Award
2016 Merit Award
Site
Michigan City, IN
Size
144 acres
Client
Michigan City Parks & Recreation Department
Category
Planning and Analysis
Landscape Architects
Project Details
Located along the South Shore of Lake Michigan, the 144-acre Washington Park is the biggest and best-positioned lakefront in the region, serving the Chicago and Indianapolis metropolitan areas, and everything in between. Michigan City engaged Hitchcock Design Group to lead a multi-disciplinary team which included experts in architecture, civil engineering, traffic, economics, and park operations for the Master Plan. The multi-disciplinary team worked with city officials in a comprehensive process that was market-supported, highly collaborative, and reflective of community and stakeholder interests. The Envision Washington Park Master Plan identifies critical capital and operational improvements for the park.
Building on the Lake Michigan Gateway Implementation Strategy, the Master Plan identifies opportunities to create a world class, eco-recreation destination, and catalyze development within the downtown Michigan City area. By planning for the future of Washington Park, the board and staff aim to create a regional destination that fosters year-round recreation opportunities, provides enriching programs and events, and improves the quality of life for residents, visitors, and future generations. By improving park connectivity, enhancing overall park features and aesthetics, activating year-round use, and restoring the park’s unique natural features, the Master Plan will realize the City’s vision to “enhance and enrich the quality of life for our citizens, visitors, and future generations to come.” By developing a Master Plan that balances the capital improvements, organizational opportunities, and financial growth, improvements can be layered upon one another to create a healthy, functional, and regionally successful park.
Project Team
Kil Architecture / Planning; Haas & Associates, LLC; Walker Parking Consultants; Heller and Heller Consulting, LLC