Lake County, Indiana receives $4 million in park and community grants
Seven municipalities will use the funding to build splash pads, renovate courts, and convert vacant lots into public gathering spaces.
By Andrew Hayes ·
The Legacy Foundation awarded $4 million on October 28 to fund improvements in parks, recreational facilities, and public gathering spaces across Lake County, Indiana. The grants, distributed through the foundation's Love Where You Live initiative, will benefit seven communities: Gary, Hammond, Hobart, Griffith, Highland, Lowell, and New Chicago.
Representatives from civic organizations, municipalities, and community groups gathered at IBEW Local 697 to announce the recipients. The funding aims to expand recreational opportunities and create accessible public spaces that encourage local engagement and economic development.
Gary will receive the largest individual award, a $1 million grant for the Legacy Park and Art Walk Project. The investment supports a splash pad, a waterpark, and the restoration of a swimming pool. The project also includes the construction of pickleball courts, running track upgrades, and outdoor fitness stations.
The plan calls for an inclusive playground and safety fencing around the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana playground. These enhancements are designed to create gathering spaces for exercise and community events for children and adults alike.
The Town of Highland was awarded $886,300 for the Kennedy Commons project. This grant will transform a vacant former gas station at 8436 Kennedy Avenue into a community hub. The site will feature public green space, a community garden, a food access point, a covered shelter, and areas designated for public art.
Hammond’s Convention and Visitors Authority received $645,200 to develop the Optimist Lake Project. Located near Interstate 94 and Kennedy Avenue, the underutilized lake area will be converted into an accessible recreational destination. Improvements include boardwalks, an over-water walking feature, a paved loop trail, fishing piers, and launch facilities for canoes and kayaks. An event plaza is also part of the design.
The Town of Griffith received $500,000 to transform Griffith Park into a year-round recreational destination. The project includes a portable 40-by-80-foot ice rink and the conversion of two basketball courts for use in both winter and summer. A seasonal shelter will support community gatherings during various weather conditions.
The City of Hobart’s Parks Department received $500,000 for improvements to Festival Park. The project will convert an underutilized downtown area into a functional gathering space. The design incorporates accessible programming areas, performance spaces, and historic elements to strengthen the downtown environment.
The Town of New Chicago was awarded $168,500 to revitalize its park basketball court. The project includes a reinforced concrete overlay, a polymer playing surface, glass backboards, and adjustable-height goals. The Town of Lowell Parks Department received $300,000 for its Historic Town Square project, which will also transform a downtown area into a community gathering space with performance areas and improved connections.
The Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. under its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, known as GIFT IX. Founded in 1992, the Legacy Foundation has awarded more than $50 million in grants and scholarships and manages approximately $100 million in assets. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board representing business, education, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector.
