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Parks foundation wins $100,000 matching grant for Chesterton dog park
Summary
The Parks Foundation won a $100,000 Energize Porter County grant that requires a 1:1 private match; the council opened recruitment for a park-board vacancy and staff said the proposed 2–2.5 acre dog park is shovel-ready and must raise matching funds by Dec. 2027.
Wendy Marciniak, president of the Parks Foundation, told the Chesterton Town Council the foundation won a $100,000 Energize Porter County matching grant to develop an off-leash dog park east of Dogwood. "We are super excited about this project, and we really feel confident that we can come up with a match," Marciniak said.
The grant, funded through the Porter County Community Foundation with support from the Lilly Endowment, requires a 1:1 private match. Parks staff said the foundation has until Dec. 2027 to raise $100,000 in private funds. The proposed site is 2 to 2.5 acres near existing parking and restrooms and connects to the town's trail system; the plan calls for separate small- and large-dog areas, shaded seating, a drinking fountain and security lighting.
Parks staff said the location is shovel-ready because it already has infrastructure such as parking and restroom access and ties into the Westchester Liberty Trail. "We're looking at a 2 to 2 and a half acre dog park on the East Side Of Dogwood," the parks representative said.
Town officials and the foundation described a kickoff meeting and early fundraising efforts. The council did not need to take a formal vote on the grant announcement but opened recruitment for a recent park-board vacancy after a board member resigned.
Next steps: the foundation will begin private fundraising and provide updates to the council; staff will proceed with site due diligence, permitting and coordination with Parks Foundation leaders.
