Park Planning
Porter County Parks and Recreation values your input. No park plan is complete without broad and meaningful participation from the public and various interest groups.
If you have any ideas, questions, comments or concerns, contact us at pcparks@porterco.org.
We are currently gathering public input for the Land and Water Conservation grant. If you would take a couple of minutes to complete this small survey for us at Porter County Parks and Recreation, we would greatly appreciate it! The survey is available by clicking the button below.
Park Plans
Park master plans provide the public a way to help determine the best uses for a specific site and to optimize the management of the parks resources. We have developed a new 2023 5-Year Comprehensive plan to guide our goals and developments for the next 5 years. In the process of preparing this plan, we conducted a survey of Porter County residents which details public use of and opinions about Porter County's parks and programs.
The full report is available here: Porter County Community Parks Survey.
The full 2017 Comprehensive Master Plan is available at the link below.
Current Projects
Amphitheater
Watch for more details as our newest project begins to take shape
New Playground for Sunset Hill Farm County Park (COMPLETED)
Porter County Parks and Recreation has completed the replacement of the existing playground structure at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. Playgrounds are necessary for children’s development. Children today have an abundant amount of indoor and electronic activities available to them, but have limited and diminishing opportunities for outdoor recreation and play.
Playgrounds provide children safe and fun places to not only play but also develop vital cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills. Free play provided by playgrounds allows for and encourages children to use their curiosity and imagination building. The combination of free play and playgrounds build important skills such as social awareness, motor skills, coordination, and cognitive abilities.
The CDC recommends that children get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. Playground and free play are excellent ways to encourage children to be more active and provide fun ways to do so. Playgrounds provide many physical benefits through play such as: development of gross motor skills, dexterity, improved flexibility and balance. We are so proud to bring the children who visit Sunset Hill Farm Park such a wonderful piece.
Phase 2 (Completed)
Phase 1 of the Sunset Hill Farm County Park Playground Improvement Plan has been completed. This included the replacement of the ageing play structure with a new ADA compliant play structure and re-surfacing the play area with new engineered wood safety fiber.
With Phase 1 complete, we are fully underway on phase 2. Phase 2 includes many new features for the playground area at Sunset Hill. Many of which Sunset Hill has never had before. This includes the purchase and installation of a second (slightly larger) fully ADA compliant play structure, an inclusive spinner, standalone climber, and a 3 bay swing with belt seats, a toddler seat, and an inclusive seat. Once completed, this playground along with the existing natural playground will offer children of all ages and abilities ample opportunities to play.
Phase 2 is slated to be completed in the spring of 2024. Below is a rendering of what it will look like. If you would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate contact us!
Access to outdoor recreation and parks plays a pivotal role in enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals and communities. As urbanization and modern lifestyles continue to shape our world, the significance of natural spaces cannot be understated. These areas provide a sanctuary from the bustling pace of daily life, offering a place for relaxation, exercise, and connection with nature. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, outdoor recreation spaces and parks serve as vital hubs for social interaction, cultural exchange, and environmental education. They promote healthy lifestyles, reduce stress, and offer opportunities for people of all ages to engage in activities that foster personal growth and community bonding. In a world where digital screens often dominate our attention, the availability of accessible and well-maintained outdoor spaces becomes even more crucial, offering a gateway to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
The Porter County Park Board, Parks Foundation, and Parks and Recreation Department are wholly committed to delivering on our promise to build a park in the southern part of Porter County. It is our shared belief that this project is of the utmost importance and that all the people of Porter County are entitled to ample quality, outdoor recreation opportunities.
Aukiki South County Park Phase 1
As of now, we are currently pursuing funding to complete phase 1 of the parks development. This will include all of the following:
Water/Storm water infrastructure
Mass excavation
Top scraping and top soil stockpiling
Digging and establishment of drainage basins and ponds
Finish grading
Grass, tree, and prairie planting
Erosion and runoff control
ADA compliant trails
Parking area and public access
Our current fundraising goal for this part of the project is $3,000,000. As of now we have raised a total of about $250,000. If you or someone you know would like donate, please contact the Porter County Parks Foundation via the link or QR code below. If you or someone you know would like to the help with the project please reach out to Jake McEvoy, Porter County Parks and Rec. Superintendent.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YD48A66NDZT9J
