2012-2016 Town of Dyer Indiana Parks and Recreation master plan

Town of Dyer 2012-2016 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Master Plan Page 1
Town of Dyer, Indiana
Parks and Recreation Department
5 Year Plan
2012 - 2016

Index
Mission Statement/Plan Overview.....................................................................................3
Goals of the Plan .................................................................................................................4
Park Board/Department Information................................................................................5
Planning Area ......................................................................................................................6
History of Dyer/Parks Dept..................................................................................................7-8
Parks and Recreation..........................................................................................................9
Location................................................................................................................................10
Natural Features/Landscape.............................................................................................11
Demographics .....................................................................................................................12-13
Master Plan Development .................................................................................................14-15
Community Needs Assessment Results.............................................................................16-19
Public Input...........................................................................................................................20
Previous Efforts......................................................................................................................21-22
Establishment of Park Board...............................................................................................23-29
Park Map...............................................................................................................................30
Site Inventory/Goals/Accessibility.....................................................................................31-34
Assurance of Compliance .................................................................................................35
Costs/Target Dates..............................................................................................................56
Individual Park Sites Inventory............................................................................................36-65
Action Plan ..........................................................................................................................66-67
Funding Recommendation/Priorities ................................................................................68-69
Recreational Activities/Demand Analysis........................................................................70-72
Master Plan Public Input Final Review and Comment...................................................72
Conclusion............................................................................................................................73
Resolution Adopting Master Plan......................................................................................74

Mission Statement
The Dyer Parks & Recreation
Department strives to provide and
maintain quality recreation facilities,
parks and programs which enhance the
physical, social and emotional well-
being of all the citizens of the Town of
Dyer. It is vital that the Parks and
Recreation Department be responsive
to the leisure and recreational needs of
its citizens.
Park Board Goals and
Objectives
The Dyer Park board has been created
under Indiana statute to, among other
items, exercise general supervision of
and make rules for the department
along with establishing rules governing
the use of the parks and facilities by the
public.
Master Plan Overview
The last Master Plan conducted by the
Town of Dyer Park and Recreation
Department was facilitated and
designed by an outside planning firm.
The current Park Board felt confident
enough in their knowledge of the
process to save the residents of Dyer
some $30,000 and do the Master Plan
“in house.”
The primary goal of this plan is to
enhance the community by providing
indoor and outdoor recreational
opportunities for all ages and interests.
The timeframe or life of this plan
is short by design to complete realistic
goals and seek vital improvements to
the park lands and recreational
offerings within the 5 year planning
horizon.
The Town of Dyer has grown in size and
stature, and with this growth comes the
expectation of providing an
acceptable level of service in
recreational opportunities, parks, trails
and open space.
To start this plan, the Park Board started
by seeking resident input by mailing a
survey to all residents of Dyer. Following
the survey, the board held a series of 3
public input meetings – one specifically
inviting local youth sports group leaders.
The public input meetings, although
advertised in local papers, on the town
website, using Facebook and by
publishing dates in a town mailing sent
to resident homes, were not highly
attended.
Mission Statement/Overview

The intent of the Park Board and the
current Town Council is to make current
parks and the Central Park a focal point
for the Town of Dyer. Resident input
supports this vision.
The three vision statements that were
generated early on in the process were
as follows:
1) To make the move towards more
centrally located larger parks.
2) To explore opportunities for an
indoor athletic facility and
outdoor aquatic facility.
3) To create more walking/biking
paths within the town creating
more recreational outlets for all of
Dyer residents, not just youth.
These are important to consider as the
plan is molded because they reflect
many of the public’s ideas as to the
future direction of the agency. Several
administrative goals are included in the
following sections that have the power
to transform the agency.
Three key recommendations include;
1) Look for ways that Dyer Park
facilities can be self-supporting
financially yet affordable to
residents.
2) Look at getting rid of/auctioning
off duplicate park properties that
are too concentrated in one
area to free up operating dollars
to fund other park improvements.
3) In a time of governmental
budget cuts, to find alternative
ways to fund park improvements
in the way of resident
involvement, grants and
donations.
Finally, the plan needs to be clear,
concise and focused on common
sense solutions that can be
implemented with notable
improvements in a short amount of
time. Second, it needs to have the
voice of the public and third, it
needs to be creative in steps to
maximize revenue sources to allow
reinvestment into the agency
allowing for growth within the
department to happen. This is how
to measure success for the future of
parks and recreation in Dyer.
Goals Of The Plan

2012 Dyer Town Council:
Jeff Dekker, President
Joseph Cinko, Vice-President
Debbie Astor, Member
Mary Tanis, Member
Connee Trepton, Member
2012 Dyer Park & Recreation Board:
John Eagan, President
appointed through Dec. 31, 2013
Mike Kapitan, Vice-President
Theresa Scherzinger, Executive Secretary
Cathy Lareau, Member
Debbie Astor, Town Council Liaison
William T. Enslen, Attorney to the Board
Department Administrative Staff:
Mark Heintz, CPRP, Director of Parks
& Recreation
Andrea Daliege, Recreation Supervisor
Lorraine Copenhaver, Clerk
Dyer Parks & Recreation Department:
1 Town Square
Dyer, IN 46311
Phone: 219-865-2505
Fax: 219-865-4233
E-mail: parks@townofdyer.com
www.townofdyer.com/parks
The Park Board
The Board of Parks and Recreation is
composed of four members, each who
is appointed by the Dyer Town Council
for a 4 year term. The terms are
staggered with one seat expiring every
year.
The Park Board meets monthly on the
second Wednesday of each month at
6:00 pm at the Dyer Town Hall in the
Town Hall Main Meeting Room.
The Board also conducts a study session
on the fourth Wednesday of each
month at 6:00 pm at the Dyer Town Hall
in the Town Hall Main Meeting Room.
At its monthly meeting, the Board
approves claims and payments, makes
policy and operation decisions,
approves requests for use of parks
facilities and receives an update from
the director on day to day department
activity. The meetings are open to the
public and the public is encouraged to
ask questions and provide feedback.
Park Board/Department Information

Location
The Town of Dyer is located in
northwest Indiana in the western portion
of St. John Township in Lake County. Dyer
borders the Illinois communities of
Lynwood, Sauk Village and Crete. The
Dyer service area consists of the Illinois
border to the west, the Town of
Schererville to the east, the Town of
Munster to the north and unincorporated
St. John Township to the south. U.S. Route
30 traverses the Town from east to west. In
recent years the Sheffield Avenue/Hart
Street has become a secondary north-
south corridor through Dyer. The long
awaited Calumet Avenue extension (from
Main Street on the north end of Dyer to
Route 30 in the middle of Dyer) has
become the main north-south corridor
with high traffic counts.
Accessibility
Dyer is located 20 miles southeast of
Chicago, Illinois. Illinois Route 394 is two
miles to the west, Interstate 80/94 is 9 miles
to the north and Interstate 65 is ten miles
to the east. There is no public bus system
in Dyer except for a commuter bus system
from a park and ride lot that goes to
Chicago twice a day. The St. John
Township does offer a transportation
program for senior citizens. Triple A Express
is an available taxi service to Dyer
residents. Air transportation is available
from Gary (IN) Regional Airport, Lansing
(IL) Regional Airport, Midway International
and O’Hare International Airports
(Chicago). Dyer is located approximately
15 miles south of Lake Michigan. Amtrak
trains from Indianapolis to Chicago stop
twice daily in Dyer utilizing the north-south
CSX railroad line. Dyer also is crossed by
the Canadian National line which runs
from east to west.
Customers
The Dyer Parks and Recreation
department services the residents of the
Town of Dyer’s corporate limits as the
main consumer base. Non-residents from
surrounding communities and
unincorporated areas of St. John Township
are also served through the parks and
programs offered by Dyer Parks and
Recreation. In this situation the
department is making Dyer a destination
for recreation. For programs, non-residents
are charged a higher fee since none of
their property tax supports the Town
services. The unincorporated area of St.
John Township with a Dyer, Indiana zip
code are even mailed the seasonal
activity guides since they are not within
any municipal parks and recreation area.
Planning Area

