Dinah Washington Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dinah Washington Park is located in South Bend, Indiana, and is named after the famous jazz singer, Dinah Washington, who was born in the city.


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Summary

The park offers a variety of outdoor recreation activities, including a playground, picnic areas, basketball courts, and walking paths.

One of the main points of interest in the park is a memorial to Dinah Washington, which includes a life-sized statue of the singer and a plaque detailing her achievements. The park also has a small amphitheater, which is used for various events throughout the year.

In addition to its recreational offerings, Dinah Washington Park has historical significance as the site of the former Studebaker automobile factory. Visitors can see the remaining factory buildings and learn about the impact of the Studebaker company on the city's economy and culture.

The best time of year to visit Dinah Washington Park is during the summer months when the weather is mild, and outdoor activities are in full swing. However, the park is open year-round and offers seasonal events, such as holiday light displays during the winter months.

Overall, Dinah Washington Park is a great destination for those looking for outdoor recreation, historical exploration, and a tribute to a legendary jazz singer.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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