2022

October 11, 2022

Contact:   April McCampbell

                 P: 260-427-6024

                 C: 260-241-1932

                 Manager of Communications

                 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fastest-growing sport in America now available in eight local parks

Fort Wayne, Ind – Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation director Steve McDaniel was joined by Fort Wayne Pickleball Inc. president Tim Heffron, local picklers, park officials and staff to celebrate the addition of 30 new pickleball courts to the parks this summer.

The $180,881.00 project resurfaced and converted courts at Foster Park, Lakeside Park, Hamilton Park and Kettler Park. Tillman Park tennis courts were also restriped to accommodate pickleball. Additional amenities include new lighting at Foster Park, new fencing at Hamilton Park with new lighting to come for Lakeside Park in 2023. With these 30 new courts, there are now a total of 36 outdoor courts and six indoor courts at eight parks throughout the city.

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation director Steve McDaniel observes “by making more room in our parks for pickleball, we are responding to increasing local interest and preparing for the nearly 40 percent increase this sport has gained across the country in the last two years.” He continues, “According to the USA Pickleball Association, this sport is seeing steady serious players in ages 55 and above, casual players under age 55 and a quickly-growing segment under age 24. We want to be prepared to facilitate the phenomenal increase in this growing recreational sport.”  

For more information about getting involved in this sport, visit www.fwpickleball.com or www.usapa.org.

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October 7, 2022

Contact:   April McCampbell

                 P: 260-427-6024

                 C: 260-241-1932

                 Manager of Communications

                 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The online auction will benefit inclusion programming; consisting of sensory and multi-cultural programming

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation and Riverfront Fort Wayne are happy to announce a beautiful partnership with Sammie Vance of Sammie’s Buddy Bench notoriety. The online auction features five eye-catching 62x48 inch murals made from over 5,000 total recycled plastic bottle caps and which display themes of Friendship, Inspiration, a rainbow, colorful flowers and Love. The murals together or individually would brighten and influence any indoor space, especially at an office, community space, storefront or school. This project grows from previous projects with Vance and Riverfront Fort Wayne such as Caps for a Cause and Sundays on the Riverfront. Proceeds will benefit Inclusion Programming such as sensory and multi-cultural educational events.

Riverfront Fort Wayne’s Program and Events Manager Riley Hollenbaugh noted “collaborative projects like this one celebrate a respect for the environment, the desire of young people to make a difference, and our community’s incredible support. This is an example of the special place that Riverfront Fort Wayne aspires to be for everyone.”

Bidding is accessed online at https://riverfrontfw.org/mural-auction/. Increments are by one dollar or more. Final bids will be accepted on Wednesday, November 30.

All five murals are handmade from wood and recycled bottle caps. Each weigh approximately 60 pounds.

• FRIENDS mural
  1. 1,034 recycled bottle caps
  2. This mural was assembled by members of the community during a Riverfront Fort Wayne program called Caps for a Cause
• INSPIRE mural
  1. 721 recycled bottle caps
  2. Featured “Operation Awesome.”
• Rainbow mural
  1. 1,702 recycled bottle caps
  2. 1^st cap mural designed by Sammie Vance in January of 2020
  3. This mural was assembled by members of the community during a Riverfront Fort Wayne winter program called Sundays on the Riverfront
• Colorful Flowers mural
  1. 900 recycled bottle caps
  2. This mural was assembled by members of the community during a Riverfront Fort Wayne program called Caps for a Cause
• LOVE mural
  1. 802 recycled bottle caps
  2. Featured on “Operation Awesome.”

Vance began creating sketches for the artwork in early 2020. Murals were assembled by Vance and members of the community at Riverfront Fort Wayne events. BYU Broadcasting featured Vance and the Bottle Cap Murals in season one, episode five of Operation Awesome, titled “Kindness Counts”. It is available to watch online free of charge,https://www.byutv.org/669d5f54-5538-48a0-b957-8e2be7e12a24/operation-awesome-kindness-counts. 

To learn more, visit RiverfrontFW.org and Sammiesbuddybenchproject.com.  

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October 6, 2022

Contact:   April McCampbell

                 P: 260-427-6024

                 C: 260-241-1932

                 Manager of Communications

                 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week of October 10-16:

Featuring:

Raven Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Join the third annual Raven Scavenger Hunt as part of the Downtown Improvement District’s Fright Night. Keep your eyes peeled for Ravens in disguise throughout the park. Snap a picture of any raven that you find but leave them in the hiding spots for others to find. Raven hunters who find all of the ravens and show their pictures to staff at the blue Riverfront Fort Wayne tent will be entered into a drawing to win a prize package. All ages are welcome and admission is free. Follow Riverfront Fort Wayne on social media for updates.

