Salomon Farm Park & Dupont Road Construction:
The excitement is building…
To improve the park and add more amenities several renovation and construction projects will take place in 2018. Please pardon our construction while we undergo these exciting improvements!
Dupont Road will be under construction between Coldwater Rd. and the Salomon Park entrance beginning April 30. Approach the park from Lima Road.
Salomon Farm Fiber Arts Celebration!
Friday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. & Saturday, May 19, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Join us at Salomon Farm for a two-day celebration of fiber arts. With a focus on education, we will have hands-on participation and demonstrations in all of the processes of making natural fiber products – wool dyeing, spinning, weaving and more. Vendors specializing in fiber arts will sell equipment and supplies such as spinning wheels, wooden knitting needles, looms and shuttles, felting needles and forms, and crochet hooks. Natural fiber including wool, alpaca, silk and cotton, as well as hand-made fiber products such as sweaters, mittens, shawls and more will also be for sale. Visit with live sheep and alpaca! Food vendors will also be on the grounds. The Fiber Arts Celebration is co-sponsored by the Flax and Fleecers Spinning Guild of Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. Call Eden at 260-427- 6008 for more information. Due to the nature of this event, pets are not allowed.
Blacksmithing for Women
When a creative yet pragmatic skill becomes functionally obsolete, it enters the realm of fine art. Such is the story of blacksmithing. Once an essential and vital trade, blacksmithing has become a metal art and many women have started to take an interest in this typically male- dominated activity. In this introductory class you will learn about forge operation, black- smithing equipment and tools. Each participant will create a small metal hook before moving on to a simple project. The following protec- tive equipment is required: leather closed-toed shoes, full-length pants, natural fiber clothing (cotton, wool, etc.), and all loose hair must be tied back. Gloves and protective eye wear will be provided. Registration deadline: April 23. Min. 3. Max. 6.
Code Dates Day Time
253820-S1 5/12 & 6/9 Sa 10 am-12 pm
# Sessions/fee: 2/$15
Location: Salomon Farm Park Blacksmith Shop, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
The Hammer Heads
Want to learn about blacksmithing? Join the club! The Hammer Heads Club is for youth ages 11-17 who want to learn this almost- forgotten craft. Local blacksmiths will teach shop safety and how to build a coal fire. You’ll learn about blacksmithing tools, how to use them, and will get hands on experi- ence creating a project. The curriculum is designed for beginners. The club will meet at the Salomon Farm Blacksmiths’ Forge. Hammer Heads must wear leather closed- toed shoes, full-length pants, natural fiber clothing (cotton, wool, etc.) and all loose hair must be tied back. Gloves and protec- tive eye wear will be provided. Registration is required. Registration deadline: May 18. Min. 2. Max. 6.
Code Date Day Time
353906-S1 6/2 Sa 10 am-12 pm
353906-S2 6/30 Sa 10 am-12 pm
353906-S3 7/21 Sa 10 am-12 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 3/$15
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 Dupont Rd.
Animal Playdates
*Adult/Child
Join us at Salomon Farm for a playdate with the animals! Chickens or goats . . . your choice. We will create toys for the animals, listen to a short story and then visit the animals to pet them and feed them nutritious treats. Wear clothes that can get messy. Closed-toe shoes are required. Ages 3-5. Registration deadline: April 20. Min. 2. Max. 10.
Code Date Day Time
Playdates with Chickens
253915-W1 5/2 W 9:30-11am
253915-R1 5/3 Th 9:30-11am
Playdates with Goats
253915-T1 5/8 T 9:30-11am
253915-W2 5/9 W 9:30-11am
# Sessions/fee: 1/$5
Location: Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont
Parks on Tap!
Parks on Tap! is a competitive trivia event featuring local parks and pubs. Your team of 2-5 players (all team member must be 21+) will attend a guided hike in a local park where you will learn about local plants, trees, wild- life, history and alcohol before moving to a pub where the trivia competition will deter- mine how closely you were paying attention on the hike. Prizes will be awarded and fun will be had! Get your team together and sign up today. Space is limited.
Saturday, April 21
1 pm Hike
Swinney Park
1600 W. Jefferson
2:15 pm Trivia
Pedal City
1215 W. Main St.
Code: 248310-S1
Fee: $10 per team
Sign up by April 6.
Climbing Basics
If you’re looking for fitness, fun and a healthy dose of adrenaline, then rock climbing is a worthy pursuit. Climbing is about balance, knowing your body and being able to reposition. It’s about creativity, learning to adapt to what the rock has to offer. It’s about concentration and overcoming your fears for the void. We’ve partnered with Earth Adventures Unlimited to introduce you to the sport of rock climbing! Instructor Lindsey Motl started rock climbing in 2009, and it’s been an integral part of her life ever since. Ages 18+. Registration deadlines: April 2 and April 16. Min. 5. Max. 12.
