Portage community members will soon be reading and gathering while enjoying the summer weather and beautiful plants. The City of Portage currently has a project underway for all community members to enjoy – a library garden is being constructed on the south side of the Portage Public Library. This library garden will facilitate learning among community members of all ages and provide a gathering space for community events as well.
This project was started by the Portage Redevelopment Commission under previous Mayor Sue Lynch, and current Mayor Austin Bonta was able to continue the facilitation of the project.
“This was Mayor Sue Lynch’s dream. This was something that she thought the community needed,” Bonta said.
The high level of dedication Lynch had to this project inspired Bonta to ensure the project was continued and executed in the best possible way.
“Sometimes in politics, you have projects that start but then don't get finished until the next term, and I see it as a responsibility to make sure that, as best I can, it comes to completion. I believe it's completely on track,” Bonta said.
The vision for this project is to create a space for community members to gather and learn in a beautiful outdoor setting. In addition to this, the library garden will also provide downtown Portage with a new destination for visitors from out of town.
“There was a vision for building a space by the library that would be a spot for activities,” Bonta said. “People will be able to visit it just like you might visit the library. There will be people that use it on a warm day or a sunny day to read or to spend some time, but you are also going to have different programming from the library, whether that's storytime for kids or lectures coming in from speakers talking about different topics, in the space as well.”
Currently, there are many programming plans in place for this new space, and the programs and events will continue to grow as time goes on. After the conclusion of construction, the library garden is being turned over to the Porter County Library System to maintain and run.
“They have a year's worth of programming ready for it as soon as it starts,” Bonta said. “That is going to continue for future years. You could think of it as a gift to the Porter County Library System.”
In addition to the already planned programming and growth this will bring to the city, the library garden will also act as a connection point for other projects happening in the city.
“It ties really well the two other things that are happening, one that's a public project and one that is a private project,” Bonta said. “The first one is the public project. We're building a trail as a city, and it's going to go down Irving Street. The trail will make it easier to access the library garden from Frank Gilbert Jr. Memorial Park.”
The private project is a new Starbucks that will be going in just north of the library. The combination of the library garden, the trail, and the Starbucks will create harmony within the area.
“A mom or dad might go and get some coffee and bring their kids to the library, or vice versa. You might go to the library, and while the kids are at a storytime, a parent might get some coffee and walk down to Frank Gilbert Jr. Memorial Park,” Bonta said. “It is a way to connect pieces of the city that are not as well connected right now.”
This is just the beginning of the development of this area. This area will continue to be developed and serve as a community hub and destination in downtown Portage. It will be a beautiful space and a focal point and landmark for the city.
For more information about the City of Portage, visit portagein.gov.