U.S. Reps. Pete
Visclosky, D-1st, and Jackie Walorski, D-2nd, along with U.S. Senator Todd
Young, R-Ind., are announcing that Indiana Dunes National Park is
now--officially--the 61st national park in the country and the first in the
State of Indiana.
A bill to change
the name of the National Lakeshore to Indiana Dunes National Park was
included in the Fiscal Year 2019 Omnibus Appropriations legislation, which
has been signed into law.
“I am heartened
that because of the support of our U.S. Senators, the entire Indiana
Congressional delegation, and numerous Northwest Indiana organizations, we
have successfully titled the first National Park in our state,” Visclosky
said. “This action provides our shoreline with the recognition it deserves,
and I hope further builds momentum to improve open and public access to all
of our region’s environmental wonders.”
“I’m thrilled that
the Indiana Dunes will be our state’s first National Park,” Walorski said.
“The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has long been a treasured place for
Hoosiers to relax, explore, and enjoy all that nature has to offer, as well
as a strong driver of our local economy. The Indiana Dunes National Park
will draw even more visitors from across the country, strengthening
Indiana’s economy and boosting the outdoor recreation industry that is so
vital to our region.”
“This designation
certifies what we Hoosiers have known all along--Indiana Dunes is not just a
state treasure, but a national treasure as well,” Young said. “I commend
Representative Visclosky for his perseverance on this important Hoosier
priority. Without his tireless advocacy, this goal would not have been
accomplished. I look forward to visiting Indiana's first National Park very
soon.”