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Shirley Heinze Land Trust to invest $1 million in Ivanhoe South preserve; city sidewalk, parking and boardwalks planned
Summary
Shirley Heinze Land Trust told the Gary Common Council on April 15 that it will invest $1 million to develop Ivanhoe South, a 50-acre dune-and-swale preserve in Gary, including sidewalks, boardwalks, parking and a community shelter.
Shirley Heinze Land Trust told the Gary Common Council on April 15 that it will invest $1 million to develop Ivanhoe South into a community-accessible nature preserve, including sidewalks, boardwalks, a parking lot and a community shelter.
The land trust's executive director, Chris Krause, described the project as improvements to a 50-acre parcel off Colfax Avenue between Fifth and Ninth streets that will protect and open remaining dune-and-swale habitat. "They're going to be investing a million dollars over at a preserve called Ivanhoe South," Krause said during the presentation.
Krause said the project will add a sidewalk connection between the preserve and Westside Leadership Academy, build a new parking lot north of Ninth Avenue, construct boardwalks to protect sensitive dunes, add a community shelter and install fencing to prevent illegal dumping along nearby railroad tracks. He said neighborhood engagement is underway and credited the Northwest Indiana Forum for making funds available; he told the council the forum had approximately $50,000,000 in funding and that the land trust applied in partnership with the city.
Marcela (Marcella) Gregory of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust and local volunteers described past cleanup work in Gary that led to community support for the project. Krause said the group hopes to begin construction in June, hold a groundbreaking ceremony on May 12 at 3 p.m., close the preserve during active construction, and host a dedication when construction finishes in the fall.
Krause thanked Councilman Halliburton, the city of Gary and city staff including Christopher Harris and the mayor's office for assistance on the project.
No formal council action was recorded on the presentation; it was accepted as information and the trust invited council members and the public to the May 12 groundbreaking.
Project supporters said the work will make a globally rare habitat accessible while protecting it from dumping and improving neighborhood amenities.
