Home › Indiana › Mishawaka › Merrifield Park
Merrifield Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 703 Google reviews · Running trail in Mishawaka, Indiana · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Merrifield 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.
Riverside park featuring athletic fields, a playground, swimming pool & an ice-skating rink.
What runners say about Merrifield Park
“Our friends used one for their daughters birthday party, and they were very clean and had plenty of room for everyone and it came with grill.”
“Beautiful park, playground was great for the kids, and we loved how shaded it was!”
This is a great park for families with a new playground area and small but nice splash pad. This park has been rehabbed over the last several years and they did a great job. There are covered picnic pavilions and a building for parties, receptions and get togethers.
This is probably our favorite playground in the area. Fun things to climb. Safe. Fast slides. Swings. And everything is shaded with a beautiful view of the river. There is also a paved walking trail that goes along the river. Lots of flowers and wildlife. Goldfinches. Monarchs. Swans.
Kids love this park and the river walk path is very pretty. Seasonal bathrooms very close by, overall a great park.
Such a great park, at least to walk your dog in, or to take a walk yourself. It's always been reasonably clean for something public, and it looks so nice and well kept up with.
Trail conditions & character
“There is also a paved walking trail that goes along the river.”
“Beautiful park, playground was great for the kids, and we loved how shaded it was!”
“Seasonal bathrooms very close by, overall a great park.”
“Such a great park, at least to walk your dog in, or to take a walk yourself.”
Plan your run at Merrifield Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemishawaka.in.gov
- Phone(574) 258-1664
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Mishawaka
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Crawford Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 188 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic tables, a volleyball court, and walking paths along the river.
Central Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,419 reviews
Varying-sized pavilions dot this park featuring a playground, splash pads and tennis courts.
Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 830 reviews
Scenic park & gardens offering a network of walking trails along the river & summer concerts.
Mishawaka Riverwalk
4.7 ★★★★★ 813 reviews
Clean, scenic park, playground and walking trail along the Riverwalk.
Battell Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,146 reviews
Riverside green space featuring a historic bandshell for summer concerts, plus picnic & play areas.
Kamm Island Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 374 reviews
7.5-acre green space offering riverside fishing areas, walking trails & fields for picnic & events.