In approximately 1830, permanent settlers
came to Northwest Indiana, which at that
time was home to the Pottawatomie
Indians under Chief Pokagan. These early
settlers were primarily Prussian farmers, but
also included carpenters, millers, masons,
shoemakers, saloon keepers and a
doctor.
Between 1830 and 1910, the Dyer
community remained unincorporated. On
January 24, 1910, citizens of Dyer decided
by a vote of 57 to 35 to incorporate as a
town under the laws of the State of
Indiana. The Town of Dyer was formally
incorporated on February 8, 1910. The
town was divided into three districts or
wards so that a trustee might be elected
from each of the wards.
In 1915, the Municipal Water Utility was
established, and the Fire Department was
established shortly thereafter. The first
Town Meeting was held on March 10,
1919 in a store building at 229 Joliet Street.
Population of the town has steadily
increased.
In 1893, it is reported that the town had a
population of 250 people. In 1910, it had
500; and by 1950 it reached 1,556. Growth
of the town by 1960 reached 3,993. The
Schilling’s Subdivision brought the count to
4,496 in a special census in 1968, and by
1970 there were 4,778 residents. By 1975,
there were 7,396; the1980 census listed
the town at 9,555; the 1990 census listed
the town at 10,923; the 2000 census listed
the town at 13,895; and as of the 2010
census, there were 16,390 Dyer residents.
The parks and recreation department for
the Town of Dyer was created by
ordinance 819 which is contained in this
plan. Ordinance 819 created a board of
parks and recreation comprised of four
members who were deemed to be
residents of the Town of Dyer for at least
three years prior to becoming members.
The responsibilities of the board
delineated in Ordinance 819 were
specified as performing “all acts
necessary to acquire and develop sites
and facilities ant to such programs as are
generally understood to be park and
recreation functions.”
Between 1972 and 2000, the new parks
and recreation board began its mission of
providing services by acquiring and
developing Northgate, Pheasant Hills,
Autumn Chase, Sandy Ridge, Green
Meadows, Sheffield Estates, Cottonwood,
Veterans and Elmer Miller parks.
In the past decade, the Parks and
Recreation department has accepted
donation of park land and now maintains
Mallard Cove Park (on a lease from the
Gary Diocese), the Hearthstone/Village
Circle park property, Eberly Park
(expected to be donated by the
developer soon) and also holds the
largest new piece of property for Central
Park, which was purchased in 2006 by the
Redevelopment Commission of Dyer for
use as a park. The board also hired a full
time Director of Parks and Recreation to
administer the department. Additionally in
2006 a full time Recreation Supervisor was
added to oversee all activities.
Recreation grew as facilities permitted,
largely utilizing space in the local schools
for athletic programs and any other
space in the community as room was
available for instructional and children’s
programs including outside in the parks.
In 2001, the Dyer Parks and Recreation
Department adopted a five year Parks
and Recreation Master Plan as a guide to
History of Dyer Parks and Recreation

“determine and shape the future” of the
department. Park and recreation board
members who served during the plan’s
development and adoption in 2001 were
Pat Schwoegler, Mary McShane, Susan
Grelewicz, and Don Schultz.
In February of 2007 an entire new Park
Board, made up of Tim Ring, Gary Sprigg,
Kelly Jackson and Sheri Gill, approved the
2007 - 2011 master plan which was
assembled by an outside consultant.
Challenges facing the department in
2006 primarily included meeting the parks
and recreation needs of Dyer’s citizens.
Challenges also included restructuring the
department to focus on its mission
mandated in Ordinance 819.
By 2006 the function of maintaining Dyer’s
parks had been made a function of the
public works department. This was done
to make the Town of Dyer maintenance
more efficient. In this situation all
maintenance is done under the realm of
one department and not split among a
number of departments.
In addition, local communities surrounding
Dyer had advanced their parks and
recreation services to a position where, if
the quality of life in Dyer were to remain
competitive with other Northwest Indiana
communities, a new master plan would
need to be developed.
The Park Board has seen a large amount
of turnover in the past 10 years which
makes it difficult to ensure follow through
on a 5 year Master Plan. The 2001-2005
master plan was really the spark for
acquiring additional park land and for
doing the first ever bond issue strictly for
park system capital improvements. That
master plan did this by justifying the need
for additional park space and capital
funding.
A huge step for the Town’s park system
came when the Redevelopment
Commission purchased a 77 acre
property as the future Central Park and
the Park Board obtaining a $4.5 million
bond.
The bond was obtained in large part to
make initial improvements at Central Park
and included smaller improvements in
other Dyer parks. A variety of delays in
the development of Central Park led to
monies being allocated to a variety of
parks in Dyer. The bond issue funds were
spent on much needed improvements at
Northgate Park, Pheasant Hill Park,
Veterans Park and Plum Creek Center (a
small indoor recreational facility). System
wide improvements were made by
purchasing a mobile stage, a recreation
program registration system and
technological equipment upgrades.
Preparations for development of Central
Park also occurred which included
demolition of the former house, barn,
other farm structures and the initial
seeding of the 77 acre property. That work
was followed by construction of a
drainage swale along the east and north
ends of the park and then followed by
development of a 120 space parking lot
and three ball fields. The final funds from
the bond issue will begin development of
the west entrance and parking lot in 2012.
You will see in pages 36-64 the status of
current parks done as an inventory by the
Park Board as well as information on
recent improvements completed as a
result of the Park Bond.

The Town of Dyer’s Parks and
Recreation Department
The Town of Dyer’s Park and Recreation
Department for many years was an
afterthought. As the residential population
of Dyer grew so did the desire for more
and better parks. Over the last 10+ years
the department has undergone massive
improvements which have upgraded the
community parks and even purchased
the largest park property to meet the
need for additional park space. Dyer’s
Parks and Recreation department
operates through two key components; 1)
recreational offerings, and 2) capital plan
development. This master plan is an effort
to define the continuing needs of the
department to support the requirement
for additional capital funding.
The big absence in making the Parks and
Recreation Department a cohesive
department is the fact that, with the
exception of the 2006 Park Bond, limited
dollars have been spent on capital
improvements in the past and funding for
such improvements in the future is a
crucial objective.
For enhanced recreational opportunities
and improved quality of life additional
resources will be needed. This chapter will
address both the parks and recreation
programming as found today.
The town currently has 22 park sites. The
acquisition of Central park in 2006 has
really become the cornerstone for
developing the Town’s park system to
enhance recreational opportunity and
improve the quality of life.
The Hearthstone half of the
Hearthstone/Village Circle Park was
accepted by the Park Board in
December, 2011. Eberly Park and the
Village Circle side of Hearthstone/Village
Circle Park are developer donations that
have been pledged but not transferred
into the park system, although both
transfers are expected to be completed
early in 2012 or shortly thereafter.
In order to develop planning initiatives to
meet the future recreational requirements
of Dyer, it is pivotal to study these future
and existing parks and facilities. For this
plan, the developer donation sites are
treated as already being part of the Dyer
park inventory. An inventory and analysis
provides the framework for reinvestment
into the spaces and the need to add
additional park land for future
development.
It is the essential first step to determine the
constraining influences which will affect
the overall park system. The planning area
was broken down into two sub-sections,
North and South with US Route 30 as the
dividing line. In many ways, this is both a
physical boundary as well as cultural
boundary that have affected the town.
The southern portion of town, which has
more recently developed, has a lack of
parkland and amenities compared to the
northern, or older, portion of the town. The
parks in the inventory were arranged into
different classifications. The Park System
Level of Service is included in this section
which illustrates these classifications and
the service radius they cover in town.

Location Map
Dyer is located along the Illinois state line in Lake County, Indiana, 15 miles south of
Lake Michigan and 30 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. The town covers
approximately six square miles.
Neighboring communities include Munster to the north, Schererville to the east,
and unincorporated St. John Township to the south. The Illinois state line comprises
Dyer’s entire western border. Two of Dyer’s subdivisions, Briar Ridge and Briar Cove,
both span Dyer and adjacent Schererville.
U. S. Highway 30 is the main east-west thoroughfare through town. Calumet
Avenue is the main north-south thoroughfare. Dyer is within minutes of I-80/94, I-294,
I-90 (the Indiana Toll Road), I-65, and Illinois 394.
Commuter rail service is provided in nearby communities by Metra and the
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (South Shore Rail). Within Dyer,
Amtrak provides daily service to Chicago and Indianapolis. Freight rail service is
provided through town. Bus service is available to both O’Hare and Midway
airports at a stop in Highland, Indiana which is approximately 4 miles away.
Location

The oldest parts of Dyer are located along
US Route 30 also known as Lincoln Highway.
This roadway is built upon one of the oldest
trails crossing northwest Indiana, Sauk Trail.
The trail was used by Native Americans and
early settlers to travel east-west across
Indiana and Illinois. Any remnants of Sauk
Trail were built over long ago when US Route
30 was originally paved and then widened
in the 1990’s. as an alternative east-west
corridor to Interstate 80.
The topography of Dyer is generally level to
gently sloping with an average elevation of
640 feet above sea level. The soil
classification for Dyer lies in the Valparaiso
Moraine section in Lake County, Indiana.
The Town of Dyer drains to the Little Calumet
River leading to the Des Plaines, Illinois and
eventually into the Mississippi River. There are
few bodies of standing water in town. Plum
Creek runs North-South through town and
has potential to provide access to it or
alongside it. The largest body of water is in
Pheasant Hills Park. It functions as a retention
pond that absorbs offsite flow through the
adjacent neighborhood.
There are no significant geological features
known to date and the natural features
found throughout the town could be
classified as neutral to impact of the
recreational properties associated with this
plan.
The natural tree canopy of the town has
been varied through the years due to many
different types of development, including
agricultural. The remaining trees are mostly
mixed hardwood shade trees with a variety
of volunteer and structured plantings
throughout town.
Constructed Features
There are several major constructed
features that have affected the town. The
largest of these include the Lincoln
Highway. By the 1920’s significant attention
was focused on Dyer when an
Experimental model highway was
constructed stretching three miles, traveling
east-west from Dyer to Schererville.
It was dubbed the “Ideal Section of Lincoln
Highway”. Currently, U.S. Route 30 traverses
the United States and is known as the
Lincoln Highway. Dyer is the entranceway to
Indiana on this historic highway.
The remaining features include the Amoco
Pipeline, Calumet Avenue Extension,
Railroads and St. Margaret Mercy
Healthcare System.
The following is a short description of each;
1. Amoco Pipeline: A petroleum pipeline
traverses the northwest corner of Dyer
could be a corridor for future trail
development.
2. Calumet Avenue Extension: Calumet
Avenue is the major thoroughfare
traveling north-south. It has had a
significant impact to the town in all
aspects of town life from transportation
to economic development.
3. Railroads: There are two sets of active
tracks that cross Dyer and one vacated
set which has been targeted for a
possible rails-to-trails corridor. The east-
west vacated line is included on the
NIRPC priority corridor system as a
potential tie in to the Old Plank Road trail
in Illinois.
4. St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare
Center– South Campus: The hospital
located in Dyer is a major employer and
land holder with the town.
Natural Features and Landscape

