You are here

Fans of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Being Asked to Contribute Ideas to Lakeshore's Future

Share

Winter's brute force is evident along the shores of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. NPS photo.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore could accurately be described as an "urban" park. Its location on Lake Michigan is rimmed by Indiana towns and cities such as Gary, Hammond, Portage, Valparasio, and Michigan City. And, understandably, the residents of those communities have a vested interest in the lakeshore's future. That's where the National Park and Conservation Association's "National Park, Regional Treasure" program comes into play.

This program is a partnership between the NPCA and The Eppley Institute at Indiana University, The Field Museum of Chicago, and the National Park Service. Through the endeavor they hope to "open a meaningful dialog about the challenges and opportunities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The strategic planning project is a call for ideas to improve the visitor experience, connect the park to surrounding communities and the Chicago area, and to enhance Indiana Dune's future as an iconic national park."

Here's the lowdown on the project:

What makes this strategic plan different from other plans the Park Service has already developed at Indiana Dunes?

This strategic planning process is being led by NPCA and other park partners in cooperation with the National Park Service. Unlike the park’s existing General Management Plan, which primarily focuses on managing the park’s natural and cultural treasures, this strategic plan will focus on identifying park challenges and developing solutions with the help of park partners, supporters, community residents, and visitors.

What is the Park Service’s role in this planning process?

As a partner in this planning process, the Park Service is eager to enhance the connection between Indiana Dunes and its supporters and visitors. Many of the recommendations in the final plan will likely be directed toward building new and strong park partnerships and others may be focused on park operations, so the Park Service’s expertise and input is crucial to the success of the plan and its subsequent implementation.

How will the public participate?

The project team will talk to many people over the next several months by phone, email, and in person and will survey park visitors at various times during the project. A special online survey allows you to provide your thoughts and input as well. Or you can send us an email with your comments to: [email protected] or provide feedback here.

What kinds of things will this plan cover?

We will be looking at many different aspects of the park: how a visitor’s experience can be improved; how the unique resources can be preserved amid pressure from surrounding development; and how to inspire a new generation of park supporters to care for the park. And we will be looking for new ideas and fresh thoughts from people who care about Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

When will the plan be completed?

The planning process has begun and the finished report is anticipated in the spring of 2011.

Comments

I highly recommend that there be a clothing optional beach at the discussed location, and I strongly agree with every reason given. Do give it consideration.


I am from Michigan and I would visit if they put in a clothing optional beach. I have been to Haulover 5 or 6 times and there has always been more people on that small section of beach, than what one can see north and south, put together.


A nude beach would be great, especially if there is plenty of room for people to come and park their cars. I frequently visit Cape Canaveral seashore, and am writing this from the seashore, however there is a problem with parking at the New Smyrna side of the park. Charge extra if you want, but provide for a nude beach. We frequently travel from Detroit to Chicago and would rather go to Indiana Dunes nude beach than Warren Beach State Park in Mi.


As a resident of West Michigan, I always look for clothing optional beaches when planning a weekend-get-away or vacation. West Michigan recently lost a private clothing optional site on Lake Michigan. Patrons of this site were from MI, ,IN, IL, OH, IA, and beyond. A clothing optional recreational optinon is an unmet niche in the midwest. For clothing optional recreation seekers, Haulover (FL) and Gunnison (NJ) are destination beaches. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore could be the next. The economic impact for the community - entry fees, lodging, restraunts, etc. - are favorable.


My husband, the kids and I just returned from a vacation in the Miami area. We've gone before and like the area, but the south beach area is just outragously priced, so we went a bit further north this year to Sunny Isles. As we like to walk the beach, on our second day we came accross Haulover Parks clothing optional beach. At first we were hesitant to be there, especially with kids, but the atmosphere was so pleasant, clean, polite, well mannored people. Not at all what I would have thought a nude beach would be like. We walked through a couple times and we were all curious to try going naked. After an hour we all rather liked it and the rest of the trip it became our place of choice, despite a half hour walk and a more crowded beach. Google Map Haulover park and look at the satalite image, the clothing optional area is obvious, it's 10 times more populated than the rest of this large park. We live in Northwest Indiana and frequent the Dunes often, since our trip we've all thought it would be nice if like Haulover park, they could set a small offbeat area (like perhaps "central beach") aside for clothing optional use. Even for the kids, I think it was a very relaxed, positive experiance and I'm sure people would travel some distance to use the area. The area near Cental Ave. has a history of being an unofficial clothing optional area long before the Indiana National Lakeshore was created, it would be nice to see them continue this heritage in a sanctioned clothing optional area.


I agree with all the comments and support the idea of a section of the beach designated as clothing optional. I would use it more. It should definitely be implemented.


I live in Michigan and I agree with every comment and point favoring a clothing optional beach.I definately would vacation a town that had a C/O beach


An official clothes optional beach on Lake Michigan definitely has my vote! It would draw a large and respectful crowd to the area.
That may not come to mind naturally to park administrators not into the nudist or naturist lifestyle but I'm sure it would create a financially profitable niche they would not regret.
Just get educated about nude recreation and lose false preconceived ideas about this family oriented lifestyle (AANR.com).


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.