Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

AL MOLL~ Executive Director

August Board Meeting: Riverfront Update/Contract Approval

Foellinger Theatre 2016 Summer Concert series end Sept 18- season complete success

Director media on Riverfront- 6/8- 21 Alive News, WBOI radio 6/27- JG editorial staff-6/29- Press conference on Wells St Bridge-7/7- Riverfront Community presentations @ AUC-7/19- multiple media @ City Council- 7/26- multiple media @ City Council-7/27- 21 Alive News @ Wells Street Bridge-8/9- Insight TV – 21

Franklin School Park opening delayed to Sept 1

Botanical Conservatory “Connector” was approved for next stage of approval process by Legacy Funding committee that will take place in September

Department management met with IPRA and will host annual conference in January 2018

Senior Games, Park Summer Day Camps, Playground Programs, Youth Programs and Pools experienced solid results with no significant issues or safety challenges

Director has met with all City Councilman to address questions regarding Riverfront

Director provided presentations to Visit Fort Wayne Boards, Capital Improvement Board, AWS, Park Foundation

Director met with Regional Partnership and Community Foundation representatives to intiative funding opportunities for Riverfront Project

Director and Community Foundation completed MOU which commits $1.5 million to Riverfront Project now complemented with an agreement to move forward with an additional campaign

Director working with Park Foundation to determine opportunities for their participation and contribution to Riverfront

Met with new General Manager of Parkview Sport One Ice House to explore partnership opportunities

Re-elected President of Fort Wayne Hospital Authority Board

Park Department sponsored team in Dragon Boats event on June 25

Department met with City Utility officials and reviewed impact of tunnel project on overall Park Operations during construction @ Foster Park

Department met with NIPSCO officials and reviewed impact of 2017/2018 remediation project on overall operations at the Old Fort and Headwaters Park

Participated in Play Ball Initiative with TinCaps @ Mason Park press conference on July 15

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

Director presented Design Collaborative contract for Riverfront to City Council on 7/19 and 7/26. After addressing City Council concerns, contract was passed on 7/26

Process has been completed to appoint Riverfront Advisory Committee members at August 18 Board of Park Commissioners meeting. Committee will report to Board and advise management on overall project. Commissioners Samek and Kelly will be part of initial 11 member group.

Riverfront Communications team held first meeting which will be chaired by Mayor’s office PIO, John Perlich. Parks, One Lucky Guitar, YLNI, DID, Community FDN and CD will be represented. Committee will direct public communication approved by Mayor’s office and Park Director.

Department has completed initial 2017 Budget and submitted to Controller’s office for review and discussion.

CHUCK REDDINGER~ Deputy Director, Recreation Services

Helped plan and participated on the Fort Wayne Parks and Rec. Dragon Boat team on June 23. Vickie Mayes, Accreditation consultant, met with the Parks and Recreation Admistrative to discuss

new standards for CAPRA. Met with Mason Park baseball representative to discuss current agreement and potential changes to

that agreement. Assisted with the Senior Games canoeing events. Submitted nominations for Jenny Barney, Aquatics Supervisor and Kathy Pargmann, Manager of

Information to be on the Indiana Parks and Recreation ballot. Both were elected to Aquatics Section Chair Elect and Northern District Chair Elect respectfully.

Met with Golf staff, Parks and Recreation staff, and City Utilities to discuss the affect the McKinney Project would have on the golf operations at McMillen Park.

Attended the 19th Annual LSA closing ceremonies on 7/22 at McMillen Park. Will expand Lindenwood Nature Preserve to be open 7 days a week year round. Met with Parkview to discuss incorporating many of their programs year round into our youth

centers and playground programs. Outdoor Recreation

River Camp was held July 5-8 at Shoaff Park with a total of 16 registered campers. The theme for the camp was Engage, Educate, and Enjoy. Campers participated in a variety of activities on and near the river. This camp was a partnership between Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, IPFW’s Environmental Resource Center, and Allen County Partnership for Water Quality. Nearly 15 groups provided activity and education session for the campers over the 4 day period. There was great media coverage and feedback from parents, campers, and staff.

