This project reveals the potential for new connections and an enhanced sense of place identity to serve as catalysts for the revitalization of the derelict urban environment. Gateway Park in Gary, Indiana was chosen for the project site and has been redesigned and expanded in order to bridge the gap between downtown Gary and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Particular attention has been paid to connecting the project site to proposed regional greenway systems while illustrating the natural and cultural heritage of Gary. Additionally, the project site has been designed to fit within the framework of Northwest Indiana's Marquette Plan and transit-oriented development vision, while incorporating diverse programming to attract a wide variety of site users. The final design proposal rests on a historiography of the project site, a literature review investigating place identity and 'placemaking,' a study of relevant precedent projects, and extensive inventory, analysis, and concept development. / Department of Landscape Architecture