Lakeside
Size in acres: 23.8
Since 1908
Lakeside Park is located at 1401 Lake Avenue. For more detailed location information, check out the General Park Map or Lakeside Park Map
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History: Lakeside Park exists on land that was purchased from the Fort Wayne Land and Improvement Company in 1908. Until then, Lakeside Park was only a low-lying area prone to flooding and stagnation from the waters of the St. Joseph River. In 1912, it was decided that beautifying the water-retaining depressions would be less expensive and safer for the community than to simply fill them.
Additional Historical Information available:
Read more about the Reconstruction of the Sunken Gardens ...
Read more about local history including Lakeside Park by Randy Hater, Fort Wayne Reader.
WHAT TO DO
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Pavilions
Lakeside Pavilion #1
Location: 1401 Lake Avenue
Capacity: 72
Lakeside Pavilion #2
Location: 1401 Lake Avenue
Capacity: 80
For more information, check out the pavilion page.
Basketball/Tennis Courts
Both basketball and tennis courts are available for use. They are located near the playground and Lakeside #1.
Playground
Playgrounds for toddlers on up through pre-teens are available near Lakeside #1.
Photo credit to: Allen County Public Library's Community Album
Floral Display/Rose Garden
Photo credit to: Denny Beck
The sunken gardens were originally created at a cost of $17,500. More information on the Rose Gardens and reservation information can be found here.
Lakeside Park Little Free Library
Creating a new Little Free Library was thought of by Nicole as a dedication project for a co-worker, Josie, who celebrated 20 years of service with the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department. This truly was a team effort involving maintenance techs (constructed the library out of a tree), gardeners (carved out rotting wood and planted flagstone and the flower bed around the tree), Nicole’s painting skills as well as a neighbor girl who donated her time and stenciled the flowers and butterflies that are now present at the library. Another neighbor donated the window. The Lakeside Little Free Library has been in operation since the fall of 2019. Stop by the Little Free Library the next time you are near Lakeside Park and either pick up or drop off a book of your choosing!
Walking Path
A walking path circles around the park providing a nice loop for walking and enjoying the park. The path is a little over half a mile in length
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in Lakeside Pond with an appropriate license; all state regulations apply.
For additional information, check out: Fishing Guide & Regulations.
Lakeside Pond is part of the DNR's urban fishing program called Go FishIN in the City .
Check out the site for more information on the program, including future
stocking times and special fishing opportunities.
