2014 - 2018 LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN FINAL PLAN April 2014 This publication has been prepared by the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department. For clariication or additional information, please contact the following: Robert Nickovich, Chief Executive Oficer Lake County Parks and Recreation Department 8411 East Lincoln Highway Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219-769-7275 Craig Zandstra, Special Projects Coordinator Lake County Parks and Recreation Department 8411 East Lincoln Highway Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219-769-7275 All information contained herein is expressly the property of the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department. Should any or all of this publication be duplicated elsewhere, we request appropriate attributions for such usage. Prepared By: Lake County Parks and Recreation Department 8411 East Lincoln Highway Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219-945-0543 www.lakecountyparks.com Prepared August 2013 - April 2014 2014 - 2018 LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN PREFACE 4 LAKE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 PREFACE IDNR Acceptance Letter Michael R. Pence, Governor Cameron F. Clark, Director Division of Outdoor Recreation DNR Indiana Department of Natural Resources 402 W. Washington Street W271 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2782 317-232-4070 Fax: 317-233-4648 www.IN.gov/dnr/outdoor James W. Tonkovich January 9th, 2015 Park Board President Lake County Park and Recreation Board 8411 East Lincoln Highway Crown Point, IN 46307 Dear Mr. Tonkovich, The DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation planning staff has reviewed the final draft of the 2015-2019 Lake County Five Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The plan meets the Department of Natural Resources’ minimum requirements for local parks and recreation master plans. This letter certifies that your community is now eligible to apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants through this office. A new plan will be due on January 15th, 2020, at which time your current LWCF grant application eligibility will expire. If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend that you contact Mr. Bob Bronson, our grant section chief, as soon as possible about future grant applications. Bob and his staff can assist in your grant application process. He can be reached by phone at: (317) 232-4075 or by e-mail at: [email protected]. We support your planning efforts and encourage your participation in the grant programs administered by the Division of Outdoor Recreation. If you require further information regarding planning, do not hesitate to call me at: (317) 232-4071 or by e-mail at: [email protected]. Sincerely, Greg Beilfuss State and Community Outdoor Recreation Planner IDNR Division of Outdoor Recreation ECC – Rachel Christenson; Craig Zandstra An Equal Opportunity Employer Printed on Recycled Paper LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 5 PREFACE 6 LAKE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 PREFACE Resolution Adopting Plan LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 7 PREFACE 8 LAKE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 PREFACE Assurance of Compliance LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 9 PREFACE 10 LAKE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction.................................................................................................................................13 Chapter 2: Features of Planning Area.........................................................................................................25 Chapter 3: Supply Analysis............................................................................................................................39 Chapter 4: Accessibility and Universal Design...........................................................................................71 Chapter 5: Public Participation.....................................................................................................................79 Chapter 6: Needs Analysis.............................................................................................................................83 Chapter 7: Priorities and Action Schedule..................................................................................................87 Chapter 8: Potential Funding Sources.......................................................................................................107 Chapter 9: Plan Evaluation and Updates...................................................................................................109 Appendices....................................................................................................................................................111 LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS 12 LAKE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Th e 2014-2018 Lake County Parks and Recreation Master Plan is an update of the 2008 Definition of Planning Area master plan. Th is plan, prepared by the Lake Located along the south shore of Lake Michigan approximately 15 miles from the Chicago Loop, County Parks and Recreation Department and Lake County submitted to the Indiana Department of Natural Lake County off ers its residents the conveniences Resources, Division of Outdoor Recreation and amenities that come with having access to (IDNR, DOR) in April of 2014, provides a guide one of the largest major metropolitan areas in to continued programs and services for residents the country. Direct access to Interstates 65, 80, of and visitors to Lake County over the next fi ve 90, and 94, as well as six major U.S. highways, years. and both freight and passenger rail lines, provide the basis for a transportation system that serves Indianapolis Information contained herein will aid decisions the County. regarding opportunities to acquire, reclaim, and preserve signifi cant natural systems and open Th e planning area for this master plan update space resources, and to expand its recreational, is defi ned as the boundary of Lake County, cultural, historical, and educational programs. though programs and partnerships with agencies outside Lake County do occur. Lake County is Today, the Lake County Parks and Recreation approximately 497 square miles in size. Crown Board continues its mission to create and Point, the County seat, is located near the center responsibly manage a county-wide system of of the County. Th ere are seven incorporated parks and open space resources, and to provide cities and twelve incorporated towns in Lake Lake County is located in northwest recreational, cultural, and educational programs County, with nearly 92 percent of the County Indiana, 15 miles from the Chicago based on these resources for the use and population living within the boundaries of those Loop and 145 miles from Indianapolis. enjoyment of Lake County residents and visitors. communities. Th ese nineteen communities each off er unique experiences and lifestyles, from the LAKE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2014 - 2018 13 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION historic industrial urban communities located 1973 Received grants from the Department along the shore of Lake Michigan, to the rural of Housing and Urban Development communities that still characterize the south and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, county area. According to the 2010 US Census, State of Indiana. 496,005 people live within the planning area. Acquired an additional 45 acres at Lemon Lake County Park, 40 acres at History of the Lake County Parks and Stoney Run County Park, and 34 acres Recreation System at Deep River County Park. Th e Lake County Parks and Recreation Stoney Run County Park offi cially Department will mark its 50th year in 2018. dedicated. Th roughout its long history, the Park Board has been dedicated to providing a county- 1974 Th e fi rst Vietnam War Memorial in wide system of parks and trails that off er Indiana is dedicated at Stoney Run recreational, educational, historical, and cultural County Park. opportunities and access to open space and natural areas. Th e Lake County Park Board, Completed acquisition of Wood’s Mill created in 1968, made its fi rst land purchases at Deep River County Park and parcels later that year and established the fi rst county along the Little Calumet park site were park in 1972 at Lemon Lake. Stoney Run County acquired for Lake Etta County Park. Park was dedicated the following year. Hence began a long and storied history. Th e following More than 8,000 trees were planted in timeline provides a general accounting of the the Department’s fi rst nursery at Lake County Parks and Recreation System: Stoney Run County Park. 1968 Lake County Parks and Recreation Th e Recreation Division, in Board established on June 1st. conjunction with the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning First Park Board meeting was held on Commission (NIRPC), completed the June 11th. fi rst bikeways map. Purchase of fi rst county park land: 1975 Department receives an “A” rating Lemon Lake (160 acres) and Deep Accreditation Award from the Indiana River (69 acres). Parks and Recreation Association. 1970 Received approval of the fi rst Land and Legislation was passed allowing the Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Lake County Council representation grant to purchase 400 acres near Leroy, on the Lake County Parks Board. which later became Stoney Run County Park. Th e Department began investigation of 1,000 acre area