(Image provided, City of Valparaiso)
In Valparaiso, residents are encouraged to share their ideas on the future of Valpo REC. A former factory building on Lafayette Street just north of downtown Valparaiso is being developed into a multi-generational indoor recreation and enrichment center. Valpo Parks invites everyone to share their ideas and priorities as planning moves forward on the project, which the city says will transform Valpo’s last remaining empty industrial site into a year-round, multi-purpose facility designed to be a central hub for the community. To ensure the project reflects the needs and aspirations of the community, Valpo Parks says it has launched a comprehensive set of public surveys and encourages broad participation by March 1, 2026. Mayor Jon Costas says the input from these surveys “will directly inform the design, amenities and programming of Valpo REC for generations to come.” The six-week engagement window includes the following surveys: Community Survey, Active Senior/Adult Survey, Sports Programming Survey, Outdoor Amenities Survey, Rental Space Survey, and General Comments Form (allowing participants to share additional ideas or feedback). Survey links and additional information about the Valpo REC project can be found at bit.ly/ValpoREC and social media channels Valpo Parks and Valparaiso Now.
