Donation Options - Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

Memorial Program

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Memorial Program Information

Add to the beauty of your favorite park or trail and honor a loved one simultaneously with the help of our memorial tree donation program. Choose a tree from our approved list with either a deed to commemorate your donation or a memorial stone placed near the tree with your message.

The new tree will have an approximate 1.5” diameter trunk and be approximately 6-8’ tall, depending on the species. The attached list names trees we can plant which generally have high availability, are sturdy, long lived, disease resistant, and beautiful. Please make your request from that list. The Landscape Supervisor will consider your request on the species chosen and make the final decision on what species will be planted based on site conditions, availability, and/or appearance. You will be contacted before planting if a species that differs from your choice will be used. View Approved Memorial Tree List

Not all parks and/or areas of parks are open to the tree memorial program. Aside from these areas, customer preference will be considered. However, the Landscape Supervisor will make the final decision on the location. You will be contacted before planting if a different location must be used.

Applications are due by July 1^st so trees can be planted between October and December of that year, weather permitting. Applications received after July 1^st will be planted the following fall planting season.

Memorial Trees have a 5-year replacement guarantee. If a tree should die within 5 years of its planting date, please notify the Landscape Supervisor, and it will be replaced the following planting season.

Tree with Deed: A parchment Memorial Deed bound in a padded portfolio will be provided to the donor as a permanent record of this special tree’s location and significance. The deed provides GPS information to locate the tree. The tree donation with a deed is $500. View Order Form for Memorial Tree with Deed

Tree with Marker: Should you choose the marker option with the tree, the permanent dedication marker is made of polished light gray granite. The stone markers (6”x12”x4”) are set into the earth so the surface is flush with the ground. The exposed surface is 6” x 12”, with the inscription sandblasted into the granite. The inscription may be up to three lines with 16 spaces per line. Symbols are not permitted. The tree donation with a marker is $700. View Order Form for Memorial Tree with Marker

Memorial Bench: Perhaps there is a specific area in your favorite park or trail where you find yourself lingering and wishing for a seat. You could turn that wish into reality by donating a park bench. The Parks and Recreation Department’s Landscape Supervisor will assist in choosing the location of the bench. The bench will be 6’ long, black in color, with cast-iron legs and a rubber-coated slat-style seat and back. It will be mounted on top of a 7’x4’ concrete pad. A permanent dedication stone marker (6”x12”x4”), made of polished light gray granite, will be embedded into the concrete pad when it is poured. The exposed surface is 6” x 12”, with the inscription sandblasted into the granite. The inscription may be up to three lines with 16 spaces per line. Symbols are not permitted. The bench donation is $2,500. View Order Form for Memorial Bench

Questions about the Memorial Program? Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department’s Landscape Supervisor (Eric Ummel, 260-427-6402).

LAKESIDE ROSE GARDEN

The rose gardens of Lakeside Park have a national reputation as an All-American Rose Selection (AARS) and are beloved by the citizens of Fort Wayne. Yet in the past few years, the park has lost more than 300 rose bushes due to the very cold and wet winters and springs. Donations are now being accepted to benefit the Lakeside Rose Garden. If you are interested you can download the Memorial Rose Order form and submit with your check or money order.

Support Our Parks

Support Our Parks - Donate Today!

Please consider making a donation to add to the beauty and fun of Fort Wayne’s Parks and Recreation parks and programs. For additional information on any of the current donation options, contact Rob Hines at 260-427-6028 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Or you can donate right now at our Donate Now page.

Here are a few of the exciting programs and projects that could use your support.

Franke Park Renaissance

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Franke Park is one of Fort Wayne’s most significant cultural and ecological resources. Established in 1921, the park has served the recreational needs of the community and the region for nearly 100 years. In 1926, Arthur Shurtleff created a “General Plan” for the park, and while the plan was never fully implemented, portions of it have formed the park we know today.

In spite of its tremendous success, the park suffers from a number of challenges, including flooding, parking, foot traffic circulation and wayfinding. The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department knew that these challenges must be addressed through the development of a master plan so that the community may continue to enjoy Franke Park for the next 100 years.

The Franke Park Renaissance Project is currently in Phase I with more phases planned over the next several years. You can learn more about the Franke Park Renaissance here, and you can help support this transformative project for Fort Wayne’s largest park by donating today.

Buckner Park Trail

Phase I of the Buckner Park Trail was completed in 2023 and we are looking forward to continuing this exciting trail upgrade for the park. This project includes the construction of an extensive asphalt paved trail into the park. This trail will connect area residents to the park via the newly constructed pedestrian trail on Bass Road. It will cross the landscape on the southern end of the park, leading trail users north past the existing pavilion, playground and splash pad, towards the naturally wooded area on the parks northern half. Here, the 8’ wide paved trail will cross three small streams before transitioning into a trail loop, winding through forest and field before returning to the stream crossing.

