Shirley Heinze Land Trust acquires land in New Chicago
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The Valparaiso-based Shirley Heinze Land Trust is adding to the land under its control with the acquisition of 23 in the Lake County town of New Chicago. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the land trust purchased the land along Deep River from the American Legion.
The land was acquired with the help of funding from longtime donor Jim Martin, according to the publication.
Executive Director Kris Krouse said the land will be preserved for marsh bird habitat and is part of a larger project to improve community access to the area, including the river.
“Preserving the 23 acres, through purchase as part of a larger, multi-partnering effort along the Deep River, was a great opportunity to support the work of Kris and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust team,” Martin said. “I can’t wait to launch from the New Chicago Kayak dock and paddle to the land from Deep River in 2024.”
The land trust is working to restore the site of the former Water Front Lounge, which burned down in 2018, for more public recreational use. The work is being supported by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Legacy Foundation.
Some of the new public access amenities are expected to be completed next year.
The Shirley Heinze Land Trust has helped protect more than 3,000 acres across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke and Marshall counties since 1981.