Crown Point resident Helen Sauerman had a front row seat to celebrate the grand re-opening of Sauerman Woods Park.
It was a special occasion she didn’t want to miss as she sat on a folding chair set up just a few feet from the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
She, her late husband, Charles, and other Sauerman family members donated 37 acres to the city in 1965 with the land to be used as a park.
“He’d be really happy,” Helen Sauerman said in reference to the park, which got its start from land her husband and his family once farmed.
Her son, Dick Sauerman, agreed.
“I wish my dad was here to see this. He would be so happy. It’s for the next generation,” Dick Sauerman said.
Mayor Peter Land and other city officials, including daughter-in-law City Councilman Laura Sauerman, on Wednesday cut the ribbon signaling the re-opening of Sauerman Woods Park.
The grand reopening marks the end of three years of construction.
“We’re excited to finally unveil Sauerman Woods Park to the community. This park will be a destination for Crown Point families to enjoy for years to come. We look forward to our residents and visitors once again enjoying the state-of-the art amenity,” Land said.
At its core, the revitalization is a stormwater improvement project, which addresses long-standing flooding issues on the southeast side of the city by upgrading stormwater capacity and improving drainage, he said.
“The first phase of the project began in 2022 with the demolition of Hub Pool and the excavation of the new, roughly 4-acre pond that features a 40-foot fountain.
Work began in partnership with the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, which contributed $2.6 million toward the improvements.
In 2023, the city received a $2.81 million grant from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation to help fund the revitalization of Sauerman Woods Park, as well as a new skate park at the Crown Point Sportsplex.
Since then, Land and city staff have worked on designing the new amenities at the park, including an all-inclusive, 8,000-square-foot playground that features sensory friendly equipment; six sand volleyball courts; two piers overlooking the pond; a large open-air, covered pavilion; and a 1/2 mile, illuminated walking path around the pond.
Soon to come is a tribute designed by the Friends of the Veterans Memorial Parkway, he said.
Land said there are 80 parking spaces in the park and, beginning this fall, the pond will be stocked with fish in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
“The rock stars of the park are two swans. They have made this their home,” he said.
The landscape design of the park project includes the planting of 160 trees, 75 shrubs and an acre of wildflowers.
Next year, after the completion of the roundabout at 113th and 231, the park will have a brand new entrance.
“We wanted to take our time and do it right the first time. I’m pretty confident and hopefully the community and you all will agree with this,” he said.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
