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Gardena Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 345 Google reviews · Running trail in Michigan City, Indiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Gardena Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Municipal park with 3 basketball courts, 2 baseball fields & on-site restrooms.
What runners say about Gardena Park
“It's a nice clean park with separate play sets for small children and bigger kids.”
“Chain link fence dividing the road from play areas, plenty of shade.”
“Well kept park area with nice features for all ages.”
Very nice clean park with a walking track, has a couple sheltered picnic areas, nice swings for different ages and stages, no mulch or sand in play areas, it is a bouncy rubbery roof material so my toddler was comfortable playing. Chain link fence dividing the road from play areas, plenty of shade.
Personally I love the walking trail. Just wish they would fix some spots near the tree roots that have bumped up. Kids LOVE the new equipment to play on and my one year old loves the mommy and me swing they installed. This place is so much better now that they have upgraded the equipment.
We like Gardena Park and visit it at least once a week with my toddler. The playground is really nice and modern. I wish there was a gate at the entrance to keep little ones inside safely though. The walk is nice too.
Really clean bathrooms! (at least that day but I mean they were super clean). Nice park, good equipment, bring your own horseshoe pits, nice for walks and running. My kid gave it 5/5 lollipops?
Trail conditions & character
“Chain link fence dividing the road from play areas, plenty of shade.”
“come on ok an cook a few hot dogs or even have a party.”
“There seemed to be a working water fountain, although we brought our own water.”
Plan your run at Gardena Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Michigan City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ruby Woods
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Winding Creek Cove Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 88 reviews
Quiet park featuring trails for walking, biking, jogging and fishing.
Hansen Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 28 reviews
