Facility Reservation Contract

All groups or organizations desiring to use the Rivergreenway for a special event or activity must obtain a Special Events permit from the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. Please call (260) 427-6000 to request such a permit.

Where can the trails take you?

If you're planning to visit Fort Wayne, why not leave the car behind? Our trail system can lead you to these points of interest:

• Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
• Johnny Appleseed's Grave (Johnny Appleseed Park)
• Johnny Appleseed Festival (Johnny Appleseed Park) held the third full weekend of September
• Kid's Crossing Playground
• Lawton Skate Park
• Science Central
• Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
• Headwaters Park
• Promenade Park
• Downtown Fort Wayne
• Downtown Improvement District
• PFW & Ivy Tech
• Southtown Centre
• Foster Park Gardens
• Numerous Golf Courses
• Eagle Marsh
• Indian Trails Park
• And more!

 

Personal Safety Tips

• Don’t wear headphones or ear buds so that you can hear other trail users approaching;
• Walk or run with a friend or a dog;
• When you see other trail users, make eye contact and verbally greet them;
• Have a cell phone with you;
• Make sure someone knows where you will be and when you will be returning;
• Be aware of your surroundings and of other people around you.
  
• Know where you are! Addresses are not always easy to locate along the trail system, so we recommend downloading the what3words App which can help you communicate your location quickly and easily with family, friends, and, if needed, emergency personnel. 

Download this list of Trail Safety Tips too!

• A city ordinance forbids the use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs on the Rivergreenway/Park property.
• All motorized equipment is prohibited except maintenance and emergency vehicles and motorized wheelchairs.
• Use caution and obey traffic signals.
• Be cautious on pathway curves and underpasses.
• Please do not mark on the path for running or walking events. Contact the Greenways Program Manager at 427-6228 for free use of signage for your event.
• Bicycles must yield to pedestrians.
• Watch for obstacles on the trail. Natural obstacles such as tree branches, rocks, wildlife and washouts may occasionally exist. Contact 260-427-6228 or 311 to report hazards.
• Pets must be kept on a leash. Animal waste must be removed from the trail.
• Do not litter.
• Please keep to the right so faster moving people and bicycles can pass on your left.
• No horses on asphalt/concrete trails.
• Heavy rains, particularly in the spring, may flood portions of the Rivergreenway, making these sections temporarily unusable. Visit our Trail Closures webpage for up-to-date info regarding closures, construction, and other hazards.
• Always carry a cell phone for emergency use.
• Respect private property that adjoins the trail.

Tips for Bicyclists

• Check out the following link for additional tips: Rules of the Road
• Remember that these routes are designed for recreational bicycling, not racing. 
• Lock unattended bicycles.
• Where the trail shares the road, please follow vehicular traffic laws.
• Ride on the right side of the road or path.
• Wear bright, easily visible clothing.
• Wear a helmet.
• Use a bell or other sounding device when overtaking slower bicycles or pedestrians.
• Use lights and reflectors between dusk and dawn (please note, the Rivergreenway is open from 6 am-11pm daily).
• Use hand signals when turning.
• Yield to traffic at intersections and when entering traffic.
• Make sure your bicycle is in good working condition

Bike Racks

As our trails continue to extend throughout our community and while additional bicycle infrastructure is planned, the demand for bike parking has also increased. This Bike Rack guide provides businesses and organizations with an introduction to bike racks and the preferred styles, as well as considerations for installation.

Rivergreenway Public Access Points to the River: 

• St. Joseph River- 2 points: Upstream of the dam in Shoaff Park and downstream of the dam in Johnny Appleseed Park.                    
• St. Mary’s River- 1 point: Guldlin Park east of Sherman St. bridge and north of Michaels St. (DNR public  access).
  
• Maumee River- 2 points: North River Road Trailhead & Boat Ramp (across N. River Road from Kreager Park) and just east of N. Anthony Blvd along Niagara Drive.

Testimonials

• "I believe in Fort Wayne the trails are at a point now that many inner-city trips normally accomplished by car can be replaced with a bike and I want as many people to join me in this to make Fort Wayne a more pleasant place to live. It can’t be understated how much healthier it is, how much greener it is, and how much more money-savvy it is to bike for commuting." - Jonah U.

• "When I was considering relocating and purchasing a home, recent trips to Fort Wayne showed how beautifully the city had blossomed under its renaissance. Two crucial features that helped me decide to move to Fort Wayne were its extensive trail systems and its dedication to preserving as many natural areas as possible. As the owner of a rambunctious Labrador Retriever, the miles of Greenways and trails were a major plus and helped me to pull up stakes in Ohio and call Fort Wayne home!" - Hope W.

• “My husband and I each lost 50 pounds (100 total!), with most of those calories burned along the trails, walking our dogs and jogging.“  - Debby R.