Kids Wilderness Survival Skills was held at Lindenwood July 11-13. There were a total of 10 participants.

July 6, 13, 20, 27 – Salomon Farmers’ Market; attendance of 303, 578, and 558.

The 70th Franke Day Camp Big Pow-wow was held August 2nd

New Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, Kellie Adkins, began in mid-July Community Center (Downtown Main Street)

The LEGO Challenge was held on July 8th with 19 teams and 8 solo registrations. The public gets to vote on their favorite Lego sculpture and there were approximately 360 total votes during that week.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

The Intergenerational Wii Bowling Tournament on July 9th had 12 registered.

A total of thirty eight participants went on the four Bus Tours during Three Rivers Festival.

H.E.A.L. (Healthy Eating Active Living) program is going very good and positive responses. Participants learn how to prepare heathy meals and chose healthy foods. This program was sponsored through a grant from the St. Joseph Community Healthy Foundation.

Golf Operations - 19 events were held in July

McMillen Park Community Center

Men’s Open League had 16 teams over the summer. The next leagues will start the week of September 12th

The Fatherhood Initiative – Back to School event took place on August 6th.

Summer program ended on July 29, 2016. We had 1124 kids registered in our database.

The McMillen Park Community Center summer program took children to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Crazy Pinz Entertainment Center, Tin Caps Baseball Game, Salomon Farm Park, and the Three River’s Festival Children’s Fest.

McMillen Park Community Center was chosen to be part of the Jr. NBA program. As a part of the Jr. NBA McMillen Park Community Center is given access to a national network of Jr NBA events, such as NBA cares community events, and NBA / WNBA games: discount uniform offers; coaching education and certification as well as professional development opportunities. We will also have opportunities for appearances from NBA and WNBA players (Pacers, Fever, Mad Ants and Legends).

Food Service

This is the first summer that we have provided a free breakfast for the summer playground and youth centers. Below is the breakdown for the free summer meals program June-July (8 weeks total)

Site Breakfast Lunch Snack

Cooper 771 1,559 1,776

Jennings 1,143 1,698 2,216

Weisser 1,802 3,686 3,692

Lafayette 973 1,775 1,950

Packard 639 1,661 1,511

Memorial 1,093 2,033 2,359

Lakeside 731 1,537 1,552

Hamilton 520 1,958 1,028

McMillen 3,764 9,118 12,130

Total 11,436 25,025 28,214

Total of all Meals Served 64,675

MITCH SHEPPARD ~Deputy Director, Botanical Conservator/Foellinger Theatre Operations/Community Outreach

Botanical Conservatory: Empyrean Café opened at the Conservatory with a grand opening on June

6th.

Business has reportedly been good; the café is a welcome addition to the facility.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

Facility - Maintenance Repairs: There was a flood in the kitchen area of the Empyrean restaurant

on July 6th. The flood was due to an improperly installed fitting installed by Empyrean. They have

agreed to take financial responsibility for all repairs. Water sprayed in the area several hours.

Allied Mechanical made repairs to the control system for the room. Koehlinger Security made

repairs on the smoke detector and alarm pad. We are still waiting on Empyrean to finish final

repairs

o HVAC: - Pump #1 for the Dunn and Bush system failed and is in the process of being rebuilt.

The condenser for the Dunn and Bush also failed and is being replaced. There have been

several problems with the system controls for the HVAC. Allied mechanical has been working

on them and making some temporary repairs to get us through. Pump #1 for the Dunn and Bush

chiller was replaced and we are waiting for the final adjustments and billings.

Business Development - Current Conservatory Attendance Stats:

o January-July 31, 2016: 47,338 visitors

o January-July 31, 2015: 41,123 visitors

o A difference of 6,215 visitors = an attendance increase of 15 %

o July gross revenue for the gift shop was $6,565, which exceeds July 2015 by $1,100 and is the

best July since 2007

Events - Family Fun Day was held during the Three Rivers Festival, attracting over 850 participants

for fun in the gardens on a warm July weekday. Now that the Three Rivers Festival committee has

begun offering an event by the same name the following day, we need to consider whether we will

continue, re-name, or drop this event in the future. A successful Jazzworks! Concert capped off the

Three Rivers Festival. Our total attendance was 614—an increase from last year, though not a

record.