According to the 2010 Census there are
16,390 people residing in the town of Dyer,
making the population density of 2,731.67
people per square mile.
There are 6,125 housing units at an
average density of 1,020.83 per square
mile. The median value of owner
occupied housing units is $197,400.
The racial makeup of Dyer, considered a
bedroom community in the Chicago
Metropolitan area, is made up primarily of
Caucasian residents.
As of 2009, the median income for a
household in the town was $76,599. The
estimated per capita income for the town
was $34,275. Both figures are higher than
the average for the state of Indiana.
Only about 0.7% of families and 1.2% of
the population were estimated to be
below the poverty line.
The average persons per household is 2.76
which slightly higher than the 2.49
average for the state of Indiana.
The education level for person 25 years of
age and older shows 93.7% hold at least
at high school diploma while 29.9% hold a
Bachelors Degree or higher.
Analysis of Demographics
From a programming standpoint, the
direction of the department has
somewhat changed in the last 10+ years.
Previously the direction for the
department was to concentrate on
programs for youth (ages 0-18). However,
new home building has tapered off in the
last 10 years and the community’s
population has changed. There is a desire
for more and more adult programming
and facilities as the youth category figures
have decreased. While youth and early
childhood programs will still be offered
efforts are being made to offer more adult
activities and facilities.
Since the department has been started
programs are offered but only exist when
participant fees cover all expenses
associated with the program. As a mid-
0.00%
20.00%
40.00%
60.00%
80.00%
100.00%
Racial MakeUp
Racial MakeUp
Population Age
Under 5 yrs.
Under 18 yrs.
Over 65 yrs.
18 - 64 yrs.
Demographics – Social/Economic

high income level community, Dyer is able
to offer some programs that may not be
considered affordable in some
communities with lower income levels.
As for facilities, Dyer has seen a growth in
population and median income level over
the last 20+ years. This change along with
the desire for more and improved park
and recreation facilities has led the Town
to make big strides in the last 10 years. In
2006, the first ever bond issue strictly for
parks, was approved. That bond issue was
done for the maximum allowed by the
State statute which has invested
approximately $4.5 million in the Dyer
parks system since then. This capital
funding helped update a number of parks
as well as initial improvements at a few of
the newer park properties in Dyer. Also in
2006, one of the largest remaining
undeveloped properties in Town was
acquired for a Central Park (77 acres) at a
price of over $5 million. That purchase
would not have been made possible
without community support. The Town of
Dyer’s Redevelopment Commission issued
those bonds to pay for that acquisition.
Dyer’s recent past is indicative of being
willing and able to pay for improvements
which are desired by the community. As
the final dollars from the first bond issue
are spent there is already talk of another
bond issue to continue park improvements
and goals within this plan. While the
community accepts paying for additional
improvements it is commonly accepted
that a future bond issue for parks would
not be done until the current one is paid
off. This is in tune with the concept that
was stated at the onset of the initial bond
issue. The first bond issue would have an
initial tax increase but to avoid future ones
and keep that levy the same that another
bond issue would be done as the first one
expires. This ‘revolving bond issue’
concept would help to keep the parks
from falling into disrepair and also help
fund any further new improvements to the
system.
Dyer has long desired a Community
Center as a facility to act as a
‘community gathering place’. Within such
a facility there is a desire for activity space
for all ages including possible fitness,
aquatic, early childhood, senior,
gymnasium and associated office space.
Space for such a community gathering
place has been set aside at the Central
Park property and may even need to be
more than just a community center to
make it survive. A ‘Town Center’ with all of
the amenities of a community center and
a Town Hall might be an even better
facility. Such a facility would help meet
the need for programming space and the
desire for a community center.

The Town of Dyer advocated a process of
public participation that was central to
the development of the individual park
site plans that make up the
Comprehensive Park and Recreation
Master Plan.
This master plan process included the
following steps;
1. Information Gathering & Project Start-Up
2. Community Input and Public
Stakeholder Involvement. Specific
questions from a community survey for the
park system as well as three public
meetings to gather ideas at the beginning
of the process.
3. Analysis of existing conditions through a
site inventory study and discussions with
staff.
4. Extensive study sessions by the Park
Board to take survey results, public input
meeting results and park board
representatives to put together an action
plan for park improvements.
5. Development of preliminary
recommendations.
6. Development of final site plans with
recommendations, cost and
implementation strategy.
7. Park Board approval of master plan
report.
The intent of the Park Board and the Town
Council is to focus efforts on developing
Central Park while at the same time
keeping up-to-date with the other park
sites. Resident input supports this vision.
The three vision statements that were
generated early on in the process were as
follows:
1) To move towards more centrally
located larger parks.
2) To explore opportunities for an
indoor athletic facility and aquatic
facility.
3) To create more walking/biking
paths within the town, not just
within the parks, creating more
recreational outlets for all Dyer
residents, not just youth.
These are important to consider as the
plan is molded because they reflect many
of the public’s ideas as to the future
direction of the agency. Several
administrative goals are included in the
following sections that have the power to
transform the agency.
Four key recommendations include;
1) Look for ways that Dyer Park
facilities can be self-supporting
financially yet affordable to
residents.
2) Look at getting rid of/auctioning off
duplicate park properties that are
Public Participation/Development of the Master Plan

too concentrated in one area to
free up operating dollars to fund
other park
maintenance/improvements.
3) In a time of governmental budget
cuts, to find alternative ways to
fund park improvements in the way
of resident involvement, grants,
donations, sponsorships and
naming rights.
4) Ensuring the east-west rail corridor,
immediately adjacent to the south
end of Central Park, is included on
the Regional Planning
Commission’s priority corridor map
for transportation enhancement
opportunities. This corridor could
connect the Pennsy Greenway in
Schererville to the Old Plank Trail in
Illinois through Dyer.
It is the goal of the current Park Board and
leadership to create a plan that is clear,
concise and focused on common sense
solutions that can be implemented with
notable improvements in a short amount
of time. Second, the plan needs to have
the voice of the public and put into action
those requests. Finally, it needs to be
creative in steps to maximize revenue
sources to allow reinvestment into the
agency allowing for growth within the
department to happen. This is how to
measure success for the future of parks
and recreation in Dyer.
On the following pages are charts and
tables of information gathered through
the public survey portion of the planning
process.
The public input survey was mailed to all
Town of Dyer residents in July, 2011.
Residents were also given the opportunity
to complete the survey online by going to
the Town of Dyer website.

Community Needs Assessment Results
The Town of Dyer Park and Recreation Department Community needs assessment
was mailed to all residents in July, 2011 in the monthly newsletter which
accompanies each Town utility bill. Following is a summary of the needs assessment.
Approximately 6,000 utility bills are mailed out and there were a total of 402
questionnaires returned for a response rate of 6.7%.
For those that visited the parks, which parks or buildings did they visit was asked. As
one would expect, the community level parks were the most visited parks in the last
year. On average, three out of every five people visited Pheasant Hills Park and
Northgate Park in the last year. Elmer Miller Park, while not officially a community
level park was the next highest at about one of every five people. 14% of the Town
indicated they have visited Plum Creek Center. For a building that opened less than
two years ago it has already become a destination for rentals and for a number of
the parks and recreation department programs.
Did members of your household use Dyer parks in the last year?
Yes
84%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Pheasant
Hills Park
Northgate
Park
Elmer
Miller Park
Plum Creek
Center
Other Autumn
Chase Park
Sandy
Ridge Park
Green
Meadows
Park
Most popular used parks or buildings (percentage of responses)

The following chart shows the most popular park amenities that people use when
visiting the parks. More than half of all questionnaires indicated pathways were the
most popular amenities in the parks while playground equipment was marked as the
most used on just under half of all questionnaires. Convenience amenities of
restrooms and drinking fountains were indicated on about one out of every three
returned surveys. Athletic fields and picnic shelters were indicated on one of every
four questionnaires.
The needs assessment asked how patrons rate the overall general conditions of park
facilities. Nearly 73% of the respondents indicated the general park conditions to be
good or excellent.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Most popular used park
amenities (percentage of responses)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't Know
General Park Conditions Rating

