What elkhart county parks does

Elkhart County Parks is a county government parks department that operates and maintains a network of 12 parks and historical destinations encompassing more than 1,500 acres across North Central Indiana. The system includes nature preserves (Boot Lake, Lieber, River Preserve, Corson Riverwoods), multi-use parks (Bonneyville Mill, Ox Bow, Cobus Creek), the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, the Elkhart County Historical Museum, DeFries Gardens with the renovated DeFries Homestead, and Treasure Island. Core offerings divide into four categories: outdoor recreation across diverse ecosystems; environmental and historical interpretive programs (Bug Night, Bird Walks, Nature Nuts, Trail Trekkers, Summer Astronomy, Yoga in the Park, Creatures of the Night); reservable facilities for events, gatherings, weddings, and school field trips; and preservation of historical assets including an 1830s water-powered mill, a 19th-century homestead, a one-room schoolhouse, and an 1834 log cabin currently in storage for restoration.

The underlying technology stack is modest and operational rather than differentiated. All facility reservations, program registrations, and event bookings are processed through the RecDesk platform. Google Maps is embedded for wayfinding, and the Instagram feed is integrated into the homepage for community engagement. No proprietary software, data platforms, or AI systems are disclosed. The organization runs a content marketing operation via its website blog, a Compass Guide email newsletter, and an active Instagram presence.

Revenue mechanics combine three streams. First, transactional fees from park entry ($3-$5/vehicle), program fees ($2-$20/person), and facility rentals (shelters $75-$230, premium venues $175-$500, Museum Auditorium $375, DeFries Homestead $300-$500). Second, voluntary donations and legacy gifts channeled through the Friends of Elkhart County Parks support organization. Third, primary funding flows from county government appropriations, since the entity is a public department rather than a standalone nonprofit. The go-to-market motion is community-oriented and event-driven: 40+ event types, school partnerships, and cross-promotional relationships with the Elkhart Public Library and Elkhart Environmental Center drive visitor engagement, reaching 325,000+ visitors annually.

Name

elkhart county parks

Legal name

Elkhart County Parks

Website

https://elkhartcountyparks.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Elkhart County Parks is a county government department that operates 12 parks and historical destinations across 1,500+ acres in North Central Indiana, serving 325,000+ annual visitors with outdoor recreation, environmental education, historical interpretation, and reservable event facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Public parks recreation
• Environmental education programs
• Historic site preservation
• Nature preserve management
• Facility rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Goshen

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Park Entry and Facility Fees: Revenue generated from shelter rentals, facility reservations, program fees, and vehicle entry charges across 12 county parks and the Elkhart County Historical Museum.
2. Donations and Friends of ECP: Voluntary donations, legacy gifts, and support through the Friends of Elkhart County Parks organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Elkhart County Parks manages a 1,500+ acre public park system across 12 parks, nature preserves, and historical sites in North Central Indiana, providing outdoor recreation, environmental and historical interpretive programs, reservable shelters and facilities, and school education programs. It operates the Elkhart County Historical Museum, the historic 1830s Bonneyville Mill, the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Boot Lake Nature Preserve, and various other parks, generating revenue through park entry fees, facility rentals, program fees, and donations.

