Indiana Dunes Could Be Hoosier State’s First National Park

Indiana Dunes
Christian K. Lee / AP Photo
Indiana Dunes
Christian K. Lee / AP Photo

Indiana Dunes Could Be Hoosier State’s First National Park

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

As Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore celebrates its 50th anniversary, one lawmaker wants to see the area redesignated as a national park. 

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., introduced legislation in Washington, D.C. to retitle the lakeshore “Indiana Dunes National Park.” Visclosky believes calling the area a national park will bring in more tourists.

“People want to tour each park in the national park system. It’s such a unique, wonderful natural resource,” Visclosky said. “I think it would be helpful to our economy to the extent we could bring additional visitors into Northwest Indiana.”

Others have expressed support for Visclosky’s effort. 

“The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a treasured source of beauty and recreation for Hoosier families,” said U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind. “Making it our state’s first National Park will boost the Indiana economy by drawing more tourists from across the country who want to explore the dunes.”

Lorelei Weimer, Executive Director for Indiana Dunes Tourism, added: “People love to visit our national parks and many travelers include visiting all of the national parks on their bucket lists. Many potential new visitors will add the Indiana Dunes National Park to their travel to do list because they will now know we are one of the National Parks.”

WBEZ’s Michael Puente covers Northwest Indiana. Follow him on Twitter @MikePuenteNews.