Why Is a Smokey Bear Hat Mowed Into This Indiana State Park?

A very large Smokey Bear hat was recently mowed into an Indiana State Park, leaving some visitors both baffled and impressed.

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If you've ever been to a state park, you've likely seen a statue or sign featuring the American icon known as "Smokey Bear." The bear has been a part of forest culture for decades and is easily recognizable by his human-like features and, of course, his park ranger hat. A field at Potato Creek State Park in Indiana was recently decorated with this hat via a path made by a lawnmower. The path not only has a prize awaiting visitors but also serves a somewhat symbolic purpose.

Who is Smokey Bear?

Smokey Bear is a character who is part of a nationwide wildfire prevention campaign, which remains the longest-running public service campaign in U.S. history. According to the Forest History Society, Smokey's origins date all the way back to World War II. In 1944, wartime demands limited the number of firefighters, leaving communities to deal with wildfires on their own; thus, prevention became crucial.

In 1942, the U.S. Forest Service organized the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP)—a campaign aimed at raising public awareness about preventing forest fires. Smokey Bear would become the poster child, or rather bear, for the program starting two years later, in 1944. The character was first drawn by Albert Staehle and then officially by Rudolph Wendelin from 1946 until his retirement in 1973.

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Smokey Bear Turns 80 Years Old

In 2024, Smokey Bear is celebrating 80 years of leading fire prevention efforts in America during this year's annual Fire Prevention Week. In honor of this milestone, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently mowed a large Smokey Bear hat into a field at Potato Creek State Park. Is it the most detailed hat you've ever seen? Probably not, but I bet it's the only one you've seen mowed into a state park.

Visitors to the park can even walk the path outlining the hat, and there is a fun game you can play while doing so. According to the Indiana DNR, visitors who complete a series of steps and finish the one-mile prairie maze will earn a prize. Completing the prairie maze can also count toward earning a Hoosier Quest pin. You can learn more about exploring the maze by clicking HERE.