Miami Monkey Island — Attraction in Mishawaka

Nice little tucked away park. You used to have to just "know" it was here to find it, but now it is marked on the map. Great place for a picnic, or to fish or hammock. Popular boat launch spot for locals. During the summer there are always a few people here fishing.

Now, a word of caution: The park is at the end of a long dead end road, one way in, one way out. So just be cautious if you are there by yourself, use common sense. During the summer I would sometimes see some sketchy looking cars drive in and out without stopping, almost like they were checking to see if anyone was there. Sometimes 1 car, sometimes groups of 2-3 cars. In all likely hood it is probably people just looking for a place to smoke in privacy - but it has always made me slightly uneasy, given the dead-end nature of the park. Again, this is a very safe area, but you need to always be cautious and aware of your environment and surroundings. For this reason I would recommend not staying here if you are alone, and no one else...

Sweet little hidden gem! Driving there, it feels like you must be a local to find it! I love this quiet little place. I took a little person there today and she was enthralled with the river, geese and ducks. The stone bridge is beautiful and unusual. The parking lot is a bit lumpy from excessive flooding and rain but not horrible. NO low riders here! There is a boat ramp that is used often but it only allows one to boat from Capital street dam to the Cental park dam (just west of the Cedar St bridge). There is fishing allowed. A few picnic tables are available. Watch out for some fruit trees with heavy...

Is that what it's called? Okay, well let me get this out of the way first: the Mishawaka Police Department should patrol the island regularlarly, AND put up cameras and signs. My young son and I go there a bit, and it is hard to escape the notion that people cruise the island looking for something - maybe drugs? Other than that it's a lovely off the beaten path place to go have a picnic, read, play catch or launch a boat. I real enjoy the getaway feeling of it....