Great park with plenty of space, the 4th of July event does get very busy with many kids so make sure to get there early and bring some blankets or chairs to hang out! read more

Howard Park - South Bend - Skating Rinks Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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While Golden Gate Park might have the greatest free children's playground in the world (https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-gate-park-childrens-playground-san-francisco?osq=Koret+Childrens+Quarter), recently renovated Howard Park in South Bend, Indiana, comes in a photo-finish close second. And if I'm being honest, Howard Park makes much more interesting use of its physical geography than Golden Gate Park does with that single playground, so the nod may go to Mayor Pete's hometown. It gives me so much hope that architects and landscape architects and engineers are still willing to build public areas that are both functional and physically attractive. The playground part of the park incorporates so many wonderful and unusual elements. Just when you think you can't be surprised again, you get surprised again. All of my nieces and nephews are older now, but I wish this place had existed in 2014 so that I could have brought their young selves to explore it in its entirety. So that's the playground. Like twelve stars out of five. The rest of the park is well maintained and laid out nicely. There are areas to picnic or just lounge and enjoy the weather in the summer. I know, I know, South Bend has bad weather for much of the year. But you know what? You could do a lot worse than coming to the nearby farmers market to pick something up for a late-breakfast/early-lunch picnic at Howard Park before a Notre Dame football game on a crisp autumn Saturday. Thanks, South Bend politicians and city employees, one-and-all. (I'd thank Mayor Pete, but I don't know whether he played any part in this project, and I'm still a little annoyed with him for having moved to Michigan--once you're elected mayor of somewhere, I feel like you should live there the rest of your life if you can.) Who says the Midwest can't have nice things? read more

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What a nice park in the heart of South Bent. This is an awesome clean park with lots to do!!! There is really something for everyone: A large safe playground and splash area let's kids enjoy their time at the park, lots of green space invites to relax or play frisbee or ball. The park is dog friendly and you can walk with your doggy throughout the park or by the river. The park also offers Wi-Fi, public restrooms and a snack stand. read more

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Howard Park is a beautiful, modern area with so many options: there's multiple parks for different age groups, ice skating rink (in the winter), picnic benches, wobble chairs, mommy and me swings, restaurant, community center, etc. There's always people around: at 7am, there's people walking their dogs or doing yoga on the lawn. At 9pm, there's people leaving the restaurant or grabbing an ice cream across the street. There's always events going on here so there's always people! Go meet your neighbors:) This is a very family oriented and family friendly park! There's something for everyone! read more

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Very nice park with something for almost everyone. Very big playground; lots of variety of stuff and very safe. I went in the summer and the fountains were really nice. Paved trail along the St. Joseph River that is not too long and goes beyond the park. Has several sculptures and grassy areas big enough to toss a frisbee around. Inside is ice skating and a few places to eat/drink. read more

I am so impressed with my hometown! This is not the Howard Park we grew up with. The park underwent a 18 million dollar renovation and is now a South Bend landmark. We went ice skating on a Friday night and had a ball! But be fairly wanted my friends - those small hills will get you going! There is a South Bend Chocolate Café that offers light snacks and beverages. It is a 'to go' café location with a counter area where you order. After you get your hot chocolate you can gather around one of the several fire pits. These aren't your average fire pits. These are next level fancy and actually keep you warm! During the non winter months the ice skating area converts to a play structure. It looks like there are many events that are regularly hosted on site. So fun! The Public House had just opened so I'll check them out (and add more photos!) next time I am up visiting my family. I highly recommend checking it out if you find yourself in the area! read more

Howard Park - South Bend - Skating Rinks Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

What a beautiful park! The playground for the kids had awesome climbing structures, slides and swings. There are beautiful walking paths along the river and benches to view the beautiful scenery. Parking was easy and plentiful. I would definitely recommend visiting Howard Park! read more

Howard Park - South Bend - Skating Rinks Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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So nice! We went today and it was amazing! The atmosphere is amazing . The ice rink has a big loop around a playground that is so fun! They also have an open ice rink that is small it was closed today for painting on the rink and that was so fun! read more

