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In Valparaiso, lighthearted signs, pink flamingos and other makeshift decorations warn motorists to steer clear of the treacherous rocks in a traffic island outside the Strack and Van Til supermarket on U.S. 30.

Valpo residents decorated "Rock Island" in Coolwood Plaza after cars repeatedly drove up onto the rocks. It's become the talk of the town and Valparaiso's "No. 1 tourist destination.



" One wag proposed it become Indiana's next National Park or at the very least a state park given how breathtaking and majestic some claim the scenery is. "Rock Island is a legendary location and a must-see destination when you're exploring Valpo. It highlights how amazingly smart our community is," one person posted on Reddit.

Rock Island has a popular Facebook page that got more than 2,000 followers in just a few days and its own Google page, which identifies it as a tourist attraction with a nearly perfect 4.9-star rating. "Rock Island is an integral part of our community.

Valparaiso wouldn’t be what it is today without the outstanding contributions the Rock Island Preservation Society has provided us. I bring my kids here, and I hope that someday they will bring their kids. Thank you Rock Island, you saved my life!" one reviewer posted.

Several joking reviews unleash an avalanche of hyperbole, claiming Rock Island is a "must-see" that "healed my family and cured my depression." "I would have to say this might be the pinnacle of Valparaiso’s history. Orville Redenbacher statue, down.

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