The city of Mishawaka is full of rich history and memories that the community holds near and dear to their hearts. Mishawaka’s history inspires Mayor Dave Wood, who grew up creating memories within the city. Mayor Wood has a personal connection to Rose Park, a 100-year-old park built during the Great Depression.
In 1999, Mayor Wood’s first campaign promise was Rose Park’s renovation. Twenty-five years later, he coordinated the park’s improvements while also paying homage to its history. Italian and Belgian immigrants lived in the neighborhood surrounding the park. Mayor Wood is of Belgian descent, and he wanted to include features to honor the heritage Rose Park holds.
“To me, this was my home park. When I think about my youth, I spent a lot of time here at this park,” says Mayor Dave Wood. “So, I carried that love of this park into public service.”
Mayor Wood and the Mishawaka Parks Department celebrated phase one of Rose Park’s grand reopening. The newly improved park was honored with a ribbon-cutting on July 9th, 2024, held from 1-2 pm at 1501 South West Street.
The newly renovated Rose Park includes all the assets necessary for outdoor entertainment! Phase one of Rose Park features a playground for children ages 2-12 to play on. The playground includes cubes instead of stairs and a huge slide. Phase one also includes walking paths for adults and families to explore, a splash pad for toddlers and teenagers to cool off, a pavilion, and a gazebo. Phase two will be completed before the year is over and will include bocce ball, Belgium bowling, a cottage with a patio for gatherings, and a pickleball court.
Phase one of Rose Park will be a grand addition to Mishawaka Parks. Rose Park is full of history and will be a testament to the growth Mishawaka has experienced as a city. Rose Park will provide community engagement and memories for all to keep. Once completed, Rose Park will promote a stronger sense of community for years to come.
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