Education - City Safari Day Camp was a success again this year. In July, we held our last three

weeks of camp for roughly two dozen campers. Comments and evaluation from parents as well as

campers has been positive and several parents asked when they could register their children for

2017!

Landscape and Horticulture - We have begun to take a fresh look at our integrated pest management

(IPM) plan. An inventory of our current pest infestations was taken throughout the facility. This

information was shared with our beneficial insect provider, who in turn assisted us in crafting a new

plan that is currently being implemented. A combination of washing the collection with a soap

solution, ant baiting, and more robust beneficial insect releases will move us toward a greatly

reduced pest infestation. This method of pest management reduces (and ideally eliminates) the use

of pesticides, contributing to a safer and more environmentally sound public space.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

o June was perennial gardening month; to mark the occasion, we added a lineup of perennial

plants to our sales garden, including several varieties of grasses, groundcovers and flowering

plants.

o The Butterfly Showcase was replaced by “Our Japanese Sister” exhibit. The exhibit features a

tea garden, courtyard garden, and forest garden, anchored by a beautiful tea house and fence

constructed by Parks’ maintenance techs. In addition, the atrium and hallway showcase exhibits

of artifacts on loan from the History Center that were acquired from Takaoka over the past 35

years.

Foellinger Theatre - The theatre hosted six national acts presented by Pacific Coast Productions.

o Six movies were screened as a part of the free summer series

o Two of the Fort Wayne Area Community Band concerts of the season were presented.

o The first of two military bands scheduled this season played in concert in June.

o The perimeter of the theatre fencing was temporarily expanded by the theatre staff.

o Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation sponsored two national acts in July. The Osmond Brothers

and Little River Band played to very different segments of our audience base.

o The Parks Department promoted Motown tribute artist Touch for a second annual concert this

month.

o Fort Wayne Children’s Choir attracted over 1,200 patrons for their regular annual Foellinger

Theatre concert.

Playgrounds and Neighborhood Centers - June Metrics: 3 Youth Centers -- This is based on 20 days

of service; numbers are average per center, per day

o Sign In – 131.75

o Breakfast- 30.08

o Enrichment- 27.6

o Lunch- 48.71

o Snack- 55.42

o Registration 325 children total in June

o 5 Playgrounds -- This is based on 15 days of service; numbers are average per park, per day

Sign In -- 55.96

Breakfast -- 21.6

Enrichment – 19.5

Lunch -- 49.9

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

Snack -- 41.1

They have registered 670 children in June total (average 134 per site)

July Metrics: 3 Youth Centers -- This is based on 20 days of service; numbers are average per

center, per day

o Sign In- 91.9

o Breakfast- 31.85

o Enrichment – 27.6

o Lunch- 67

o Snack – 72.65

Playgrounds- Open for service 20 days but only fed children 19 days at their site. Everyone ate at

Weisser on the last day (that number went in under Weisser)

o Sign in- 49.59

o Breakfast- 19.29

o Enrichment – 15.3

o Lunch- 42.46

o Snack- 41.3

New for the playgrounds this year was breakfast. All sites receive breakfast and children were able to enjoy

while they do enrichment from 9am-10am each morning. It is awesome to ensure they are starting there

day off right. Breakfast could be a cereal bar, granola bar or another form of a breakfast bar with fruit and

juice, water or milk. Lunch and snack are still provided by FWCS and they do a great job working with us.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

All sites and centers enjoyed field trips. They loved the butterflies and playing in the tunnel at the

Conservatory. They have also been to the Zoo, Science Central and Weisser Center kids went to Safety

Village.

Summer Highlights: The Weisser Center Juneteenth celebration was a great success! There were over

1200 people there throughout the day. The band was awesome and all the community resources groups

were ready and available to speak with the crowd. The groups that performed from the center and

community also did a wonderful job.

