Legacy Foundation, in collaboration with the Crown Point Community Foundation, Porter County Community Foundation, and Unity Foundation of La Porte County, launch NWI Thrive, a project committed to ensuring each county’s residents have access to the unique amenities Northwest Indiana offers: Indiana Dunes National Park, South Shore Line’s new Double Track, and the development of the Marquette Greenway trail. Legacy Foundation received a grant of $20,000,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Leadership Implementation Grants component of the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative for this project.

NWI Thrive encompasses a variety of initiatives to connect and enhance Northwest Indiana’s natural and cultural assets. The project includes trail and transit improvements, creative placemaking efforts, and educational programming. Key initiatives include:

• The development of seven (7) Discover Hubs and three (3) trailheads near South Shore train stations in Michigan City, Town of Pines, Beverly Shores, Dune Park, Miller Beach, East Chicago, and Downtown Gary. Discover Hubs are placemaking installations that welcome travelers and include public art, interpretive signage, information kiosks, educational opportunities, and wayfinding to local attractions and businesses. Trailheads will connect transit hubs to neighboring trail networks, reinforcing a well-connected lakefront. Both treatments will be reflective of the town’s unique culture and offer information about local plants and wildlife.
• Closing 9.5 miles of gaps in existing trail. Trail connections and improvements will ensure Marquette Greenway continuity through the region and prioritize connections within communities. Trail locations include:
  • Cultural Trail Along Pine Street Downtown Michigan City
  • Trail Improvements along Broadway Avenue in Beverly Shores
  • Dunes Kankakee Trail
  • Trail Improvements in Miller Beach in Gary
  • Trail Improvements on Broadway in Gary
  • Marquette Greenway Connections in Gary
  • Indianapolis Boulevard in East Chicago
• Install signage and wayfinding to connect communities with natural and cultural landmarks. Wayfinding signage will be installed:
  • From the new Discover Hub and Trailhead along the Marquette Greenway north along Central Avenue to Central Ave Beach within the national park in the Town of Pines.
  • From the Marquette Trail along Howe Road, Mineral Spring Road, and other nearby streets connecting Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, the Indiana Dunes National Park Headquarters, the Dunes Learning Center, and the Good Fellow Club Youth Camp.
  • The entire length of the Marquette Greenway. A Unified Trail Wayfinding Plan will include welcome signs, vehicular trailheads, map kiosks, pedestrian directional signs, pedestrian regulatory signs, and mile markers.

NWI Thrive incorporates educational opportunities throughout all projects listed above. With a focus on increasing local understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the region’s local wildlife and habitats, our creative placemaking efforts support educational outcomes that will further protect Northwest Indiana’s natural areas and resources. Public outreach events will be planned to draw the public to utilize the trail corridor.

On December 19, 2024 Legacy Foundation, Porter County Community Foundation, Unity Foundation of La Porte County, and Crown Point Community Foundation gathered with community leaders and members of the press to announce a $20 million grant award from Lilly Endowment Inc.