Riverwalk Commons & Nibco Water & Ice Park

The City of Elkhart commissioned JPR, in collaboration with another architecture firm, to design the extension of Riverwalk Commons — a park located along the eastern bank of the Elkhart River in downtown Elkhart.

The Master Plan process was highly collaborative and included meetings with a steering committee, public input sessions, and internal design team workshops. These discussions helped identify key priorities such as accommodating community events like the Elkhart Jazz Festival, addressing environmental considerations, planning for potential adjacent developments, and strengthening connections to existing bike paths and downtown businesses.

The project includes a variety of enhancements, such as a pedestrian underpass, riverfront edge improvements, scenic overlooks, retaining walls, custom landscaping, water features, decorative railings, and a new lighting system. Importantly, the design also connects the park to the award-winning NIBCO Water and Ice Park, another project in which JPR played a key role.

A standout feature of the park is its 14-foot-wide, winding ice skating path — the first of its kind in the nation. The facility includes three buildings that house amenities such as a concession stand, warming room, skate rental area, and an equipment room for the refrigeration system. During warmer months, the skating path transforms into a splash pad and serves as a venue for small events. Impressively, the concrete surface contains approximately eight miles of embedded refrigerant piping, allowing for efficient ice formation.