Neighborhood Programs took 55 (total) staff and students to a WNBA game on July 19th. The

information came from the NRPA newsletter. Chantell contacted them and got the ball rolling for

our donated tickets from Indiana FEVER and transportation was provided through the JR NBA.

The kids had a blast.

Each Tuesday staff met with the interns from the Mayors recruitment program. Nicki Veneble from

Human Resources came in and spoke with them about various topics from learning their personal

communication style, weekly growth on the job, completing a resume, handling conflict and much

more. These sessions were a great way to get to know them a little more and answer any questions

they had or needed help with. They were able to meet and talk with the Mayor at the end of the

program.

Carnivals at each park this month went very well and each had over 130 in attendance. Thanks to

places such as McDonalds, Crazy Pinz, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, The Vitamin Store, 3

Rivers Running Company, Parkview, OP 4, Tin Caps and a few others we were able to do free

raffles for prizes at each carnival.

GARRY MORR ~ Deputy Director, Finance & Support Services

Received approval of the following grants: $15,000 from English Bonter Mitchell Foundation for Lifetime Sports Academy; $4,500 from PNC Bank for Botanical Connection project; $9,000 from the Rolland Foundation in support of cultural programming at the McMillen Community Center; Up to $100,000 from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lakes & Rivers division for the Spy Run Creek.

Marketing staff helping set up historic river cruises for foundation administrators that have an interest in future funding of the river’s project.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

Fall Fun Times were prepared and completed (brochures and postcards) and sent out in early August.

Total hits to the Parks & Recreation Department website for the month of June were 155,727 and 138,116 for July.

Customer service ratings of programs and facilities were 92.7% favorability through June.

Marketing staff completed customer service training for seasonal staff in early June.

New web pages were created for the Empyrean Café and tennis.

The preliminary 2017 budget for the Park General Fund has been turned in to the City Controller’s office with discussions beginning in early August. The final budget will be presented to the Park Board and City Council in October.

We have had continued discussions on the possibility of issuing a bond issue for unfunded park projects. If approved funding would be in early 2017.

Participated in the outsourcing contract discussions\decision for the City & County IT contract for the next five years. A vendor has been selected and the contract will be presented to both City and County Councils for approvals.

STEVE MCDANIEL~ Deputy Director, Asset Management

Met with the developer of the Centlivre Apartments to discuss their improvements. We are scheduling a public meeting on August 23rd to meet with the neighborhoods to communicate their plans. We will also be inquiring about public input into Vesey Park.

The Maintenance Technicians spent much of June getting ready for the large show change for the

Botanical Conservatory.

Northside Administration Building Roof Improvements: Bids receive July 28th. Awaiting City Council August 9, 16 and 23rd. Park Board approval August 18th.

Hamilton Park Sign Improvements: Complete. Buckner Drainage Improvements: Park Board approval August 18th. Bass Park Playground Improvements: Installing climber and swing. Complete end August. Foster Park Volley Ball Court Improvements: Working on plans and specifications. Fall project. Foster Park Tennis Court Improvements: Working on plans and specifications. Fall project. Foster Park West Bridge Improvements: Working on plans and specifications. Need DNR Approval.

Design pending. Lions Park Pickleball Court Improvements: Work to start Aug 15 to October 15. Crack repair, overlay,

color coat and add drain tile on the west end. Community Center New Kitchen Flooring: Work shall start in Sept 6- Sept 19th. Conservatory Gutter Engineering Services: Architect working on plans and specifications. Community Center Door Improvements: Ordering material to replace two egress doors in

multipurpose room. Work shall be performed Oct 5, 6, 7.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

Wells St Bridge Improvements: Working with Engineering Resources to repair (4) beam. Working on plans and specs to repair other cast iron work on knee braces, fret work and posts. Engineering complete July. Complete late summer.

McMillen Park Community Center New Flooring: Consultant working on plans and specifications. Mowing slowed down this month due to the high temperatures and lack of rain. Areas like Salomon

farm and Buckner were mowed every other week instead of weekly. The crews switched over to

other summer tasks that needed accomplished. One crew began tree stump removals. This crew was

able to remove 75 stumps and fill the holes with topsoil. Another crew began repair ruts and turf

damage in the parks. This crew has hauled over 20 yards of top soil into the parks to fill ruts, holes,

and low areas. Crews also assisted in any work that needed done before the Three Rivers Festival in

various parks.