Sweet Breeze Specialty Tour: Kids Pirate Ship Tour

Saturday, October 15, 6:00 p.m. (45 minute)

South Dock, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Navigate Fort Wayne’s rivers on the Sweet Breeze Kids Pirate Ship Tour and have your fill of sweet Halloween treats. The first mate will also oversee your skills to make a Kraken Craft. Costumes are encouraged on this fully accessible Fright Night cruise. Tickets are $17 per person. Reservations can be made online at www.RideSweetBreeze.org, in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours.

Sweet Breeze Specialty Tour: Haunted Boat Tour

Saturday, October 15, 7:30 p.m. (90 minute)

South Dock, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Travel Fort Wayne’s rivers on the Sweet Breeze Haunted Boat Tour, if you dare. This fully accessible age 21 and above Fright Night cruise provides an opportunity to thrill to local ghost stories with a hit of Halloween candy and a cash bar. Tickets are $46 per person. Reservations can be made online at www.RideSweetBreeze.org, in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours.

Sweet Breeze Specialty Tour: Fall Colors Brunch

Saturday, October 16, 11:00 a.m. (90 minute)

South Dock, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Reserve your seat on the Sweet Breeze Canal Boat for a Sunday Fall Colors Brunch. This ninety-minute specialty tour will feature a continental brunch and the acoustic sounds of musical duo LaDean. This fully accessible tour provides an opportunity to learn something new about Fort Wayne through its riverfront while you savor the beauty of fall foliage. Tickets are $35 per person. Reservations can be made online at www.RideSweetBreeze.org, in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours. This will be the final tour of the season.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Saturday, October 15, doors open at 7:00 p.m., Movie starts at 9:15 p.m.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street

It is the Conservatory’s 14th season celebrating the time warp at the Botanical Conservatory! Weather permitting, this cult classic movie is shown on the outdoor Terrace Garden as part of the Downtown Improvement District’s Fright Night. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from Mad Anthony Brewing Company. No outside food or beverage is permitted. Please do not bring rice or confetti during this participatory movie event. This film is rated R with content not suitable for younger audiences. Attendees age 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission: $10 for all ages. Sponsored by ALT 99.5 FM and 102.3 FM and Mad Anthony Brewing Company.

The Great Tree Canopy Comeback – Call for Volunteers

Saturday, October 22, 10:0 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Four sites in Allen County: Memorial Park (Washington Blvd. and Maumee Avenue) and Foster Park (3900 Old Mill Road) in Fort Wayne, Werling Park (Werling Road) in New Haven and the Wabash and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (near 5500 block of Glendale Road) in Fort Wayne

Local citizens are encouraged to join Friends of the Parks of Allen County along with area parks and trails departments for the twenty-first annual Great Tree Canopy Comeback event. The scope of this year’s project is to maintain young trees by adding mulch and removing invasive species as well as planting new trees. Work will be completed in teams and will vary by location. Volunteers of all ages are critical to the success of the event and are encouraged to sign up and help sustain forest regeneration in local parks. Positions needed include Courier/Cutter, Mulcher and Planter. Volunteers who can help at any of the sites as needed are also highly valued. Please contact Friends of the Parks in advance by downloading/returning the signup form at https://www.fortwayneparks.org/images/2022_Registration_Flyer.pdf or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

Handmade Homemade Sale

Sunday, October 16, Noon -5:00 p.m.

Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road

Time to start your holiday shopping! This special sale features products that are grown locally or made by hand. Farmers, bakers, crafters and artisans will be selling their handmade/homemade goods in the Wolf Family Learning Center and Old Barn. Free admission.

October 5, 2022

Contact:   April McCampbell

                 P: 260-427-6024

                 C: 260-241-1932

                 Manager of Communications

                 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The October 22, event focuses on forest regeneration in Fort Wayne, New Haven and Greenways and Trails

Fort Wayne, Ind –  Local citizens are encouraged to join Friends of the Parks of Allen County along with area parks and trails departments for the twenty-first annual Great Tree Canopy Comeback event. It is planned for Saturday, October 22, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at four sites, including Memorial Park and Foster Park in Fort Wayne, Werling Park in New Haven and the Wabash and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Fort Wayne.

The scope of this year’s project is to maintain young trees by adding mulch and removing invasive species as well as planting new trees. Work will be completed in teams and will vary by location. Volunteers of all ages are critical to the success of the event and are encouraged to sign up and help sustain forest regeneration in local parks. Positions needed include Courier/Cutter, Mulcher and Planter. Volunteers who can help at any of the sites as needed are also highly valued. Please contact Friends of the Parks in advance by downloading/returning the signup form at https://www.fortwayneparks.org/images/2022_Registration_Flyer.pdf or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

It is the mission of the Friends of the Parks to promote the stewardship and celebration of the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the parks and public spaces in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Visit www.yeaparks.com to donate a tree or for more information.

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