Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department
Capital Improvement Narratives
The following are capital improvement projects that are planned for the coming year at the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department parks and facilities. In addition, The City of Fort Wayne continues to invest in the Parks & Recreation Department!
Status Report/Plans
For a current report on the various projects, please check out the following information: Current Status Report on Capital Improvement Projects (as of 7/3/2024)
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation offers highlights of the department’s 2023 capital improvement projects and programs. Over 80 Park projects were completed and the City of Fort Wayne invested approximately $3 million in Parks and Recreation Department improvements this year.
You can now view a 2023 Project Update
Completed 2023 Capital Improvement Projects include:
- Botanical Conservatory HVAC Control Upgrades & Chiller Replacement
- Botanical Conservatory Indoor Lighting
- Bowser Park Pavilion Renovation
- Buckner Park Trail Construction
- Casselwood Park Playground Equipment
- Community Center Roof Phase 2 Construction
- Franke Park Drainage Improvements
- Jennings Recreation Center Improvements (Boiler, Kitchen, Fence)
- Sheldon Park Drive New Playground Equipment, Sidewalks and Benches
- Various Park Paving Improvements
- Various Parks City/Park Street Tree Plantings
Looking ahead to 2024, the following projects are some of which are planned to steward park properties and enhance use of and access to the parks for citizens and visitors.
- 10 Neighborhood Playground Replacements
- Botanical Conservatory Linkway Interior Construction
- Community Center HVAC Control System
- Foster Park Golf Course Restoration Plan
- Headwaters Park Fountain Restoration to begin
- Headwaters Park /Old Fort Bridge Repairs
- Mechanic Street Bridge Engineering and Construction
- Neighborhood Street Trees
- Salomon Farm Building door repairs/painting, siding repairs
- Spy Run Rivergreenway Trail Paving Renovation
- Tillman Park Restroom Building Repairs
- Various Playgrounds Curbing, Drainage and Safety Surfacing
Completed 2022 Capital Improvement Projects include:
- Botanical Conservatory window glass replacement
- Community Center parking lot paving
- Foellinger Theater entrance sidewalk and drainage improvements
- Foster Park Pavilion #3 restoration
- Added 30 new outdoor Pickleball courts through resurfacing, converting and restriping (Foster Park, Lakeside Park, Hamilton Park, Kettler Park and Tillman Park)
- Jennings Center Playground structure replacement, landscape improvements
- Kreager Park Taylor’s Dream playground safety surface replacement
- McMillen Park Golf Course cart paths paving
- Freimann Square Anthony Wayne and Swinney Park General Foster Monument cleaning and waxing and installation of four chess tables.
- Reservoir Park enhancements and resurfacing of two basketball courts and colorful mural installation by local artist, Andre Portee
- Salomon Farm Park Old Barn siding improvements and painting
- Wells Street Bridge replacement of decorative knee portal components in truss
Looking ahead to 2023, the following projects are planned to steward park properties and enhance use of and access to the parks for citizens and visitors.
- Buckner Park trail and picnic shelter addition
- Casselwood Park Playground improvements
- Community Center flooring replacement
- Foster Park Golf Course Master Plan
- Franklin Park Splash Pad shade structures
- Jennings Center kitchen improvements (cabinets and countertops)
- Lakeside Park lighting for tennis, pickleball and basketball courts
- McMillen Park Community Center reception improvements
- McMillen Park Pool House exterior painting
- McMillen Park Tennis Courts resurfacing
- Park System Comprehensive Plan
- Paving improvements at Foster Park, Salomon Farm Park and Buckner Park
- Salomon Farm Park Heritage Barn siding improvements and painting
- Salomon Farm Park restroom building winterization
- Sheldon Drive new playground equipment
- Shoaff Park Golf Course flooring improvements
- Weisser Park Youth Center signage
The City will continue to invest in Parks, with $3 million slated for 2023.
