This is the classic Japanese-style garden. It was a gift from Mishawaka's sister city, Shiojiri,…read moreand unlike anything else in the city. Upon entering the park, one will notice how this garden sends off quite a different "vibe" than western-style gardens do. Typical of Japanese design, it was thought out quite a bit, and there is a reason behind every little detail within. Every changing month seems to bring its own charm to the park. An excellent park to go to for feeling closer to both God and nature. This has got to be the loveliest acre of land in Mishawaka.

This park celebrates the sister city status of Mishawaka and Shiojiri, a city in Nagano, Japan…read more Niwa is Japanese for garden and this park takes on many of the characteristics of a Japanese Garden. Some of those characteristics include: Water - renewal and calm Stone - longevity and forces of nature Yukimi-gata Lantern (a snow lantern) Bridges The park has all these but the water/pond which would ideally contain fish /koi. Of course, the weather here would necessitate wintering of the fish elsewhere, so it is probably a cost management issue. The park is well kept and is filled with plants, small trees, and gardens. There is also a bronze sculpture to the right of the entrance that commemorates the relationship between the two cities. Review #3099

This park has a bit of everything I would like in a park. (Just wish it wasn't 3 hours from my…read morehouse!) If you like parks with open space, they got it. Convenient parking near large shelters? Check! They also have a nice playground, tennis courts, a splash pad, and a fitness court. There is artwork that includes a statue of Christopher Columbus by the entrance, carved trees that remind me of totem poles in the middle, and a sculpture called Circle of Life on the south end. Oh, and there is a great view of the St Joe River and Dam with a crosswalk to get even better views. There is fishing too. There is even a fish ladder to help the salmon and steelhead that were brought in to navigate the river levels. The park was also clean and well kept. If you are wanting to plan a family day with activities, this is the place to check out! Review #3093

Pretty park for families with a ton of facilities, but not so good for taking pictures.read more

This park is gorgeous (even though there was a lot of construction going on along the south side of…read morethe park.) What makes this park on the low side of the river so stunning is the series of irregular shaped terrace steps that the millrace of the St Joe River flows over to head downstream. All along the park there are tiny waterfalls while appearing nearly flat. The area along the river has paved walkways and is landscaped with trees and a small hill. On the east end of the park is a large sculpture by Jan Martin (2004) called River Shards that makes for a cool accent to the plaza where you can relax and enjoy the sight and sound. This is a must see if you appreciate a marriage between art and nature. Review #3089

Family friends are important…read more There's family, of course, and no matter how much you may hate your family, they're ultimately all you've got. OK, that's kind of an overstatement, but as you grow older, you'll probably eventually either regret drifting apart from family members or wonder what kept you apart in the first place. If you're lucky, like I am, you'll recognize early just how important family is. There are friends. Good ones are like great books in that they're extremely rare and no matter how long it is between visits, you'll always feel comfortable, like you're right where you belong. Other friends are more situational. They serve a specific purpose at a specific time, and when that purpose is spent, you must decide whether to stay in touch or to allow time and circumstances to separate you. Family friends are different. They're not family, but you can't get rid of them like you can past-their-expiration-date friends. Yes, you can ignore them, but unlike family and friends, they don't usually hold grudges. They're connected to you, but they're not related to you. They were there before, and they'll be there in the future. If you don't invite them to your kids' weddings, they won't hold it against you. They'll still let you stay over when you're in town for an interview or some other such ridiculousness, and you'll stay up too late talking. Beutter Park is like a family friend. It doesn't feel as comfortable and magical and raw as childhood, but it sticks in your mind, not like regret, but like something or someone you miss and know or at least hope you'll visit again one day. Soon? Maybe. Family friends brought me and my dad here. It was warm and sunny but not humid. In other words, the weather was perfect, and that's so unlike Michiana in the summer. We strolled past sculptures and talked about first cars. I had heard many of the stories before, but that didn't bother me. I can stand repetition among family friends; I don't know why.

This is a great park for beginning hikers or those short on time. The park, while beautiful is much…read moresmaller than State parks, with trails that are harder to get lost on. There is small playground, a "Sensory Garden" area that has a pond with running water & frogs (for sound), highly scented flowers (for smell) and even some safe to taste herbs (for taste). There is a covered picnic area that can be rented out for parties. It can also be used freely when no parties are booked. One could make a day of this place but it's not a requirement to see everything.

such a beautiful park, i love the trails available very pretty views and everyone that travels is…read morenice. good for walking and biking.

Large neighborhood park with lots of use in the summer evenings…read more Nice newer play equipment including some accessible equipment. Street parking only. Nice gazebo & picnic tables for parties, cookout, etc. Small outbuilding with bathrooms (didn't check them out on our visit). Lots of younger kids playing basketball on our visit. Lots of room to roam. Not a fenced park but the traffic on nearby streets was very minimal and quiet.

