2011-2020

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence

• The non-profit organization KaBOOM! named Fort Wayne a "2012 Playful City USA Community"
• The City of Fort Wayne named "Tree City USA" for the 22nd consecutive year
• Taylor’s Dream awarded the "Daniel Flaherty Park Excellence Award" & "Excellence in Construction Award"
• Franke Park Day Camp voted best summer camp by Fort Wayne Newspapers Reader’s Picks
• Golf Operations Pro/Manager Rick Hemsoth awarded "PGA Indiana Section Junior Golf Leader"
  
  

New Projects and Renovations

• Lakeside Park Pavilion #1 Roofing Improvements
• Memorial Park Playground Improvements
• Pawster Park Lighting Project
• Foster Park Monument Sign Project
• Swinney Park Homestead Roofing
• Botanical Conservatory Terrace Improvements Project
  
  

Milestones

• 100th Anniversary—Foster Park
• 35th Anniversary—Community Center
• 25th Anniversary—Lindenwood Nature Preserve
• 15th Anniversary—Lifetime Sports Academy

 

2013 Exciting News

• Legendary Group Chicago Headlines Foellinger Theatre Concert Season
• City Unveils McMillen Community Center Plans
• Annual $3 Million Allocation of Funds for Future Parks & Recreation Maintenance and Improvements


Awards Recognizing Park Excellence

• The non-profit organization KaBOOM! named Fort Wayne a “2013 Playful City USA Community”

• The City of Fort Wayne named “Tree City USA” for the 23rd consecutive year


New Projects and Renovations

• Parks Master Plan
• Foellinger Theatre Seating Expansion Project
• McMillen Park Tennis Court Improvements
• Botanical Conservatory Glass Replacement Project
• Franke and Lakeside Park Pond Bank Stabilization Projects
• Jennings Center Roof Improvements
• Kreager Park Boundless Playground Improvements

Milestones

• 85th Anniversary—Foster Park Golf Course
• 55th Anniversary—Shoaff Park Golf Course
• 50th Anniversary—McMillen Park Golf Course
• 35th Anniversary—Senior Games
• 30th Anniversary—Junor Golf Tour
• 15th Anniversary—Weisser Youth Center

 

2014 Exciting News

• Foellinger Theatre Concert Season was a huge success with Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Styx and The Beach Boys selling out.
• The Old Barn rentals for weddings and parties have become Salomon Farm’s greatest revenue stream and help make Salomon self-sufficient without tax-payer funding.
• Fort Wayne was designated a Birdtown Indiana by Indiana Audubon Society.
  
  

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence

• Re-accreditation by the CAPRA Board of the National Recreation and Park Association
• The National League of Cities recognized Mayor Tom Henry and the City of Fort Wayne for completing the key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties
• McMillen Park Community Center project chosen for 2014 Awards of Excellence from the Indiana Park and Recreation Association
• Downtown Improvement District award for an outstanding commitment to Downtown Fort Wayne
• Northeast Indiana Trail Riders Organization Corporate Supporter Award
• The non-profit organization KaBOOM! named Fort Wayne a “2014 Playful City USA Community” for the 5^th consecutive year
• City of Fort Wayne named “Tree City USA” for 24th consecutive year
  
  

New Projects and Renovations

• Lakeside Park Pond Bank Stabilization Improvements
• Justin Study Park Basketball Court Improvement
• Robert E. Meyers Park New Bloom Sculpture
• Foellinger Theatre Structural & Bleacher Improvements
• Foster Park Wedding Gazebo Improvements
• McMillen Park Community Center Renovation & Indoor Playground
• Bob Arnold Northside Park Aquatic Center Improvements
• McMillen & Lakeside Parks New Water Well Installation
• Freimann Square Anthony Wayne Monument & Site Improvements 

 

2015 Exciting News

• Foellinger Theatre attendance approached 50,000, up 35%, with revenues over $1.7 million.
• Camp Canine, the City’s second dog park, opened in July.
• The Department celebrated “110 Years of Family Fun” with a free, community party.
* LSA Sponsors 1st Tee Golf Program in 34 FWCS elementary schools.
* FootGolf Course opened at McMillen Park.

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence  

• Taylor’s Dream was voted 21st of the 50 best playgrounds by Early Childhood Education Zone.  
• The Rivergreenway was chosen as #2 in the “Best Trail” category in the “Best of Indiana” contest sponsored by Visit Indiana.  
• The Old Fort received an ARCHie award for compatible new construction for the rebuilding of the Blacksmith Shop.  
• The non-profit organization KaBOOM! named Fort Wayne a “2015 Playful City USA Community” for the 6th consecutive year.  
• City of Fort Wayne named “Tree City USA” for 25th consecutive year.
  
