What’s Happening in the Parks
The week ahead
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week ahead:
Reminder:
Salomon Farm Park U-pick Flowers, FINAL WEEKEND
Friday, October 11, 4:00–7:00 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 12, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
U-Pick flower fields are now available on Fridays and Saturdays while flowers are blooming. Prices vary per type; $2 per Sunflower and Dalia and $1 per other stem. Follow the signs and look for the “red barn” trailer for supplies and checkout.
Volunteer Invasive Removal at Lindenwood
Saturday, October 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Avenue
Join us to help remove invasive plant species that are threatening biodiversity at Lindenwood Nature Preserve. Volunteers will join experts from Indiana Native Plant Society in pulling and cutting down burning bush, privet, bush honeysuckle, and multiflora rose. Some tools and gloves will be provided, but bring your own hand tools, if you have them (manual power only).
Sweet Breeze Specialty: Pirate Party
Saturday, October 12, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (90-minute tour)
Promenade Park South Dock, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Come party like a pirate on Ship Sweet Breeze! Have some beer and brandy wine from the on-board cash bar, fill yer belly with GK bread, and sing along to a slew of sea shanties, performed live by The Ragtag Bunch! Costumes ARRRR encouraged, mates. Tickets are $60 per person. Reservations can be made online (until midnight on day prior to tour) at www.RideSweetBreeze.org or via the Fort Wayne Parks App; in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours. Walk-ups are welcome at the dock as space is available by cash or credit card. This tour is designed for ages 21 and above).
Wild Walkers
Friday, October 11, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ouabache State Park (IN State Parks), 4930 IN – 201, Bluffton, IN
This adult hiking group meets the second and fourth Fridays of each month for a walk on the wild side. Each hike features a different natural area in the region (parks, wetlands, nature preserve, etc.) and carpooling is available when necessary. Find the full 2024 schedule and carpooling details at this link. https://www.fortwayneparks.org/images/PDF/Lindenwood/2024_Wild_Walkers_Schedule.pdf
Sweet Breeze Weekend Tours, FINAL WEEKEND
Saturday, October 12, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (90-minute tour), 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (45-minute tour)
Sunday, October 13, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (90-minute tour), 245 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (45-minute tour)
Promenade Park South Dock, 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 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 (until midnight on day prior to tour) at www.RideSweetBreeze.org or via the Fort Wayne Parks App; in person at the Parks and Recreation Offices (705 East State Blvd.) or by phone 260-427-6000 during normal business hours. Walk-ups are welcome at the dock as space is available by cash or credit card. Specialty tours are scheduled throughout the season. Visit the website or app to see all of the options.
Kickboxing with 9Round
Sunday, October 13, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Kick and punch your way through a great workout at this free monthly exercise class. Instructors will lead participants in a calorie burning journey like no other.
Yoga on the Riverfront
Sunday, October 13, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
This free, relaxing one-hour flow yoga class is designed 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
Sunday, October 13, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
FourPiece will bring their mix of garage rock and funk to Riverfront Fort Wayne. The concert is free and open to all ages. Seating inside will be on a first come first served basis.
Last weekend of the season at Hurshtown
Tuesday – Sunday, 7:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Hurshtown Reservoir 16000 Roth Road, Grabill, IN
Hurshtown Reservoir may be the best fishing spot in Allen County. It also features a 2.75- mile walking path, area for picnics, kayak rentals and row boat rentals. Admission is $5 per car or $1 to walk or bicycle in. Call 260-627-3390 during hours of operation. The reservoir closes for the season on October 15.
Featuring:
Spirit of History Walking Tour
Friday, October 18, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wells Street Bridge, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
This walking tour will tread through the history surrounding the park, including its hauntings and vices. Hosts will endeavor to bring history to life by telling tales and breathing life back into the souls that still haunt our building and town—relax and enjoy the tour through time. This is designed for ages 13 and above. Admission is free.
Great Tree Canopy Comeback 2024
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Two sites in Allen County (see sign up form for more details)
The Great Tree Canopy Comeback (GTCC) began in 2001 with the mission and focus to restore a canopy that was found to be severely lacking in the Parks System. Since the first annual event, the GTCC has been responsible for planting nearly 3,000 trees in multiple parks and trails throughout the county. This planting success, with the addition of other tree care needs, led to the event evolving in 2018 to also include removal of invasive shrubs and trees from the parks’ natural wooded areas. This year you can choose to volunteer to help plant trees at Kreager Park on North River Road or protect biodiversity and habitats by removing invasive plant species near the Historic Fort Park at 1201 Spy Run Avenue. Go to: bit.ly/TreeCanopyComeback24 to sign up.
