July 7, 2017 – Come Play in the Streets is the call to residents for the first-ever Open Streets Fort Wayne event. The free, fun-filled day will temporarily close Calhoun and nearby connecting streets this Sunday to vehicles and open it to walkers, bike riders, roller skaters and fun activities such as giant inflatable games for kids. Nearly 100 free activities will be featured at Open Streets Fort Wayne July 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This year’s Open Streets Fort Wayne connects the neighborhoods of West Central, East Central, LaRez, Hoagland Masterson and Williams Woodland with the Central Business District on Calhoun Street.    Extending from the St. Marys River south on Calhoun to Williams Street, the event will allow residents to see Fort Wayne in a unique way, get some exercise and socialize with new and old friends. Open Streets is family-friendly and free for everyone.   Along the Open Street route attendees will find Activity Hubs featuring live music, golf, Fort Wayne Derby Girls, soccer, and many other activities. Additionally, several businesses normally closed on Sunday will be open. A full list of activities can be found on the Open Streets Fort Wayne website at openstreetsfw.org. The website has a map, and information of about activities, active transportation, historical photos of Calhoun and social media links. 

Open Streets Fort Wayne is led by the City’s Division of Public Works and fits perfectly with Public Works’ efforts to encourage residents to walk and bike Fort Wayne by enhancing the Active Transportation Network.  The Active Transportation Network is made up of the safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure that is seeing an increase in usage throughout the City. 

Recent expansions to the City of Fort Wayne’s Active Transportation network include:

  • 40 miles of new trails in last 11 years -- adding 11 miles this year
  • 38 miles of new sidewalk in last 10 years -- adding 9 miles this year
  • 8 miles of bike lanes in last 6 years
  • 8 miles of Share the Road signs in last 6 years
  • 800 wider and more visible piano key pedestrian crosswalks in 3 last years
  • 1200 new pedestrian crossing signals upgraded in 3 years
  • 700 new ADA ramps each year for a total of 7,000
  • 350 bike racks in the last 6 years

In order to facilitate Open Streets Fort Wayne the following streets will be closed to motor vehicles from 10:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 9.

  • Calhoun Street between Superior Street and Williams Street
  • Berry Street between Fairfield Avenue and Barr Street
  • Wayne Street between Fairfield and Clinton Street
  • Ewing Street between Main Street and Wayne
  • Harrison Street between Berry and Wayne
  • Barr Street between Berry and Main

Police offers will control the following intersections to allow motor vehicles to travel through the area.

  • Main at Calhoun
  • Washington at Calhoun
  • Jefferson at Calhoun
  • Brackenridge at Calhoun
  • Williams at Calhoun

We thank our major financial sponsors, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne for their generous donations that total $50,000 to assist with signage, safety and security.  Activity Hub funding supporters include Lutheran Health Network, Hanning & Bean, Parkview Health and Sweetwater Sound.