(LaPorte, IN) - A 400-foot boardwalk above the water in LaPorte is going up as part of the ongoing transformation of Clear Lake as a destination. The eight-foot-wide boardwalk at the southwest corner of the lake will have two platforms extending out for people to sit on park benches to fish or simply look out over the water.
It’s the latest feature added to a former industrial area with a trail system being developed and soon 200 resort-type lakefront condominiums. “It’s just one more piece in making that area as attractive as possible for our residents and for people to come out and recreate,” said Bert Cook, executive director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership.
The $688,000 cost of the boardwalk is funded primarily by the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte, said city engineer Nick Minich.
Minich said construction beginning in early July is expected to finish sometime in September.
The boardwalk will have a wood surface for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.
There will be handrails made of wood on both sides and wire screen mesh between the railings and travel surface to guard against falling over the edge.
Clear Lake is beside New Porte Landing, an over 50-acre brownfield that’s had businesses like Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Dunes Volleyball Center, and a new medical office facility go up the past few years.
Flaherty & Collins Properties out of Indianapolis is expected to begin construction of the lakefront condominiums next month on a parcel recently cleaned-up on the east side of the former industrial site.
Trails are also being developed around Clear Lake and will be connected to the new Chessie Trail running from Pine Lake and, eventually, to the downtown. Cook said the connections will give trail users access to all of the amenities along the way. The improvements are part of the “Heart of LaPorte” plan aimed at turning the city into a healthier more enjoyable place attracting more retailers and restaurants.
“Things are actually happening and it’s only the beginning,” said Mayor Tom Dermody.