• "As the broker/co-owner of a local real estate company, I can tell you that the trails have become a big differentiator for many clients in choosing their next home.  Here is a case in point: a couple with 3 children was transferred to Chicago from Fort Wayne when the trails were being planned and constructed. They missed Fort Wayne and wanted to come back. They had not yet sold their home in Chicago so they decided to move into a temporary home in Aboite quickly and live there until they sold their home in Chicago. This new home was in a neighborhood on the Aboite Trails. This is a two-career couple so the fact that their children could get to after-school practices on their own was huge for these working parents. Now when they go to buy their permanent home,  the first requirement they gave us is that it MUST be right on the Fort Wayne/Aboite trails system. They will not look at any homes that are not on the trails. And their children love the independence and fun of getting themselves to and from practice with teammates." - L. Reecer
  
  
• I visit many cities and usually look for trails to ride or walk. Many have small sections of trails but I have not found a better trail system than what we have in our own backyard. I travel to bike shops all over the region and take rides with the staff at each.  Your trails are way better than most larger cities.  Fort Wayne is ahead of the game. Jeff B. 

• "I have been enjoying cycling on the Rivergreenway for some time now and I just love it. It is such a great asset to our community and I believe it will provide as yet unknown benefits to the greater Fort Wayne area. It is always a pleasure to see people out jogging, cycling or just strolling along the river enjoying nature or someone else's company." David H.

While the City of Fort Wayne is proud to maintain a robust trail system, connections to outside municipalities are just as important! There are several groups/agencies working on trail development besides the City of Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department.

The City of Fort Wayne works closely with the non-profit trail group Fort Wayne Trails, Inc.  They are focused on promoting a healthy community by advocating, planning and fundraising for our rapidly growing trail network. Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. can be reached via phone at 260-969-0079. You can visit the Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. website here.  You can also find them on facebook and Instagram at “Fort Wayne Trails”.

Fort Wayne Trails, Inc (the non-profit) is often confused with the City of Fort Wayne. Under the City Administration, Trails and Greenways are managed by a 2-person staff housed within the Public Works Division. The City is responsible for planning, building, and maintaining the trail system. Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. works closely with the City and other municipalities to promote, fundraise for, and assist with planning for trail projects as well as advocating for trail use.

The New Haven-Adams Township Park & Recreation Department opened their Community Trails Project in New Haven along the Trier Creek (ditch) and the Maumee River in 2006.  The section is 3 miles in length and part of the Rivergreenway. You can access this trail at the North River Road Trailhead & Boat Ramp and head East to New Haven or pick up the trail in New Haven's Moser Park and venture west on the trail. Recently, they have also expanded their trail system to include trails along Landin Road.  For more information about New Haven's Trail system, please call the New Haven/Adams Township Parks & Recreation Department (749-2212) or visit their website. 

The Allen County Highway Department has expanded their trail network to include miles along Bass Road, Union Chapel Road, Dupont Road, Amber Road, Eggeman Road, Carroll Road, and the Pufferbelly Trail north of Carroll Road. Allen County also worked with Three Rivers Horse Trails and the City of Fort Wayne to commission a public horse trail at 5617 E Paulding Road. Questions regarding Allen County trails should be directed to Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. at 260-969-0079. 

Huntertown is also providing important connections within its community with trails along Gump Road, Carroll Road, and connections to the Huntertown Family Park. They were also involved in the expansion of the Pufferbelly Trail north of Carroll Road. 

The Northeast Indiana Regional Coordinating Council, or NIRCC, is a voluntary organization of regional governments that collaborate on regional projects, including trail projects. NIRCC is not limited to municipal boundaries, so they are often heavily involved in large, multi-county projects, like the 81-mile Poka-Bache Connector. NIRCC serves as a valuable partner to not only the City of Fort Wayne, but many of its neighbors.

Fort Wayne is lucky to have many great partners, with more coming to fruition everyday as Leo-Cedarville, Grabill, Monroeville, Zanesville, and Woodburn also look to add trails to their communities. As the exciting prospect of the 81-mile Poka-Bache Connector comes into view, partnerships expand even more with connections stretching through 4 counties and touching 7 cities and towns. With trails expanding all throughout the State of Indiana, the Hoosier state is setting itself apart as one dedicated to all of the benefits that trails provide.

Greenway Rangers

Are you a frequent trail user with an interest in promoting safe and enjoyable trail experiences? Learn more about becoming a Greenway Ranger!

Volunteer Rangers are a vital link to the smooth operation of the Fort Wayne Area Trails network - they act as the eyes and ears for the trails and the staff that manages them! Each Ranger regularly checks a 1/2 mile to 1 mile section of the trail. He or she checks this section at least once per week from April through October. Rangers look for problems with illegal dumping, graffiti, litter, flood control concerns, safety concerns, etc. 

The Ranger reports any maintenance and safety concerns to the Program Manager for Greenways and Trails. Volunteers have to undergo an application process that includes a background check. The candidates also receive training about the trail network, safety concerns to keep an eye out for and general ranger duties.  Finally, the Ranger is given a Greenway Ranger safety vest, access to trash bags, gloves and trail brochures. In order to volunteer as a Greenway Ranger, you must be 18 years old.   

For more information about the Greenway Rangers Program, please email the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 427-6228.   

 

Adopt-A-Greenway

Beginning in Spring of 2024, the Adopt-a-Greenway program has changed host organizations. If you represent a group that is interested in adopting a section of trail, please contact Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. at 260-969-0079 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..