The Town of Dyer recently purchased a 77 acre tract of land for a future Central
Park. Respondents were asked, as the park develops what type of amenities you
would like to see at that park in the future.
One question asked whether anyone participated in a recreational program in the
last 12 months and a follow up question asked the opinion as to whether or not the
department offers a wide enough variety of programs. The answers to these two
related questions seem to imply that most people are happy with the variety of
programs but for various reasons they don’t participate in them. This may support the
argument that the times/days that programs are offered, which is typically dictated
by availability of facilities, are not convenient enough. A Community Center for such
activities can offer the programs at times/days that more people find convenient.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Future Central Park Amenities (percentages of responses)
Household participation in dept.
programs
Yes (26%)
No (73%)
no answer
(1%)
Wide enough variety of programs
Yes (71.4%)
No (15.7%)
no answer
(12.9%)

The age demographic for the households that submitted a needs assessment is
interesting to see and so is the length of time people that people have lived in the
Town of Dyer. The combined three youngest age groups add to 30%. At that point
there are almost equal thirds to the age demographic for Dyer (1-19 yrs. 30%, 20-49
yrs. 37%, 50+, 33%). This breakdown shows diversity in the age populations in Dyer
and because of it the department should keep in mind all ages when planning
parks, facilities and programs.
Ages
Ages 1-6 (11%)
Ages 7-12 (10%)
Ages 13-19 (9%)
Ages 20-49 (37%)
Ages 50 + (33%)
Length of time living in Dyer
less than 3
yrs.(6.0%)
3-5 years (12.7%)
6-10 years
(17.4%)
over 10 years
(63.2%)

Public Participation Meetings
The Park Board also held a series of
public input meetings in the main
meeting room at Town Hall which were
publicized in the monthly town
newsletter, in the local newspapers and
on the town website urging resident
participation.
The first of these meetings was geared
specifically to the local sports
organizations with personal invitations
being sent to each group encouraging
their input. Invitation letters were direct
mailed to local special interest groups
including Dyer Kickers Soccer Club, Dyer
Little League Baseball, Dyer Babe Ruth
Baseball and Dyer Girls Softball.
The first meeting, Oct. 12, 2011 had
three residents attend including a
representative from Dyer Kickers Soccer
Club. A Babe Ruth Baseball
representative and a Dyer Girls Softball
representative did not attend but did
communicate via email and later met
with staff regarding the master plan. The
second meeting, Oct. 18, 2011 had no
attendance while the third meeting,
Oct. 25, 2011 had three residents
attend. The three meetings were not
well attended, however, the smaller
groups allowed for a lot of dialogue
between the residents and those
involved in creating this plan. The
discussions typically involved sharing
with people the future master plan for
various parks. The development of
Central Park interested everyone and is
considered to be a central community
meeting place as the Town of Dyer fully
develops in the years to come.
The Park Board could interpret the lack
of attendance at the public meetings
one of two ways: 1) the residents are
happy with the way parks have been
developing or 2) there is no interest in
how the parks in Dyer are developed.
Considering that a lot of effort was
given to advertise the meetings, that
surveys were already collected from
earlier in the fall and a lot of
improvements have been made to the
park system in the past six years the
Board believes that improvements are
targeting the most needed areas.
A total of 402 written surveys returned
showed a definite interest in the parks
program in Dyer which is approximately
a 7% response rate. Compilation results
show that residents are reasonably
happy with the current state of parks in
Dyer, however, they did include ideas of
ways to improve/expand the park
system in the Town of Dyer.
During the public input meetings,
residents were surprised at how low the
Parks budget and the percentage of
that money was consumed by salaries
and maintaining our current parks (ie.
mowing and maintenance). However
Dyer is in line with the 2012 PRORAGIS
report that NRPA assembled. The table
below shows the comparison of that
report versus Dyer’s parks and
recreation operating fund.
Budget Percentiles: PRORAGIS* DYER
Personnel 56% 57%
Operations 37% 43%
Capital 6% 0%
Other 1% 0%
*2012 NRPA PRORAGIS STUDY

At a time across the state of Indiana
and especially in Lake County, where all
governmental departments are
experiencing budget freezes and
reductions, residents would still argue
that the leadership of the town
continues to give understand the value
of a strong parks and recreation
department to the quality of life in a
community.
If the town leadership, along with the
Park Board, adopt the ideas within this
plan and more importantly make parks
and recreation a priority by funding it at
higher levels, this and future plans can
succeed. It is only within adequate
budgeting that the park and recreation
agency envisioned by the public
support for an enhanced and
expanded park and recreation system
can happen. The Town of Dyer is well
below comparable towns in per capita
recreational expenditures for the size of
its community (see page 58). This is an
area that should be addressed if
continued progress is desired.
A key component to this plan is the
development of a long term master
plan for the new 77 acre Central Park
off of 213th Street. This new park site has
the potential to be the unifying force
and help define the town.
The current town leadership has shown
its desire to support and develop the
parks by the support for and creation of
a joint agreement between the Dyer
Redevelopment Commission and the
Dyer Park Board to construct a road into
the west side (off of Calumet Avenue)
into Central Park.
At the time of this study, a multi-purpose
ball park complex and paved parking
lot has been completed. Furthermore,
plans for an entrance and parking lot to
Central Park, off of Calumet Avenue,
were out for bid.
Previous Planning Efforts
The Dyer Parks and Recreation
Department was created by Ordinance
819 on May 9, 1972. The ordinance
assigned the duties of performing “all
acts necessary to acquire and develop
sites and facilities and to conduct such
programs as are generally understood
to be park (and) recreation functions.”
In addition, the ordinance stated that
the board had “the power and duty to:
Prepare a plan for parks and recreation
purposes in the Town of Dyer.” Several
attempts have been made over the
past two decades at master planning
by the park board, some of which were
fruitful and others which were not.
The most recent planning efforts
included the Five Year Parks &
Recreation Master Plan 2006-2011.

That plan identified a number of
ambitious goals and objectives. Among
them were some of the following issues
and the status of them at the date of
this current plan:
Administrative Goals (achieved):
- Change title of Superintendent of
Parks and Recreation to Director
of Parks and Recreation.
- Update the Department’s
computer software through the
purchase of recreation
registration and facility
scheduling module.
- Creation of a detailed operating
budget.
Administrative Goals (not achieved):
- Work with Town Council to
access the foundation for
additional resources and
leverage giving opportunities for
parks.
- Create a use agreement with
local special interest groups using
park properties.
- Shorten park bond length to ten
years or less, pay off bonds as
quickly as possible and re-bond
for additional monies at the end
of the 2006-2011 5 year plan.
- Review and improve the funding
for park maintenance.
- Fund the addition of one park
maintenance worker.
Recreation Goals (achieved):
- Hire a full-time recreational
supervisor that is funded with
revenues generated from
programs.
- Develop individual site plans for
existing parks as a tool for
improving the system (see details
of improvements in this current
plan).
- Establish a new non-reverting
operating fund, creating at least
ten new recreation categories –
including morning childcare
programs; after school programs
for grade school children;
organize and operate adult
sports leagues such as flag
football and softball.
Recreation Goals (not achieved):
- Acquire strategic in-fill
neighborhood park sites to
provide uniform level of service
coverage across the entire town.
- Develop links between
neighborhoods and park
facilities; fund a study to
determine exact routes, budgets
and timeframes through Public
Works road improvements and
additional grant monies that are
available.
- Identify corridors for an overall
primary multi-use pathway
system.
- Seek alternative revenue sources
for necessary park capital dollars.

Town of Dyer Parks map

This section of the master plan is a guide
of the current state of the agency to
provide a benchmark for all future
improvement projects.
Level of Service
In terms of acreage per person, the Town
of Dyer does fall short of many standards
used to measure this goal. It was noted
that the Dyer Parks and Recreation
Department adopted NRPA standards for
acreage and projected needs as
population continues to grow.
However, it is our position that while an
arbitrary standard from a national
organization is a good guide; it should not
be the adopted standard due to
convenience. This plan will provide a
custom approach by developing a facility
need based on site analysis, relying on
survey data, public input, park location
and finally capital costs to improve each
site.
As the town’s population continues to
grow, the need for additional park space
will continue to present a constant issue.
The town leadership should develop a
specific developer land/cash
development ordinance to achieve
strategic land holdings in new
developments. It is the only available tool
to acquire land at a reasonable cost and
ensure gaps in level of service do not
worsen as development happens. The
town has approximately 181.4 acres of
parkland owned by the town. This equals
out to 11.1 acres per thousand residents.
This number still falls short of the statewide
goal of 20 acres per thousand.
However, when Central Park was added
to the inventory, it is the opinion of the
current Park Board and those at public
meetings that adequate overall parkland
is present for a town of less than 20,000
residents when reviewing local conditions
and what makes logical sense for the
Town of Dyer.
Town ordinances calling for the donation
of park land for developments allowed for
the acceptance of detention ponds and
land that is physically unable to
improve/develop. These types of
properties, although allowing more green
space to the park inventory, have
handcuffed the Parks and Recreation
Department and served as a financial
drain without much benefit.
Finally, there is a need for additional
athletic fields to be developed to address
the continued growth of the town. This will
allow the recreation department to
provide a broader range of field types for
its own use as well as assisting other
leagues. These fields would be located at
the new Central Park as well as larger
neighborhood parks such as Eberly and
Hearthstone/Village Circle.
Site Inventory/Goals/Accessibility

Site Inventory & Analysis
The Town of Dyer’s existing park system is
depicted with this summary. The system is
composed of 22 park sites.
Each park site on the following pages was
reviewed during the fall of 2011 when all
the park sites were examined and
evaluated. The name, size, ID, type,
amenities, general park impressions,
accessibility and photos of existing
conditions are listed on each inventory
page. In addition, specific
goals/objective for each park property is
listed on the inventory sheet as well.
The park system as a whole has suffered
from a lack of comprehensive planning
and detailed site design in the past. This is
nearly always a symptom of lack of
capital budgeting to improve the park
spaces. This approach is apparent from
the time spent in each park.
The parks are evenly located through the
town which is a positive, but the entire
park land holdings should be re-evaluated
to match the level of service. Possible re-
allocation/reduction of park properties
and the addition of a capital
improvement plan will be crucial to the
success of this 5 year master plan.

