What's Happening in June

The weather is FINALLY cooperating, between rain storms, just in time for all of our summer activities.

Have you entered the Senior Games yet? If you're an adult 50 years or older, you can join the fun anytime June 6 - 23. The entry fee is only $1.50 for each event and we've got 20 to choose from--miniature golf, bowling, cornhole, pickleball, table tennis, bocce, horseshoes, billiards, euchre, softball throw, basketball and more! Call 427-6461 to register or stop by the Community Center, 233 W. Main Street.

The Lifetime Sports Academy kicks off its fun for kids Tuesday, June 14th at McMillen Park. No pre-registration is required. Just drop in. Kids 8 - 18 can learn the lifetime sports of tennis, golf or swimming--all for free! And at the end of the program, they can win cool prizes like golf clubs and tennis rackets. The program runs until July 29th.

The Foellinger Outdoor Theatre season is underway with some amazing acts this summer. On Saturday, June 25 at 8 pm, come out to the Theatre located in Franke Park for Herman's Hermits, starring Peter Noone. Tickets are only $20 to hear such classic hits as "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am." Tickets are available on-line at http://www.fortwayneparks.org/ or call 427-6000. And don't forget, starting June 15, free Wednesday night movies are back at the Theatre. We've got great selections like The Last Airbender, Tangled, Toy Story 3 and the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Check out the schedule at http://www.fortwayneparks.org/.

Have fun!

What's Happening in May

Soon we’ll be able to enjoy all the May flowers these gloomy April showers have produced. But for now, isn’t the deep green color of the grass refreshing? And the trees are blooming beautifully! We’re gearing up for our busiest time of the year. Here are some of the many activities we have going on in May:

Mother's Day Specials at Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation

Treat your mom to a game of golf on Mother’s Day! Moms play free with a paid admission on May 8 at any of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation golf courses. Book your tee-time today on line at www.fortwayneparks.org or by calling the golf course of your choice:

McMillen Park Golf Course: 427-6710

Shoaff Park Golf Course: 427-6745

Foster Park Golf Course: 427-6735

Your mom deserves a special outing. Take her to Mother's Day in the Gardens at the Botanical Conservatory. Her admission is free from noon - 4 pm. By “Mom” we mean your mother, of course, but also grandmas, aunts, and anyone else who means “Mom” to you! Your mom will not only enjoy the beautiful displays of flowers but our Butterflies of Belize exhibit. Each mom will receive a special Mother’s Day plant while supplies last. Admission is $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17, free for children 2 and under.

Mother’s Day Plant Sale

Friday, May 6, 4:00-7:00 pm

Saturday, May 7, 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Sunday, May 8, 12:00-4:00 pm

FREE Admission

WE’RE MOVING! That's right! The Mother's Day Plant Sale will be held at the McMillen Ice Arena at 3901 Abbott Street. There will be plenty of room to shop and a drive-up area to load your purchase. About 600 varieties of plants will be available for purchase at our three-day public plant extravaganza. You’ll find specialty herbs, tomato plants, and foliage perennials along with the usual great quality annuals, perennials, tropicals, vegetable plants, color bowls, mixed containers, and hanging baskets. These sturdy plants are grown by the fine folks at the Lawton Park Greenhouse and sold as a fundraiser to support quality public programming at Fort Wayne’s botanical garden. The supply is replenished throughout the weekend, but come early for the best selection. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you in plant selection and loading. Conservatory members are invited to shop early at our preview sale on Thursday May 5, 4 – 7 pm. Memberships will be available for purchase that evening if you want to beat the crowd and get the first choice. Please check our website at http://www.botanicalconservatory.org/ for a list of plants. Admission is FREE! For more information please call 260-427-6440. Sponsored by Majic 95.1 FM and Media 401.