Mudrack Tree Service has finished pruning all 492 trees in section 308 and will continue pruning in

section 309 for a partial pruning list. This partial section will conclude their 2015 pruning contract.

Crews removed a total of 141 trees this month. This includes both street and park trees.

Crews cleaned up 64 storm damage limbs or hangers.

Crews removed 14 storm damage trees from city tree lawns.

Crews performed 7 special requests for low limbs, trunk sprouts, deadwood, and trimming from

house/roof.

We responded to and closed 156 311 tickets between 7-1-16 and 7-29-16.

Riparian Management – Organized riverbank clean-up volunteer event with 20 volunteers from the Conservation Club. Work was completed clearing the banks of invasive species to open up views form the Art Bench at the Water Filtration Plant. We also received word that we have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the DNR LARE program for construction of the St. Mary’s Riverbank Stabilization Project at Old Fort and Headwaters Park.

Coordinating with Randy Harter representing the Indiana Bicentennial celebration regarding a project to install 19 new benches in Fort Wayne Legacy parks. Bench fund-raising completed. Bicentennial Committee presented check to Parks and we will order and install benches and plaques.

3,009 Florist Mum cuttings and 663 Garden Mum cuttings were planted for the Botanical

Conservatory’s 1st and 2nd shifts of the mum display. Also, 500 Garden Mum cuttings for the

Conservatory’s Punkin’ Patch display and 1,575 Poinsettia cuttings arrived for the Gift Shop and the

first of three shifts for the Holiday Show.

75 roses were planted at the Lakeside Rose Gardens as part of the renovation project. There were 18 employee injuries this month. Totals for the year so far: 24 treatable injuries, 17 of

which were OSHA reportable and recording 178 restricted days and 13 lost days. Worker compensation costs for the year so far: $15,526.

Training this month included skid steer operation, chainsaw operation and CPR/First Aid.

Dawn Ritchie ~ Greenway Manager

The Renaissance Pointe Trail Extension to the YMCA is complete.

Primco will begin constructing the Covington Road Trail: Beal-Taylor Ditch to West Hamilton Road in

early July.

The City rejected the bids for the Illinois Road Trail & Sidewalk project. We will make some revisions

to the project and re-bid in late 2016.

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

The Trek the Trail rides in May were well-attended.

Despite some challenges with weather, we were able to capture images with the Google Trekker in

our major parks and on our greenways.

We will be making our presentation to the Regional Development Authority in July or August for

Regional Cities funding for the Pufferbelly Trail.

The Liberty Mills Road Trail from Homestead to Middle Grove is out to bid. The Board of Works will

open bids on June 22nd with construction beginning in August.

McKinnie Avenue Road Diet and Trail construction from Anthony to Hessen Cassel is underway.

National Trails Day is June 4th. We will plant some milkweed along the Pufferbelly Trail to provide

habitat for monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed seeds and monarchs only

lay their eggs on milkweed.

We had the ground-breaking ceremony for the Liberty Mills Road Trail on 8/9. Construction on the

segment between Homestead and Middle Grove begins next week.

INDOT opened bids for the Six Mile Creek Trail, Phase 1 along Anthony and Tillman on 8/10. Brooks

Construction was the lowest of three bidders at $929,287. The engineer’s estimate was $975,000.

Construction will begin in October.

Our contractor will pave most of the Covington Road Trail west of Sycamore Hills neighborhood

(Braemar Drive) on 8/11 and 8/12.

I will be attending and presenting at the Indiana Bike and Walk Summit, August 29-31.

Our Regional Cities application was not accepted for presentation to the Regional Development

Authority in August. So, we had to go back to the drawing board. We hope to present in

September. Our request will likely be around $1.6 million instead of the initial $5.5 million for four

segments of the Pufferbelly Trail.

