Botanical Conservatory

The Conservatory features numerous Botanically Inspired Classes, Color in Motion, Breakfast with Butterflies, Spring Bonsai Show, Mother's Day in the Garden, Art Displays, and so much more!

Visit http://www.botanicalconservatory.org  for more information!

  Community Center

The Community Center offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year as well as programs of interest to all ages!  Some of these programs include numerous Workout Classes, Board Games, Classes for Kids, Free Seminars, Tuesday Movies, and so much more!  

Riverfront

Riverfront Fort Wayne promises every Fort Wayne resident and visitor an always-evolving opportunity to connect with nature, culture and community. Riverfront is having numerous events such as Dance Promenade, Sunday Heritage Concerts, Art Classes, Yoga on the Riverfront, River Rangers, and so much more! 

Check out: Riverfront Fort Wayne for additional information.  

Salomon Farm Park

Keep up to date on events at Salomon Farm Park! Just because the warm weather has gone away doesn't mean the great events at Salomon are going anywhere, make sure to check out Various Cooking Classes, Full Moon Night Hike, Meet the Bees, Goat Yoga, Blacksmith Skills Shop, and more!

Check out the Salomon link for additional information.

Lindenwood Nature Preserve

Lindenwood Nature Preserve is 110-acres of beauty in the heart of Fort Wayne. Explore the park and events coming up soon like the Amazing Amphibians, Nuts About Squirrels, Pancakes at the Park, and Stargazing! Check out the details and info about hikes and other events at Lindenwood Events & Programs.
 

The Old Fort

Muster on the St. Mary’s – A Timeline Event
Saturday, May 11, 10:00 am. .-5:00 p.m. Sunday,
Sunday, May 12, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Visit the Historic Old Fort link for details on all the events being planned at the Old Fort. 

We just created a new link (FWParks4FUN) to list all of our upcoming games & activities we will be releasing very soon.  Just added activities include: HIIT Workout, Reset Your Life with Essential Oils, and a Tap Dance Demonstration! Check out this link daily for additional activities and visit a park SOON! 

FWParks @Home 

Are you looking for virtual activities?  We now have a link devoted to all virtual activities whether you are going on a walk, checking out animals, reading a blog, trying a new activity or learning a skill-we've got you covered.  And the best part is we are adding more content often so check out the link! 

Questions?

For questions about any of these activities, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2017 Fort Wayne City Golf Championship

Nick Bienz has just won the Fort Wayne City Golf Championship at Sycamore Hills Country Club. Nick started his golf as a young man of 11 at LSA. He had never played golf before coming to LSA. He absolutely loved the game from the beginning.  He progressed thru our program and as a freshman played on the Heritage High School team. He became very good and played in the State finals his Senior year.  He earned a scholarship to Indiana University, Purdue University (IUPUI) where he is entering his junior year.  He worked for LSA his freshman year in college on his summer break.

This is a great day for LSA golf! 

Check out the Journal-Gazette link for additional information on Nick's experience winning the Fort Wayne City Golf Championship!

Doug McKibben Practice Center

To commemorate the 15^thanniversary of LSA and to honor dedicated committee member Doug McKibben, the driving range, putting and pitching green was officially named the Doug McKibben Practice Center at the Lifetime Sports Academy.

“When Tom Jehl and I started the Lifetime Sports Academy, the first person Tom mentioned to join us in developing this program was Doug McKibben,” said LSA Committee Co-Chair Jerry Fox. “Since the beginning, Doug has been instrumental in furthering the development and progress of the Lifetime Sports Academy through his generous donations and counsel during the past fifteen years.  The Doug McKibben Practice Center is a fitting tribute to my partner in the Lifetime Sports Academy.”

Tom & Marg Jehl Day        

On June 20, 2005 Mayor Graham Richard honored Tom & Marg Jehl by declaring June 20th "Tom and Marg Jehl Day." The ceremony included an unveiling of a permanent plaque at McMillen Park's Mad Anthony III's, a par three golf course. 

The Tom Jehl LSA partial scholarship to the University of Saint Francis is available to a student entering the University of Saint Francis who has participated in the Lifetime Sports Academy and has actively volunteered in the community. This scholarship is available at The University of St. Francis.  For more information or to obtain an application for the Tom Jehl Lifetime Sports Academy Scholarships,
visit on-line: Saint Francis University.

 

Year Around LSA
The Year Around LSA started in October 2007. Participants in the program are eligible to sign up if they have earned their tennis racquet (at a beginner status) and/or golf participants that were members of the birdie or par club.

The LIFETIME SPORTS ACADEMY DOCUMENTARY-"WHERE EVERYBODY WINS" is NOW available to purchase!

To purchase your own copy of the excellent documentary on the Lifetime Sports Academy, call 1-888-484-8839 or order on-line at www.wfwa.org  The video is $24.95 plus shipping & handling.

The one-hour program tells the story of LSA-starting with the broad-based community support that made the program a reality, to its youthful participants and the positive impact it has on their lives.

