(Photo provided, City of Valparaiso)
In Valparaiso, the city says it has added ADA-compliant picnic tables to the courthouse lawn. The tables are surrounded by smooth surfaces and provide easy access for those using wheelchairs or assistive devices. “We were looking to add ways for all visitors to safely enjoy our downtown and perhaps even linger with a snack from one of the many nearby restaurants,” said Valparaiso Assistant Planner Seyi Aletan, who led the project. The three new tables are on the courthouse lawn, with two more locations planned for 2026. The project was funded by the City of Valparaiso, with Valparaiso’s Planning Department leading the effort in site selection and design rendering, approved by the Porter County Board of Commissioners. Valpo’s Parks Department and City Services departments offered support in the installation and landscaping of the project, a news release said.