Site Inventory Methodology
The Park Board conducted a site visit and analysis for the comprehensive park & recreation
master plan in which each park site was walked to review the existing conditions found. The
survey and analysis was conducted as follows:
1. Observations (Visual Assessment)
– A visual inspection was conducted examining existing conditions of the park site. No
mechanical or physical testing was undertaken.
2. Photographic Documentation
– Photographs were taken of existing conditions to document typical areas for reference
and possible problem areas.
3. General Park Impressions – First reaction to the park space and characteristics of the site.
4. Discussion – the Park Board then met and reviewed each property and listed
goals/objectives/plans for each location.
Accessibility and Universal Design
In an on-going effort, the parks and recreation department continually evaluates facilities
and programs for ways to improve accessibility. Purchasing accessible products and
ensuring accessibility to newly constructed facilities is a constant task when funding is
available for such.
Rick Eberly, Interim Town Manager, has been designated as the Town of Dyer’s ADA
coordinator.
The Town has used Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help improve
accessibility throughout Town over the last 10+ years. In the parks the Town has provided
sidewalk access from the existing neighborhood sidewalks through the park and to the
playground areas at a number of sites where the sidewalks previously ended at the edge of
the park property. A couple of parks also used this funding to provide pathway access to
park amenities such as basketball court, playgrounds and two ball fields. This funding also
allowed for a retrofit of the washroom facilities at the Northgate Park shelter which
previously did not meet ADA standards.
All of the Town’s playgrounds have engineered wood fiber, which meets ASTM standards, as
the accessible safety surfacing beneath the amenities. The only exception to this is the
playground at Cherry Hill Park which due to the age of the structure and its proximity to the
new community level playground at Pheasant Hills Park will be removed when it reaches its
useful life and not replaced.
Improvements will continue to be made through universal design for newly constructed
facilities throughout the park system. One of the goals for this plan is to continue to improve
accessibility to various existing park amenities. There are amenities that stand alone may be
accessible but do not have ADA accessible routes to get to the equipment.
Accessibility issues do exist in certain parks. The Town has used past CDBG funds to improve
all curb cuts for ADA accessibility. Now that those have been brought up to standard the

CDBG funds should be available to help improve accessibility issues as noted in this plan.
Those funds are only received every other year and ultimately the decision is made by the
Town Council as to how to spend CDBG funds.
If CDBG or other funding is made available (possibly through a future park bond issue) these
accessibility issues could be corrected in the next 8-10 years. The total cost to remedy the
accessibility issues in all of the existing parks is estimated around $500,000. The majority of
this is for providing accessible routes to park amenities such as play equipment and athletic
fields. Some signage would also need to be replaced as a part of these improvements.
The Town of Dyer Parks and Recreation department follows the section 504 guidelines of the
American with Disabilities Act. That section states that no qualified individual with a disability
in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance. The
Parks and Recreation department prints in each of their three seasonal activity guides
annually the following statement: “Regulations of the US Dept. of Interior strictly prohibit
unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she had been
discriminated against in any program, activity or facility operated by a recipient of Federal
assistance should write to Director, Equal Opportunity Program; National Park Service; PO
Box 37127; Washington D.C. 20013-7127.” In self-evaluation this statement has been
neglected to be included in the seasonal brochures but in doing the master plan has
reminded the department to include it once again. The annual brochures are mailed direct
to all residencies in the Town of Dyer three times a year. A summer brochure is mailed
typically in April, a fall brochure is typically mailed in August and a winter/spring brochure is
typically mailed in December.
Any individual can file an ADA grievance locally with the Town of Dyer. This can be done by
submitting in writing an individual’s full name, mailing address and phone number along
with a brief description about the ADA violation to:
Town of Dyer
Attn: Rick Eberly, ADA Coordinator
1 Town Square
Dyer IN 46311
Violations can also be submitted via the
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Disability Rights Section - NYAV
Washington, D.C. 20530
www.ada.gov
(800) 514-0301 (voice)
(800) 514-0383 (TTY)

Park Name: Veterans Park
Park ID: 1
Park Location: North
Park Size: 5.7 acres
Park Type: Neighborhood
Park Amenities: Fitness Trail (Asphalt); Playground
General Park Impressions: Park site is one of the better developments. It includes a
detention basin as part of the park site. The detention basin
could act as a practice field if the concrete swales were
removed.
Accessibility Level: Playground transfer module is not close to access point
Notes: Playground equipment is approximately 10 years old. Normal life
expectancy of equipment is 15-20 years, so this play equipment
has reached one half of its life expectancy.
Goals for park: There is a definite lack of landscaping and shade trees in this
park. There are however, a few benches placed along the trail in
the park. A goal to improve this park would be to add trees
throughout the park and along the path. Another improvement
would be to add exercise stations along the walking path.
If Main Street is extended west into the state of Illinois, there may
be a need to add a fence between the park and the roadway.
These types of improvements could be funded through a Capital
Improvement Fund.

Park Name: Veterans Park (continued)
Park ID: 1

Park Name: Northgate Park
Park ID: 2
Park Type: Community
Park Amenities: Softball fields - 5; Trail – asphalt looping; Soccer Fields – 6 different sizes;
Tennis Courts – 2; Volleyball Courts – 1 sand and 2 grass; Horse Shoe Pit;
Basketball Court – 3 half courts; Large Shelter – with electrical;
Concession; Restrooms; Playground; Sled Hill and Parking Lot – 2,
asphalt, +/- 160 spaces
General Park Impressions: Major renovation and improvements were made to this park in
the past two years. Identified in the last master plan as a park that
needed a complete renovation, this park has seen a transformation.
With the park being updated and improved, the existing shelter is
noticeably dilapidated and in need of attention.
Accessibility Level: Good, paved access to tennis courts, basketball courts, playground
area were added in 2010. Site could use a connection at ball field #1
and #5 as well as to spectator areas for soccer fields.
Notes: Funds were used from the 2006 Park Bond to re-surface/fence the tennis
courts, basketball courts were added, new playground equipment was
placed, and the parking lot was extended and repaved.
Goals for park: The 40+ year old shelter is a priority for this park. At a minimum, wooden
boards need replaced and the shelter needs painting. This shelter is
often rented by residents, sports groups and neighboring community
residents.
This park would also benefit from a paved walking path from the shelter
area to Field 1.
Improvement Fund.

Park Name: Northgate Park (continued)
Park ID: 2

Park Name: Heritage Estates Park
Park ID: 3
Park Type: Pocket
Park Amenities: Fitness Trail (Asphalt); Playground
General Park Impressions: Park site is small with limited. Open space.
Accessibility Level: Poor; need accessible route from sidewalk to swings, tot swings
and play equipment.
Notes: Playground equipment at this site was vandalized in 2010.
Insurance monies were combined with park dollars to purchase a
new slide, 2 new riding toys, new swings and chains, new picnic
table and new mulch for the fall zone was added.
Goals for park: Park in its current state is good for a pocket park.

Park Name: Sunset Park
Park ID: 4
Park Type: Pocket
Park Amenities: Open space - undeveloped
General Park Impressions: Park is in close proximity to other parks with
equipment/amenities.
Accessibility Level: Poor – park is undeveloped.
Notes: No accessibility
Goals for park: This property has been targeted by the Park Board for sale/auction.

Park Name: Berkley Drive Park
Park ID: 5
Park Type: Pocket
Park Amenities: None
General Park Impressions: Park site is undeveloped.
Accessibility Level: Poor – park is undeveloped
Goals for park: This property has been targeted by the Park Board for sale/auction.

Park Name: Wildflower Park
Park ID: 6
Park Type: Special use
Park Amenities: Open Space – Detention Basin
Accessibility Level: Poor – site is undeveloped.
Notes: This property is a detention basin with no real use other than open
space for outdoor activities.
Goals for park: This piece of property is deeded to the Town of Dyer, however it is
maintained by the Parks Department. This property would be best if
turned over to owner.