Created in 1998, the Lifetime Sports Academy (LSA) is a cooperative effort of the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department.  The LSA provides FREE golf, tennis, and swimming lessons during the summer months for local youths ages 8-18, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., under the supervision of Academy Director and Wayne High School teacher and track coach, Tom Hogan. Lessons focus on skill development, training, and participation and are taught by certified coaches and highly trained professionals.

The Lifetime Sports Academy is located in the McMillen Park Pavilion just west of the pool (enter the park off Oxford). No pre-registration is required. You may come as often as you wish and stay as long as you like. Special activities such as soccer, softball and volleyball will be organized at various times throughout the week for children not participating in group lessons. The Fort Wayne Community Schools summer lunch program will also be available at McMillen Park for Academy participants.

The Mad Anthony III's Golf Learning Course was built through a partnership with the Mad Anthony Charity Classic for Children.  This par-three course, located at McMillen Park, is available to play for free to LSA students who have passed proficiency tests in irons, woods, chipping, putting, pitching and sand play plus rules and etiquette.  The course is also available to any golfer looking to polish their game or enjoy a round of golf with a young athlete. 

Besides having the opportunity to learn a new sport and meet new friends during the summer months, LSA participants can also earn golf and tennis equipment or the right to participate in local events, like the City Swim Meet.  Some very dedicated athletes can also earn scholarships for additional lessons during the spring or fall.

The program has become a model for other cities across the nation.

For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 427-6000.

Testimonials from participants and parents 
LSA is an amazing experience for children. Our 4 children had such a rewarding experience. Thank you so much for offering these programs to the children. Tim K.

I get extra copies of your pamphlets each year to give to parents of my Luers Boys and Girls teams (who have younger siblings). I strongly encourage them to take advantage of your wonderful program. I have for years and years. Tom O.

I very much enjoyed learning more about golf. Spencer                              

LSA far exceeded our expectations! There could not be a better program for our community! The coaches, staff and volunteers are all top-notch. My family loves it so much that I took the time to write to the Journal Gazette about LSA. It was a fun program and we are so thankful that our children will have golf and tennis skills which will carry them throughout adulthood. I hope that more families participate in LSA in the future. Everything is well done. We could not be more pleased with LSA. Their coaches are phenomenal! Our kids still talk about how much fun they had with their coaches and friends at McMillen. I’ve shared my thoughts many times (on Facebook and twitter) regarding how terrific LSA is. What a wonderful program for children to participate in. Dana M.

Thank you for teaching me how to play golf. Dalton R.                                                                                                                                         

Free Golf Lessons    

Group golf lessons will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays with practice opportunities scheduled every day. The golf  lesson program is directed by PGA Professional  and Manager of Golf Operations, Garry Whitacre. Golf instructors are PGA apprentices, experienced coaches and teachers. All necessary equipment will be provided for the group lessons, however, if you have equipment, you are encouraged to bring it. 

You will become eligible to receive free golf equipment, special lessons and playing opportunities once you pass golf skills tests and a golf rules test.            

Free Tennis Lessons

Group tennis lessons will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays with practice opportunities scheduled every day. Our team of highly qualified tennis instructors will be led by the Lifetime Academy Tennis Coordinator. Tennis rackets and balls will be provided for the group lessons.

You will become eligible to receive free tennis equipment once you attend seven tennis lessons.

Free Group Swimming Lessons

Swimming

Group swim lessons will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings (9 am-Noon) and will be taught by certified Red Cross Learn-to-Swim instructors. Those who complete level 3 lessons will be eligible for the Competitive Swim Training Program where the emphasis will be on stroke improvement, endurance, starts and turns. No Friday Free Swims this summer.

Pavilion Program

Tennis Staff


 

Check out the LSA Awards press release for additional information 

 

Athletic Programs for Youth

Every summer we offer a wide array of athletic programs.  Select programs are offered year around.  For additional information on offerings per season, check out the Current Fun Times  

Please note, the Summer Fun Times will be available on May 8th and registration will start at that time. 




Futsal

Futsal, also known as small-sided soccer, is now available at Packard Park. 


Registration for Youth Programs

Ready to Register?
 
Check out information on the Youth Scholarship Program too!

 Soccer is offered for: Mini & Little Kickers, Kickin' Kids, and Big Kickers.  Registration starts May 8th.

We offer Basketball (Summer registration starts May 8th) including: Itty Bitty Basketball, Pee Wee Basketball, and varoius basketball programs held around Fort Wayne as well as select basketball programs at McMillen Park Community Center!

Other Sorts of Sports (offered seasonally) include:
Please note, Summer registration starts May 8th!

Learn to Swim Lessons 
Tennis Lessons
Gymnastics & Dance 
Lifetime Sports Academy
Pee Wee & Junior Golf Tour
T-ball 
Soccer
Other Youth Athletics





Adult/Senior Athletics

To check out athletic programs for adults or seniors visit the Athletics page.