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Fans of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Being Asked to Contribute Ideas to Lakeshore's Future

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Winter's brute force is evident along the shores of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. NPS photo.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore could accurately be described as an "urban" park. Its location on Lake Michigan is rimmed by Indiana towns and cities such as Gary, Hammond, Portage, Valparasio, and Michigan City. And, understandably, the residents of those communities have a vested interest in the lakeshore's future. That's where the National Park and Conservation Association's "National Park, Regional Treasure" program comes into play.

This program is a partnership between the NPCA and The Eppley Institute at Indiana University, The Field Museum of Chicago, and the National Park Service. Through the endeavor they hope to "open a meaningful dialog about the challenges and opportunities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The strategic planning project is a call for ideas to improve the visitor experience, connect the park to surrounding communities and the Chicago area, and to enhance Indiana Dune's future as an iconic national park."

Here's the lowdown on the project:

What makes this strategic plan different from other plans the Park Service has already developed at Indiana Dunes?

This strategic planning process is being led by NPCA and other park partners in cooperation with the National Park Service. Unlike the park’s existing General Management Plan, which primarily focuses on managing the park’s natural and cultural treasures, this strategic plan will focus on identifying park challenges and developing solutions with the help of park partners, supporters, community residents, and visitors.

What is the Park Service’s role in this planning process?

As a partner in this planning process, the Park Service is eager to enhance the connection between Indiana Dunes and its supporters and visitors. Many of the recommendations in the final plan will likely be directed toward building new and strong park partnerships and others may be focused on park operations, so the Park Service’s expertise and input is crucial to the success of the plan and its subsequent implementation.

How will the public participate?

The project team will talk to many people over the next several months by phone, email, and in person and will survey park visitors at various times during the project. A special online survey allows you to provide your thoughts and input as well. Or you can send us an email with your comments to: [email protected] or provide feedback here.

What kinds of things will this plan cover?

We will be looking at many different aspects of the park: how a visitor’s experience can be improved; how the unique resources can be preserved amid pressure from surrounding development; and how to inspire a new generation of park supporters to care for the park. And we will be looking for new ideas and fresh thoughts from people who care about Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

When will the plan be completed?

The planning process has begun and the finished report is anticipated in the spring of 2011.

Comments

nude sunnbathinng is a great idea. Beautiful beachfront in nature wearing nature! You get my vote


The national lakeshore should make Kemil beach clothing optional. I've seen several nudists there in recent years and it doesn't seem to me that they are hurting anyone. They are usually secluded and minding their own business.


Perhaps im a little late finding and responding to this post but am glad i found it. I live in Indiana as like many others on this forum and i as well drive a thousand miles to new smyrna and haulover beach and spend about a thousand dollars,  so me and my family can visit the Nude Beaches. Indiana as a whole would Benifit from a legal nude beach as well as the park, because of my gas stops, restaurant purchases and snacks just on the way to the beach in probably several different cities. im excited about this notion and ill be monitering it. You got my vote 100% SEE YOU THERE!


A clothing optional beach along the lake shore will stimulate business for the resturants, and all other manner of businesses gas stations, hotels, lodging shopping etc. It's nude not lewd... 


The reality is that people are already wearing minimal swimwear and thongs on these beaches, as well as going topless and nude on them.  My wife never wears anything but a thong bikini at Kemil Beach, and she usually lays out topless down by the water's edge.  No one has ever complained.

We would support a clothing-optional beach here, and we have many friends who would join us.


Would definitely be in support of a sanctioned clothing optional beach! We are transplants from Florida and had several nude beach options near us. Now, we drive or fly thousands of miles to get to them for that one experience. 

If the lovely Indiana Dunes state park had a protected area, such as CENTRAL BEACH (hint, hint), we could forget about Florida. We love Indiana and Chicago, the east coast of Lake Michigan, etc. but there is something so soul-restoring about communing with nature in this way thAt we haven't found a substitute for, we make the trip and spend a ton of extra money.

As with all the other posters here, we've never had a bad experience at an official nude beach. Quiet, respectful, people, families and couples, all ages and shapes and colors...it's a glorious time of shedding the artificial divisions that our culture wants to put between us. I think it would be good for the "soul" of Indiana, honestly.


 

True Naturism is a lust free environment whereby everyone enjoys the respect of others around them without the fear of reprisal.  The lack of clothing provides an awe-inspiring sense of freedom coupled with a childlike euphoria as the sun, breeze, and lake water caress your body while skinny dipping along the lakeshore.  Life just doesn't get any better than that.

 


I live in Ohio and would travel to the beach to enjoy the freedoms of nature and stay the weekend there before returning home and back to the grind of the work week ! Would be awesome to just forget all the daily nuances of regular everyday life ! 


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