The Hayswood Nature Reserve is really two parks in one. All together, park acreage totals 311 acres.
In keeping with the wishes of donor Dr. Samuel Hays, the 130 acres of Hayswood bounded by Big Indian Creek is a nature conservancy. Because the mission of this part of the park to preserve nature, you will notice differences from other parks. You will find no electric or telephone in the conservancy. Also, you will not see any of the following:
However, you will find several nature trails, wildlife projects, birdhouses, and many other nature friendly practices.
The recreational portion of Hayswood consists of 181 acres of which half is wooded and half is open for recreation facilities.
There are several areas in the recreational section that are open for multiple uses like softball, football, volleyball, or baseball. These are not permanently marked fields, but are open grassed areas for an informal game.
It is the current policy of the Parks Board to not allow yard sales or sale of unauthorized goods within the Nature Reserve.
Hayswood Nature Reserve was donated to the citizens of Harrison County in 1969 by Dr. Samuel P. Hays. It contains 311 acres of natural beauty.
In 1973, a portion of the land was developed by the Parks Department and the remaining area was preserved in it’s natural state which has remained unchanged to this day. While all of the park is open to the public, the nature reserve area is kept free of development, maintaining Dr. Hays dream of natural preservation.
The park property is as rich in history as it is in nature. The property was once owned by Henry L. Fabrique, who constructed a mill along the curve of Indian Creek in 1820. The mill was later sold to John Mauck who continued to operate the mill until the 1920’s. The mill was one of many threatened by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan during his famous raid into Corydon.
