Mill Race Park

Mill Race Park
50 Carl Miske Drive Columbus, IN 47201

Mill Race Park is an 85-acre riverfront park that has been recognized by Landscape Management as one of the top 100 parks in the nation for design, reputation, and accessibility. Designed by celebrated landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, with structures by Stanley Saitowitz, the park blends thoughtful design with natural beauty.

Features include an 84-foot observation tower, a historic covered bridge, people trails, two lakes for fishing, picnic shelters, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, and an amphitheater that hosts concerts and performances.

Located in an oxbow bend of the Flatrock River in downtown Columbus, the park was once an industrial site prone to flooding. Rather than resist the natural annual floods, Van Valkenburgh’s design embraces them, incorporating resilient materials and flood-adapted features such as raised restrooms, an elevated playground, and a bermed amphitheater. Native grasses and trees enhance the landscape’s durability while maintaining a natural aesthetic.

Meet the Architect

Related Content