MICHIGAN CITY – Save the Dunes has presented its top honor, the Paul H. Douglas Memorial Award, to Michigan City Mayor Charles E. Oberlie.
The award is named for the late Illinois senator who led the campaign to create the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Oberlie was chosen for the honor for his efforts at preserving the natural resources of Michigan City. He has converted Michigan Boulevard into a street with medians and tree planters; built Charles R. Wescott Park that restored a blighted demolition area; developed the Elston Grove Streetscape project that integrates pocket parks and other streetscape elements; and helped with the development of Striebel Pond, an example of smart stormwater control.
In addition, Save the Dunes praised Oberlie for his support of the Trail Creek Corridor, a plan to create parks and a riverwalk along Trail Creek on the city’s north side.
