Doughboys of World War 1. That is who Wicker Memorial Park was dedicated to. North Township is home to Wicker Memorial Park. It is one of the most utilized parks in the region. North Township is located in Lake County Indiana. It is the second largest of the 1008 townships in the state. North Township was formed in 1837. It was one of the original townships of Lake County. Back then it stretched across the entire north portion of the county.
The boundaries were reduced a number of times in the 19th century. This included the formation of Hobart Township in 1849. It also included the formation of Calumet Township in 1883. In 2022 its boundaries expanded to include much of Griffith. This happened after a lengthy dispute between Griffith and Calumet Township.
The earliest known community in North Township was Gibson. It is now part of Hammond. Gibson was located near the site of the present-day Gibson Yard. This yard is on the Indiana Harbor Belt railroad.
The North Township Trustee’s Office has a mission. That mission is to improve the quality of life. It wants to enhance the health and safety of residents. It also wants to improve their well-being and educational needs. The office aims to provide professional service. This service should be effective, efficient, and accountable.
North Township serves several communities. These include East Chicago, Hammond, Highland, Munster, Griffith, and Whiting. The primary function of the township offices is to provide assistance to those in need. According to Trustee Adrian Santos, they are proud of what they accomplish with limited funding. The skilled staff helps people through the application process. This guarantees they get the assistance they need.
The township owns and maintains two cemeteries. One is Hess Cemetery. It is located in the Hessville neighborhood of Hammond. The other is the historic Oak Hill Cemetery. This is in Central Hammond. North Township provides a free transit service. This is the Dial-a-Ride program. It is available to residents living within the township boundaries.
Wicker Memorial Park is operated by North Township. The park was donated to the township nearly a century ago. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the park on June 14, 1927. The park has many attractions. These include an 18-hole golf course and 3 miles of trails. There is also volleyball, a dog park, and a new all-abilities playground. Picnic areas and banquet facilities are available. The recently added Splash Pad is very popular. Wicker Memorial Park offers something for everyone.
North Township has a large population. As of the 2010 census, the population was 162,855. The township contained 67,828 housing units. Several cities and towns lie within North Township. These include East Chicago, Hammond, and Whiting. Griffith also lies primarily in North Township. There are five public school districts in North Township. Bishop Noll Institute is a private school located in Hammond. It is an important educational institution in the region. North Township continues to serve its residents. It provides essential services and recreational opportunities.