Park Name: Briar Crossing Park
Park ID: 7
Park Amenities: Open Space with detention basin
General Park Impressions: This park site is mostly a large detention basin with some high
ground and a few existing trees.
Accessibility Level: Poor – site is undeveloped.
Notes: This property was discussed at the time of the last 5 year plan for
sale for multi-family residential lots if Central Park became a reality.
Goals for park: With Central Park now a reality and literally across the street, this is
the prime time to divide this property and sell off the top shelf of the
land for multi-residential lots. The detention area would remain as
open space and to hold storm water.
It is the hope of the Park Board that the owner, the Town of Dyer,
would sell off this property and put the proceeds of said sale into
the development of Central Park.

Park Name: Green Meadows Park
Park ID: 8
Park Amenities: Baseball Field; Half Basketball Court; Looping Asphalt Fitness Trail and
Playground.
General Park Impressions: One of the better parks in the system. Children are out in high
numbers using the equipment and playing basketball. There is
electric service and security lighting at playground.
Accessibility Level: Good inside park. However curb cut at street entrance is needed.
Notes: Playground equipment is fairly new. No parking provided on-site.
Goals for park: The basketball court is in need of improvements including repainting
court and a new rim/net. In addition, the baseball field needs
maintenance as well and would benefit from the addition of crushed
stone for the infield.
Replace curb at entry to park to make it ADA accessible.
This park could benefit from tree plantings for shade and the overall
aesthetic look of the property.
Improvement Fund.

Park Name: Green Meadows Park (continued)
Park ID: 8

Park Name: Lincoln Park
Park ID: 9
Park Type: Pocket Park
Park Amenities: Open Space – Detention Basin; Playground
General Park Impressions: Park site is in poor condition. Equipment is designed with a
ramp for accessibility but no significant play events or paved route is
provided.
Accessibility Level: Poor – needs accessible route from park edge to playground area.
Notes: No accessibility to 12+ year old accessible equipment.
Goals for park: When playground equipment reaches the point of needing
replacement, the thought is to dismantle equipment and not
replace it. At that time, the Park Board would then deed the
property to the Storm Board for much needed storm water retention
area.
If in discussion with Storm Board, the property is desired for water
retention more expediently, the property can be deeded to the
Storm Board and equipment moved (if in decent enough shape) to
another property lacking equipment.

Park Name: Pheasant Hills Park
Park ID: 10
Park Location: South
Park Type: Community
Park Amenities: Looping Paved Trail (Asphalt); Playground; Small Picnic Shelter
with electric; Large Picnic Shelter with electric; Picnic tables; 2
soccer fields; Horse Shoe Pit; Skate Park; Storm Water Pond
(shallow – approx 12 acres); Paved parking lot with 40+ spaces
plus access to over 100 spaces.
General Park Impressions: Park site has undergone extensive updating in the past
two years with the addition of a skate park, new shelters, paved
walking path, new playground equipment, landscaping and
parking. The area along the edge of the pond has been cleared
of brush and rip rap added for an aesthetic appeal to the park.
Accessibility Level: Good. Accessible connection from path to skate park is needed.
Notes: The improvements to this park were made possible from funds
from the 2006 Park Bond. It is the largest park on the south side of
town and is home to town festivals, concerts in the park, and
other town functions.
Goals for park: While a large amount has been spent on this park in the past few
years, it is notable that it is the main park for the residents on the
south side of town.
This property is in need of new park signs to match those of other
parks in the town to provide a more cohesive look. In addition,
the addition of a panel box would aid in the function of this park
as a site for festivals/events.
Extending the walking path around the pond would be a greatly
desired addition. Considering the town/local school district have
targeted a Safe Route to Schools Grant, this would be the ideal
time to add on to that trail/path and continue it around the
pond. The addition of fitness stations and benches along the
pathways are desired as well.
Improvement Fund and through donations from local groups.

Park Name: Pheasant Hills Park (continued)
Park ID: 10

Park Name: Cherry Hill Tot Lot
Park ID: 11
Park Amenities: Picnic area – 1 table; playground; 2 bridges (wood and metal)
General Park Impressions: No sidewalks to park. Playground equipment is quite old
and it is the intent of the current Park Board and staff not to
replace it once removed due to the proximity of Pheasant Hills
and Cottonwood Parks. Good views across the pond.
Accessibility Level: Poor – Need to connect sidewalk along park with a connection
to playground area or to a future pond overlook. A connection
from this site to the existing Pheasant Hills Park pathway would be
a nice addition to provide access around the north and east
sides of the pond.
Notes: This property is on the south side of the pond area and has
minimal use. It is extremely close to Pheasant Hill Park with all of its
amenities.
Goals for park: Because of its proximity to Pheasant Hill Park, this property has
been identified as one for possible sale/auction. If this property
can be sold, the park equipment can be relocated to another
park and funds from the sale would be used to further enhance
Pheasant Hills Park.

Park Name: Sandy Ridge Park
Park ID: 12
Park Amenities: Soccer Field; Playground
General Park Impressions: Park site is a detention basin. Playground is a newer installation
and was moved to higher ground.
Accessibility Level: Good
Notes: Concrete sidewalk provides access into playground. Site is a
neighborhood park with no parking.
Goals for park: Maintain current amenities.

Park Name: Cottonwood Tot Lot
Park ID: 13
Park Amenities: Playground
General Park Impressions: Upgraded playground with sidewalk access into the
playground. According to park staff, this park is a detention basin.
Accessibility Level: Good
Notes: This park land grew in size when 2 residential lots were added to this
park by the storm water board due to persistent flooding issues. The
homes were removed and area graded consistent with the rest of the
park. Nice open space area.
Goals for park: There are no current needs identified for this property.

Park Name: Autumn Chase
Park ID: 14
Park Amenities: Playground; Dead end asphalt walk
General Park Impressions: This is primarily a neighborhood park tucked into the subdivision.
The park has a playground with a sidewalk entrance. Playground was
a donation from a long list of donors. Park is laid out poorly and has
little or no shade.
Accessibility Level: Good.
Notes: Future swings should only have 2 tot swings and 2 belt swings for a
neighborhood park.
Goals for park: Although there are no immediate needs for this property, playground
equipment is nearing its useful life. When it is deemed necessary to
replace the playground, planning should include decreasing the size
of safety zone area and possible relocation of the playground area to
a corner of the park to allow for more open field space.

Park Name: Sheffield Estates Park
Park ID: 15
Park Amenities: Playground; Asphalt Trail (does not loop); Sand Volleyball Court;
Open Space (Detention Basin).
General Park Impressions: Park site was poorly designed.
Accessibility Level: Average, access to the amenities on the west side of the park is
needed.
Notes: Playground equipment is nearing its expected use life. It is
approximately 15 years old.
Goals for park: Although nothing immediate needs to happen to this property, it is
recommended that when the equipment needs to be replaced, that
the property be put up for sale/auction.

Park Name: Elmer Miller Park/Plum Creek Center
Park ID: 16
Park Amenities: Half-Court Basketball Court; Playground; Grass Volleyball Court;
Picnic Shelter with electric; Drinking Fountain; Parking Lot with +/-
41 spaces; Storage Building; and Community Building with
composite wooden deck.
General Park Impressions: Mature park with average tree canopy (some older trees
are in need of removal/replacing). The playground structure is
nearing its useful life and needs replacing. The swings and tire
swing are in good shape. There is a creek along the east property
line.
Accessibility Level: Average - Access to the playground swings, tire swing, play
structure and basketball court is needed along with an accessible
connection to the parking lot.
Notes: You can walk from parking lot via a paved pathway to the Plum
Creek Center. There is, however, no paved path to playground
equipment.
Plum Creek Center came about in response to results from the last
Master Plan for a need for a community center. Although much
smaller than had hoped (can accommodate 100 guests inside),
the center has grown in popularity for local meetings, events,
showers, etc. Plum Creek Center features a large wooden
sundeck overlooking the creek with additional seating outside.
There is also a wooden bridge leading to Elmer Miller Park.
Goals for park: The shelter needs to be replaced in the very near future and
should incorporate restroom facilities and the existing concrete
foundation has large cracks in it. This park, in such close proximity
to Town Hall and Plum Creek center, is an ideal park for
rentals/events for residents. With the addition of Plum Creek
Center there is a need for additional parking to accommodate
simultaneous events at Elmer Miller Park and Plum Creek Center.

Park Name: Elmer Mill Park/
Plum Creek Center (continued)
Park ID: 16
A river walk of along Plum Creek would bring an upscale and aesthetic appeal to this
property; this could possibly include access beneath US Rt. 30 – a much needed and
desired crossing of a major highway that separates the north and south side of town.
Another area in which Dyer is lacking is outdoor winter activities (ice skating/hockey). The
location of this property with amenities would make this a prime location for a temporary
winter ice rink.

Park Name: Amoco Park
Park ID: 17
Park Amenities: Open Space
Goals for park: This, like many other properties in Dyer, was accepted by the Town
Council or Park Board as donated park space, but can only be truly
utilized as green space.

