Indiana Dunes National Park is planning to replace the aging boardwalk along the West Beach Dune Succession Trail, with construction scheduled for fall 2026. The project will address the deteriorating 45-year-old wooden structure to enhance safety, and it may include removing the central staircase. The new boardwalk will still offer scenic views of Lake Michigan.
The project requires removal and demolition of existing trail structures and replacement with new boardwalks and staircases,
The estimated project value ranges between $1 million and $3 million, with contract award anticipated in July or August 2026. Work is expected to commence in late summer 2026, specifically after Labor Day, with a performance period of 270 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The project encompasses approximately 1,497 linear feet of boardwalk and staircase replacement on the West Beach Succession Trail, plus an optional bid item for 554 linear feet of additional trail replacement. The place of performance is Indiana Dunes National Park, located at 1100 North Mineral Springs Road in Porter, Indiana, with delivery at the park facility in Gary, Indiana.
The Dune Succession Trail is a popular, roughly one-mile hiking trail known for its 270-stair climb to a high dune overlook, offering panoramic views of the lake and surrounding forest.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