2021 Capital Improvement Projects
The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department is providing an update on the department’s 2021 capital improvement projects and programs. Over 100 projects were completed in 2021 and the City of Fort Wayne invested approximately $3 million in Parks and Recreation Department improvements this year.
“I continue to be impressed with the outstanding programming and recreational opportunities being offered by the Parks and Recreation Department,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “Our quality of life is enhanced by having award-winning parks in the City of Fort Wayne. Individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds are benefitting from the services being provided.”
The completed 2021 Capital Improvement Projects include:
- Franke Park Renaissance Design Plan
- ADA Improvements at Northside, Kreager, Cooper Center
- Botanical Conservatory Megaflora Art Installation
- Botanical Conservatory Exterior Fountain Liner Installation
- Botanical Conservatory Window Glass Replacement
- Foellinger Theatre Digital Sign Upgrades
- Franke Park Pavilion #2 Roof Replacement
- Franke Park Zoo Parking Lot Improvements
- Jennings Center Parking Lot New Lighting Installation
- Kettler Park Open-Air Pavilion Renovation
- Kreager Park Picnic Shelter Addition at Playground
- Lakeside Park Fishing and Overlook Pier Renovation
- McMillen Park Aquatics Center Site Improvements
- McMillen Park Golf Course Golf Cart Paths Replacement
- Memorial Park Allen Co. Veterans Memorial Monument Relocation
- Northside Park Tennis Courts Recoating
- Paving Projects at McMillen, Lakeside, Vesey, Memorial, Shoaff and Swinney Parks
- Promenade Park Playground Restroom Building Addition
- Weisser Park Playground Replacement
- Youth Centers Kitchen Improvements Including New Appliances
In addition to capital improvement projects, the Parks and Recreation Department brought back several programs and events in 2021 that had been cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Summer day camps, Foellinger Theatre concerts, aquatic centers, youth athletics, and many more recreation opportunities returned to the community this year.
“It is important to recognize our Parks and Recreation team as we continued to bring back programs and facilities for the citizens of Fort Wayne,” said Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel. “We had many challenges ahead of us this year and this department met those challenges once again. On behalf of our department, I want to thank Mayor Henry, Fort Wayne City Council, the Board of Park Commissioners and our many private donors for another successful year.”
The City will continue to invest in the Parks & Recreation Department, with $3 million of public funding slated for 2022.
Investing in our Future: Committment to Maintain & Improve Parks 2019 Press Conference
Check out the Investing in our Future 2019 Press Release
2020 Project Updates
To see even more Project Updates including photos check out the Project Updates link
Northside Park Aquatics Center
Renovation of the entire pool site, including fence replacement, new shade structures, new seating area, additional lawn seating and landscape.
Weisser Youth Center
Interior improvements including new countertops and painting throughout the facility.
Kreager Park Soccer Fields
Automatic, subsurface irrigation installation on Fields 1 thru 3. Project greatly reduces water loss and labor typically required to water the fields manually. This system is expandable for future improvements.
Lawton Park Parks Sign
Renovation of the existing sign on Clinton St. including new sign faces, city seal and painting.
Northside Ball Diamond Fence
Complete replacement of the ball diamond fence used by Wildcat and park goers.
Johnny Appleseed Restroom Building
Restroom and drinking fountain station located adjacent to the playground, dog park and the Rivergreenway trailhead. Facility is completely ADA accessible and compliments many of the uses at Johnny Appleseed Park.
2019 Project Updates
Community Center
New multi-purpose flooring used for receptions, tap dancing, yoga and many other activities
Conklin Pavilion Roof
Replacement of cedar shake roof for entire structure. This project coincides with a patio addition and improvements to the restrooms, along with a new improved drive access.
Foster Golf Course
Golf path replacement throughout the course, provides access for larger vehicles for course maintenance.
Freimann Square Fountain
New pool liner provides for a more attractive fountain and prevents water loss through the pool walls.