Park Name: Mallard Cove Park
Park ID: 18
Park Type: Neighborhood/Special Use
Park Amenities: Open Space; 3 Soccer Fields; Special Grass parking lot
General Park Impressions: 11 acres of this park is leased property from the Diocese of
Gary. Park Board recently graded/seeded this property to use for
much needed soccer fields. They were opened up to Dyer Kickers in
the fall 2011.
Accessibility Level: Average
Notes: At time of last plan, the study said the potential for significant
development costs could lead this parcel into a more passive, natural
park. However, the Park Board at the time was looking for land to add
additional athletic field space.
The original 3.4 acres is a “swampy” wetland type of detention area
that is not useful for an active park.
Goals for park: Significant dollars have been spent on a Park that is leased, not
owned by Dyer. Current suggestion is to allow local soccer groups to
use the property and also require them to maintain any costs
associated with its use (ie. Soccer goals, re-seeding, etc.) Although
there is no formal use agreement in place with Dyer Kickers for this
property, it should be strongly considered identifying roles of
club/town.
No additional funds should be spent in enhancing this property, only
maintaining what is currently there.

Park Name: Mallard Cove Park (continued)
Park ID: 18

Park Name: Eberly Park
Park ID: 19
General Park Impressions: This is a large park site with lots of potential; however,
parking/accessibility is a big concern. This property is scheduled to be
turned over to the Park Board in 2012 or the near future thereafter.
Notes: No Accessibility
Goals for park: There is a drainage channel flowing through park with several low
spots. Possible park elements include: parking lot, tennis courts,
playground, shelter, landscaping (trees), park sign and trail.
This is a larger scale project that will need substantial dollars to
develop.
Improvement Fund or through a LWCF grant application.

Park Name: Hearthstone Park/Village Circle Park
Park ID: 20
General Park Impressions: This park has a concept from the developer to grade 2 soccer
fields. In addition, the developer has plans, approved by the Park
Board, in place to install a playground and a crushed stone path
connecting the east and west sides of the playground. The
Hearthstone subdivision side of this park was accepted in December
2011 from the developer. The Village Circle half of the park is yet to be
turned over to the Park Board. Together the entire site is 9.6 acres.
Notes: No Accessibility
Goals for park: To widen and finish the path where left off by developer creating a full
looping walking path/trail.
Install parking lot at entry road from the west.
Add swings to playground, a small backstop for basketball/softball
practice, and park signs. The addition of trees and landscaping is
also needed.
Improvement Fund.

Park Name: Amel Wilking Park
Park ID: 21
Park Type: Special use
Park Amenities: Open Space with Natural Condition
General Park Impressions: Natural area with wildlife.
Accessibility Level: Poor – park is left in a natural condition
Notes: No Accessibility. Site has been identified as possible cell tower
location.
Goals for park: Park site should be left in natural state.

Park Name: Central Park
Park ID: 22
Park Size: 77 acres
Park Type: Regional
Park Amenities: 3 Multi-purpose ball fields; Asphalt paved parking lot with over 100
parking spaces.
General Park Impressions: This park could be the flagship park in the system if developed
correctly
Accessibility Level: Average
Notes: Accessibility to ball fields on north side of property is good. There is
also a paved walkway into the ball field complex. The south end of
the park has plans under bid at time of this Master Plan.
Goals for park: With the creation of an entrance off of Calumet Avenue, the Park
Board has taken the stance of an aggressive development plan for
this park.
Park Bond monies have been spent largely on infrastructure and
planning for this site, but all are in place now for development to take
off.
2012 plans call for the creation of a 2 lane entryway with median
creating somewhat of a grand boulevard entrance off of Calumet
Avenue. Immediate plans also call for the construction of a 100
person shelter with electrical and restroom facilities. In addition, plans
currently include a looping asphalt walking path on the north side of
the park between parking lot and ball complex and an additional
140+ space paved parking lot in the middle of the property. This will
use up the final dollars from the 2006 Park bond issue.
Benches and shad trees along the path would also be an immediate
need. These can be secured through donations.
A committee has been formed to establish a dog park on this property
site as well. Funding for this is through proposed fundraising.

Park Name: Central Park (continued)
Park ID: 22
This site is targeted additionally for:
- Community Center
- A Playground
- A Splash Pad/Water feature
- Basketball Courts
- Tennis Courts
Please see attached diagram for conceptual plans for Central Park.
This type of development cannot take place without additional funding on a much larger
scale (ie. Re-bonding or Capital Improvement Fund).

Central Park Master Plan

Veterans Park Target Date: 2013
Shade Tree Installation $10,000 CIP, Grant
Park Signs $8,000 CIP
Pathway Fitness Stations $16,000 CIP, Grant
Total $34,000
Northgate Park Target Date: 2015
Shelter Improvements $70,000 CIP
Additional Walks/Paths $30,000 CIP
Landscaping - Sled Hill & Shelter Area $25,000 CIP
Total $125,000
Green Meadows Park Target Date: 2013
Replace Curb for ADA $5,000 CDBG
Basketball Court Equipment Update $3,000 Operating Budget
Total $8,000
Pheasant Hills Park Target Date: 2015
Electrical Panel Improvements $25,000 CIP
Walks/Paths $200,000 CIP, Safe Routes to Schools Grant,
School Corp. partnership
Site Amenities $5,000 CIP
Total $242,000
Autumn Chase Park Target Date: 2014
Playground Improvements $50,000 CIP
Shade Tree Installation $2,000 CIP, Operating budget
Total $52,000
Elmer Miller/Plum Creek
Center
Target Date: 2016
Shelter Replacement $450,000 CIP
Playground Improvements $50,000 CIP
Walks/Paths $40,000 CIP, CDBG funds
Shade Tree Replacement $10,000 CIP, Grant
River Walk Improvements $200,000 CIP
Technology Improvements to PC Ctr. $10,000 CIP, Operating budget
Ice Skating Area $50,000 CIP
Total $810,000
Eberly Park Target Date: 2014
Estimated Costs/Final Completion Target/Action Plan

Parking Area/Entrance $140,000 CIP, LWCF Grant
Walks/Paths $100,000 CIP, LWCF Grant
Playground $75,000 CIP, LWCF Grant
Tennis Courts $80,000 CIP, LWCF Grant
Shelter $120,000 CIP, LWCF Grant
Shade Tree Installation $15,000 CIP, Grant, LWCF Grant
Park Sign $4,000 CIP, LWCF Grant
Total $534,000
Hearthstone Park/Village
Circle Park
Target Date: 2014
Walks/Paths $100,000 CIP
Initial Playground $25,000 Developer Donation
Playground Addition $10,000 CIP
Parking Area $60,000 CIP
Site Furnishings $10,000 CIP
Practice Ball Backstops $10,000 CIP, Donation
Shade Tree Installation $15,000 CIP, Grant
Total $238,000
Central Park Target Date: 2012-2015
Dog Park development $40,000 Donation from dog park
committee
Playground $300,000 CIP
Splash Pad $500,000 CIP
Athletic Courts $450,000 CIP
Community Center $4,000,000 CIP
Walks/Paths $300,000 CIP, CDBG funds
Site Furnishings $60,000 CIP, CDBG funds
Roadways/Parking $250,000 CIP
Park Monument Signs $40,000 CIP
Shelter/Concession/Storage $500,000 CIP
Shade Tree Install/Landscaping $80,000 CIP, Grant
Maintenance Building/Storage $500,000 CIP
Electric Infrastructure $300,000 CIP
Athletic Field Under drains $200,000 CIP
Total $7,520,000
CIP=Capital Improvement Plan
Funding for a CIP is to be determined but
most likely would need to be from a future
bond issue.

Funding
Recommendations/Priorities
This plan, as well as the last 5 year plan,
focuses on the critical component of
funding in order to accomplish the goals
and objective set forth in the preceding
pages.
The Bond Issue of 2006 went a long way in
obtaining many of the goals outlined in
the 2007-2011 plan, however, the capital
provided was insufficient to meet all of the
needs. A lack of funding for capital
improvements and maintenance for
nearly 40 years required the expenditure
of the majority of the $4.7 million in bond
proceeds to rehabilitate the existing parks
to acceptable levels. This left a large and
significant shortfall in funding for the
completion of the Central Park project as
well as others outlined in the last 5 year
plan.
The following list is current level of priority
with target completion date.
Park Target Date
1) Central Park 2012+
2) Veterans Park 2013+
3) Green Meadows Park 2013+
4) Eberly Park 2014+
5) Hearthstone Park 2014+
6) Autumn Chase Park 2014+
7) Northgate Park 2015+
8) Pheasant Hills Park 2015+
9) Elmer Miller Park 2016+
As can be seen, the completion of these
improvements will require capital
expenditures that only a bond can
achieve. It was the recommendation of
the 2007-2011 Plan to re-bond when the
balance of the 2006 Bond fell below
$3,000,000. The target date according to
the schedule of amortization was early
2011. Since this target has been met, it is
imperative that the town leadership
understands the significance of access to
capital dollars. By re-bonding to provide
this access, an additional 1.5 million in
capital dollars will become available to
complete the projects listed and provide
the best level of improvements throughout
the park system.
An annual capital budget to develop, as
well as maintain park sites and facilities
have been virtually non-existent for over
40 years. Today’s playground has a
lifecycle replacement of 15 years. This
means for every 15 years, existing play
structures should be replaced with new
equipment. In addition, the sites
themselves will need to be addressed for
pavement replacement, drainage issues,
path ways replacement and other
maintenance issues. The lack of an annual
capital budget led to the deterioration of
facilities throughout the system, requiring
the already noted expenditure of bond
proceeds for long delayed updating and
repair. Additionally, no fund is available to
develop and equip new sites as they
come on line within the system.
The current scope and breadth of the
parks system dictates the immediate
implementation of annual capital
funding. Historically, annual park budgets
have not contained dedicated funding
for capital improvements. The political
leadership can achieve this funding
through the institution of a Parks and
Recreation Cumulate Building Fund. As
defined by Indiana State Statute, the
establishment of this fund would generate
over $130,000 in annual capital, as based
on the Town of Dyer’s current assessed
valuation and implementation of the
maximum tax rate of $0.0167 per each

