COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
Two recent meetings of the Park Board have considered upgrades to Foster Park—an important element in the lives of many “Waynedale News” area residents and all citizens of Fort Wayne. The Park Department has received many comments regarding the roadway into the park. The road surface is deteriorating, drivers speed and also pull off the edge of the roadway damaging park property and endangering park users, and police officers are having to repeatedly deal with drivers who “double park” in the road and obstruct pedestrian and traffic flow. After much discussion the Park Department staff has designed a roadway upgrade to include a new parking plan, more landscaping, a parallel walkway to separate pedestrians from vehicles, and other improvements. These changes follow a series of steps including multiple public meetings, hundreds of letters, many news articles, etc. I appreciate the diligence of the Park Board in carefully weighing all of the information they have received. I hope they will proceed with a decision to complete the improvements which I believe should correct the problems noted above while protecting the character of the park.
While I’m discussing parks I need to mention Waynedale Park as well. I personally signed a petition currently circulating regarding park upgrades as I really love Waynedale Park and believe it to be an important anchor for the surrounding neighborhoods. The Park Department has put quite a bit of money into the Park including improved electrical service and a new hot water system and a new $13,000 roof (2001) for the pavilion. $25,000 worth of playground equipment was added in 1997. $12,500 in new tennis court fencing is currently being installed. I’ve met “parkside” with police officers who spoke directly with individuals who were driving their vehicles across the park to the edge of the tennis and basketball courts, etc. The Park Department did some extra tree trimming after I received calls and talked with park leaders. New trees are to be planted—hopefully shagbark hickory (a common tree in the park) and there are 10 picnic tables where before there were none. The summer playground program will run from June 7 to August 6 (Mon-Thurs 9 to 4 and Fri 9 to 1). There continues to be a major problem with dumping of trash in the park. Anyone witnessing and reporting dumping is eligible for a 50% share of up to a $2,500 per day fine for illegal dumping. If you see any dumping be sure to notify the Fort Wayne Police Department immediately. I’m sure that the Parks Department will commit to further Waynedale Park upgrades after they receive the petition currently being circulated.
I guess I’m in a spring mood and a park mood because I can’t help but mention a great “coup” by Fort Wayne and the Park Department and Indiana State Government. As you drive—or hopefully walk or ride—along West Jefferson Blvd. just west of Swinney Park you’ll see a great addition to the Greenway System that was just completed! Thanks to a $350,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation the Greenway System has just been extended from Swinney Park to Rockhill Park. I predict that in a few years the Greenway will extend not only throughout Fort Wayne but also to New Haven and eventually to cities such as South Bend and Indianapolis. We Hoosiers—yours truly included—need to exercise more and now that’s becoming much easier to do!
Don’t forget to vote in the primary election on Tuesday, May 4th! Enjoy the weather!
Tom Hayhurst
City Councilman, 4th District
432-8418
tom.hayhurst@verizon.net
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Celebrating 20 Years Of Community At The Stand - April 12, 2024
- First Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Indiana - April 12, 2024
- Southwest Allen County Schools Embark On Major Tree Plantings - April 12, 2024