Guldlin Park Boat Ramp
New ADA accessible, floating boat dock and access ramp on the St. Marys River.
Hamilton Park Playground
New play equipment and safety surface on the 5-12 year playground.
Jennings Center Playground Fence
Black vinyl-coated chain link fence around the playground and basketball court.
Johnny Appleseed Campground Office
New office structure with interior improvements for camp hosts who help run the campground. Includes updated technology for reservations and communication.
McMillen and Northside Pools Shade Structures
New shade structures provide greater relief from the sun, colorful canopies and simpler maintenance.
Memorial Park Playground Safety Surface
Synthetic turf playground surface is ADA accessible, drains wells and provides long lasting safety for playground.
Memorial Park Trails
Extended asphalt trail system added throughout the park. Provides greater access to Park’s amenities and monuments.
Salomon Farm Paving
Modified entrance into the farm including an improved trail crossing and paved surface to the Education Center parking lot.
Swinney Tennis Center
New backboard surfacing on Courts 4 and 8 provides an improved experience for those practicing at the facility.
Waynedale Park
Newly paved parking areas, ADA accessible trail system connects parking to the tennis courts and basketball court.
Weisser Park Lighting
Utilized refurbished and repainted decorative light fixtures along sidewalks within the park and adjacent to the playground.
2018 Project Updates
Buckner Park Playgrounds
Buckner Playgrounds- installed new artificial turf safety surfacing system with better safety fall rating and ADA accessibility. Another benefit of this project is to better blend with grass fields.
Packard Park Pavilion before and after.
- Laminate countertops with bullnose edge and backsplash
- Water-resistant cabinet bases and shelves
- ADA accessible sink and service window opening
- Durable, epoxy floor treatment in kitchen and restrooms
- High-performance and highly durable wall paneling system
- Brighter and energy-saving LED lighting throughout
Foellinger Theatre
Newly renovated Foellinger Theatre lower level featuring upgraded amenities including seven dressing rooms, two new restrooms with showers, a private lounge, a spacious green room, a production office, storage space, heating and cooling and drainage improvements.
Shoaff Park Restrooms & Open Air Shelter
A restroom facility including an open air shelter is conveniently located next to the playground/sprayground area in the park.
Spy Run Shelter
The shelter at Spy Run has new fencing and was painted.
McMillen Park Community Center
Roof improvements
Reservoir Park
Infrastructure Improvements include:
New parking lot on the north end and new pathway and parking lot lights. New drive to the top side of Cooper Community Center.
Salomon Farm Park
Homestead Renovation, Learning Center Addition and Parking Lot enhancements.
Memorial Park Grove
Thanks to the Warrior Breed Motorcycle Club for raising funds for an additional 71 trees that were planted in Memorial Park Grove. The trees represent the men and women from Allen County who died in Active Service during WWI. A total of four species were planted including: white oak, hackberry, elm and tulip.
Freimann Square
Old lights at Freimann Square were obsolete. Finding parts proved difficult and a move toward better efficient lights was important so the old lighting was replaced with LED lights. Future phases are being planned to replace all the single light heads.
Shoaff Park
Tentatively opening summer of 2018 a restroom facility and open air shelter. This building will be located adjacent to the Shoaff Park splashpad. The new Shoaff Park sign was recently installed at the entrance. 
Waynedale Pavilion
Improvements to the Waynedale pavilion include: 5 Beams were replaced and new concrete poured on the patio.
Foster Park
Before/after pictures showing the Tennis Courts in need of repair. The courts have now been color coated.
Botanical Conservatory
The lighting, irrigation & fencing is complete for the patio and gutter project. The landscaping is in progress.
Bob Arnold Northside Park
New concrete walkway
Memorial Park Splashpad
A new surface was installed around the splashpad.
Franke Park
In the Long House ceiling fans were installed.
Wells Street Beam Improvements
Weisser Park
Work on the Dugout
McMillen Park Community Center
New flooring installed throughout the Center.