Code Date Days Time
248202-S1 4/14 Sa 4-6 pm
248202-S2 4/28 Sa 4-6 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$19
Location: Earth Adventures Unlimited, 1804 W. Main St.
Farm Kids
Field Trips on the Farm
May 1-31 and August 6-September 13
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Salomon Farm tours feature lots of hands on time with our animal friends and highlight composting, gardening and life on the farm in the old days. Field trips are scheduled in 1-2 hour increments. Wagon rides are available upon request for tours booked for 1½ hours or more. All ages welcome! Field trip scheduling is subject to availability and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Please contact Eden at 427-6008 or eden.lamb@ cityoffortwayne.org. We can accommodate up to 30 students and a 1:10 chaperone to student ratio is recommended. Field trip fees are $3/participant/hour. Teachers, care givers and adult chaperones are free. A minimum fee of $30/hour applies to all groups.
Additional Information on Field Trips
Salomon Farm Park Field & Tour Description
Reference for Teachers-Getting the Most out of Your Farm Trip
Wild Walkers pose for a group picture at Pokagon State Park. Photo credit: Steve Hague
Wild Walkers 2018
Wild Walkers is an adult hiking group that meets the second and fourth Fridays of each month for a walk on the wild side. Each hike features a different natural area in the region (parks, wetlands, nature preserve, etc.) and carpooling is available when necessary. Please call Eden at 427-6008 or e-mail eden.lamb@cityof fortwayne.org if you have questions.
2018 Wild Walkers Schedule
Salomon Farm Old Barn Rentals
This magnificent old building sits majestically along Dupont Road on a small working farm operated by the Parks and Recreation Department. The peaceful, bucolic setting includes a pond, wetlands, livestock pens, vegetable gardens, prairie grasses and crop fields. The barn, originally built in the late 1800’s, housed livestock and stored farm equipment and served the farm for over 100 years. The barn has been restored to capture the rustic look of the historical structure. The old barn features a large seating area and tables for up to 170 guests and a separate room for the catering operation. A separate but adjacent building houses the restrooms. The Old Barn may be reserved from May-October. For additional information please check out the Rental Opportunities at Salomon link, including the rental contract. Call 427-6000 for more information.
Pictured from left to right: Dave Fike, Carl Fike, and Roy Fike.
Tri-State Two Cylinder Club
The Tri-State Two Cylinder Club takes its name from the early John Deere tractors that had only had two cylinders that gave them the distinctive popping sound. In some circles these old tractors were called “Johnny Poppers”. Although most of the members own John Deere tractors, there are a lot of other “colors” (manufacturers) around the Salomon Farm as well.
The Two Cylinder Club at Salomon Farm Park is responsible for farming most of the crop fields (corn, soybeans, wheat and oats). The DeKalb County Horsemen also farm three smaller fields using draft horses and mules for their work.
The Two Cylinder Club is a major player in our Fall Harvest Festival. They provide about 28 volunteers for all the different events during the festival. In addition, the club has found old time farm equipment, restored the pieces and then placed them in the Heritage Barn for the enjoyment of our visitors.
Blacksmith Shed
Thanks to The Maumee Valley Blacksmiths for all of their volunteer hours in teaching classes and demonstrating at Festivals. Join the Maumee Valley Blacksmiths at 9 am on the 4th Saturday each month to watch and participate in forging (18 years and up only). Find the blacksmiths in the forge, just south of the gardens.
Salomon Trail
Be sure to check out the trail at Salomon! It is open to the public from 6 a,m.-11 p.m. To read more about the trail, check out the Salomon Trail Press Release
Thanks to our FFA volunteers for making the 2018 Field Day so special!
Photos courtesy of Fred Van Fossen
Testimonials
Salomon Farm Park is an amazing place. Our trip was very educational and we learned a lot. We had a wonderful time! They loved the animals. P. Hunter
Outstanding presentation! Teacher extremely knowledgeable, helpful and well prepared. Marylou H.
Thank you. The class was well organized and Kay was prepared. She supplied so much information and was very helpful. Her helpers were kind, polite and very professional. Kay is a down to earth, no fuss person, and does not make you feel like you do not know what you are doing (even though I did not). I am excited about this subject and will use my knowledge gained in this class. Kay also gave us unlimited access to her for future questions, which I know I will have. She was an excellent instructor. Thank You. A. M.
