MU| F e a t u r e s
Cool things
• Rivergreenway: Centerpiece of the Fort Wayne Trails network that encompasses 50 miles of connected
trails, the Rivergreenway is a 25-mile running/hiking/biking trail that was designated a National
Recreation Trail in 2009.
• Parkview Field: Opened in 2009, Parkview Field is home to the Class A Midwest League Fort Wayne
TinCaps, and also the finishing point for the annual Fort-4-Fitness half-marathon and 5K. One of the
central components of the Harrison Square downtown revitalization project, in 2018 it was voted the
nation’s top minor-league ballpark experience by Stadium Journey magazine for the fourth consecutive
year.
• Children’s Zoo: Opening in Franke Park in 1965, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo covers 40 acres and is
home to 1,000 animals. It consistently ranks among the top zoos in the Midwest and, in 2015, was
named the seventh best zoo in the nation by Trip Advisor.
• Fine arts: From art galleries (Castle Gallery, Orchard Gallery, Artlink, Northside Galleries, Artwork:
The Galleria of Fine Art) to stage theaters (Fort Wayne Civic Theater, First Presbyterian Theater, Arena
Dinner Theatre, Foellinger Theatre, the Embassy Theatre) to classical and contemporary music (Fort
Wayne Philharmonic), Fort Wayne offers a variety of uniformly first-class options for lovers of the arts.
• Food, food, food: From nationally recognized restaurants (Joseph Decuis) to steak-and-seafood places
to ethnic (Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Asian fusion) to food trucks to local icons
like Coney Island, The Oyster Bar and Powers Hamburgers, Fort Wayne offers all manner of culinary
delights.
• Sports of all sorts: Boasting high-quality high school sports and successful franchises in three
professional sports (the TinCaps, Komets and Mad Ants), Fort Wayne’s reputation as a sports town
has deep roots. The Komets are the second-oldest minor league hockey franchise in North America.
The TinCaps are annually voted one of the best minor-league baseball franchises in the country. And
the Mad Ants are the minor-league affiliate of the Indiana Pacers. The city has spawned a member of
the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Rod Woodson), several Olympic gold medalists (Sharon Wichman, Matt
Vogel, Lloy Ball) and a four-time participant in the soccer World Cup (Damarcus Beasley).
• History and more history: Once a hub of Native American culture, power and commerce known as
Kekionga, Fort Wayne takes its very name from the commanding general of the first standing American
Army (Gen. Anthony Wayne). It’s also the site of the first night professional baseball game in history,
and – if you’re more inclined to personal exploration – one of the top genealogy centers in the country
at the Allen County Public Library.
• Festivals and more festivals: You name it, and Fort Wayne likely has a festival celebrating it. From the
centerpiece event of summer (Three Rivers Festival) to the hugely popular Johnny Appleseed Festival
that traditionally ushers in autumn, Fort Wayne is Festival Central. There are ethnic festivals celebrating
German, Greek, Hispanic, Arab and other cultures. There are food festivals. There are music festivals, a
film festival called Hobnobben, arts festivals, beer festivals, wine festivals, a festival celebrating street
performers (Buskerfest) and, of course, all manner of holiday season festivals.
HISTORY
Manchester | 11