  

New Projects and Renovations

• Franklin School Park Phase I Project  
• Johnny Appleseed Dog Park Project  
• Shoaff Park Tennis and Paving Improvements  
• Freimann Square Bench and Lighting Improvements  
• McMillen Community Center Concession Improvements  
• Lions Park Playground and Pavilion Improvements  
• Memorial Park Pavilion 1 Exterior Improvements  
• Foellinger Theatre Beam, Seating, Sound and Rigging Improvements
• Lafayette Park Shelter Improvements  
• Packard Park Site Improvements
• Solar Power Improvements at McMillen Park Community Center, Franklin School Park and Shoaff Park

 

2016 Exciting News

• Parks & Recreation Department will oversee Riverfront Development Phase 1
• Summer RiverCamp for youth begins new day camp program.

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence:

• Salomon Farm Park and Farmers’ Market was inducted into the Green Lights Hall of Fame
• Aquatic Safety Staff Received the Gold International Aquatic Safety Award for the 6th Time
• The non-profit organization KaBOOM! named Fort Wayne a “2016 Playful City USA Community” for the 6th consecutive year.
• City of Fort Wayne named “Tree City USA” for 26th consecutive year.
  
  

New Projects and Renovations

• Franklin School Park Phase 1 - Site and Landscaping Improvements
• Buckner Splash Pad Drainage Improvements
• Lions Pickleball Improvements
• Foellinger Theatre Tower Painting, Dock and Concrete Ramp Improvements
• Salomon Homestead Demolition and Solar Parking Lot Lights
• Northside Administration Roof Improvements
• Franke and Shoaff Paving Improvements
• Shoaff Park Entrance Sign
• Klug Park Pathway and Sign Improvements
• Johnny Appleseed Drainage Improvements
• Community Center Parking Gate
• McMillen Golf Maintenance Building Improvements
• Franke Day Camp HVAC Improvements
• Headwaters New Riverfront Dock

 

2017 Highlights 

• Foster Park Golf Course celebrates 90 year anniversary; Shoaff Park Golf Course celebrates 60 years.
• July 12, City Council approves Local Income Tax (LIT) , creating a revenue stream that will help pay for riverfront development and sidewalks/alley repairs. 
• Dippin' Dogs event started at the end of the swimming season for Dog Park member dogs at Northside Pool.
• David Hefner Pavilion opened at Franklin School Park.

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence:

• Aquatic Safety Staff Received the Gold International Aquatic Safety Award for the 7th Time.
• The non-profit organization KaBOOM! named Fort Wayne a “2017 Playful City USA Community” for the 8th consecutive year.
• City of Fort Wayne named “Tree City USA” for 27th consecutive year and received Growth Award for 12th year.
• First Place Fort Wayne Readers Choice Awards: Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, Foster Park, Lakeside Park & Rose Garden and Franke Day Camp.
  
  

New Projects and Renovations

• Northside Park Administrative Building Roof Improvements
• Swinney Park Colonel Foster Monument Restoration
• Klug Park New Walking Path and Entry Arch Improvements
• Various Parks Bicentennial Bench Improvements
• Roosevelt Park Pedestrian Boardwalk Improvements
• Johnny Appleseed Fishing Pier Improvements
• Memorial Park Splashpad Surfacing Improvements
• Franke Park Foellinger Theatre Fence Improvements
• Northside Park Administration Entrance and Sidewalk Improvements
• Northside and McMillen Parks Pool Slide Improvements
• Shoaff Park and McMillen Park Stone Entrance Signs
• Franke, Foster, McMillen, Shoaff, Vesey Parks Paving Improvements
• Botanical Conservatory Patio, Storm Gutters & Glass Roof Improvements
• Franke Park Foellinger Theatre Stage Floor Improvements
• Franklin Park Phase II Project
• Franke Park Harris Road Barn Improvements
• Department’s Five Year Master Plan Update
  
  

