Michigan City park & coal contradictions... (#0089)

I’ve long been curious about the very industrialized area of Indiana that’s on Lake Michigan – I had assumed that much of the lakefront areas would be depressingly lined with smokestacks and factories. But, at the same time, I knew there was also a history of beachfront resorts and family playgrounds, so how did the two mix? From what I could see on various maps, it was impossible to see the industrial areas from the highways, so I basically gave up on that search. But, while looking for something else (later pictures) I came upon a scene that somewhat addressed my confused images of the Great Lakes Area. Clearly this is only one instance, but it seems to suggest that it was not unusual for industry and beach life to exist side-by-side.

The stack in the background is at the NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Co.) electric plant (gas and coal-fired) that’s been in operation since 1925. Adjacent to it is the Washington Park Beach, which has apparently been a public park for almost as long. Fortunately, in this instance, the environmental movement is coming out ahead, since the NIPSCO plant is scheduled to be shut in the next 10 years and replaced by renewable energy.