News Release

Shoreline Birds Program at the National Park

Date: July 1, 2021
Contact: Julie Larsen, 219-395-1821

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Sammi King, Marquette Park Project Coordinator for Dunes-Calumet Audubon, will discuss the history of Marquette Park and its important bird habitats on Sunday, July 25 at 11:00 am at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Douglas Center. She will talk about many of the shorebirds that use this location as an important stop during migration.  

The Lake Michigan shoreline is considered one of the most important flyways for many North American bird species, and the location of Marquette Park Beach at the southernmost tip of Lake Michigan produces a funnel-effect where many of these birds will stop at this location to refuel as they head to their next destination. 

The Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society aims to inspire the members of the Miller community to get outside and see the shorebirds for themselves along with understanding the importance of this area for migrating birds. Birds play a critical role in healthy ecosystems, and it is crucial we protect their habitats and responsibly share the shoreline with them. 

Marquette Park is adjacent to the western national park boundary. Visitors can hike to Marquette Park via the beach after enjoying the Miller Woods trail from the Douglas Center to just west of Lake Street beach.  

The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national park at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12 in the Miller section of Gary. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, call 219-395-1821 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.  

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The Indiana Dunes National Park is one of 423 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Located in Northwest Indiana, the park includes 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 acres of biodiverse beaches, woods, prairies, and marshes. Over 2 million visitors come to the Indiana Dunes each year.