100 dollars of assessed valuation of
taxable property. Without this capital,
yearly improvements and repairs will not
be made and the gains accomplished
through the 2006 Bond will be
compromised.
The access to capital is critical for the
completion of Central Park and other
capital improvement projects (see pages
66-67). Annual capital is essential for the
development, maintenance and repair of
park sites and facilities. The use of re-
bonding and an annual cumulative
building fund will provide the mechanisms
to accomplish the goals and objectives of
this plan.
At a time when local town budgets are in
cost cutting mode, this plan also calls for
the aggressive and persistent application
for matching grants and/or funds for high
priority projects. By seeking out grants, the
Dyer Park Board and Town of Dyer Parks
Department will be able to maximize the
use of funds gained through re-bonding or
cumulative building fund.
There are many grants that fit with the
priorities outlined in this plan. Specific
grant application should be made to:
- Community Development Block
Grant
- Community Forestry Grant
- Land and Water Conservation
Fund
- Recreational Trails Program
- Transportation Enhancement
A more concerted effort must be made
by the Town of Dyer Park Board and the
Parks and Recreation Department staff to
allocate the man hours of current park
staff to research and apply for such grants
to maximize local dollars.

The Town of Dyer’s Recreation Programs
The community has a residential
population of 16,390 (2010 US Census).
Dyer is primarily a bedroom community
providing homeowners easy access to the
Chicago metropolitan area where many
residents are employed. Excellent schools
and established housing in all categories
for families of various income levels has
made Dyer an attractive place to call
home. Furthermore the Town’s investment
in parks and recreational offering is
another asset to attract families to Dyer.
However the number of recreation
programs is limited due to lack of indoor
recreational facility space.
The Town does have some challenges
that limit participation in recreational
programs. The Town is physically divided
by US Route 30, a five lane highway which
is the primary east/west alternative to
Interstate 80/94. This division has been
cited by some residents making it more
difficult to get to a site for recreational
programs. A lack of indoor space for
programs is also a major factor limiting the
department’s program offerings. The Town
Hall has a pair of small activity rooms
inside the Town Hall which are used for
various programs however the size of the
two rooms limits the amount of
participation and what types of classes
can be held there. In the last five years
the Town added the Plum Creek Center
which has helped increase program
offerings. That facility is used primarily for
programs Monday-Thursday while Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays are available to
the public for rentals. For a banquet hall it
is relatively small. It can hold up to 100
people for events. The room has provided
the department with a larger indoor
space where a number of exercise and
fitness related activities have been
offered.
The department still lacks a large indoor
space, specifically a gymnasium, fitness
center, walking track and indoor
classrooms. Indoor recreation space
under the direct control of the parks and
recreation department would provide the
best flexibility for the department to offer
programs at times that are desired by the
public. Using space at the local schools,
churches or hospital is only available after
their programs and activities have been
satisfied which is not always the most
convenient times and days.
While the majority of this plan has focused
on developing properties to meet the
needs of residents, it is crucial to
recreational programs to have such park
facilities as well to continue to be
successful.
A recreation demand analysis has been
completed to evaluate recreational
offerings in addition to collect information
for future planning. The following table
compares results from Dyer and
neighboring communities.
Recreation Deficiencies

The data that was generated from the
table above provides an interesting
comparison to the way parks and
recreation agencies operate. Each of the
communities offers some level of
recreational programming. The older
more established communities of
Highland and Munster have substantially
larger budgets than the other
communities which have recently realized
their growth, within the last twenty-five
years. Dyer’s addition of Plum Creek
Center as an indoor recreation facility is
an asset but in comparing that facility to
the ones within Munster and Highland
there really is no comparison. Munster’s
Community Park center is probably similar
but the clubhouse/banquet facility at
Centennial Park is approximately four
times as big as Plum Creek Center. In
comparing to the recently remodeled
Highland Lincoln Center, which now
includes a field house (four basketball
courts and walking track), a fitness center,
five multi-purpose classrooms, day care
rooms, administrative offices and a 300
person banquet facility the Plum Creek
Center facility is approximately 1/12th the
size.
For a number of years the Town of Dyer
has searched for a way to provide a
Community Center which when realized
will be located at Central Park. Following
the example that Highland has provided is
a good model to follow. The Lincoln
Center is operated by consistent funding
coming from the day care lease of space
and the annual memberships to the fitness
center. Rentals of their banquet hall,
classrooms and field house are also other
ways that they further bring in revenue to
pay for the operations of the facility. They
work their recreational programs around
these activities to make use of the facility
as much as possible. The concept of
having the Dyer Town Hall operations
move into such a Community Center has
also been brought up in a way to share
the operational expense of a building.
The desire for indoor recreation space (a
community center) has been noted in a
number of community questionnaires over
the last fifteen years. For various reasons
these efforts have yet to come to fruition
but the Park Board is still aware of the
desire. A community center similar to the
Highland Lincoln Center would provide
ample indoor space for additional
recreation programs to enrich the lives of
all Dyer residents. Such a signature
community building, to serve all residents,
would also serve Dyer as the identifiable
landmark for the Town of Dyer.
Recreation Demand Analysis Dyer Highland Munster Schererville St. John
Population 16,390 23,727 23,592 29,243 14,850
Number of Parks 22 23 21 27 31
Park Acreage 181 250 383 234 220
Indoor Recreation Facilities 1 1 2 0 0
Recreation Programming staff 1 3 3 2 0
# of Annual Recreation Programs 195 100 492 200 80
Annual Budget $485,590 $1,983,000 $4,900,000 $812,261 $284,000
Park Expenditures Per Person $30 $84 $208 $28 $19

The department offers a basic approach to program offerings. Overall, the agency
provides the staple of expected programs, activities, classes and events. The programs
being offered fall into traditional core categories and are offered by age segments but are
built around availability of facilities or instructors versus the needs of residents.
Master Plan Public Input Review
The Park Board held a public hearing on
the 2012-2016 Parks and Recreation
Master Plan at 6pm on March 28, 2012. No
public comment was received on the
master plan other than a question from
Mike Wartman, President of Dyer Babe
Ruth who asked what the public hearing
was for.
Prior to that meeting a final draft of the
master plan was available on the Town
website for the public to view. There also
was a hard copy available in the Town
Hall rotunda for the public to view. Notice
of the meeting was published on the Town
website, the Town Hall bulletin board and
the electronic marquee at Town Hall for
the week leading up to the hearing. The
Park Board adopted this plan via
resolution at their April 11, 2012 meeting.

There is an old saying that goes “People
don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.” As
the Dyer Parks and Recreation
Department continues to plan for its
future, it is sure to make significant
strides to becoming a noticed agency.
For this to happen, ownership of this
master plan and the leadership to
implement it must occur.
In 2012, progress must be visible to the
town leadership and most importantly,
the public that has supported this
initiative. We must not be naïve in
thinking we will get to “it” next week,
next month, next time. There is too much
that needs to be accomplished in the
finances, organization structure,
recreational programming and capital
development.
This master plan does not provide every
answer because we do not have all the
potential questions. It does however
give detailed recommendations based
on layers of analysis. Improvement
needs to be charted regularly, and the
plan used frequently in the next five
years.
A few key recommendations that were
noted in the executive summary are;
1. Invest in the parks capital
improvement plan
2. Re-bond as soon as feasible
3. Keep the public informed of master
plan progress.
4. Do not give away recreational
services. This is the cornerstone product.
5. Seek alternative revenue sources
which include other town boards.
6. Insist on impact fees and get to the
table early with developers to maximize
park opportunities.
7. Aggressively pursue funding in the
way of grants/donations which would
be aided greatly by the creation of a
matching fund program.
Conclusion

2012-2016 Town of Dyer Indiana Parks and Recreation master plan

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (19)

Similar to 2012-2016 Town of Dyer Indiana Parks and Recreation master plan

Similar to 2012-2016 Town of Dyer Indiana Parks and Recreation master plan (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

2012-2016 Town of Dyer Indiana Parks and Recreation master plan