1986-1990

Year

Event

1986

• Traditional Sunday night rock concerts moved from Freimann Square to Lawton Park.
• Nuckles Memorial dedicated at the site of the old Hayden Park.
• Hurshtown Reservoir opened.
• Moncrief consultant team engaged to assist with implementation of Moncrief Management Study. A Marketing Manager was hired to work with the Moncrief Team.
• Banquet and meeting rooms at Conservatory completely remodeled to be more functional for group use.
• Terrace Garden at Botanical Conservatory dedicated. The Terrace Garden was developed with $500,000 from Foellinger Foundation.

1987

• Park Foundation funds used to purchase Lindenwood Environmental Study Area from Lindenwood Cemetery.
• 10th anniversary of Senior Citizens Center.
• Design firm contracted to evaluate swimming pools and provide concepts for remodeling.
• Department received $111,000 from Land and Water Conservation Fund and Indiana Waters grants for further Rivergreenway development.
• Department study by Dr. Louis Moncrief completed. Department characterized as "park driven". Recommended Department take steps to become more "market driven." Report include departmental reorganization.
• Department reorganization plans (recommended by Moncrief study) were completed and partially implemented.
• Staff formed marketing teams and received marketing education.
• Strategic Marketing plan for Department was completed with aid of UPARR grant.
• $2.8 million Australian Adventure opened at Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.

1988

• Department reorganization completed.
• Department adopted marketing philosophy and mission statement.
• Hosted the Annual Indiana Park and Recreation Association annual conference.
• Franke Day Camp was extended to include 4-5 year old children.
• Rivergreenway link between West Swinney and Foster Parks funded by LWCF grant.
• Master plans developed for Shoaff, Franke, Maumee and Buckner Parks as well as Johnny Appleseed Campground, Foster Gardens and the four city pools.

1989

• Department adopted new logo.
• Traditional Sunday evening free rock concerts were discontinued due to volume and traffic problems.
• Park Foundation provided funds to purchase 16 acres north of Shoaff Park and two parcels on Goshen Road south of Franke Park.
• Miner Center closed after 20 years of operation and leased to Boys and Girls Club for their use.
• Prehistoric Giants exhibit featuring life-like robotic dinosaurs visits the Children's Zoo.
• Swinney Skateboard Center opened.

1990

• Centralized, computerized registration system put in place.
• Conservatory designated a plant rescue center for the USDA as part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• Bridal Glen dedicated in Foster Gardens.
• Received $3 million bequest from Gail Kreager estate with stipulation that it be used within 5 years to develop at least 50 acre park to be named after him.
• Superintendent of Conservatory and Horticulture position created.
• The Fort Wayne Zoological Society began working with Dr. Richard Tenaza of the University of the Pacific and the Indonesian Government to set aside a reserve on the Mentawai Islands to help save five species of endangered primates.  
• Fort Wayne Children's Zoo hosted the Great Lakes Regional Conference of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
• Zoo celebrates 25th anniversary.
• Forestry Division initiated comprehensive street tree maintenance program whereby trees are trimmed in a strategically planned order, one section of the city at a time.