Young, Braun, Visclosky Reintroduce Indiana Dunes National Park Bill

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and U.S. Representative Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.-01) today announced that they have reintroduced legislation in the 116th Congress that would designate the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as a National Park. Senator Young and Representative Visclosky introduced identical legislation in the last Congress.

“We need to tout Indiana’s rich history and our natural assets to make our state even more attractive to visitors and potential residents. I’m going to keep working with the National Park Service and other stakeholders to identify a path forward for this designation,” said Senator Young.

“With its beautiful shoreline and scenic trails, Indiana Dunes is a state treasure that deserves the recognition of a national park.  With the help of the National Park Service, Indiana Dunes will be a great destination for Hoosiers and tourists alike to cherish our state’s natural beauty,” said Senator Braun.

“I thank Senator Young and Senator Braun for supporting companion legislation in the U.S. Senate, and I also thank my Indiana House colleagues and all the Northwest Indiana community leaders and officials for their commitment to this initiative that will recognize the environmental wonder of our lakeshore and further grow our regional economy,” said Representative Visclosky. 

The legislation would retitle the “Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore” as the “Indiana Dunes National Park.” The designation would create the first National Park in Indiana and the 61st National Park in the United States, which would give greater recognition to the natural beauty of the dunes and potentially draw more visitors and boost the local economy.