Foster Park
Court improvements to volleyball courts.
Salomon Farm Park
The Farmstead addition was removed to take the home back to the original footprint. 
Klug Park
Concrete work is now complete for the new Klug Park walking path. The new Legacy Arch was installed this winter.
Foellinger Theatre
Improvements at Foellinger Theatre include: powerwashing, priming and painting as well as working on the drains and other projects.
Lions Park
Court improvements were made at Lions Park for all courts.
Kreager Park-Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground
This new Cozy Cocoon is great for children with Autism. 
Johnny Appleseed Campground
Three new HVAC units were installed at Johnny Appleseed Campground in the restrooms and laundry area.
Franke Park Day Camp
Upgrades to Franke Park Day Camp include 1 new HVAC in the kitchen and 3 new HVAC units in the Nature Lodge. In addition, replacing doors slabs off the hallway.
Courthouse Green
Installed new ADA compliant walk and fixed broken concrete.
Franklin School Park
Phase I
Franklin School Park Phase I is now open to the public. This phase includes the renovation of the arches, family restrooms in the pavilion, site work and a new splash pad. Read more on the Franklin School Park link!
Community Center
New parking gate installed at the Community Center.
The following include completed 2016 Projects:
- Franklin School Park: Phase One
- Buckner Park: Splash Pad
- Courthouse Green: Accessible Ramp and Sidewalk Improvements
- Franke Park: Park/Children’s Zoo Entryway Sign Installed, BMX Fence Improvements, Bleacher Improvements, Day Camp ADA Pathway and HVAC Installed, Foellinger Theatre Exterior Painted, Signage, Concrete Ramp and Loading Dock Improvements
- Salomon Farm Park: Learning Center Parking Lot and Homestead Improvements
- Packard Park: Ball Diamond and Sidewalk Improvements
- Community Center: Parking Gate and New Kitchen Flooring Installed, Sound Equipment Improvements
- Foster Park: Volleyball Court Improvements
- Lions Park: New Concrete Pathways and Signage Installed, Outfield Fence Improvements
- Lawton Park: Cannon Monument Restoration
- Johnny Appleseed Park: Campground Signage and Drainage Improvements, Campground Restroom Climate Control Installed
- Indian Village Park: Sidewalk Improvement
- Klug Park: ADA Swing Installed
- Kreager Park: Cozy Cocoon Playground Addition
- Waynedale Park: Drinking Fountain Improvements
- Lions Park: Pickleball Court Improvements
- Headwaters Park: Riverfront Floating Dock Project
- Shoaff Park: Completed Pathway Around Golf Course
- Various Parks: Bicentennial Benches and Plaques Installed in 19 Parks
Purdue Cardinal Community Hoops & Managed Health Services (MHS) Donate Funds to Improve Basketball Court at Jennings Recreation Center
Read more about this great investment in the youth of this community! 
This new playground piece was added at Lions Park. This piece is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, the playground structure has two facades: one side tells the story of the “The Ugly Duckling,” and the other side tells the story of “The Little Mermaid.”
Learn more about The Smart Playground from KOMPAN.
Camp Canine opened in July of 2015!
Resurfaced Swinney Tennis Courts
Packard Park Site Improvements
- Improved site drainage around the pavilion with perforated drain tile.
- Improved deteriorated Concrete patio/ walks.
- Connected concrete walk from Pavilion to Tennis courts.
- Added additional 520 Square feet of patio area.
- Installed dumpster pad and improved concrete drive approach to pavilion
Foster #1 Kitchen Upgrade
Northside Park parking lot improvements to various lots in the park
Weisser Center flooring improvements
Salomon Farm parking lot improvements
Salomon Farm water fountain/spigot improvements
Shoaff Park tennis and parking lot improvements
Franke #1 upgraded kitchenette: cabinets, countertops and sinks for ADA compliance.
