2023

January 4, 2023

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.

Investing in our Future:

Commitment to Maintain and Improve Parks 

Fort Wayne, Ind – Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation offers highlights of the department’s 2022 capital improvement projects and programs. Over 75 Park projects were completed and the City of Fort Wayne invested approximately $3 million in Parks and Recreation Department improvements this year.

“I’m encouraged by the comprehensive, ongoing commitment to enhance our parks with quality, low-cost programming and recreational opportunities,” said Mayor Henry. “Our parks are an essential component of the outstanding quality of life we enjoy in Fort Wayne and it’s important that we invest in them.” 

Completed 2022 Capital Improvement Projects include:

• Botanical Conservatory window glass replacement
• Community Center parking lot paving
• Foellinger Theater entrance sidewalk and drainage improvements
• Foster Park Pavilion #3 restoration
• Added 30 new outdoor Pickleball courts through resurfacing, converting and restriping (Foster Park, Lakeside Park, Hamilton Park, Kettler Park and Tillman Park)
• Jennings Center Playground structure replacement, landscape improvements
• Kreager Park Taylor’s Dream playground safety surface replacement
• McMillen Park Golf Course cart paths paving
• Freimann Square Anthony Wayne and Swinney Park General Foster Monument cleaning and waxing and installation of four chess tables.
• Reservoir Park enhancements and resurfacing of two basketball courts and colorful mural installation by local artist, Andre Portee
• Salomon Farm Park Old Barn siding improvements and painting
• Wells Street Bridge replacement of decorative knee portal components in truss

December 30, 2023

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. – Riverfront Fort Wayne presents the following events and programs in January:

Traffic Note: Harrison Street next to Promenade Park is closed to through-traffic currently to complete construction on the Riverfront at Promenade.

Dance Promenade!

January 4, 11, 18 and 25, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Learn some new moves in 2023 at the riverfront. Shuffle into the Park Foundation Pavilion Wednesday nights beginning on January 4 to learn and practice a new style of dance. Instructors from a variety of local dance groups and schools will offer lessons at the beginning of the night followed by open dancing. The type of dance will rotate to include styles from waltzing to line dancing and also traditional cultural dances. All ages and abilities are welcome. Register in advance for $10 per class or $50 for all six sessions online at www.fortwayneparks.org

or by calling 260-427-6000. Drop-ins are available for $12 per session if space is allows. Maximum: 100.

Waltz: 1/4/23 from 6-9 pm

Foxtrot: 1/11/23 from 6-9 pm  

Hustle: 1/18/23 from 6-9 pm 

Swing: 1/25/23 from 6-9 pm 

Two-Step/Line Dance:2/1/23 from 6-9 pm 

Dance Party: 2/8/23 from 6-9 pm 

Yoga on the Riverfront

Sunday, January 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

This free, relaxing one-hour flow yoga class is for all skill levels and led by owner of Discover Yoga, Chelsea Vona. Bring your own yoga mat to Promenade Park or borrow one for the class.

Sunday Heritage Concert Series: Quincy Sanders

Sunday, January 8 , 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Relax to the smooth sounds of alto, tenor and soprano saxophones with regional musician, Quincy Sanders. Concerts are free and open to all ages. Seating will be on a first come first served basis.

For Real, For Real Comedy Stories

January 12, 8:00-9:30 p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Riverfront Fort Wayne and the Maumee Mary and Joseph Comedy Festival have partnered to bring some of the best local and regional comedians to Fort Wayne to tell hilariously true stories that are certain to keep the winter evenings warm and full of laughs. On January 12, join the amusement with comedian, Terrance Cassell, aka Deacon of Darkness, aka Satin Struthers, aka T.V.

Cassell has been a pioneer in the Fort Wayne comedy scene since 2009. As one of the original members of B.C.C/ Black Crazy Comedians, he has performed on almost every stage in the city and expanded out to other stages in the region. T.V. has worked with well-known comedians such as Ms. Pat, J. Anthony Brown and Donnell Rawlings. T.V recorded his first comedy album titled "Black Hoosier" during the Fort Wayne Comedy Festival in 2018. T.V. states “audiences better have their boots laced up for laughing.” This event will feature adult content and is designed for ages 18 and above. Tickets are $10 in advance at www.fortwayneparks.org or $15 at the door. The maximum capacity is 150 people. If you’d like to share a hilarious story, email your name and a summary to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Create & Play Tuesday

Tuesday, January 17, 5:00-7:00p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Looking for a family-friendly event for the new year? Join Create and Play Tuesday at Promenade on the third Tuesday of the month for a variety of board games and engaging craft options. Bring your friends for an evening of free fun. All ages are welcome. Follow Riverfront Fort Wayne on social media for updates and details about each date. 

