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Valparaiso Parks & Recreation · 2026
01 / 09
A Proposal · Porter County, Indiana

A Parks Dept Owned
RC Track

Bringing real racing to Valparaiso — affordable, family-forward, and built for the community.

Presented to the Parks & Recreation Committee·2026
Valparaiso RC Track Proposal
— 2026 —
The Case · By the Numbers
02 / 09
The Opportunity

The Numbers

A modest footprint. A real return for the people of Valparaiso.

Land Needed
1–3 acres
1 acre minimum · 2–3 preferred to include parking and spectator staging
Entry Cost (Starter Kit)
$150 +
Ready-to-run electric RC car. No engine, no fuel, no trailering required.
Age Range
6–80 +
Radio control racing is genuinely all-ages — one of the few motorsports that is.
City-Owned RC Tracks in Valpo
0
No dedicated public RC racing facility exists in Valparaiso or Porter County today.
Valparaiso RC Track · The Case
Big Numbers
RC Racing · The Basics
03 / 09
What Is It?

Radio Control Racing

Scale-model vehicles — 1/10 to 1/8 scale — raced on purpose-built dirt or asphalt tracks. Real racing dynamics. Real skill. No fuel, no exhaust, no license required.

Modern electric RC vehicles run 6–8 minutes per heat on a full charge. Track layouts can be reconfigured seasonally (at a minimum, however I would shoot for monthly) by local racers donating time. The hobby spans off-road buggies, short-course trucks, 2 and 4 wheel drive — and clubs at every skill level already exist throughout Northwest Indiana.

+RC Racing · Track Photo
RC Racing · Overview
The Basics
Community Benefits
04 / 09
Why It Works

Six Reasons to Say Yes

For Participants
01
Family Friendly
All ages, all skill levels. Parents race alongside their kids. Grandparents compete with grandchildren. No barriers to entry.
02
Affordable
Ready-to-run cars from $150. No fuel costs, no tow vehicle, no membership fees. The most affordable form of organized racing available.
03
Kids' Development
Builds spatial reasoning, patience, and mechanical intuition. Youth participants develop focus and competitive sportsmanship outside of screens.
For the Community
04
Mental Wellness
A structured, social hobby that keeps minds occupied and engaged. Racing gives teens and young adults a productive outlet away from vices and idle time.
05
Community Hub
Weekly practice nights, seasonal league racing, spectator events. A regular gathering point that creates lasting civic connections across neighborhoods.
06
Regional Draw
A city-owned track becomes a destination for racers from neighboring counties — bringing visitors, activity, and community pride to Valparaiso parks.
Benefits · The Community Case
Act I
Act II · The Deeper Case
05 / 09
The Bigger Picture

A Destination,
Not Just
an Amenity.

Valparaiso already draws regional visitors for dining and events. A city-owned RC track extends that draw — and gives residents a reason to stay on weekends.

A case for civic investment
— · —
Parks Vision · The Gap
06 / 09
Before / After

What Changes With a Track

Today · Without a Track

Scattered. Expensive. Out of Reach.

  • Organized motorsport requires large budgets, trailers, and travel
  • No local racing venue for youth programs or beginner leagues
  • Passive parks only — nothing for the hobbyist or competitive set
  • Teens and young adults with free time and no structured outlet
  • RC racers must drive a decent way to the nearest dedicated facility
Tomorrow · With a City Track

Structured. Affordable. Right Here.

  • League racing entry from $150 — the most affordable motorsport available. In reality this range is $0 - unlimited... but you absolutely can start for very little.
  • Managed facility for youth programs, school events, open practice
  • Destination events drawing county-wide and regional participation
  • A healthy, focused alternative to screen time and destructive habits
  • Valparaiso becomes the region's first city with a public RC track
The Vision · Valparaiso RC
Before / After
Infrastructure Needs
07 / 09
What It Takes

Simple Requirements

An RC track has one of the lowest infrastructure footprints of any recreational facility. Most of what we need may already exist on city parcels.

Land
1 acre minimum for the track footprint; 2–3 preferred (mostly for parking). The track itself is about 100ft x 150ft. The rest is parking.
Priority
Equipment
Skid-steer loader for periodic track resurfacing and layout changes. Can be shared from the existing Parks Department fleet.
Priority
Water
Existing utility hookup for track surface maintenance and dust control. Standard hose connection is sufficient — no permanent irrigation needed.
Nice to Have
Electricity
30 amp service for pit area battery charging, lighting for evening races, and an electronic lap timing system.
Nice to Have
Infrastructure · Site Requirements
The Basics
The Question
08 / 09
Before We Close

What could Valparaiso gain
by being first?

No city in Northwest Indiana has a dedicated public RC racing facility. The first one to build it becomes the destination — for its own residents, and for the region. And you know... money I guess.

First-Mover Advantage
— · —
Next Steps · Close
09 / 09
How We Get There

Three Steps Forward

No major capital outlay to start. A phased approach protects the city's investment and lets community demand validate the project.

01
Site Survey
Identify available parcels meeting the 1–3 acre requirement. Parks staff evaluation of drainage, access, and utility proximity. No cost to begin.
02
Budget & Plan
Develop cost estimate for grading, fencing, safety barriers, and utility connections. Explore partnership with local RC clubs for in-kind labor and materials.
03
Leverage local racers
Local racers will come together to help with all aspects, from running the show to helping with labor and track maintenance.
"The RC racing community in Northwest Indiana is active, organized, and ready to help build this. We just need a place to race."— Local RC Enthusiasts, Porter County