Lehman & Lehman was originally commissioned in 2009 to assist the Valparaiso Parks Department in a feasibility study on how the current park infrastructure and facilities could be renovated into a new master plan vision. Neighborhood surveys and stakeholder meetings were conducted and data collected, with the result of the study producing five conceptual schemes for consideration.
Funding was secured in late 2012 for the implementation of the master plan and Lehman & Lehman was once again engaged by the City of Valparaiso to develop construction documents for the first two phases of construction.
The first phase of construction consisted of extending utility infrastructure for the future restroom and concession building, reducing the size of the existing softball field, installing new softball fencing and constructing compacted aggregate pathways. The second phase of construction began in the spring of 2013 with major earthwork to help with drainage and overall stormwater retention within the park and adjacent neighborhood in addition to establishing the base elevations for a future softball diamond.
Lehman & Lehman worked closely with the Valparaiso Park Department as well as the City's Engineering and Stormwater Departments. deBoer Egolf Corporation of Portage, Indiana was the contractor for the project workscope, which was completed in June, 2013.
Below are photos of the construction process showing most recent first and going to pre-construction.
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| 6.28.13 New culvert under park entry drive. |
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| 6.28.13 New roadside swale. |
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| 6.28.13 New swale draining north side of the park to the main retention area. |
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| 6.28.13 Future softball field. |
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| 6.28.13 Intersection of drainage swales directing runoff to the main retention area. |
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| 6.28.13 Overflow structure allowing a controlled release of stormwater after a 3+ inch rain event in less than 24 hours. |
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| 6.28.13 Main retention area and berm shortly after large rain event. Seed just beginning to germinate. |
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| 6.6.13 New north retention area. |
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| 6.6.13 East end of new main retention area behind existing softball field. |
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| 6.6.13 New (buried) overflow pipe in drainage easement. |
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| 6.6.13 New overflow control structure in main retention area. |
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| 6.6.13 Construction of berm along the west property line of park. |
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| 6.6.13 Fill/grading of low area for future softball field. |
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| 5.15.13 Scraping of topsoil on future softball field area. |
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| 5.15.13 Early excavation of north retention area. |
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| 5.15.13 Clearing of overflow drainage easement. |
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| 5.15.13 Staking of main (southwest) retention area. |
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| 5.15.13 Staking of main (southwest) retention area. |
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| 10.12.12 Future location of swale to drain the roadside ditch to the new retention area. |
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| 10.12.12 Existing culvert under park entry drive to be replaced. |
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| 10.12.12 Existing road side swale/ditch to be reconstructed and routed through the park. |
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| 7.29.09 Existing low spot that will be filled and graded for future softball field. |
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| 7.29.09 Location of future small north retention area that will drain the adjacent residential properties. |
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| 7.29.09 Future intersection of drainage swales. |
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| 7.29.09 Location of new retention area as it wraps around the existing softball field. |
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| 7.29.09 Location of new main southwest retention area. Existing softball fence to be relocated and lights to be removed. |
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| 7.29.09 Existing drainage swale and willow tree. Runoff tends to flood this area. |
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| 7.29.09 Open lawn on northwest corner of park where new drainage swale is to be constructed. |
