Before working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Sarah Murphy spent her childhood exploring the creek in her grandparents' backyard.
“I’ve always really enjoyed the outdoors, so I knew I wanted to do something in there,” Sarah said.
Her love for nature eventually led her to Indiana University, where she graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in outdoor recreation, parks, and human ecology (ORPHE) and a minor in Native American and Indigenous studies.
While at IU, Sarah participated in the Sustaining Hoosier Communities (SHC) initiative through her coursework, dedicating time to creating reuse proposals for the decommissioned Avoca State Fish Hatchery in Lawrence County.
She spent the semester evaluating the hatchery as part of a capstone project in order to propose a long-term vision and management plan for the historic, cultural resource.
“It kind of brings a passion to the work that you do, and that felt special because I knew the people I was seeing,” she said.
Although it was fun, it wasn’t without its challenges. Students were tasked with coming up with creative ways to repurpose the site—keeping in mind the community’s financial constraints.
“It was a fantastic way to get your brain working in areas that you might not think about,” Sarah said. “It was great to add reality to our ideas and think how this would actually come into practice if we were boots on the ground.”
Despite the hurdles, Sarah's passion for staying in the field only grew stronger. Now, as the assistant property manager at Spring Mill State Park, she is committed to enhancing both accessibility to the park and guests’ experiences.
Whether it's hiring staff, addressing hazards like broken bridges or fallen trees on the road, or ensuring parks meet health code standards, her primary motivation is creating a fun and safe environment for every visitor exploring the Lawrence County landscape.
“It's like running a little city, making sure it's functioning to keep our visitors safe and to make it a fun environment,” she said.
Sarah also lends a hand in large-scale construction projects, ensuring that park guests’ perspectives are taken into account.
Some of these ventures involve the restoration of an 1800s pioneer village—offering guests the opportunity to experience life as a pioneer —as well as the renovation of a 75-room inn situated above the grist mill, where sightseers can enjoy a cozy night surrounded by the stunning forest.
But, as Sarah admits, the best part of her job is bringing families and first-time visitors alike together through special events. Her favorite—the Haunted Village event.
“I think my big picture goal is doing my best to make our park feel welcoming for everybody,” she said.
Sarah’s story is not only an inspiration to do what you love to do, but a powerful testament to the immeasurable talent that can be found in rural Indiana communities.
Though her time with the SHC initiative was short-lived, the skills and experience she gained still resonate with her today.