Feather Fest
Saturday, October 19, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Avenue
Fly to Lindenwood Nature Preserve for a free family-fun birding festival. Explore up to four hiking trails with guides and watch for over 70 bird species. Special crafts and activities will thrill kids, live music with Sam Dell will add to the ambiance and Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation, ACRES Land Trust and Three Rivers Birding return to educate and entertain.
Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October 19, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center, 233 West Main Street
Downtown Fort Wayne becomes a haven for monsters, ghosts, vampires and zombies on Saturday afternoon. Bring your little goblins to the Community Center for an afternoon of frightful fun. It will include games, a craft and a not so scary movie. Admission is free. Concessions will be available to purchase.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Costume Contest and Fright Night Market
Saturday, October 19, Doors open at 7:00 p.m., Costume Contest at 8:00 p.m., Movie begins at 9:15 p.m.
Join the Botanical Conservatory in its 16th season screening of the time warp! New in 2024, a Fright Night Market will start off the evening activities. Also a costume contest with categories for Rocky Horror Character, Halloween costume and Zombie will offer fun for all. Weather permitting, this cult classic movie is enjoyed outdoors in the Terrace Garden in conjunction with the Downtown Improvement District’s Fright Night. Lawn chairs are welcome and encouraged. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from Shigs in Pit & Mad Anthony Catering; no outside food or beverage will be permitted. Please no rice or confetti during this participatory movie event. The movie is rated R with content not suitable for younger audiences. Attendees 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by: ALT 99.5 FM & 102.3 FM and Shigs in Pit & Mad Anthony Catering. Admission: $10 per person.
Spooky Critter Houses: Bat Boxes
Sunday, October 20, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Park Foundation Pavilion, Promenade Park, 202 West Superior Street
Did you know that a single brown bat can eat up to 3,000 mosquito sized bugs every night!? Join Riverfront and the Save Maumee Grassroots organization to build and decorate mini single-chamber bat houses and for these amazing natural pest managers. The bat box kits are made by Firefly Goods from repurposed wood and Save Maumee members will be on-site to help assemble the project. Guests will also get instructions on when, where and how to hang the bat home in the backyard. This is a great class for kids and adults alike. Parental supervision is required for children. It is designed for ages 8 and above. Register online at www.FortWayneParks.org or by phone at 260-427-6000. Fee is $20 per person.
Handmade Homemade Sale
Sunday, October 20, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
It’s not too early to start your holiday shopping! Crafters and artisans will sell their handmade homemade goods in the Wolf Family Learning Center and the Old Barn. Non-shoppers can enjoy an afternoon at the farm or walk the trail.
Also Happening:
Pumpkin Path Display
Until October 27, public hours
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
A local favorite, this scenic outdoor display returns to the Botanical Conservatory. Enjoy the spirit of the season while taking part in an autumn activity and posing for festive photo ops adorned with fall foliage and naturally harvested decor. Share @BConservatoryFW a new favorite memory as part of your visit! Included with regular Conservatory admission. Sponsored by Majic 95.1 WAJI.
Raise a Glass! Exhibit
Until November 17, public hours
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
The Botanical Conservatory is celebrating 40 years! Since 1983, this unique botanical venue has served as a cultural anchor in Fort Wayne, having welcomed nearly three million visitors from near and far! During its 40th anniversary, the Botanical Conservatory is capturing vivid streams of light and reflecting into glimmers of a vibrant future. Raise your glass to the continued health, happiness and success of this community treasure. Sponsored by: Fort Wayne Park Foundation, English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Majic 95.1, WANE 15 and Sycamore Tree Care.
From Concept to Celebration
Until November 16, public hours
Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
This visual timeline displays the history of the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory from an original idea to our current-day fortieth anniversary! Images, news articles and short stories provide historical context during the celebratory Raise a Glass! Garden Exhibit. Enjoy this unique display as a collaboration of archives from both the Foellinger Foundation and the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.
Raise a Glass! $1 Nights
Thursdays, until November 14, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Here’s a toast celebrating not only 40 years as a unique botanical venue for public education and enjoyment, but 200 years since Allen County was officially born. During the Raise a Glass! Garden Exhibit, take advantage of $1 admission every Thursday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Cheers to the Botanical Conservatory as a community treasure serving over 3,000,000 tourists and residents since opening its doors in 1983…and here’s to Allen County steadfast since 1824 with 400,000+ residents thriving and residing today. Together, the Botanical Conservatory and Bicentennial Executive Board wish to celebrate the past, present and future with you!