3.5 stars. We came here on a Saturday afternoon after going to the zoo. The place was PACKED. Lots of adults and children (most unmasked and there is NOT enough room to socially distance on the play ground area). There were just large groups of children crowded into one small space. The play ground area has 3 "sections." One section has a large tower that can be climbed into, slides that go down a large hill to where there a balance balls and a twisted metal climbing sculpture with hand holds. The middle is the swings and the "merry go round." Then an "american ninja warrior" style playground in the middle with rope nets, hoops to climb through, balls on ropes etc. Closest to the water feature is the 2-5 year old playground which has some of the features as the other sections just on a smaller scale. There is a restaurant by the splash pad. There were fire pits and lots of green space for picnicking or kite flying. There is a nice trail by the river. We enjoyed our time there even though it was short due to the sheer number of people there. read more

Howard park has a lot to offer and I believe they do a good job. The winter ice ribbon is great and kept well. In summertime the kids play area is great and gives kids a lot of room to run around. The field area as a whole is nice for walking around, safe, and has some great festivals during the summer. I have not visited the pub but the south bend chocolate vending by the ice rink is cute. Could be better but it's nice to have. In all it's a great park and a wonderful addition to the area. read more

Theres some.kinks to work out. The Zamboni took an hour...I have been involved with hockey for 45 years and spend literaly every weekend in a hockey arena...I have never seen a Zamboni go that slow. Paying to get in was slow as well...there were only 10 people ahead of us and it took awhile. It is beautiful and nice though. The design is amazing. The warming area...the playground....everything is really really nice. I got to skate over a bridge made of ice so thats off my bucket list. We had a great time, theres a wonderful view of the riverlights, The South Bend chocolate company hass a cafe and theres soon to be a full restaurant that operates year round attached to the warming area. South Bend Parks did a wonderful job! read more

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Great Ice, Friendly Staff, and awesome scenic skating ribbon. Great park and skating for kids. Double blades for little ones and sleds to hold you up if you haven't skated. read more

Howard Park - South Bend - Inside Lobby Outside Park and Skating Ribbon. - Skating Rinks Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

it's fun to play with friends and Family. they also had hot chocolate and ice cream so if you need a drink you can you get it. i would recommend you to go here is the winter. It's amazing. read more

Nice new facilities. Zamboni takes 45 minutes and the ice is still incredibly rough. Rink guards all hanging out inside for 20 minutes after Zamboni was done while crowd of skaters waiting. Rink staff very rude and unprofessional, don't want to be there. Rink charges $10 whether you have own skates or not. Avoid the new Howard - better to go to open skate at ND. read more

Beautiful park, great for children and adults. There is a restaurant over looking the splash pad and play area. Small menu, solid food and cold beer! read more

Beautiful renovated park. The old park felt like a haven for gangs and drug deals. This one is a safe and fun place to take the whole family. One of the few gems in South Bend. read more

I have lots of wonderful memories of Howard Park ice rink. Eating a pizza at barnabys and going skating when I was in high school was a perfect way to spend a Friday night. One of the first times I made out with a girl was after skating there. Great times were had. I have been revisiting this outdoor rink lately because my little girl loves to go skating and we live close by. Here are some of the bright spots and not so good elements of The rink -the rink itself is in good shape and the lobby/bathrooms are very clean -rental skates are in good shape -only 5$ to skate for 3 hours -very rude staff. Especially the older woman with gray hair. They don't act like they appreciate your business and are very pushy. Knocked on the locked door because I needed some skates sharpened and was welcome by the older lady with a very shitty "we don't open till 7." I asked if I could please get my skates sharpened and she gave me several reasons why I shouldn't. I have had several other dealings with this woman and she is always rude. Rest of the staff seems to be the same way. -way too many foul mouthed teenagers on Friday nights. They run in packs and will run over your little kids. Howard Park is fun night for the family if you can deal with the rude staff and you don't get knocked over while skating by a wolf pack of teenagers. read more

The renovated park is much better than it's predecessor. The fieldhouse is a nice looking building and there's a huge playground..but in the age of COVID it looks like a big petri dish! From all the hype, I expected something much nicer. Too much pavement, almost all the area surrounding the fieldhouse is concrete. Once you get beyond the fieldhouse and playground it's all pretty hohum. Nice try but rather disappointing. read more

Howard Park ice Rink is a family classic. You can go there with your family or friends, get some great exercise, have a ton of fun and not spend a whole lot of money. Howard Park is THE place to go to enjoy South Bend at it's finest. read more