The Future of Roxana Marsh

To gauge local opinion of the Marsh, TNC and partners made available a survey to East Chicago community members, gathering their perspectives on the Marsh and priorities for its future. The information gathered from the survey will help guide TNC and partners to develop plans and designs for public accessibility and long-term stewardship of the restored marsh.

Overall, survey respondents identified pollution, public health, safety/crime, walkability and bike-friendliness of the region as the greatest challenges to well-being in their area. They view Roxana Marsh as an opportunity to make improvements on all these challenges.

Three common themes stood out among the responses:

• Preservation and Continued Restoration The greatest desire expressed was for the Marsh to continue to be restored and the land managed as natural habitat. Community members identified planting flowers and pollinator gardens as a way to attract both native pollinators (especially monarchs!) and people to know the beautiful space is there.
• Public Accessibility  A vast majority of respondents wanted to see increased public awareness (e.g., signage and marketing so public know where Marsh is and that it is open to the public), designated parking and more walking paths. More signage, as well as greater usability for kids and families, would draw people out.
• Beautification and Community Events  More than half of the respondents said beautification efforts (such as art displays or gardens) and educational signs and events would be beneficial. Respondents also noted enjoying the public events that do occur near the Marsh, like clean up days and TNC’s Monarch Festival. They suggested more informational and community events to build community stewardship.

“The community has provided great feedback and direction for Roxana Marsh,” said Fernandez. “TNC, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Lake County Parks will continue to steward the marsh in the future for the benefit of the wildlife that live there and the people that live nearby and visit.”

TNC is also seeking funding to support community engagement efforts at the Marsh, including volunteer workdays to plant native plants at and clear trash from the site and events for the public to assist in monitoring milkweed and monarchs and monarch tagging.

* Beginning in the 20th century, the area began experiencing an influx of steel mills, foundries, chemical plants, oil refineries, meat packing industries and pharmaceutical industries. Prior to the 1972 Clean Water Act, industries released waste and some nearby cities discharged untreated sewage into the river. In addition, potential nonpoint sources of contaminants, such as industrial and urban runoff, may have affected water quality in the river. The river was designated as an Area of Concern (AOC) under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1987, largely due to legacy pollutants. These pollutants remain in the environment for extended periods of time after they are introduced and were found in sediments at the bottom of the Grand Calumet River, Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal.

Partners in the restoration of Roxana Marsh are Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Lake County Parks, City of East Chicago, Indiana Department. of Environmental Management, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NIPSCO..

Jessica Rudnick from the University of Illinois Extension was part of the visioning of Roxana Marsh.

The Roxana Marsh survey was funded by the Chi Cal Rivers Fund of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.