13th Annual Butterfly Count
August 7, 1-3 pm
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Did you know that counting butterflies is important research? Whether you are in it for the science or just for the fun, we could use your help. You will learn to identify various types of butterflies and will be given instructions on how to conduct a count. The inventory we assemble will be sent to the North American Butterfly Association where the information will be compiled and used to assess the environmental health of our area. Park naturalists will also use the information to develop and manage wetland and prairie grass habitats for these beautiful insects. There is a $3/person fee to participate which includes a listing in the NABA annual report. Call Renee Baines at 427-6005 by August 5 if you plan to attend.
Walk the Rivergreenway!
Join our park naturalist for a scenic walk along the Rivergreenway! Bring the whole family (the dog is welcome, too!) If walking isn't your thing, bring your bike. Dress for the weather and bring plenty of water. If bringing the family dog, make sure he/she is friendly, stays leashed and that you bring bags to pick up his/her waste. Registration deadlines are 5 working days prior to each walk. (Registration is not necessary for children under age 5, however, they must be under the supervision of an adult at all times.) Min. 15. Max. 30.
Code Date Day Time
Kreager Park main playground to Lakeside Park
348701-S3 8/21 Sa 9-11 am
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$3 per person
$3 discount for 4 or more in same family
Trail Bike Rides
Tuesdays, June -August, 6:00 p.m.
Fort Wayne has one of the finest trail systems in the Midwest with over 50 miles of trails winding through the city. Join local trail users for weekly bike rides this summer along the Rivergreenway, the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Aboite Trails, the Pufferbelly Rail-to-Trail and the Salomon farm Trail to experience Fort Wayne in a whole new way. You'll love re-connecting with nature along the linear parkways of the Rivergreenway or learning the history of the Wabash & Erie Canal along the Towpath Trail or being one of the first to ride brand new trails in southwest and northwest Fort Wayne. Load up your family and your bikes and join the fun! Helmets are required. For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6002.
Date Trail Distance
August 10 Rivergreenway 8.5 miles
Meet at Swinney Park Trailhead parking lot by swimming pool
August 17 Aboite Trails 6-8 miles
Meet at Deer Ridge Elementary School by trail
August 24 Salomon /Pufferbelly 6 miles
Salomon Farm parking lot by the trailhead kiosk sign
Pufferbelly 5K Run & Walk
Saturday, August 28
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Enjoy an easy, paved course through scenic Salomon Farm. Proceeds from the race will be used to support conversion of the former New York Central Railroad to a paved recreational path that will eventually connect Fort Wayne to Pokagon State Park! For more information about the Pufferbelly 5K and to download a pre-registration form, visit www.northwestallentrails.org, or call Chad Appleman at 260-402-0052. Each person who registers before August 2 will receive a race T-shirt. Day-of registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and the race starts at 8:00 a.m. See you there!
Salomon Farm
Fall Harvest Festival
Friday & Saturday, September 24 & 25
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Join us for this two-day celebration of the history and culture of the American Farm. Its fun for all ages and the event is free, so bring the whole class or your family and spend a day at the Farm. (Teachers, the Harvest Festival makes a great field trip!) For more information call Tony Acosta at 427-6008.
Butter Making • Cow Milking • Petting Zoo
Musical Entertainment • Rope Making
Oat/Wheat Threshing • Food Concessions
Corn Husking/Shredding • Hay Rides
Antique Farm Equipment
Demonstrations/Displays
-- Saturday Only --
Antique Tractor Display and Parade
Farmers’ Market
Salomon/Nature
Christmas at the Farm
Saturday, December 4, 6:00-10:00 pm
Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Mark your calendar now and join us for a traditional Christmas celebration on the farm with a live nativity scene, horse and tractor drawn wagon rides, stories from St. Nicholas and refreshments. There is no admission charge; however, free-will donations are welcomed. For additional information please call Tony Acosta at 427-6008.
Advanced Rug Hooking
Continue to build your rug hooking skills. In this intermediate level class, you will select your own project. Instructor Judy Werling will help you with color planning, dyeing and embellishing techniques. Background foundation (monk’s cloth) will be provided. You must supply your own hook and a hoop or other hooking frame. Wool may be purchased at class for $20/yard, depending on your project size. Ages 16+. Registration deadline: September 20. Min. 4. Max. 10. Note: First class meets 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Code Dates Day Time
453801-T1 9/29-10/27 W 7-9:00 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 5/$60
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Irons in the Fire
For most of the 20th century, blacksmithing was in danger of becoming a lost art. The craft has since be revived and is in full swing, advanced by a market for decorative ironwork and by masters who have worked to keep the art alive. The Maumee Valley Blacksmith Association will provide instruction in blacksmithing at Salomon Farm Park this fall in an effort to keep the art alive in the Fort. You will learn about fire safety, blacksmithing tools, chemistry of a coal fire and several simple blacksmithing skills. You’ll try your hand at bending, drawing out, twisting and cutting iron. Each participant will forge at least three items to take home: (1) an “s” hook, (2) a square nail and (3) a coat hook. Pizza and a drink for lunch are included in the workshop fee. Registration deadline: October 1. Min. 2. Max. 4.
Code Date Day Time
453810-S1 10/9 Sa 9 am-4 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$52
Location: Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Fall Color Hikes
Saturday, October 16
10-11 a.m. Lindenwood Nature Preserve
1-2 p.m. at Buckner Park
See the beautiful colors of autumn on a walk with our Naturalist! In the morning we will be hiking at Lindenwood Nature Preserve and in the afternoon we will go down the road to Buckner Park. Learn to identify trees with and without the aid of leaves and learn why certain trees’ leaves turn bright colors while others turn brown. Dress for the weather and bring your camera! The hikes will begin promptly at the scheduled times, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early. The hikes are free. Please call Renee Baines at 427-6005 by October 14 if you plant to attend.
