Save the Dunes is hoping technology could be deployed to make it easier for visitors to find parking at popular Indiana Dunes National Park destinations.
The organization, which promotes preservation of the Indiana Dunes, has been lining up support for an application to the National Park Foundation for funding a parking monitoring and visitor information system.
The project would install parking detection technology at five beach sites and a popular trail.
Sensors would be linked to a messaging system that would offer current information to visitors through a cellphone app or on a website.
“The goal is to reduce unnecessary circling, improve safety and mobility, and ease pressure on surrounding neighborhoods and business districts during peak visitation period,” said Katie Hobgood, program director for Save the Dunes, in a letter seeking support.
In addition, the funding would be used to obtain eight signs to be posted in various locations to direct motorists.
The six parking lot locations would be: Cowles Bog Trail, Porter Beach, Lake View Beach, Kemil Beach, Dunbar Beach and Central Beach.
The Porter Town Council on Tuesday approved a resolution supporting the effort.
Michael Barry, Porter’s director of development and building superintendent, noted there was a prior effort two years ago at Porter Beach for a parking monitoring system that didn’t work well.
Whatever system is put in place would certainly help the Porter Police Department during the high-traffic summertime occasions, Barry said. The police department is frequently called to help with traffic.
Porter Town Council President William Lopez noted that around Chicago, commuters can easily access information for parking at train stations through a phone app.
Council members noted that the Indiana Dunes State Park has congestion issues, but they are not included in the Save the Dunes effort.
Barry said the issue with the Indiana Dunes State Park is that there aren’t enough gate entrance points and the traffic backs up on Ind. 49. Some have suggested that the State Park install another gate that would allow those with passes quicker entrance.
Hobgood said, in an email response, that the first phase is limited to the Indiana Dunes National Park. She said the information has been shared with state park officials.
“We would love for this effort to eventually evolve into a broader regional initiative that helps visitors navigate destinations across the Indiana Dunes area, but we’re still in the proposal state seeking funding for phase one, and many details about any future expansion have yet to be determined,” Hobgood said.
Hobgood said she also doesn’t have specifics about what technology would be implemented. She said those details would be sorted out if a grant is obtained.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