Winter Cozy

Saturday, January 28, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Winter Cozy is back! Meet friends and neighbors on the riverfront and enjoy the cozy comforts of hot beverages and foods, blankets and candlelight with both indoor and outdoor seating. Watch live ice sculpture carving outside the pavilion and enjoy making and eating smores at the fire pits. Live music awaits inside the pavilion with dancing and a fun photo booth. Must be 21 to enter the pavilion. A cash bar and food will be available for purchase. Tickets are available online for $10 at www.fortwayneparks.org or at the door if space allows.

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December 29, 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 January 2-8, 2023:

Featuring:

Dance Promenade!

January 4, 11, 18 and 25, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Learn some new moves in 2023 at the riverfront. Shuffle into the Park Foundation Pavilion on Wednesday nights beginning on January 4 to learn and practice a new dance style. Instructors from a variety of local dance groups and schools will offer lessons at the beginning of the night followed by open dancing. The type of dance will rotate to include styles from waltzing to line dancing and also traditional cultural dances. All ages and abilities are welcome. Register in advance for $10 per class or $50 for all six sessions online at www.fortwayneparks.org

or by calling 260-427-6000. Drop-ins are available for $12 per session if space is allows. Maximum: 100.

Waltz: 1/4/23 from 6-9 pm

Foxtrot: 1/11/23 from 6-9 pm  

Hustle: 1/18/23 from 6-9 pm 

Swing: 1/25/23 from 6-9 pm 

Two-Step/Line Dance:2/1/23 from 6-9 pm 

Dance Party: 2/8/23 from 6-9 pm 

Kids Skate Free at Headwaters Ice Rink

Tuesday, January 3, from 3:00-8:00 p.m.

Headwaters Park at Clinton and Superior Streets

This season, kids age 13 and younger are admitted free of charge on the following Tuesdays; January 3, 17, 31 and February 14. Skate rental is available as needed for $3 per person. Admission is $6 per person for age 14 and above. As of January 3 and through February 26, 2023, the rink is open Tuesday-Thursday, 3:00-8:00p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8:00 p.m. Headwaters Park Alliance gratefully acknowledges that the 2022-2023 Ice Skating Season is sponsored by Barrett and Stokely Management Inc. Kids Skate Free days are sponsored by Old National Bank. For more information, visit www.FortWayneParks.org and search for Headwaters Ice Rink.

Bee the Change/$1 Thursdays

Thursday, January 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

On the first Thursday of the month a special Bee the Change activity offers a positive reflection of self-worth and the potential for positive impact in the community beginning at 5:30 p.m. The January Bee the Change theme is “Botanical Fireworks”. No registration is required. The Conservatory admission is just $1 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday. Civic Center Garage parking is validated for free.

Yoga on the Riverfront

Sunday, January 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

This free, relaxing one-hour flow yoga class is for all skill levels and led by owner of Discover Yoga, Chelsea Vona. Bring your own yoga mat to Promenade Park or borrow one for the class.

Sunday Heritage Concert Series: Quincy Sanders

Sunday, January 8 , 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Relax to the smooth sounds of alto, tenor and soprano saxophones with regional musician, Quincy Sanders. Concerts are free and open to all ages. Seating will be on a first come first served basis.

Happy Smallidays Holiday Exhibit

Now until January 8, 2023, public hours

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street

Little Mouse sneaks into the Conservatory looking to cozy up for the smallidays. However, there is so much commotion that he keeps getting nudged to the side by the hurry and scurry of holiday decorating. He wants nothing more than for everyone to slow down and find joy in the little things. Follow Little Mouse in this endearing holiday story and be inspired by the heartfelt lesson he has to share. Sponsored by the English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Waterfield Foundation, PBS Fort Wayne and Majic 95.1.

Also happening:

Art Display

Meghan Wilhelm: “Presence” Until January 5

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street

Meghan Wilhelm is an artist and illustrator from Fort Wayne, IN. While she participates in various local art initiatives, her artwork has also been exhibited at a national level. Wilhelm’s display “Presence” at the Botanical Conservatory collects the body of work created as her senior thesis project. Since her graduation from the Herron School of Art and Design, these animal-themed pieces are exhibited together for the first time! The sole concept behind the collection is to explore the impact and the presence that animals invoke on the environments in which they live. Each piece melds an interest in the natural and fantastical and brings light to the importance of several notable endangered species.

Holiday Window Displays at Promenade Park

Now until January 3

Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street

Make the most of winter light at Promenade Park with a showcase of handmade paper cut light boxes. These delightful creations are believed to have originated from China after paper was first invented. Many countries picked up the skill, but Switzerland remains the enduring leader referring to the art form as Scherenschnitt. Riverfront’s light boxes were designed and hand-cut by staff using ideas of common winter scenes at Promenade Park such as the swings, the Historic Wells St. Bridge, and the Convergence Sculpture. The light boxes have multiple layers of paper with lighting from behind to show more detail in perspective, texture, and dimension. The display can be seen in the windows of the Park Foundation Pavilion at Promenade Park now until January 3, and can be best viewed at dusk.

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