City to advance privately funded $3.2 million cultural trail partnership with Legacy Foundation
July 06, 2026 | Kingsford Heights, LaPorte County, Indiana
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Michigan City officials approved a memorandum of understanding on July 6 to advance a privately funded cultural-trail and gateway project connecting downtown to the Dunes National Park.
Mayor (name not stated) told the Board of Public Works and Safety the project is part of a statewide Lilly Foundation community leadership implementation gift program and is covered by a $20 million regional gift. “It really positions us as an anchor to the Dunes National park … we’re named the eastern gateway to the national park in that grant application,” the mayor said, adding the work is “100% funded by private philanthropy” and that “there’s no cost to Michigan City.”
The MOU would support a roughly $3.2 million package that includes more than a half mile of new trail, a visitor kiosk at 11th Street, new streetscape and signage, dedicated cycle-track lanes and ADA-compliant resurfacing and lighting. The mayor said the recommended alignment was revised to better connect the trail to downtown, including shared-street connections on Sixth and Seventh streets and improvements that could support sculptures and other placemaking elements.
Board members asked about long-term maintenance responsibilities. The mayor and city staff said that while construction and design are privately funded, the street and sidewalk infrastructure will become part of the city’s inventory and subject to routine maintenance by city crews. City engineer Tim Warner confirmed the city is responsible for sidewalks and streets once complete.
During public comment, resident Tommy Kavik asked about installation of a bike-share system that had been discussed previously. The mayor said bike rentals remain under consideration but that implementation will depend on additional housing density and transit planning and that staff would provide an update.
The board voted unanimously to approve the MOU and to refer implementation details for follow-up as the project proceeds. The mayor announced a public presentation about the project on July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 121 E. 7th Street.
What’s next: Staff will return with follow-up details and property-owner notifications where needed; a public presentation is scheduled July 16.
Mayor (name not stated) told the Board of Public Works and Safety the project is part of a statewide Lilly Foundation community leadership implementation gift program and is covered by a $20 million regional gift. “It really positions us as an anchor to the Dunes National park … we’re named the eastern gateway to the national park in that grant application,” the mayor said, adding the work is “100% funded by private philanthropy” and that “there’s no cost to Michigan City.”
The MOU would support a roughly $3.2 million package that includes more than a half mile of new trail, a visitor kiosk at 11th Street, new streetscape and signage, dedicated cycle-track lanes and ADA-compliant resurfacing and lighting. The mayor said the recommended alignment was revised to better connect the trail to downtown, including shared-street connections on Sixth and Seventh streets and improvements that could support sculptures and other placemaking elements.
Board members asked about long-term maintenance responsibilities. The mayor and city staff said that while construction and design are privately funded, the street and sidewalk infrastructure will become part of the city’s inventory and subject to routine maintenance by city crews. City engineer Tim Warner confirmed the city is responsible for sidewalks and streets once complete.
During public comment, resident Tommy Kavik asked about installation of a bike-share system that had been discussed previously. The mayor said bike rentals remain under consideration but that implementation will depend on additional housing density and transit planning and that staff would provide an update.
The board voted unanimously to approve the MOU and to refer implementation details for follow-up as the project proceeds. The mayor announced a public presentation about the project on July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 121 E. 7th Street.
What’s next: Staff will return with follow-up details and property-owner notifications where needed; a public presentation is scheduled July 16.
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