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Land trust asks Burns Harbor to allow kayak takeout, staircase and parking improvements
Summary
A land trust told the town council it has grant funding to build a kayak takeout and safer river access near Burns Harbor and asked the town for permission to use a short town parcel for a staircase and to enter a maintenance arrangement tied to INDOT parking; the trust said it will handle engineering and construction but that long‑term maintenance would fall to the town.
Chris Cross, identifying himself as the executive director of the land trust presenting, told the Burns Harbor Town Council the organization has pursued grant funding to extend a regional water trail and improve public access near the town.
"My name is Chris Cross. I'm the executive director of [the land trust]," Cross said during the presentation, describing past restoration work and a 2023 grant proposal to the Shyow River Fund intended to pay for restoration and access amenities. He said the project would create a kayak takeout (described in the presentation as a "takeout," not a launch), install a staircase from a town parking area down to the river and improve the adjacent INDOT parking area and signage.
Cross said the trust has worked with the National Park Service, the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association and other partners and that most of the property for the takeout is National Park or INDOT property. "Part of proceeding will require close collaboration with the town," he said, noting the trust can do the engineering and construction but expects the town to assume maintenance of a short staircase segment on town property.
Council members asked practical questions about legal descriptions, the form of agreement, maintenance responsibilities and timing. Cross said the trust can provide parcel numbers, engineering specs and a draft maintenance agreement for council review. He suggested a short maintenance agreement with INDOT (described in the hearing as a 10‑year agreement) and offered to meet on site with town staff, the National Park Service and the paddling association.
Council discussion focused on clarity about maintenance obligations and materials. One council member said they wanted public works staff (Brandon and Joe in the record) to review staircase materials and confirm they would be comfortable maintaining it before the council made a final commitment. Cross agreed to arrange a site visit and supply engineering plans and legal descriptions so the item could return to the June agenda.
Cross also told the council that for safety reasons the river project will stop at the dam and be a takeout rather than an on‑river launch. He described ongoing use by anglers at the site and said the staircase is intended to provide safer access where people currently use ropes. "We want to make sure people have good safe access to the river," Cross said.
The council did not take a final vote on a formal agreement at the meeting but directed staff to review the materials the trust will provide and to schedule a site meeting. Cross said he expects the trust to have materials ready for the council’s June consideration.
Ending: The council asked staff to review a maintenance/parking agreement draft, meet on site with the trust and partners, and return the item to the next month’s agenda so the council can consider a formal motion if materials and agreements are in order.
