In Mayor Eddie Melton’s words, Gary is among the few cities that can claim it has one of the world’s largest bodies of fresh water plus a national park in its backyard.
The city celebrated another natural and regional asset Thursday, October 30 at the ribbon cutting for the Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve, a key initiative of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
It’s hard to engage people in nature and conservation, said Heinze Executive Director Kristopher Krouse, but they are showing northwest Indiana how it can be done.
“Thousands of years ago, the shores of Lake Michigan were right here where we’re standing, taking up a big chunk of the city of Gary,” Krouse said. “We’ve brought it back to what it was before the city was settled. Back then, there were ridges of dunes and wetlands filled with many unique plants, birds, insects, and amphibians.”
The Ivanhoe Nature Preserve, at 7th and Colfax, has been under the care of the conservation group since 2015, clearing the lands of non-native vegetation, removing tons of debris and thousands of tires. But the vision for the nature preserve began decades ago when members started going to tax sales, piecing together what is now 53 acres of globally rare dune and swale habitat.
The ribbon cutting celebrated the partners and funders who contributed to the project, enhancing the preserve with a new sidewalk and boardwalk, improved trails, a community space shelter, a dedicated parking area, as well as fencing and vehicle barriers.
Heinze received a $977,000 grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) program. They were then able to leverage for another $200,000 grant – $50,000 from the Legacy Foundation of Lake County and $150,000 from Indiana American Water.
Berglund Construction rebuilt the sidewalks that connect the preserve to West Side Leadership Academy on Colfax Street. “We had to demolish the driveways of about 15 houses, which meant those driveways would be out of commission for 4-5 days,” said Jeff Berglund.
His crew expected resistance, but “There was not a single complaint or frustrated voice; they embraced it,” Berglund said. “Neighbors told our crews that they were inspired by the project and the improvements. It made them want to beautify their own yards.”
“This preserve is more than just a gorgeous green space, it’s a living classroom. Our students and community members can come here, not only to enjoy nature, but study and learn from it, and celebrate the value of open spaces,” said Indiana State Senator Mark Spencer.
Lori Latham, Gary City Council President, thanked the Heinze Land Trust. “This is one of the few places on the planet where you can stand next to tall, strong oak trees, but in a wetland and next to a dry habitat with prickly pear cacti.”
“And that’s something that we can be proud of, especially seeing the resilience of these nature areas, given our industrial heritage,” Latham said. “There are a lot of cities all over the country trying to rescue and save some things that we take for granted. We’re excited to have a partner in conservation with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.”