A recently obtained bond generating $1.9 million will first be used this year in Chesterton parks to help fund the replacement of the boardwalk at Coffee Creek Park and to repave the Prairie Duneland Trail.
Chesterton’s Park Board learned of the project priorities during its first meeting of the new year Tuesday evening.
Chesterton was notified last fall that it was approved for a $200,000 federal grant from the Lake Michigan Coastal Program for the boardwalk project at Coffee Creek Park.
The grant’s terms call for the town to provide a 50% match of $200,000 toward the project.
The project involves reconstructing 350 linear feet of boardwalk from Coffee Creek Park to Lois Lane.
Replacing the boardwalk complements the recent construction of new piers and a trail around the pond in the park. The town created a master plan in 2021 that called for improving the park and its link with downtown.
Chesterton is responsible for 3.1 miles of the popular Prairie Duneland Trail, which starts at S. 15th Street and Broadway and stretches southwest to the Portage city limit, just west of a pedestrian bridge over Ind. 149. The 11.2-mile trail extends to the Lake County line.
Parks Superintendent Tyler McLead said the Chesterton portion of the trail needs repaving. He said he doesn’t know how much of the trail can be done this year.
The bond will be used toward future long-range projects that include developing 27 acres donated to the town on Dickinson Road, which would include a dog park and building an inclusive playground that would accommodate children with disabilities at Chesterton Park.
Chesterton would have to obtain outside grant money to fund such projects, with money from the bond used to provide a match.
In other business, McLead gave an update for the ongoing reconstruction project involving the Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.
The Chesterton High School trades program has been providing the labor for the project.
McLead said that electrical work still needs to be performed along with the replacement of decking and benches.
Painting and landscaping around the bandstand is expected to be done in the spring, when there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The bandstand has anchored the downtown park since 1924, becoming a community landmark.
The board decided that Paul Shinn will serve as the Park Board president, while Bob Cohn, who had been the president last year, will be the vice president. Wendy Marciniak will be the secretary this year.
Jim Wood is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
