Historic Marquette Park in Gary, Indiana, is visually stunning and, once again, a welcoming environment for visitors to its beach, pavilion, museum and natural habitats. The park’s restoration is part of a multi-phase revitalization plan for Indiana’s Lakeshore. The Cook Cup for Outstanding Restoration awarded to Marquette Park by Indiana Landmarks is a testament to the dedication of many Northwest Indiana organizations—public, private and union—working together to achieve a common goal.

Built in the 1920s, this 241-acre municipal park on the shore of Lake Michigan had deteriorated over the years. The ballroom with its chandeliers, the elegant beach pavilion, the paths and footbridges through the extensive grounds, and the noble bronze statue of Father James Marquette had all seen better days. When the City of Gary was awarded a $28 million grant from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, they chose Skillman as their Construction Manager to help bring the park back to its former glory.

Managing a series of specialized project components

Marquette Park features two major historic structures, the Marquette Park Pavilion and the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium. There are also a number of smaller structures including the Father Marquette Monument, Chinese footbridge, restrooms, concession stand and gate house. Additional amenities include walking paths, special event areas, roads, beaches, a small watercraft launch and several native eco-systems unique to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

This large, very complex project required Skillman’s specialized skills in planning and implementing dynamic, multi-phase projects. We were able to create a design, bidding and construction plan that managed the overall budget through multiple bid phases, expedited schedule by overlapping construction phases, and accomplished the park’s goal to recreate a unique, historic, public recreational resource for the City of Gary.

Responding to the needs of multiple stakeholders

Skillman was there from the beginning to help make sure the plan stayed on track and on budget. Our experience with public projects was a natural fit. We collaborated with the project’s many stakeholders who included the City of Gary, the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the Marquette Advisory Board, providing open, ongoing communication and transparency throughout the process.

Skillman had a collaborative relationship with the project’s Program Manager, Hitchcock Design Group. Their expertise as a landscape architecture firm complemented Skillman’s expertise in project implementation and construction management, and together, we were able to provide the combination of strengths that the project needed.

Restoring more than just a park

Marquette Park is a symbol of transformation. The park, specifically the pavilion, has long been known and loved by the people in the region. They may have been married there, attended the annual air show there, or went to prom there. Skillman is proud to have played a role in recapturing the lakeshore for the Gary community and making it possible for people to enjoy it for many more generations to come.