyball courts
- Shelter house
- Picnic tables and grills
Building community connections
The park-to-lake trail project received a $187,500 Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program grant, administered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The grant supported construction of a walking and bicycling connection from Chrisney Park to the west side of Chrisney Lake, with the town providing the required local match.
The broader shared-use walking initiative brought together the Town of Chrisney, Tri-County YMCA, Welborn Baptist Foundation, St. Martin’s I Catholic Church, and Purdue Extension’s Nutrition Education Program. These partnerships helped establish the five suggested community walking routes.
Sources & further reading
Adapted from the supplied Chrisney Shared Use Trails research document. Source links are retained below; current access, rules, and facilities should be confirmed with the town.
- Town of Chrisney: Parks, trails & lake information — suggested routes, distances, facilities, lake rules, and Town Hall contact.
- Spencer County tourism: Chrisney Park — recreation and park connections.
- Commonwealth Engineers: Chrisney Park/Lake Recreational Trail Project — park-to-lake connector and grant funding.
- Spencer County tourism: Chrisney Golf Course — nearby recreation.
- https://santaclausind.org/blog/download-maps? — Area Maps.
This guide does not include a surveyed trail map. The direction link locates Chrisney Park, not a verified individual trailhead or route line.