Overview
The City of Mishawaka commissioned DLZ to develop a park master plan for Battell Park, including relocation of its historic 1884 Soldiers’ Monument, designing a new Veterans plaza and walk, adding a playground, splash pad, and various overlook areas. This 1860s park is on the National Register of Historic Places requiring careful consideration of the historical impact.
Process
Following completion of the master plan, DLZ provided landscape architectural and engineering services to develop design documents for constructing the multi-phase project, including coordination with subconsultants for monument restoration, arborist services to preserve mature trees, geotechnical investigation, and irrigation design.
DLZ’s landscape architecture team served as project manager from the initial master plan to construction completion of all phases to date, overseeing the consultant team of civil and structural engineers, as well as coordinating with geotechnical, arborist and irrigation subconsultants, and client-held contracts for specialty interpretive features. The landscape architectural team developed the master plan and prepared layout, grading, and planting plans, construction details, and 3D graphics for client coordination and marketing purposes.
Results
In 2017, the first improvements from the masterplan included new Riverwalk masonry signage and a seating area overlooking the St. Joseph River and Downtown Mishawaka. Dedicated to a prominent Mishawaka resident, Rosemary’s Garden included custom swings, decorative pavement, stone retaining walls, lighting, and landscape plantings.
In 2019, the restoration of the Soldier’s Monument sculpture and development of the new plaza and entry space were undertaken. The plaza consists of a gathering space located at an axis of the adjacent street network with an array of U.S. military flags bordered by low stone walls and landscape plantings. This area is utilized for Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations, allowing room for a stage and power connection for amplification. A walkway between the stone walls links this space with the relocated and refurbished Soldiers’ Monument on a new granite base engraved with four Civil War battles in which Mishawaka residents served.
In 2023, a new playground and spray pad area was developed within a mature canopy of trees near the park’s historic Bandshell. This underutilized area is now activated with a new playground with turf safety surfacing providing play for all abilities with a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round and activity panels featuring braille and sign language. The existing spray pad was replaced with a larger installation with small interactive features targeted towards younger children and larger sprays and moving features for older children.
In 2024, the Veterans Walk and new memorial were added to serve as a powerful tribute to honor the fallen soldiers who have served in all wars since the Revolutionary War. Extending memorial space to the west, the Veterans Walk consists of permeable pavers and concrete banding, punctuated by light bollards, seating and a series of custom interpretive features. The flow allows users to step through time as they read historical data about each war and conflict and learn about the contributions of the City’s industry and veterans. The 16 custom etched glass, LED and stainless-steel interpretive displays are set within an allly of trees which helps to focus the user experience, provide separation from Mishawaka Avenue and draw the eye to the new Veterans Memorial.
The west terminus is a circular granite monument exhibiting the names of all Mishawaka residents who perished in conflicts. It is topped with an eternal flame and the laser cut mantra ‘The Light Remains’. As stated aptly in the City’s dedication announcement, this represents “the undying honor and remembrance owed to veterans for their service and sacrifices…the continuous acknowledgement of their courage and dedication, ensuring that their contributions are never forgotten.
Both memorial spaces were dedicated with community gatherings featuring veterans’ groups, an honor guard, a 100-year-old War II veteran, and many members of the general public. These new spaces celebrate and reflect on the importance of those past and present who serve our country with pride.
