The city of Valparaiso is about ready to start work on the first phase of the Valpo Sports & Recreation Campus.
The first phase is expected to cost about $30 million and will include extending Memorial Drive from Vale Park Road north to 500 North, said Kevin Nuppnau, assistant director for Valpo Parks.
“The projects in phase 1 were chosen with extensive public input, as well as best practices and trends within the parks and recreation industry,” said Nuppnau in a press release.
Bids were due July 7 and work is expected to begin by late summer.
“Ideally, we’d like to see work beginning by late summer for these projects, which are anticipated to take 12 to 15 months to complete,” Nuppnau said. “We look to be opening attractions at the Valpo Sports & Recreation Campus late in 2024.”
Projects in the first phase include:
- Four multipurpose fields on the north end of the park will be all artificial turf with sports lighting and room to play baseball, softball, soccer and other sports.
- 10 pickleball courts will include lighted surfaces with fencing and benches with shade close to the parking lot, a restroom building and other shade structures.
- A customized, accessible playground on two tiers, separated by a short pathway as well as a climbing rope.
- A championship-level cross country course with multi-purpose trails that will be shared with Valparaiso High School.
- A wildlife sanctuary, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will restore 14 acres (currently serving as farmland) to native prairie. The habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, as well as migratory birds, like quail and wild turkey, will include trails.
- Comfort facilities, including a large restroom facility, full-service concession stand, office space and training room.
Nuppnau also said an added benefit is room to grow as the park becomes more popular.
“We’re excited for these added offerings as well as the space to grow that this park represents,” he said.
