Muncie will not lease Prairie Creek Reservoir long-term campsites in 2026
The city of Muncie is not leasing any campsites at Prairie Creek Reservoir’s North Shore for 2026. As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the city wants to renovate the site, which was a directive from Prairie Creek’s owner earlier this year.
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Muncie leases Prairie Creek Reservoir – calling it a city park outside city limits – from owner Indiana American Water for $10 a year. In May, the water company said it’s seen increased algae blooms and cyanotoxins in the reservoir, which is part of Muncie’s drinking water system. It asked the city to right-size activities, especially at the campground.
“We are not going to lease any sites, not one of those 234 sites in 2026,” says Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour on Wednesday.
The city’s parks board had already suspended the lottery system that helps determine who gets North Shore lots each year. And, at the water company’s urging, it permanently closed horse and ATV trails in August.
Now Ridenour says the city wants to upgrade the campsites, possibly downsize the number of available slots, and consider other uses for the space around the reservoir.
“You could put 24 pickleball courts in there, with stadium seating, and have all kinds of events. I mean, it’s 36 acres.”
Read More: Parks ordinance change means alcohol is officially legal at Prairie Creek campsites
In May, Wade Amos, Indiana American Water’s State Director of Operations, said the company and the city would look at the number of camp sites and boat docks to possibly be adjusted. That also comes from concerns of state-cited problems with Prairie Creek’s current wastewater system. The Indiana Department of Health has called that system “porous,” saying it will likely leak into the reservoir.
“How many boats can this reservoir sustain safely and, you know, from a water quality perspective as well?” said Amos at the time. “And the same goes with the campground.”
No budget or timeline has been agreed to for the improvement project.
“I don’t have a dollar figure in mind,” says Ridenour, “but depending on what we come up with as a group, we’re interested in investing in our parks because that’s a good quality of place issue.”
Read More: Prairie Creek Reservoir trail expansion to cost more than $260,000
Ridenour says Prairie Creek is currently self-sustaining and no tax dollars are used to run operations. When asked, he said 101 of the 234 spaces were leased by Muncie residents last year.
Ridenour says the city will still lease all the dock spaces available to boat owners next year. Amenities like the playground and beach house will also be available. Day camping at South Shore won’t be affected, either.
Leases on the North Shore campsites ended October 1. Some campers pay extra to leave campers through the year. Those campers must move out by March 31.
Thomas Ouellette contributed reporting.
Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host. Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.