I am on the planning committee for the State Trails Gathering in Noblesville on November 5th.

I am helping with the planning and implementation of the Pufferbelly 5K walk and run to be held on

August 12th.

We will have a public information meeting for the Pufferbelly Trail: State to Fernhill and Franke Park

on Aug. 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Franke Park Pond Pavilion. The trail will be constructed in 2017.

I will be presenting information on trails at the Northwest Area Partnership meeting on 8/18.

I recently submitted the trails 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Media Coverage JG, Aug. 8, Shelter location starts with a worthy vision – Place to call home http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/Place-to-call-home-14502043 JG, Aug. 8, World comes home to Indiana – Business-friendly climate draws international companies http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/World-comes-home-to-Indiana-14486686 JG, Aug. 7, TIF is a key to rev engine of development http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/TIF-is-a-keyto-rev-engineof-development-14456782 JG, Aug. 7, Hard sell? Wright fans not buying it – Say historic designation should help owner http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Hard-sell--Wright-fans-not-buying-it-14452167 JG, Aug. 7, Surge-proofers set up shop – Turn old Target store into high-tech fortress at cost of $17.5M http://www.journalgazette.net/business/Surge-proofers-set-up-shop-14392298

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

Ch. 21, Aug. 5, Lawton Park becoming the latest hotbed for drug use

http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/Lawton-Park-becoming-the-latest-hotbed-for-drug-use-389339952.html

JG, Aug. 3, Riverbrank improvement projects get state grants http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Riverbank-improvement-projects-get-state-grants-14453121 WANE, Aug. 3, Mayor leads downtown business walk http://wane.com/2016/08/03/mayor-henry-leads-business-walk-downtown-seeks-opinions/ Ch. 21, Aug. 3, Mayor takes downtown business walk http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/Mayor-Henry--389113532.html Ch. 21, Aug. 3, FWPD offers back to school safety tips http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Think-safety-FWPD-offers-back-to-school-tips--389133222.html ESPN Radio 1380, Aug. 3, Mayor Henry discusses downtown development https://audioboom.com/boos/4895401-mayor-tom-henry-joins-the-sports-rush-to-talk-downtown-arena JG, Aug. 2, Legacy funding is secure for decades – Guest column by Mayor Henry http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/Legacy-funding-is-secure-for-decades-14392193 JG, Aug. 2, Local briefs – SE strategy workshop today; Electrical problems close pool early http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Briefs-14434428 NS, Aug. 2, Brownfields or bonanzas – Several factors will guide fate of two prominent downtown sites http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Brownfields-or-bonanzas--Several-factors-will-guide-fate-of-two-prominent-downtown-sites Ch. 21, Aug. 1, What makes downtown development so intriguing http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/What-makes-downtown-development-so-intriguing-388882782.html NS, Aug. 1, Electrical problems close Memorial Park pool http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Electrical-problems-close-Fort-Wayne-s-Memorial-Park-pool WANE, Aug. 1, New FWPD chief to be sworn in http://wane.com/2016/08/01/new-fwpd-chief-to-be-sworn-in-monday/ City TV, July 2016, “City View” http://afw.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=ce28f48c61b1446f660b2bb314dc0118 JG, July 31, Riverfront development fulfills vision of Legacy http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/Riverfront-development-fulfills-vision-of-Legacy-14374130 JG, July 31, Troubled youth to Fort Wayne UNITED leader http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Troubled-youth-to-United-leader-14369564 JG, July 30, Just hanging at the park http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/hangin-at-park-14394321 NS, July 30, Westbrook rain garden http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Photos--Beesy-weekend-at-Westbrook-rain-garden JG, July 29, Kuhne’s grand plans foreshadowed riverfront http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/Kuhne-s-grand-plans-foreshadowed-riverfront-14333293 Inside Ind Bus, July 29, Fort Wayne among best run cities http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/32572804/fort-wayne-among-best-run-cities

JG, July 27, $1.7M riverfront design contract ok’d http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/-1-7-million-riverfront-design-contract-OK-d-14331754 JG, July 27, A quiet moment among the roses http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/A-quiet-moment-among-the-roses-14333943 Ch. 21, July 26, Outgoing police chief says just do the right thing

