Chesterton has decided that Dogwood Park East would be a better location for a dog park, rather than the 27 acres of undeveloped land off Dickinson Road.
Chesterton Parks Superintendent Tyler McLead presented a concept plan to the Park Board Tuesday, listing multiple reasons why he thought Dogwood Park East would be the place for a dog park.
The concept plan also proposes Dogwood Park East as the best site for a skate park. Dogwood Park is spread over 60 acres off 23rd Street at County Road 1100 East, with soccer and baseball fields west of 23rd Street.
The Park Board readily agreed that McLead should proceed with his concept. Park Board President Paul Shinn noted that McLead’s idea of putting a dog park at Dogwood Park East makes more sense than the Dickinson Road site.
Costs for clearing the land off Dickinson Road for a park are daunting at this time. Chesterton’s park staff is already spread thin, and the town also faces financial challenges with the loss of property tax revenue as a result of Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1, McLead said.
“I don’t feel it’s an ideal time to bring more acreage into our park system,” McLead said.
By comparison, Dogwood Park East has the necessary amenities in place – like restrooms, parking, shelters and a playground. The Westchester-Liberty Trail runs by the park and provides a connection with the Prairie Duneland Trail.
McLead had tentatively placed the dog park – which would be about 2.3 acres – on the eastern portion of Dogwood Park East, just south of the softball fields.
If a skate park would be developed, the site selected by McLead would be at the northwest corner of the park.
As part of the concept plan, McLead said that he would relocate the volleyball courts and put them all in one location. There would also be additional connecting trails developed.
The town of Chesterton once had a skate park at the S. 15th Street trailhead of the Prairie Duneland Trail, but that location didn’t work out.
McLead said he believes that Dogwood Park East would provide better access for skateboarders.
Shinn said that the town should contact those who have previously expressed interest in the town developing the dog park and skateboard venue. McLead said he has no timetable yet for the developments at Dogwood Park East as the financial resources must be lined up.
Kevin Nevers, the town’s public affairs liaison, spoke to the Park Board as a representative of the Chesterton Art Center’s board. He asked that the parking situation be considered for the annual Art Fair, which is held on the Dogwood Park East grounds on the first weekend in August.
The Park Board also unanimously decided to hire an appraiser to determine the worth of a 3.4-acre parcel between Elgin and Ritter streets in the Crocker neighborhood.
McLead said the town has owned the landlocked property for some time, but there is no interest from his department or other town departments in using the land.
Town Attorney Connor Nolan said that two appraisals would have to be obtained before the land could be put up for bid.
If the town didn’t receive an acceptable offer, the property could then be sold the conventional way. Shinn said that it would be better to first determine the land’s worth.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
