Improvements are coming to the walking trail at Clear Lake, thanks to significant support from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.
The foundation on Wednesday presented a check to the City of La Porte in the amount of $2,239,500 for the completion of the Clear Lake Greenway Loop and Trail connection project. Mayor Tom Dermody said this project is the centerpiece of the city’s comprehensive Heart of La Porte Plan.
“Clear Lake plays a significant role in our efforts to make La Porte a healthier community,” Dermody said. “The completion of this loop project not only creates a new recreational attraction for our residents to enjoy, but also allows us to showcase our city’s natural resources while staying in close proximity to the downtown. We are grateful to the Healthcare Foundation for helping us to see this project through.”
The existing trail, which was constructed in 2018, currently sits at one-third of a mile. With the grant money awarded by HFL, the loop will be connected to create just over a mile of walkable trail. Shoreline improvements and amenities, such as accessible edges, piers and gathering spaces, will also be added.
Healthcare Foundation CEO Maria Fruth said the Greenway Loop will be an important resource for residents as La Porte continues to work toward becoming a healthier community.
“Healthcare Foundation of La Porte is proud to partner with the City of La Porte,” Fruth said. “This grant award of $2,239,500, to create the Clear Lake Greenway Loop, continues the strategy of funding investments to strengthen the city’s infrastructure.”
This is not the first project that HFL has helped to fund in the City of La Porte. Fruth said from 2017 to date, the foundation has granted upwards of $6.4 million to the city to assist funding the Chessie Trail, Stone Lake Trail, Fort La Play, tennis courts and pickleball courts, park safety equipment, water bottle fillers, outdoor fitness court, 18th Street Greenway project, Fire Department rescue boat, kayak launch, park trees inventory and maintenance, summer playground programs, and many other projects.
“HFL is dedicated to empowering our residents to live healthy and well and to achieve the vision shared by the City of becoming one of Indiana’s top 10 healthiest communities by 2030,” Fruth said. “We invite our community members to enjoy the amazing amenities La Porte has to offer.”
Construction for the Clear Lake Greenway Loop project is set to begin Fall 2021. To learn more about the project and the Heart of La Porte plan, visit cityoflaporte.com.