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John A. Stefek Park
3.9 ★★★★☆ 94 Google reviews · Running trail in Merrillville, Indiana · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from John A. Stefek 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.
Laid-back outdoor space featuring a playground, a baseball field and a gazebo.
What runners say about John A. Stefek Park
“Nice and clean, and has a rubber-like platform for kids to play on instead of rocks or wooden shards.”
“Good area, they took out the courts and some other stuff but its pretty nice and peaceful.”
I took my family to this nice little park to enjoy an afternoon out. The positives: there is a nice playground. It's not big, but it is new and the equipment they have is nice. My kids really enjoyed climbing on the rope web and using the slides and swings.
Nice walk path. Park lacked seating and enough kids playground equipment but they seemed to enjoy what was there. Quiet neighborhood.
Good area, they took out the courts and some other stuff but its pretty nice and peaceful. Theres a playground and plenty of field for kids. The gazebo or pavilion, whatever it's called is still there. So ppl can sit comfortably, and then there's a nice bike trail to take a walk or ride
Very cute park! spacious & clean in a great area. Has a gazebo and baseball field. Needs a bathroom though. It connects to the bike trail so people travel a few miles and need a bathroom close by
Trail conditions & character
“Good area, they took out the courts and some other stuff but its pretty nice and peaceful.”
“anyway, 4 stars because there's a basketball court there - except the hoops have no back-boards and the concrete border is ugly and cracked.”
Plan your run at John A. Stefek Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitemerrillville.in.gov
- Phone+1 219-980-5911
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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