Product overview

Elkhart County Parks is a park system operating over 1,500 acres across North Central Indiana, serving more than 325,000 visitors annually. The organization offers a portfolio of parks and natural preserves (including Bonneyville Mill County Park, Ox Bow County Park, Cobus Creek County Park, Boot Lake Nature Preserve, Corson Riverwoods, River Preserve County Park, Lieber Nature Preserve, and Treasure Island), historical sites (Elkhart County Historical Museum, DeFries Gardens with the DeFries Homestead, Bonneyville Mill historic water-powered flour mill, Baldwin One Room Schoolhouse), interpretive nature programs and events (Bug Night, Bird Walks, Nature Nuts, Trail Trekkers, Creatures of the Night, Summer Astronomy, Yoga in the Park), and reservable facilities (shelters, campfires, the Museum Auditorium, and DeFries Homestead for events and micro-weddings). Additional offerings include the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, disc golf at Ox Bow, and school/educator programs. All facility and program reservations are managed through the RecDesk platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bonneyville Mill County Park Historic county park featuring a water-powered flour mill from the 1830s, hiking trails, an observation tower, and multiple reservable shelters (Feedlot, Briar Patch, Meadow, Lookout, Kum Mol Rie, and Baldwin One Room Schoolhouse) for visitors and event organizers.
• Ox Bow County Park County park with education and recreation opportunities, multiple reservable shelters (Stable, Ox Bow Haus, Honey Locust, Fisherman's Camp, Black Maple, Coffee Tree, Hickory Hill Chapel, Cottonwood), Red Pines Campfire, and a dedicated disc golf course with Disc Golf Sanctuary.
• Cobus Creek County Park Park with woodland trails, sunny prairies, and waterways featuring the Cobus Creek Shelter (with electricity), hiking trails, a playground, restrooms, and a Sensory Garden for visitors of all abilities.
• Pumpkinvine Nature Trail Historic railway trail combining rural landscapes with modern recreation opportunities for hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts.
• Boot Lake Nature Preserve 300-acre nature preserve featuring prairie, forest, and wetland ecosystems for nature exploration, hiking, and wildlife observation.
• Elkhart County Historical Museum Museum featuring unique collections, exhibits, and the Our Waters exhibit, with the Museum Auditorium (a historic 1920s gymnasium) available for reservations for events and gatherings.
• Corson Riverwoods County Park Newest county park featuring meadow areas, wooded trails, the Pollinator Playpath for children, and the Corson Shelter overlooking a native wildflower prairie.
• River Preserve County Park 350-acre preserve along the Elkhart River corridor with Benton Dam, Baintertown Shelter, and hiking trails; future site for the relocated 1834 log cabin restoration.
• DeFries Gardens Gardens featuring the newly renovated 19th-century DeFries Homestead, a historic home with ADA-accessible amenities available for events and micro-weddings.
• Lieber Nature Preserve Nature preserve within the Elkhart County Parks system offering nature-based recreation and exploration.
• Treasure Island Park destination within the Elkhart County Parks system offering outdoor recreation.
• Interpretive Programs and Events Nature education programs including Bug Night, Bird Walks, Nature Nuts (preschool), Trail Trekkers, Hiking Club, Trail Running Club, Yoga in the Park, Summer Astronomy, Creatures of the Night series, Streams of Power, and Books & Boots (in partnership with Elkhart Public Library), offered across the park system for individuals, families, and children.
• Facility Reservations Rentable shelters, campfires, and facilities across all parks for events, gatherings, weddings, and recreation, with reservations managed through the RecDesk online platform.
• School Programs and Trips Curriculum-aligned educational programs for schools and educators including field trips to parks and the Elkhart County Historical Museum, and teacher appreciation events.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elkhart Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Books & Boots program - a book club for kids ages 8-12 that combines library book discussions with park-led environmental activities including hikes and live animal presentations.
• Elkhart Environmental CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pedal into the Past bike tours along the Elkhart River, combining natural and cultural history education with scenic rides to Studebaker Park.
• Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic SiteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGuest speaker Tiffany Parker from the state historic site presents on Gene Stratton-Porter's life and legacy as Indiana's beloved naturalist and author.
• Bristol Fire DepartmentminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCuriosity Club preschool program visits the fire department for tours, story time, crafts, and snacks as part of civics education about community helpers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Forest Preserves of Cook County: Large county-level forest preserve district near Chicago managing 70,000+ acres. Operates a much larger portfolio but follows a similar county-government parks and conservation model with educational programming and facility rentals.
• Indiana Department of Natural Resources (Indiana State Parks): State-level operator of32+ state parks and reservoirs across Indiana. Broader incumbent in the same parks and outdoor recreation space, offering overlapping outdoor experiences and educational programs but at a larger geographic scale.

Direct peers

• Macomb County Parks: Michigan county parks system operating waterfront parks, nature areas, and recreation facilities. Comparable as another Midwest county government parks operator offering recreation and event-hosting services.
• St. Joseph County Parks: Northern Indiana county parks system operating properties such as St. Patrick's County Park and Bendix Woods. Comparable peer delivering similar county-government park management, facility reservations, and educational programming.
• Hamilton County Parks and Recreation: Indiana county parks system operating parks, nature areas, and recreational facilities across Hamilton County. Directly comparable as another Indiana county government entity delivering similar park-based recreation and education services.
• Lake County Forest Preserves: Illinois county forest preserve district managing30,000+ acres with hiking, education, and historic site operations. Comparable mission, governance structure, and programming breadth as a county-government conservation entity.
• Three Rivers Park District: Minnesota park district operating 27 parks and nature reserves with extensive educational programming and reservable facilities. Comparable operating model focused on nature-based recreation, education, and event hosting.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts-based nonprofit conservation organization managing 120+ properties including historic homes, gardens, and natural landscapes. Comparable in operating preserves with historic structures, educational programming, and visitor/reservation infrastructure.
• Allen County Parks (Indiana): Northeast Indiana county parks system with parks, nature preserves, and recreational programming. Closely comparable peer given shared Indiana geography, county-government structure, and similar park-and-preserve service mix.

Regional players

• Genesee County Parks: Michigan county parks system operating parks, recreation areas, and nature preserves. Comparable in mission and operating model (county-government parks) though serving a different regional geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/elkhartcountyparks
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElkhartCountyParks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elkhartcountyparks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about elkhart county parks