Redevelopment Aims to Transform Dyer’s Central Park
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The town of Dyer is working to transform one of its parks into a regional attraction. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the town’s redevelopment of Central Park includes construction of multi-purpose athletic facilities, field resurfacing and additional parking.
The three-phase project is slated for completion in 2028.
“People from all over will visit it as a destination,” Dyer Parks Director Michael O’Shea said. “Once it is done it will be a region attraction.”
The 75-acre park was purchased in 2007 and redevelopment work began in 2020. Until a few years ago, the park consisted of three ball fields and a three-acre dog park and shelter.
“At one point there was nothing out there, knee-high weeds and geese,” O’Shea said. “We want to get the full potential out of this whole park.”
The Times reports work on the park’s north end is almost completed, work on the south end is expected to start in summer 2023.
The parks department has already resurfaced the existing ball fields and added a fourth field. Once completed, work on the north end will include fencing, walking paths, a redone parking lot, a two-story concession stand with a press box and bathrooms, a batting cage and a playground.
According to The Times, the dog park and shelter are expected to remain on the south end of the park. Plans also call for a synthetic turf field, an irrigated open grass area, an amphitheater, a sledding hill and a community garden.
The parks department is also looking to develop a “town plaza” in the center. While plans for the park’s center have not been finalized, the publication reports the space could be used for tennis, pickle ball and beach volleyball courts.