A newly added design project for Creekside Park expected to attract younger patrons and families to the trail and bike path includes a trail extension, a kid-friendly loop and drainage improvements, according to Valparaiso Parks Director Kevin Nuppnau.
“Creekside is already very popular for its trails and bike paths but we want to make sure we continue to expand with features to appeal to young park users and families, which is the exciting part of these new improvements,” he said of Creekside, at 255 Clifford Road in Valparaiso. The adjacent 18-hole golf course opened in 2000.
Among the park additions will be:
• A 1-mile extension: The 13-mile trail system has been expanded by one mile, offering a new technical trail called “The Jungle” on the south side of Salt Creek. This challenging black diamond single-track trail features tight switchbacks, sudden drops, and a rock garden, pushing even experienced riders to their limits.
• Rock Armoring: Strategic rock armoring has been implemented throughout the trails to improve drainage and prevent erosion, ensuring the long-term sustainability of what is deemed as a valuable recreational resource, with the added infrastructure as an investment to ensure trails are open more often.
• Dedicated Kids Loop: A new, quarter-mile loop specifically designed for children ages 5-13 will be added this summer to provide “a safe and engaging space” for young patrons to explore and build confidence on their bikes. The loop features rollers, rocks, and boardwalks creating a fun and challenging environment for developing skills.
“Since its opening in 2019, the Creekside Trails landscape has been a cherished asset for our community thanks to the generous support of donors, sponsors, and volunteers who share our passion for outdoor recreation,” Nuppnau said.
“We’re incredibly grateful for their contributions and excited to continue growing this beautiful and impactful resource.”
Nuppnau said he is “hopeful” the new components of the park trails will be ready by early fall for a ribbon cutting and unveiling.
“We are still in the process of our needed fundraising,” Nuppnau said Friday.
“The overall cost for this project is around $10,000 and we have about half of that money already secured.”
Valparaiso’s landscape to date includes more than 1,000 acres of recreational spaces divided among 22 different parks, each unique and with an independent history.
Nuppnau celebrated his one-year anniversary in May as Valparaiso director of parks after a previous five years with the department and as the successor of John Seibert. Seibert and Nuppnau worked together on several key projects in the past two years in addition to Creekside Trails, such as the new Flounder and Friends Skatepark, which opened in spring 2023.
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
