Hobart Nature District
The Hobart Nature District is located in the City of Hobart, Indiana and encompasses over 1,000 acres of scenic parks, wetlands and floodplains, winding rivers, peaceful lakes, open prairies, oak savannas, old-growth forests, and undulating ravines. The name of the Hobart Nature District was officially established by resolution of the Common Council of the City of Hobart, Indiana on July 19, 2017, but the natural areas within the district have been in various states of accessibility and restoration for decades. The resolution by the City Council affirmed the phrase "Hobart Nature District" was the best way  to refer to all of the areas contained within the Hobart Marsh Plan which was established by the city in 2013. The concept behind the Hobart Marsh Plan, which contains the areas now referred to as the Hobart Nature District, has been to capitalize on the extensive areas of native prairie, wetlands and woodlands creating a unique attraction for passive recreation enabling visitors the opportunity to experience local flora and fauna. The Hobart Marsh Plan has sought to connect numerous conservation lands managed by various local partner organizations. It also builds upon the growing regional bike trail network with the  potential to become an eco-tourism destination, providing access to many other natural and cultural attractions in the region. The Hobart Marsh area has been cited as a critical habitat for nine state threatened or rare plant species, Blanding’s turtle (state endangered), over 40 state endangered, threatened and rare insect species, four state endangered bird species, and five high quality natural communities. While the phrasing "Hobart Nature District" only became official as of 2017, following the amendment of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Hobart to include the Hobart Marsh Plan in 2013, conservation efforts and the early  steps toward establishment of natural areas within the district date back to as early as 1989 when official support first began to formulate for the preservation of these special places. That initial support led to the establishment of the "Hobart Prairie Grove" that was added to the National Park System as part of a 1992 expansion of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (renamed the Indiana Dunes National Park in 2019). History. 1980s. 1988 1989 1990s. 1990 1991 1992 1996 1997 1999 2000s. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s. 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018  2019 2020s. 2020 2021 2022 Local partners. Many local partners work together to protect, restore, and promote the natural areas within the Hobart Nature District. These partners work together to secure resources for restoration projects and recreation improvements. Natural Area Features and Access. The Hobart Nature District features 13 distinct natural areas within the boundaries of the district. A 14th distinct natural area within the boundaries of the Hobart Nature District was added in April 2021 with property adjacent to Robinson Lake Park that was acquired by Lake County Parks and Recreation.