A very nice park with lots to do and enjoy along with plenty trees for shade. ......................read more

This is a nice park. The playground is big, and there are a number of fun things to play on/with,…read moreincluding slides (multiple), bridges, a rock wall, tunnels and more. It's all very colorful and fun. There's also a splash pad with multiple water features, and it's located in a nice shady spot with benches all around. Shade! Around a splash pad! This seems to be a rare thing nowadays, but yes, there is shade here. As a parent, that's probably what I like this park: There is always somewhere shady to sit or stand. This park also had a gigantic roofed overhand area with benches for big parties. When we visited, there was a church party going on. There is also a little rain garden on the outer edge of the park, which was a welcome sight. I love when parks make the effort to incorporate native plants into their park spaces. It doesn't go unnoticed, and it's greatly appreciated! Potawatomi Park is directly outside of Potawatomi Zoo. The two share a parking lot, so it might be a drag to find parking on busy days.

My nieces + nephews and I decided to go on a hike on Saturday. Well, when we got there, they…read morechanged their minds and wanted to go home and get cozy. Not happening. So I took them out into the woods kicking and screaming ;) Auntie of the year! We compromised and made it a shorter hike but I enjoyed it! The trail we went on stayed mostly on the river and just slightly into the woods. Next time we'll go all in! The trails are well maintained and entry is only $4.

Reserved a shelter for our 30 year high school reunion. Best decision ever. There were plenty of…read moretables for us to feel comfortable. Group of about 50 people. We were close to a playground in Berta Shelter and restrooms were directly behind us. Restrooms were clean. Very pleased!

This was the first park I visited in the area and I am glad to say it allowed my visit to get off…read moreto a good start. This small park is located on the west end of a large number of riverside parks in Mishawaka. There is a small parking lot on the east side of the park. From the lot, you can pass through an arbor towards the gazebo in a round central area. The pathways are either paved or brick. Be aware that some of the brick is uneven and could use some attention, but I had no trouble walking comfortably across the few misaligned bricks. The park is very colorful with an assortment of flowers, shrubs and trees that take on many hues. Other than some fallen leaves/petals, the park was kept in pretty clean condition. One additional point of interest is the "Educators" statue near the roadside by local art instructor Harold Tuck Langland (2000). Review #3085

What a pretty garden, a small park packed with a quiet place to visit. Lots of benches and wide…read moresidewalks. Close to the river walk and a nice surprise when you cross the bridge.

Leeper Park always reminds me of Will. And kind of of Sheila, but mainly of Will. Will was sick…read more Esther and I visited him. Often. We got stuff from his apartment when he was in the hospital. This was long before Will moved to Philadelphia. This was long before Erin O. met Will. This was long before Erin O. told me about meeting Will, which wasn't long after Erin O. told me about meeting Aaron. I think Erin O. thought I was trying to set her up with Aaron, but I wasn't. Or maybe Aaron thought so. Aaron is Canadian and that's awesome. I was sort of trying to set Erin O. up with Will, but it didn't take, and that's fine. All of this was long before Erin O. married Jose. The park is spectacular. You can drive through it. You can feed ducks. It goes on and on, kind of like a September to remember, though not quite like a December to remember. Visit this park. Please. I will next time I visit South Bend with Esther, which could be in September. Or October. Hopefully, it will either be unseasonably warm or unseasonably cold. South Bend is best when the weather's not like it's supposed to be, either way. And when I lived in South Bend, I used to wonder whether Leeper park would have leepers if it had sand. You know, leepers, like in the Legend of Zelda? But those are leevers, and I made a mental fool of myself in my own mind for years.

Leeper is nice...the park os situated on either side of 31 on the south side of the bridge. There…read moreis a tennis complex on one side, where they offer an excellent and affordable childrens tennis program, as well as tennis for adults. It was recently remodeled and is in great shape. Near the tennis complex is a playground, a duck pond and some picnic tables. Across 31 there is park with a raceway island and a small beach. Its a nice place to take a walk and popular for salmon and steelhead fishing in the fall. Theres a garden and a log cabin replica on the east side of the park as well. The river in this location is fairly shallow wth rapids, my kids like to wade in the shallows when the water is low.

Incredibly disappointing that their boat rental is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Wish that…read morewould've been mentioned on their website. Not everybody has time on Saturdays or Sundays to come out here to rent on top of having to pay $7 to get into this park.

This was one of our first state parks to visit as new campers and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay!…read more They were so welcoming! Our campsite was well equipped and perfect for our family. The dump site was brand new and especially user friendly! The scenery was gorgeous. We were there a little late in the season, but the lake was still beautiful and we enjoyed watching all the wildlife.