What’s Happening in the Parks
The week ahead
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week ahead:
Reminder:
Splashpads Open for the Season
Saturday, May 25, 9:00 a.m.
The nine area Water Playgrounds will open for the season on Saturday, May 25 at 9:00 a.m.
They are located at the following parks:
|
Buckner Park |
6114 Bass Road |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
Franklin School Park |
1903 Saint Marys Avenue |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
Kreager Park (Taylor’s Dream) |
7225 North River Road |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
McCormick Park |
2300 Raymond Avenue & Holly Avenue |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
Memorial Park |
2301 Maumee Avenue & Glasgow Avenue |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
Promenade Park |
202 W. Superior Street |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
Robert E. Meyers Park |
Inside North Gate of Parkview Field on Jefferson Blvd. |
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday, on days with no scheduled events) |
|
Shoaff Park |
6401 St. Joe Road |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
Waynedale Park |
2900 Koons Street & Elzey Street |
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Sweet Breeze Tours begin
Saturday, May 25, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (90-minute tour), 2:45 -3:30 p.m. (45-minute tour)
Sunday, May 26, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (90 minute tour), 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (45-minute tour)
South Dock Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Travel Fort Wayne’s rivers on Sweet Breeze, an authentic 1840 canal boat replica. This fully accessible tour provides an opportunity to learn something new about Fort Wayne through its riverfront. Choose 90 minute or 45 minute cruise options. Tickets are $30 per person for a 90-minute cruise, and $20 per person for 45-minute cruise. 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. Specialty tours will begin the morning of Saturday, June 1, with the popular Bird Watching Tour with members of the Stockbridge Audubon Society. Visit the website to see all of the options this season.
Iris Flower Show
Sunday, May 26, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Revel in the beauty of showy spring blooms. Members of the Northeast Indiana Iris Society display a sublime array of prized blooms in various varieties. Be sure to vote for your favorite! Members are also happy to offer helpful growing advice. Show entry is included with general admission.
Registration for the Fort Wayne Senior Games continues
Register before Friday, May 31, for best rates
FWPR Community Center, 233 West Main Street
Since 1979, the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center has hosted the annual Senior Games. The popular event has expanded over the past 45 years. It offers 40 fun and challenging sports and game events for men and women age 50 and above. The games promote the benefits of remaining active and physically fit and encourage all adults over age 50 to adopt a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle. Events are planned June 3 until June 27. Registrations prior to May 31, will be $1 per event, and increase to $2 per event June 1 and afterwards. Fort Wayne Senior Games event registrations are also accepted up to two business days prior to the event. Download the entry form on the www.FortWayneParks.org website, or stop by the Community Center to pick it up. Follow the instructions and join the fun.
Featuring:
City Pools Open for the Season
Saturday, June 1, 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Bob Arnold Northside Park Pool, East State Blvd. and Parnell Avenue
McMillen Park Pool, Oxford Street, East of Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation will open Northside and McMillen Pools for the season on Saturday, June 1. Public swim hours will be 12:30-5:00 p.m. A free swim for youth with disabilities will be held weekly beginning on Sunday, June 9, from 5:15 –6:15 p.m. at Northside Pool. For more information about special swim programs, lessons, punch cards, season passes and pool/pavilion rentals, visit www.FortWayneParks.org.
Kids’ Fishing Derby
Saturday, June 1, 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. (Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
Hurshtown Reservoir, 16000 Rothman Road, Grabill
Foster patience, coordination and an appreciation for nature in kids up to age 16 at the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby. Bring your own tackle, bait and bucket to join this free catch and release derby. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish caught in five age categories as well as an overall biggest catch. Each participant may enter one fish. No fishing license is required for this special event. An adult must accompany all contestants. Awards will be handed out at 11:30 a.m. (must be present to win) Admission to Hurshtown Reservoir is $5 per car.
Sweet Breeze specialty tour: Bird Watching
Saturday, June 1, 10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Promenade Park South Dock, 202 West Superior Street
Go birdwatching on the river with members of the Stockbridge Audubon Society on this Sweet Breeze specialty tour! Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars and camera on this two-hour tour which will go as far as the boat can on the three rivers to make sure you see as many species as possible! This specialty tour is $40 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.
Also Happening:
Color in Motion: Live Butterfly Exhibit
Until June 23, public hours
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Live butterflies have landed at the Botanical Conservatory bringing with them an array of natural beauty and wonder. Watch in awe, their wings in flight, as they flash with color pigments and refracted light. Observe exotic butterflies emerging from their chrysalides right before your eyes! An epic display of multicolored flowers and foliage elevates this annual spring exhibit. Sponsored by: the English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, “In memory of Jo Ann and William Wyatt,” the Fort Wayne Park Foundation, 97.3 WMEE and 21Alive.
Trek the Trails
Tuesday, May 28, Meet at 6:00 p.m.
Shoaff Park, 6401 St. Joe Road, Conklin Pavilion (turn left at entrance)
The 2024 Trek the Trails season continues on Tuesday evenings. Meet near the tennis courts at Shoaff Park for a 7.3 mile bike ride. There is no cost to participate. All experience levels are welcome and participation is at your own risk. Riders are encouraged to wear helmets. Trek the Trails is sponsored by UAW Local #2209, Three Rivers Velo Sport and Bike Fort Wayne and is presented by the City of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Trails. Follow the City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Trails, Fort Wayne Running Club, and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation on social media for weather-related updates. For a complete list of locations and dates, visit: https://www.fortwayneparks.org/trails/news-events.html
Tread the Trails
Thursday, May 30, Meet at 6:00 p.m.
Shoaff Park, 6401 St. Joe Road, Conklin Pavilion (turn left at entrance)
Fort Wayne Running Club and the City of New Haven have joined the City of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. to provide guided 1 mile & 5k walks/runs beginning at different locations throughout the area! These 5k walks/runs are offered every other Thursday. All mobility aids are welcome at Tread the Trails, and participants are encouraged to lengthen/shorten the route as preferred. For a complete list of locations and dates, visit https://www.fortwayneparks.org/trails/news-events.html.
Spring Plant Swap
June 1, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Swap quality established plants with fellow plant enthusiasts and bring home the same amount of plants, if not more! Vegetables, annuals and houseplants are preferable in spring. Please label all plants prior to arrival and bring a carrier to transport. Swaps are free, though space is limited. Registered participants are given priority. Please register by May 30 at www.FortWayneParks.org.
Dani Kiefer: Wild and Free
Until - June 22, public hours
Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Dani Kiefer is a teacher, graphic designer, illustrator and fine artist. She received a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design and photography from the University of Saint Francis in 1999. Upon graduation, she moved to Chicago and began designing exhibits and marketing materials for the Field Museum of Natural History. She continued her career in Chicago at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Lincoln Park Zoo where her brand design for the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo was awarded first place by the American Association of Museums. She currently teaches part-time at Concordia Lutheran High School, leads art workshops in her home studio and designs communication materials and illustrations for a variety of clients. "I’m drawn to wildflowers. They thrive in the most unlikely of circumstances. They are strong, resilient, patient, trusting, wild and free."
