Board renews Wilderness Inquiry agreement for Trail Creek school outreach; funding secured from three sources

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved an annual service agreement Aug. 6 with Wilderness Inquiry to provide programming for Trail Creek Week for fourth-graders and to participate in the Creekness Stakes canoe race fundraiser. Parks staff said the department has $5,000 in its recreation budget for the contract, the Sanitary District contributes $5,000 under its MS4 education and outreach program, and the department secured a $5,000 NIPSCO environmental grant to cover the balance. “The park department has $5,000 earmarked in our recreation budget for the contract. The sanitary district pays $5,000 annually ... and then we were able to secure a NIPSCO environmental grant for $5,000,” Shannon said. Staff recommended the board approve the contract; board members asked about participant numbers and confirmed there is no cost to students or schools — participation is arranged by teachers and bus transportation is the schools’ responsibility. Staff said the program served about 650 students last year, up from a post-COVID low and below pre-pandemic participation of about 900. The board approved the Wilderness Inquiry service agreement by voice vote; staff said the program will continue outreach to area schools, prioritize Michigan City schools and expand as capacity allows.