Kids’ Swap & Shop Soiree

Friday, May 13 (12 – 6pm)

Saturday, May 14 (10 am – 3 pm)
Conklin Pavilion, Shoaff Park,

6401 St. Joe Road

FREE Admission to Shop
Shoaff Park is the place for family fun this weekend! On Saturday, enjoy messy games and hands-on crafts, animals to pet and food to eat and even model rocket launching with the Summit City Aerospace Modelers Club ($10 per kit to launch your own rocket). The Book Swap will be open on Friday and Saturday for kids who love to read (limit 5 books per child per day). Bring books you’ve already read and trade them for ones you haven’t. Finally, for the young shoppers in the family . . . there will be booths filled with gently used kids’ toys, games, puzzles and other items our young vendors have outgrown or no longer want to keep.

Vendor Information for Kids’ Sale

Do you have toys you no longer play with, books you won’t read again, kid stuff you just don’t need any more? For just $9 you can purchase a table in the Swap & Shop and sell your items (no clothing, please) for cash or trade them for something you want. It’s like a big garage sale, but just for kids. You will need to work your own table, but you can have an adult help you. Call 427-6467 for more information or to reserve your booth.

Book Donations

Contributions of new and gently used children’s and young adult books for the Book Swap are now being accepted. Books may be dropped off at the Community Center (233 W. Main Street) between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday, or you may call 427-6467 to arrange for pick up.

Salomon Farm Fiber Arts Celebration
Friday and Saturday, May 20 & 21, 10 am – 5 pm
Salomon Farm Park,

817 W. Dupont Road

FREE Admission
Join us at Salomon Farm for a two-day celebration of fiber arts. The focus of this festival is education through hands-on participation and demonstrations of the processes of making natural fiber products--wool dyeing, spinning, weaving and more.

B. J. Thomas Concert
Saturday, May 21, 8 pm
Foellinger Outdoor Theatre in Franke Park,

3411 Sherman Blvd.

Admission: $15
The 1960’s and ‘70’s American pop singer known for such hits as “Hooked on a Feeling”, and “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”, will perform. Reserve your tickets on line at www.fortwayneparks.org or call 427-6000.

For more information on any of these events, call 427-6000 or visit www.fortwayneparks.org.

Have fun!

What's Happening in April

Warm weather will be here soon! It has to be, right? Well, we should all be prepared to have fun when it arrives and sticks around. On that note, here are some of the activities the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department has lined up for April and early May:

The 2011 Local Shutterbugs Photography Show & Sale will be Saturday, April 9, noon – 5 pm at Franke Park Pavilion #1.  Amateur photographers from around the area will display and sell their best work. Vote for your favorite in the “Best of Show” contest while you browse through the displays. Admission is free.

The Community Center (233 West Main Street) is having a book sale to benefit their Wellness Program on April 12 - 14, 8 am - 7:30 pm. You'll find a large variety of great books and DVD's for low prices.

Hop on down to the Botanical Conservatory for Easter in the Garden, Friday, April 22, 10 am – 3 pm. Meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy our Butterflies of Belize exhibit, play games for prizes, make crafts, pot a plant and enjoy light refreshments. From 10:30 – 2:30, look for eggs in the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Regular Conservatory admission applies.

The Mother's Day Plant Sale is moving to a new, larger, indoor location--the McMillen Ice Arena (3901 Abbott Street) on May 6 - 8. You’ll find specialty herbs, tomato plants, and foliage perennials along with the usual great quality annuals, perennials, tropicals, vegetable plants, mixed planters, and hanging baskets. These sturdy plants are grown locally by the Parks & Recreation Department and sold as a fundraiser to support quality public programming at the Botanical Conservatory.

For more information about any of these events, call 427-6000 or visit www.fortwayneparks.org.

Have fun!

What's Happening in March

If spring fever is driving you crazy, check out some of the activities the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department has in store for March and early April:

Register by March 4 for the “Car-rugated” Drive-In at the Community Center. Our drive-in theatre is like no other! On Friday, March 11, 6 – 9 pm, families or groups (maximum 6 per car) will be given two 80” x 120” cardboard pieces and a supply kit to use to design a car. A list of the items in the supply kit will be sent to you upon registration. You may bring additional materials if you like. At about 7:30 pm, we’ll award prizes for the most original, most futuristic and the most “green” vehicle. (Winning vehicles will be displayed at Preferred Auto locations.) Then we’ll pile in and watch the movie. And, since a movie is not a movie without popcorn, concessions will be available. Fee: $16 per family/group. Register on-line at www.fortwayneparks.org or call 427-6000.