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Outgoing-police-ch-388331812.html Ch. 21, July 26, Riverfront contract approved http://www.21alive.com/news/local/COUNCIL-Riverfront-Development-construction-contract-approved-388328552.html WFFT, July 26, Riverfront contract approved http://www.fortwaynehomepage.net/news/local-news/riverfront-developments-first-phase-approved WANE, July 26, Council approves major riverfront contract http://wane.com/2016/07/27/council-approves-major-riverfront-contract/ WANE, July 26, City pools set to close; dog swim scheduled http://wane.com/2016/07/26/city-pools-set-to-close-dog-swim-scheduled/ WANE, July 26, Racist slur found on Rivergreenway http://wane.com/2016/07/26/racist-slur-found-on-rivergreenway-police-not-involved/ NS, July 26, Council approves riverfront contract, considers new plan to help pay for development http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Council-approves-riverfront-contract--considers-new-plan-to-help-pay-for-development WOWO, July 26, Fort Wayne listed 5th best-run city http://www.wowo.com/fort-wayne-listed-5-best-run-cities-study/ JG, July 26, Angling for fun at Foster Park

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Angling-for-fun-at-Foster-Park-14316083

JG, July 1, Fun at Franke Park Day Camp

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Good-clean-fun-at-day-camp-13894619

City TV, July 2016, Mayor Henry’s City Beat program

http://afw.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=691e390fd9214fa2dc6983bf64d67800

City TV, June 2016, Mayor Henry’s “City Beat” program

http://afw.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=1003871332fc2d0203a677b005229320

NS, June 28, Riverfront development is taking more time and money than originally thought

http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Riverfront-development-is-taking-more-time--and-money--than-originally-

thought

JG, June 23, Southeast trail sections open http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Southeast-trail-sections-open-13739687 Ch. 21, June 22, Hanna Street, Ren. Pointe trails now open http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/Hanna-Street-Renaissance-Pointe-Trails-now-open-after-ribbon-cutting--384027681.html WFFT, June 21, Trek the Trails http://www.fortwaynehomepage.net/news/local-news/cyclists-unite-for-trek-the-trails JG, June 21, Family storytime on Wells St. Bridge http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Family-storytime-at-Historic-Wells-Street-Bridge-13707530 WFFT, June 20, Storytime on the Bridge http://www.fortwaynehomepage.net/news/local-news/story-time-on-the-bridge-kicks-off-monday NS, June 20, Tell us what you want in your parks system http://news-sentinel.com/opinion/your-voice/Tell-us-what-you-want-in-your-parks-system JG, June 20, Youth council organizes boat races http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/Youth-council-organizes-boat-races-13461627

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

JG, June 19, Parks serving city on its terms http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/Parks-serving-city-on-its-terms-13594659 NS, June 18, Maumee Ave. curve beginning to disappear http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Maumee-Avenue-curve-beginning-to-disappear WANE, June 17, Dragon Boat Races are back http://wane.com/2016/06/17/dragon-boat-races-are-back/ NS, June 17, Dragon Boat races return June 25 http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Dragon-Boat-races-return-June-25 JG, June 16, Senior Games – Going for cornhole gold http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Going-for-cornhole-gold-13620454

JG, June 15, STEAM Park land goes up for sale http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/STEAM-Park-land-goes-up-for-sale-13591934 JG, June 15, Four more parks added to summer breakfast program http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/4-more-parks-added-to-summer-breakfast-program-13591101 JG, June 15, Letter to the editor – Franke Park Day Camp holds precious memories http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/Letters-13594315 NS, June 15, Letter to the editor – A Legacy Fund request http://news-sentinel.com/opinion/letters/Letter-to-the-editor--A-Legacy-Fund-request NS, June 14, Key piece of downtown redevelopment puzzle is yours if you have $6M

http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Key-piece-of-downtown-redevelopment-puzzle-is-yours----if-you-have--6-

million?platform=hootsuite

JG, June 14, FWCS Board oks land for trail use

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/FWCS-bus-drivers-get-1--raise-13577782

