MISHAWAKA, Ind. — This summer is already likely to see far fewer parties and weddings in Michiana, but The Res, a local nature preserve, wants to remain an option as restrictions ease up.

Kaleb Chamberlin, its board of directors president, told ABC 57 it’s been called “Mishawaka’s best kept secret” a title he’d rather The Res not have so more people can come enjoy.
“(Many) aren’t even aware that there are 25 acres behind me of walking trails, so I just want people to be aware of the beauty that we have here, kind of stuck right in the middle of Mishawaka,” Chamberlin said.

The public remains welcome to come in small groups currently, Chamberlin said, with its popular event lodges soon reopening May 24 as part of Indiana’s next phase of reopening the economy to crowds of up to 100 people.

“We can’t even comfortably fit 100 people into our lodge, so we feel safe that we have no employees and nobody really at risk, so everybody that wants to come out and rent the lodge,” Chamberlin said.
“It’ll be available to rent from May 24 moving on, and we’re going to have signs up and ask that people still wear their face masks and do the social distancing the best they can within our building.”

The Res's website is currently accepting calls to reserve its areas.