October 5, 2015 - Mayor Tom Henry and Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll today provided an update on the 2015 capital improvement projects in our parks and facilities operated by the Parks & Recreation Department. Over thirty projects were started and completed in 2015 and more than fifteen projects are still in progress, with all expected to be finished by the summer of 2016. In total, the City of Fort Wayne has invested close to $2 million in Parks & Recreation Department improvements in 2015.
“I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making in the ongoing commitment to enhance our parks,” said Mayor Henry. “Our parks are an essential component of the outstanding quality of life we enjoy in Fort Wayne and it’s important that we invest in them.”
Completed 2015 Projects:
Franke Park, Foellinger Theatre: Orchestra Pit and Cover Removal, New Front Seating Installed, Sound Hanger Improvements, Rigging Improvements, New Lighting Installed, Parking Lot Repairs
Lafayette Park: Shelter Improvements, New Basketball Court Installed
Bob Arnold Northside Park: Asphalt Repaving
McMillen Park Community Center: Automatic Divider Curtain Installed in Multipurpose Room
Packard Park: Replaced Concrete Pad in Open-Air Pavilion, Installed Brick Patio
McMillen Park: Installed New Sidewalk and Patio in Front of Pool House, Replaced Pool Liners, Bollard Improvements to Reopen Back Driveway, Repaired Fire Damage to Men’s Restroom in Pavilion #1
Community Center: Second Floor Restroom Improvements
Foster Park West: Installed New Bleachers for North Soccer Fields
McMillen Park: Pavilion #1 Patio Paver Improvements
Shoaff Park: Tennis Court Improvements
Johnny Appleseed Park: Constructed New Two-Field Dog Park with Shelter
Swinney Park: Tennis Court Improvements
Salomon Farm: Barn Siding Improvements, Stone Drive Repaired
Lawton Park: Repaired Leaking Roof on Maintenance Building
Lions Park: Replaced Rotted Wooden Beams, Repaired Fireplace in Pavilion, Playground Improvements (started in 2014, completed in 2015)
Kreager Park: NEOS Safety Surface Improvements
Botanical Conservatory: Rebuilt Aging Wood Ramada Structure in Arid House
Hamilton Park: Replaced Fence on Diamond #2
Ongoing 2015 Projects:
Botanical Conservatory: Glass Replacement in Roof of Greenhouse Structure
Franke Park: Diehm Museum Roof Improvement
Community Center: Installing New Parking Gate
Various Parks: Asphalt Resurfacing at Franke, Foster, Shoaff and Weisser Parks, New Bleacher Installation
Franklin Park: Designing Site and Splash Pad Project
Jennings Center: Constructing New Basketball Court
Franke Park: Installing New Stone Monument Sign at Entrance to Park
Freimann Square: Installing 14 New Park Benches
McMillen Park: Installing New Siding and Roof on Golf Maintenance Building
Shoaff Park: Installing Solar Lighting in Conklin Pavilion Parking Lot
McMillen Park Community Center: Installing Solar Panels on Roof to Provide Additional Electricity
Franklin Park: Phase One Construction
“The Board of Park Commissioners and the Parks & Recreation Department are appreciative of the continued support and commitment of the Administration to invest in one of Fort Wayne’s most valued legacies,” said Director Moll.
The City will continue to invest in Parks, with $3 million slated for 2016.