2018 Highlights

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence

• Community Unity-Neighborhood Family Fun Nights was recognized at the 2018 Summit on Out-of-School Learning as this program was one of five finalists in the Out-of-School Champions Showcase. Community Unity is a partnership between the Fort Wayne Police Department, Fort Wayne United and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department.
• Aquatic Safety Staff received the 2018 Platinum International Aquatics Safety Award for consistently and exceeding the criteria for aquatic safety. This award is presented by Jeff Ellis & Associates.
• Franke Park Day Camp received the First Place Fort Wayne Reader’s Choice Award in the Camps category in the Fort Wayne Newspaper’s 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards.
• Memorial Park’s Memorial Grove was given the 100 Cities/100 Memorials Award. The honor was a collaborative effort with the Allen County Council of Veteran’s Organizations and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department.
• The City of Fort Wayne was named "Tree City USA" for the 29th consecutive year and received a Growth Award for the 14th year from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

New Projects and Renovations

• Foellinger Theatre Performer Area Improvements Project
• Various Parks Paving Improvements (Salomon, Reservoir, Memorial)
• Various Parks Playground Improvements (Camp Allen, Kreager, Hamilton, Lions, Johnny Appleseed)
• Ivan Lebamoff Reservoir Park Pond Improvements
• Ivan Lebamoff Reservoir Park Parking Lot Improvements
• Salomon Farm Learning Center Expansion Project
• Packard Park Futsall Court Improvements
• Shoaff Park Restroom/Shelter Building
• Franke Park Harris Road Police Canine Training Facility
• Buckner Park Playground Safety Surfacing Improvement

 

2019 Highlights 

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence

• Promenade Park’s visionary design and attention to detail made it the 2019 Project of the Year by Fort Wayne Magazine. Promenade Park is the first local development to receive this distinction.
• The Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department’s Partner Officer Program received the Innovative Program Award during the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) Conference in French Lick.
• Fort Wayne has been named a “Tree City USA” for the 29th year in a row. This designation--awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters--was earned for the City of Fort Wayne’s tree canopy stewardship and continued commitment to a green city. Fort Wayne also earned their 14th Growth Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for a higher standard of forestry management of the City’s 65,000 public trees.
• Fort Wayne was renamed Bird Town Indiana by the Indiana Audubon Society.

New Projects and Renovations

• Promenade Park (See photos at Riverfrontfw.org)
• Salomon Farm Park Homestead Restoration
• Botanical Conservatory Connector
• Freimann Pool Liner Replacement
• Franke Park Master Plan Finalized
• Weisser Youth Center Roof Improvement
• Community Center Multi-Purpose Floor
• McMillen/Northside Pool Shade Structures
• Guldlin Park Dock/Ramp Improvements
• Foster Park Golf Course Cart Paths
• Franke Park Spy Run Creek Streambank Restoration
• Johnny Appleseed Restrooms 

 

2020 Highlights

Awards Recognizing Park Excellence

As the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department continues to celebrate the first year of Promenade Park, several awards recognized the park in 2020.

• 2019 Project of the Year by Fort Wayne Magazine. Promenade Park is the first local development to receive this distinction.
• 2020 Excellence in Construction award from the BCA (Building Contractors Association of Northeast Indiana) New Construction – Over $6 million
• ASLA STL (American Society of Landscape Architects St. Louis) – Merit Award (2020) Design – Constructed Projects, Over $500,000 Construction Budget
• ASLA IL (American Society of Landscape Architects Illinois) – Merit Award (2020) General Design – Constructed Projects
• ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) Central States – Award of Excellence (2020) // (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota) Design (Built) *Awarded to only one (1) project
• INASLA (Indiana American Society of Landscape Architects) – Award of Excellence (2020) Design - Constructed Projects, Over $500,000 Construction Budget * Awarded to only one (1) project
• Indiana ACEC (American Council of Engineering Companies) 2020 Engineering Excellence Honor Award
• Honorable Mention in Cities category for Fast Company’s 2020 Innovation by Design Award 

Salomon Farm Park’s Old Barn was named the Best Historic Wedding Venue in Northern Indiana by LUXlife 2020 Global Wedding Awards.

Fort Wayne has been named a “Tree City USA” for the 30th year in a row. This designation--awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters--was earned for the City of Fort Wayne’s tree canopy stewardship and continued commitment to a green city. Fort Wayne also earned their 15th Growth Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for a higher standard of forestry management of the City’s 65,000 public trees. 

New Projects and Renovations

• Conservatory Roof Replacement
• McMillen Pavilion Renovations
• McCulloch Pavilion Renovations
• Northside & McMillen Aquatic Centers – Renovations
• Kettler Pavilion Hardscape Improvements
• Parks Paving (Lakeside, Northside, Johnny Appleseed)
• Salomon Main Drive Paving & South End Drainage
• Buckner Park LWCF Grant
• Wells Street Bridge Grant Project
• Thomas Property Acquisition (partial amount of purchase)
• Memorial Park Trails