Users will be invited to pause and sit alongside the trail and stream on newly installed benches, observing the natural flora and fauna. In addition, the project will aim to remove invasive species along the trail and stream corridors, and introduce native plantings in an effort to increase wildlife habitat and enhance the natural aesthetic.

Spy Run Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project

In 2019, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation completed a portion of the Spy Run Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project in an effort to improve stream bank stability, decrease erosion, increase flood storage capacity, and provide improved recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat in Franke Park. In partnership with the Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council, Indiana Deptartment of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this stretch of stream bank was restored through the use of a number of design and construction methods. The project has a direct positive impact on water quality; not only is pollution decreased and habitat enhanced for Spy Run Creek, but also downstream in the St. Marys and Maumee Rivers. We are continuing to plan future projects along the creek to create even more positive changes for this waterway.

Other Donation Options Include:

RIVERFRONT

Donations are still needed for Promenade Park for an on-going maintenance endowment, and you can help us keep this downtown space beautiful and welcoming to all. Donate today. For information about corporate donations, please contact Manager of Development, Rob Hines at 260-427-6028 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RIVERFRONT ENDOWMENT DONATIONS

The Fort Wayne Park Foundation invites families to become a part of local history by supporting Promenade Park. A gift of $500 will be recognized with an inscription on a Greenscape Step within the Park. It's similar to buying a brick. The purpose of this campaign is to create a legacy endowment for Promenade Park. The Promenade Endowment helps support improvements, updates and programming along the rivers, and is operated by the Fort Wayne Park Foundation, a nonprofit charity. All donations are tax-deductible and can be made securely at the Park Foundation website. Learn more at fwparkfoundation.org/product/donate.

TREE CANOPY REPLACEMENT

Our city has faced a major challenge resulting from the destructive effects of the Emerald Ash Borer. Our park strips and parks have lost tree canopy. This is a huge project and one that will not end until the ash tree population is replaced.

Donate now.

LAKESIDE ROSE GARDEN

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The rose gardens of Lakeside Park have a national reputation as an All-American Rose Selection (AARS) and are beloved by the citizens of Fort Wayne. Yet in the past few years, the park has lost more than 300 rose bushes due to the very cold and wet winters and springs.

Donations are now being accepted to benefit the Lakeside Rose Garden. If you are interested you can download the Memorial Rose Order form and submit with your check or money order. If you would like to give a much needed smaller donation, then please check out: Donate now.

FOSTER PARK

One hundred years ago, Col. David Foster and the Board of Park Commissioners dedicated the first 67 acres of Foster Park to an excited public. Today’s 276-acre park at 3900 Old Mill Road is a mature development from 100 years of loving care. Brothers Samuel and David Foster bought a total of 112 acres as a gift to the city of Fort Wayne, and their legacy has brought joy to countless families from the region.

Your gift will help improve and maintain the flower gardens and amenities that make this park so special. Your gift will be added to the flower garden endowment, and as always is tax-deductible. Please contact Manager of Development Rob Hines at 260-427-6028 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

MEMORIALS

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Generations of city residents have purchased memorial trees and benches for parks, in memory of a loved one. You can add to the beauty of our parks while honoring others with this donation program – which now includes a memorial rose bed at Lakeside Park. Check out the Memorial Program page for more information about donating trees or benches including order forms.

BOTANICAL CONSERVATORY

An oasis in the heart of Fort Wayne, a sanctuary full of inspiration and beauty, a teaching center, a fun place to gather with family and friends … the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is all this and more! We welcome you to enjoy the wonders of nature and explore our gardens.

Learn more: Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

Donate today!

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department offers program scholarships for qualified children as funds are available. The Youth Scholarship program is made possible by the generous donations from individual citizens and corporate partners. We’d like to offer more kids the opportunity to play with the Parks – and encourage more corporations to get involved! Just contact Manager of Development Rob Hines at 260-427-6028 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

Or you can Donate now.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

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We offer 57 playgrounds to the community including the playground at Kreager Park which features accessible equipment so that children with disabilities can play alongside those without disabilities.

We are accepting donations for playground equipment. Donate now.

YOUTH CENTERS & PROGRAMMING

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Jennings, Weisser, Cooper, and McMillen Centers provide after-school and summer enrichment programs and activities. Not only are these centers supervised and offer safe havens for children, they also offer year-round lifeskills assistance, math and language arts enrichment and recreational opportunities. Contact Manager of Development Rob Hines at 260-427-6028 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about supporting these important safe spaces for our neighborhood youth.