Go Fish IN
A Fun Filled Fishing Experience for Children
Something’s a little fishy at Hurshtown Reservoir! It’s a fun and educational workshop about fish. We will cover a broad range of subjects which will include fish in art, fish ecology, games, outdoor ethics and, last but not least, casting skills. We’ll spend the last part of the day trying to catch the big one! Fishing equipment and supplies for this program are provided by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Please bring mosquito repellent, drinking water, sunscreen, hats, and close toed shoes (no sandals or flip-flops). Ages 10-13. Registration deadline: September 10. Min. 8. Max. 20.
Code Date Day Time
448307-S1 9/18 Sa 8 am-12 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$10
Location: Hurshtown Reservoir, 16000 Roth Road, Grabill, IN
Canoe the Pigeon!
Canoe the clear, cold waters of the Pigeon, one of the most beautiful rivers in Northern Indiana. We’ll provide transportation, canoes, paddles and PFDs (life jackets). We will also give you a short presentation on canoeing and safety. For safety purposes, we will canoe in pairs. Please bring a sack lunch, snacks and drinks in a water tight container. You should be able to lift and carry a canoe with a partner for a short distance, as this may be required. We will travel at a pace that will allow us to enjoy the fall beauty of nature. Space is limited to 10, so please register early! We will depart from Bob Arnold Park (State & Parnell) at 8:00 a.m. and will return at approximately 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Tony Acosta at 427-6008. Registration deadline: September 27. Min. 6. Max. 10.
Code Date Day Time
448700-S1 10/2 Sa 8 am-6 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$14
Departs: 8:00 .m. from Bob Arnold, State & Parnell
Waterfowl Prowls
Sunday, October 24, 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, November 7, 3-5 p.m.
Hurshtown Reservoir, 16000 Roth Rd., Grabill
Hurshtown Reservoir is a favorite place for ducks and other waterfowl looking for food and a resting place during their fall migration. Join members of the Stockbridge Audubon Society for a peek at our winged visitors. We will open the reservoir twice in the fall for this special field trip. The Waterfowl Prowls are free to the public and begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. Bring your field guides and binoculars.
Indiana Native American History
Learn about local Native American tribes, including the Miami, Piankeshaw, Potawatomi and Delaware. Instructor Mike Hollars will be discussing the history of local Native American tribes and demonstrate how to craft a primitive bow. He will be bring his collection of arrowheads, one of the largest collections in Indiana, for you to look at along with other Native American artifacts. Note: Children under the age of 4 may attend free. Families of four or more will receive $1/person discount. Registration deadline: November 10. Min. 15.
Code Date Day Time
448308-S1 11/13 Sa 1-2:30 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$10
Location: Franke Nature Lodge, 3411 Sherman Blvd.
Lindenwood Nature Preserve
600 Lindenwood Ave.
427-6740
Hours through October 31:
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, 12-6 p.m.
Closed November 1 through mid-April.
Lindenwood Nature Preserve is a 110-acre wooded park featuring 4 hiking trails of varying length (one is wheelchair and stroller accessible), a pond and an open-air pavilion. Hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking and just relaxing are a few of the activities you’ll enjoy at the preserve. In addition to the Department-sponsored programs listed here, the Lindenwood staff also provides programs for scout groups, church and school groups, home school, clubs, and private parties (see below or visit www.fortwayneparks.org for more information).
Heroes and Athletes!
Adaptive Recreation for
Wounded Vets
Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Hurshtown Reservoir
16000 Roth Road, Grabill
The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System and Turnstone Center for Adults and Children with Disabilities to honor our wounded veterans. All veterans with a service connected disability that causes you to use an adaptive device are invited to participate in this fun outdoor recreation experience! We’ll introduce you to kayaking and archery as possible lifetime outdoor sports. Turnstone will provide adaptive equipment for you to try out and information for leisure time activities will be available. The Hurshtown Reservoir entrance fees will be waived and lunch will be included. Please register in advance by calling Derek Ross or Damara Neuenschwander at the VA Voluntary Service Office at (260) 460-1319. This is a FREE event. Other questions or concerns should be directed to Tony Acosta at the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation at 427-6008.
Girl Scout Badge Days
Earn a badge, enjoy a campfire, a hotdog roast and the great outdoors all in the same afternoon! Our Lindenwood naturalist will lead various nature-related activities designed to fulfill various badge requirements, then build a campfire for roasting hotdogs. Brownie Girl Scouts can complete all of the activities for the “Eco-Explorer” badge on September 11 and complete activities towards various other badges on September 18 (call Renee Baines for details). Junior Girl Scouts can complete all activities for the “Earth Connections” badge on September 12 and the “Your Outdoor Surroundings” badge on September 19. We’ll provide all the materials and equipment for the activities. You must supply your own food, beverages and picnic supplies (including trash bags) for the hotdog roast. We ask that you have at least one adult chaperone for every 8 scouts. There is no charge for adults. Registration deadlines: September 3 and 10. Max. 25 scouts per session.
Code Date Day Time
Brownies Eco-Explorer Badge
448100-S1 9/11 Sa 2-5 pm
Brownies Various Badge Activities
448100-S2 9/18 Sa 2-5 pm
Juniors Earth Connections Badge
448100-S3 9/12 Su 2-5 pm
Juniors Your Outdoor Surroundings Badge
448100-S4 9/19 Su 2-5 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$8
Location: Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave.
Programs 