Are you trying to plan ahead and schedule summer activities for your kids? Registration for Summer Youth Programs begins Friday, March 18 by mail, fax, drop box and on-line. Walk-in and phone-in registrations will be accepted starting Wednesday, March 23. Program brochures containing registration forms and detailed information about our summer youth programs and day camps will be distributed in early March through the Parks and Recreation Department, Allen County Public Libraries and local elementary schools. You may call 427-6000 beginning March 11 to request a brochure be mailed to you. Brochures will also be available on-line.

The Community Center (233 W. Main Street) is having a Video, Record, CD and DVD sale on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 22 & 23, 8 am – 7:30 pm. Donation of videos, records, CD’s and DVD’s will be accepted through Wednesday, March 16.

The 2011 Local Shutterbugs Photography Show & Sale will be Saturday, April 9. noon – 5 pm at Franke Park Pavilion #1.  Amateur photographers from around the area will display and sell their best work. Vote for your favorite in the “Best of Show” contest while you browse through the displays. Admission is free. Photographers – If you would like to display your own photos, please call Renee Baines at 427-6005 by March 23 for fees and other information. All photographs must be family friendly and ready for on-site sale (if you wish to sell them). You are responsible for the sale of your own work. One photograph per artist must be displayed in the “Best of Show” contest and can only be sold after the show. “Best of Show” will receive a special prize.

Have fun!

What's Happening in February

Wait until you see what we have in store for 2011! The Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department has a mission to be stewards of our parklands and facilities, but we also have a mission to provide leisure activities to the public. We take that mission very seriously, and as a result, we’re serving up another year of fun, low-cost (and often FREE) family-friendly entertainment.

Check out the Peter Pan Exhibit at the Botanical Conservatory,

1100 S. Calhoun Street

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Join Peter as he whisks Wendy, John and Michael Darling away to Neverland. There they meet Peter's loyal Lost Boys and the tiny fairy Tinker Bell, have adventures with the Indian princess Tiger Lily, and battle the evil Captain Hook. Explore the Lost Boys' camp, the Indian Tribe's village, and the Pirates' ship--a sort of playground in the midst of the winter gardens. Watch out for the Croc! And join us for Peter Pan Day, Saturday, February 5, 10 am - 3 pm. Put a happy thought in your heart and search for Peter Pan's shadow, join Captain Hook's crew, get a tattoo, make an edible fairy wand covered in pixie dust, and play Lost Boy Games. Dress like a fairy, pirate, Peter Pan, or wear your pajamas. Take your picture with the nefarious inhabitants of Neverland. Have a little faith, get some pixie dust, and head for the first glass house where there's fun for the entire family! Pirate drinks and refreshments will be available for purchase! Conservatory admission is only $5 for adults, $3 for children 3 - 17 and ages 2 and under are free.

While you’re visiting the Conservatory, stop in for a deli sandwich, handrolled bagels, mouth watering desserts, soups, salads and more at the new café—The Bagel Station Uptown. You won’t be disappointed. Open Tuesday – Friday, 7 am – 5 pm (Thursday until 8 pm); Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 12 – 4 pm.

Did you know if you’re 50 years or older you can join drop-in activities for just $1 at the Community Center Monday – Friday? You can play pool, ping pong, crochet, Wii, billiards, Mah Jongg, cornhole, or even join in on an exercise class. The Community Center is located downtown at

233 W. Main Street.

Go to this link for a complete schedule of drop-in activities: http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=140

If the gloom of winter is getting you down, sign up for a class to lift your spirits. We offer sports, crafts and self improvement classes for all ages and the prices are very reasonable. Check out the Winter Fun Times at http://www.fortwayneparks.org/ to see what catches your eye.The Spring Fun Times will be available on February 10.

Have fun!