Paul H Douglas Center for Environmental Education

11/23/2024

National Park’s Douglas Center Reopens after Bridge Work Completed - The National Park Service and City of Gary recently celebrated the completion of a new pedestrian bridge at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education. With the new bridge in place, the center will again be able to safely host school children attending ranger-led education programs in addition to a wide variety of public programming for the community and national park visitors.

To celebrate, join park rangers in a special reopening event at the center on November 23rd, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Nature Play Date). The afternoon will feature a wide variety of family-friendly activities.

Kids will love the outdoor Nature Play Zone which features shovels, buckets, sticks, and rocks that can be used to build a fort, dig a hole, or just learn how to play outside. Next, head inside the center to a live animal room to see some of the creatures who make this park their home. You can even help the ranger feed the center’s resident ambassador animals. Then, let the kids enjoy some nature crafts. They can take home a sun print made using objects they find around the Douglas Center.

For more of an adventure, take a ranger-led hike through Miller Woods starting at 1:30 pm. This rare, black oak savanna habitat is still stunning in late fall.

The Paul H. Douglas Center is located in the western portion of the national park at 100 North Lake Street in the Miller section of Gary. For more information on this and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, visit our website at NPS.gov/indu

Image: Perspective photo viewing from the inside of the new bridge to the entrance of the Douglas Center.
Credit: Joseph Gruzalski

09/12/2024

What a wonderful recognition to Park Ranger Kip Walton from one of the best partner organizations Brown Faces Green Spaces. Thank you !!! Congratulations Ranger Kip for your dedication to the National Park Service.

12/17/2023

07/04/2023

Well, it's that time. As of 10am, all beach parking areas except West Beach are full at Indiana Dunes National Park. And we just got word that the State Park may be full as well.

Please listen to the parking attendants in the lots. If the lot is full, they will let you know.

Only park in approved lots. If you park in the side of the road or in an unapproved parking space, you risk having your vehicle towed and that's no way to enjoy your 4th of July.

09/18/2022

Indiana Dunes National Park was invited to participate in The Festival de la Monarca/ Monarch festival in East Chicago, IN.

In celebration of Latinx/Hispanic Heritage the wonderful Aztec Dancers performed at the festival.

Aztec Dance is meditation in motion. It brings the dancers into a meditative state, with the repetitive rhythm and movement, channeling energy to the gods. This dance represents the connection between man and god, of body and soul The dances have different meanings, but all express a respect for nature and the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind.

09/03/2022

The weather seems nice this weekend, but the waves at our beaches (like these) can tell a different story. Know before you go! Wave conditions can still be unsafe for swimming, so it's a great idea to ALWAYS CHECK before deciding to swim in Lake Michigan.

Would you like to learn more about how to avoid and/or survive these dangerous types wave currents? Visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

For up-to-date conditions, visit https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
For emergencies, call 1-800-PARK-TIP (800) 727-5847 or 911.

Here are some quick tips about escaping a rip current:
IF CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT
♦ Don't fight the current
♦ Swim out of the current, then to shore
♦ If you can't escape, float or tread water
♦ If you need help, call or wave for assistance

SAFETY
♦ Know how to swim
♦ Never swim alone
♦ Bring a life vest
♦ If in doubt, don't go out
*Even the strongest swimmers can get swept into the rip current and drown.
♦ More information about rip currents can be found at the following websites: www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov and www.usla.org

Learn more about beach safety by visiting our safety page at https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/safety.htm

Remember, there are plenty of things to do at the park besides swimming at the park, like hiking, enjoying a picnic, or joining one of the ranger-led programs, which you can check out here on our events page at https://www.facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS/events/ or our website at https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Image: Photo by Joe Philbin of the shoreline at Central Ave. Beach on a sunny day.

07/24/2022

We were glad to be part of our local community and greet people at this year's Farmers Market in Gary, Indiana.
Farmers Market happening every Sunday 11-1pm
Until September 26
667 S Lake St, Gary, IN 46403

07/03/2022

WARNING: Individuals, groups or organizations may not possess or use fireworks within the park boundary. People may not pollute the park with fireworks debris by launching from adjacent areas so that the fallout enters into the park. The use of fireworks not only disturb both visitors and wildlife, but can potentially start a dangerous wildfire. The park has previously experienced a wildfire in the past due to individuals shooting off fireworks. The fire came close to a park structure, but was put out by a park visitor and emergency personnel. Individuals found in violation will have their fireworks seized and face a fine up to $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail. Fireworks are also prohibited at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

To report any violations, emergencies, or other crimes call 1-800-PARK-TIP or 911.



Image: Graphic of fireworks prohibited sign.

06/24/2022