Fort Wayne's parks and trails have so much to offer!
A visit to Fort Wayne this spring won’t be complete without stepping foot in at least one of the local parks or trails the area has to offer. A newly-enhanced website showcasing Fort Wayne’s green space debuted this month to help you plan your next visit – and even includes sample itineraries for enjoying a day outdoors.
Among the most popular city parks are:
- Foster Park, located at 3900 Old Mill Road, and founded in 1912, is one of Fort Wayne’s most unique green areas. It features tennis courts and access to the Rivergreenway, a 24-mile long paved multi-purpose trail. The park extends along a portion of the St. Mary’s River and features activity pavilions, Foster Golf Course, playgrounds and a floral area – full of beautiful blooms this spring. A replica of Abraham Lincoln’s birth cabin is also on-site.
- Lakeside Park, located 1401 Lake Ave., at was founded in 1908 and is one of Fort Wayne’s legacy parks. Seated on nearly 24 acres, today this park features a beautiful rose garden and gazebo. This park offers an opportunity to sit by the water and enjoy nature. Lakeside also has basketball and tennis courts, a walking path and public fishing.
- Johnny Appleseed Park, located on Harry Baals Drive, just off of Coliseum Boulevard, is home to a campground on one side, the riverbank on another. In between there is a portion of the Fort Wayne Rivergreenway trail. This park is aptly named after the historic man of apple tree folklore, Johnny Appleseed. Basketball courts, boating, sailing and fishing areas, picnic benches a playground and more are on site.
Hike or bike the fabulous Fort Wayne trails!
And when it comes to walking, running or wheeling along trails, the options are endless. The Fort Wayne area hosts more than 65 miles of trails, including both land and water – for kayaking, connecting visitors to the area parks, downtown and a host of local attractions. Traveling on foot, wheels or by water has never been easier!
Visit the trail system guide online for easy to read color-coded maps and links to the parks and trails websites. Sample trail itineraries include a 4.5-mile loop downtown taking you by scenic views of the cityscape, downtown museums and eateries. For a longer tour, consider biking a six or eight mile loop from Foster Park to another local green space, Tillman Park. This route will guide you near one of Fort Wayne’s favorite ice cream shops, and provides water fountain and restroom stops along the way.
Fort Wayne is northeast Indiana’s largest metropolitan area. The city, along with its county seat, is home to approximately 90 parks, encompassing more than 2,800 acres of land. A dozen of these are Legacy Parks, a term coined to signify a park that has been established for a century years or longer. For more information on the parks and trails featured here visit Fort Wayne Parks and Trails online and begin planning your next outdoor excursion.
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