City asks students to help unveil remodeled Crawford Park in Mishawaka

MISHAWAKA — Zander Harris and his little brother, Declan, climbed like seasoned veterans inside the new playground equipment Thursday morning at Crawford Park.

Their mother, Sarah, said the family was anxious to try out the spot as the city dedicated the park's first phase of renovations.

"It was worth it," Zander said as he saw his mother standing by the slide he had just exited.

Its beginnings: Mishawaka reimagines Crawford Park; asks for public comment

With the help of Beiger Elementary School sixth-grade students, the group assisted in unveiling the new splash pad, playground equipment and other upgrades to Crawford Park as part of a total project that will transform the park in the future into a natural lowland wetlands facility.

Mayor Dave Wood, in thanking the many people for the work in bringing the park upgrades, said the park's namesake, Don Crawford, had discussed the park and the fact that it would support an arboretum and that it's location near the St. Joseph River made it a prime spot for developing lowland wetlands.

Nancy Crawford, Don's wife, was in attendance with other family members and helped to cut the ribbon at the event.

"Don saw this area as being a natural area, an arboretum, for natural native plants, trees and also a lowland wetlands," Wood said. "What you will see to our south is lowland wetlands kind of areas, boardwalks, some shelters. You'll see some basketball coming and some natural connections over to the Riverwalk."

Jacob Crawford, the city's director of landscaping and forestry, is Don's grandson. He said Thursday that he was excited to have a project that reflected his grandparents' longtime dedication to the city's natural environment and other civic projects.

Jacob Crawford cited the Crawfords' stewardship of nature with The Res, the privately-held nature preserve. The Crawfords also developed the city's sister city relationship with Shiojiri, Japan, and that effort brought about Shiojiri Gardens, a natural portion of the park that celebrates the ties made by the two cities.

He said the future plans for the lowland wetlands areas will tie in with his work in maintaining all of the city's vegetation, and he expects the city will further develop the partnerships with local universities and other horticultural groups when the park gets developed.

Making parks accessible

Phil Blasko, the city's parks superintendent, described the city's efforts in making sure all park upgrades are handicapped accessible, and he outlined the many features in the Crawford Park project.

All areas of the playground have surfaces that are amenable for wheelchairs, and there also is an "accessible whirl," a piece of equipment that will allow children in wheelchairs to take part,

Musical pieces will cater to people with sensory or visual challenges, Blasko said, and much of the wooden climbers are unconventional that will allow children to play on them creatively.

Meanwhile, the Crawford Park upgrade ceremony is one of four park improvement projects the city currently is planning to celebrate or has announced. The others include:

■ "The Mish" pocket park: The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council planned and developed a small park at First and Main streets, next to City Hall. It features a selfie spot where the users become the "I" in the word "Mish" and has a wall mural of the St. joseph River, seating, a bike rack and informational displays.

More: City to dedicate veterans walkway Saturday at Battell Park

■ Expansion of Veterans Walkway at Battell Park: The city unveils its new "eternal flame" monument and walkway on Memorial Day weekend, honoring Mishawaka military veterans who lost their lives in the nation's wars. a new monument with the names of the people who died during their tours of duty will accompany a new walkway west of the current Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Sixteen LED-lighted glass informational signs also will feature the efforts and contributions Mishawakans have made to efforts in protecting the nation during times of war.

■ Rose Park improvements — The city is working to finish the first phase of upgrades to the West End's Rose Park. While it will include a new splash pad, playground, shelter and walking paths, a second phase to begin this year includes the only outdoor Belgian bowling courts in the area, bocce ball lanes, a wiffle ball field and pickleball courts.

Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: City dedicates renovated Crawford Park in Mishawaka