WBOI, June 14, Summer program extends free breakfast

http://wboi.org/post/summer-program-extends-free-breakfast-all-participating-kids

JG, June 14, Foellinger adds concerts

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Foellinger-adds-Joe-Walsh---Weird-Al--to-schedule-13572572

NS, June 14, Fort Wayne Parks’ summer, school-year food programs fill a community need

http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-Parks--summer--school-year-food-programs-fill-a-community-

need

JG, June 10, Parks Board gets updates – School conversion, riverbank projects discussed at meeting http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Parks-Board-gets-updates-13494629 JG, June 10, Letter to the editor – STEAM park location would be ideal for lake http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/Letters-13338378 NS, June 10, Fort Wayne Parks department says trained mental health workers needed to assist at winter warming center http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-Parks-department-says-trained-mental-health-workers-needed-to-assist-at-winter-warming-center NS, June 10, Plans for Franklin School Park, proposed riverfront park moving forward http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Plans-for-Franklin-School-Park--proposed-riverfront-park-moving-forward JG, June 9, Shuffleboard competitors http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Shuffleboard-competitors-13481754 Ch. 21, June 8, City uses eminent domain to pursue riverfront development plan http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/City-uses-eminent-domain-to-pursue-riverfront-development-plan-382260411.html NS, June 8, Fort Wayne Trails wins $20k grant

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports Submitted August, 2016

http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-Trails-wins--20-000-grant NS, June 8, Fort Wayne Parks Dept. files lawsuit to condemn land for riverfront park http://news-sentinel.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-Parks-department-files-lawsuit-to-condemn-land-for-riverfront-park WBOI, June 8, City files lawsuit over riverfront land http://wboi.org/post/fort-wayne-files-lawsuit-over-riverfront-land JG, June 8, City sues to obtain riverfront properties http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/courts/City-sues-to-obtain-riverfront-properties-13463373 JG, June 8, City trails receives grant for $20,000 – National group picks Pufferbelly project http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/City-trails-receives-grant-for-20-000-13458887 JG, June 8, Puttering around after round http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Puttering-around-after-round-13464115

WANE, June 7, Empyrean Café opens at Botanical Conservatory

http://wane.com/2016/06/07/empyrean-cafe-opens-at-the-botanical-conservatory/

WANE, June 7, City heads to court to use eminent domain for riverfront land

http://wane.com/2016/06/07/city-heads-to-court-to-use-eminent-domain-for-riverfront-land/

Ch. 21, June 7, Empyrean Café opens in Botanical Conservatory

http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/Empyrean-Cafe-opens-in-Botanical-Conservatory--382118661.html

WFFT, June 7, Empyrean opens in Botanical Conservatory

http://www.fortwaynehomepage.net/news/local-news/empyrean-cafe-opens-in-botanical-conservatory

JG, May 31, Protecting butterflies

http://www.journalgazette.net/features/home-garden/Protecting-butterflies-12642104

JG, May 30, A pontoon ride through the past

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/A-pontoon-ride-through-the-past-13314567

JG, May 29, Event gives monarchs thrones

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Event-gives-monarchs-thrones-13290951

JG, May 29, Wheel tax worthwhile for a city on the move

http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/Wheel-tax-worthwhile-for-a-cityon-the-move-13264030

JG, May 28, Parks Dept. gives a Cheers

http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/Cheers---38--jeers-13123424

JG, May 28, Great American Cleanup a winner on the Weekly Scorecard

http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/Weekly-scorecard-13200436

JG, May 28, Opening with a splash

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Opening-with-a-splash-13283431

JG, May 28, Proposed park something that no one else has done

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Proposed-park-something-that--no-one-else-has-done--13279261

JG, May 27, Get educated with free riverboat tours

http://www.journalgazette.net/features/Get-educated-with-free-riverfront-tours-13155763

Ch. 21, May 27, STEAM Park idea from GFW

http://www.21alive.com/news/local/STEAM-Park-a-look-at-what-could-become-of-the-Old-OmniSource-property-

381148641.html