Posted Under "Bike Fort Wayne"

There’s still time to register for Fort Wayne’s inaugural cycling event — the Fort-4-Fitness Spring Cycle — which takes place Saturday, May 26.

The Spring Cycle is set to be the premier cycling event in the Fort Wayne area and comes on the heels of the successful and popular annual Fort-4-Fitness Health Festival in September, which includes a Half-Marathon, 10K, 4-Mile Run/Walk, Kids Marathon and Seniors Marathon.

The event starts at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne and features a competitive route and a family fun tour of the city. The competitive “Tour de Fort Wayne” offers cyclists distances from 19.7 miles to 35.2 miles to the longest route at 45.25 miles. A casual three-mile family bike ride called Bike the Fort, will follow.

The event will also feature a mascot race, bike rodeo and a pro cycling Twilight Criterium event, a race from late afternoon to evening which features multiple short track, multiple lap, high speed events. Outside of the biking events, there will be fun and activities for the entire family during the day of the event, including food, merchandise vendors, information booths and attendance by local biking club members.

Registration is available online now through May 24, and starts at $20 per individual for the Tour de Fort Wayne. Act now as rates increase May 15. Fort-4-Fitness is a non-profit organization entering its fifth year of events, focusing on the promotion of health and fitness through an active lifestyle.

When you find yourself in downtown Fort Wayne for either work or play, there are definitely a variety of things to do and places to go.

However, if you find you need a moment of peace while you’re here, there are plenty of options open to you for taking a well-deserved break. My top five favorites are:

1. The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory: Situated in the heart of downtown, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory provides visitors with a chance to stop and let the world go by, while taking in the sights and scents of natural, floral beauty. Wander casually through their Showcase Garden with featured seasonal displays, take in the beautiful Tropical Garden with gorgeous orchids and a soothing waterfall, or enjoy the serenity of the Desert Garden. Visit the Botanical Conservatory Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Conservatory is closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day and Christmas Day. Admission is $5 adults, children (age 3-17) $3; children age 2 and under admitted free.

The Allen County Public Library offers a peaceful stop - and a Dunkin' Donuts on site!

2. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art also offers a quiet respite in the middle of the city. Walk the whisper-quiet galleries at your own pace, taking in exhibitions and collections designed to provoke thought, insight or amusement. The museum is located at 311 Main Street, and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Art Museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $5 adults, $3 for students Kindergarten through college and $10 for families. The museum offers free admission on Sundays and Thursdays.

3. If you’re looking for a different kind of quiet, check out the Allen County Public Library. Make a quick stop at Dunkin’ Donuts (conveniently located adjacent to the southeast entrance) to pick up a treat and your favorite hot or icy beverage. The library’s main hall alone is worth the time to walk and explore. The two-story open area is home to a larger-than-life wall mural featuring inspirational quotes from some of the world’s most profound thinkers. Wander the departments, peruse a book or two or check out the featured exhibits on display. The main library is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note the main library is closed on Sundays from May 27, 2012 to September 1, 2012. You can find the library at 900 Library Plaza (bordered by Wayne St., Ewing St. and Washington Blvd.)

Beautiful Freimann Square offers downtown serenity, despite being only steps away from busy Main Street

4. We’ve all heard jokes about the fickle tendencies of Indiana weather: “If you don’t like it, wait a minute and it’ll change,” and the weather in Fort Wayne is no exception. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a little bit of time on a pleasant day, visit Freimann Square. This fountain-adorned park offers a surprising amount of serenity despite being only steps away from busy Main Street. Pick a bench and enjoy cool shade or the full-on warmth of the sun, bring your lunch or enjoy a book. Freimann Square is located on the west side of the Arts United Center/Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. (Parking entrance accessible from South Clinton St.)

5. Finally, tucked into former firehouse number 3 – located at 226 W. Washington Blvd. – is the Fort Wayne Firefighter’s Museum. Station 3 was closed in 1972, and within a couple of years, plans were being made to turn the building into a museum full of local history. Years of work ensued, and the museum opened on a limited basis in 1981. In 2001 a staff was hired and regular hours took effect. The equipment and memorabilia in the museum were all once used by the Fort Wayne Fire Department, and were generously donated by the firefighters and their families. The museum is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed Wednesdays, Sundays and most holidays. Admission is $4 adults, seniors and students (K-12) $3. Children 5 and under are free.

What about you? Are there any downtown quiet spots that you’d recommend?

Spring break: (n) Period of time, usually one week, where families escape winter doldrums of northern and Midwest states and head for warmer, tropical locales. Also refers to the time period where adults and children can relax, recharge and reconnect without being held to the demands of normal work/school routine.

Spring break is one of the first things to look forward to after the holidays. Many people find themselves staring at the calendar on February 1st chanting “eight more weeks…” While countless families pack up and make extensive travel plans, there are also many families who opt to get away a little closer to home. When your vacation becomes a “staycation,” there are still many great things to do here in Fort Wayne that are inexpensive (or, better yet… FREE!) to relax, recharge and reconnect with your family.

Get Back to Your Roots
Whether your family is tightly-knit or scattered to the wind, spend an afternoon in the Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library and take a look at your family tree. This extensive collection of genealogical information and resources will provide an interesting glimpse into your ancestry. Use the ACPL genealogy database to start piecing together your family’s history. Who knows? You might even learn some interesting things about your family that you never knew before.

Cindy's serves the world - 15 people at a time!

Sample a Classic Taste
Enjoying fun and fabulous food on vacation is a must – and if you’re on a “staycation,” it shouldn’t be any different! If you want to sample some of the most classic and long-standing tastes of Fort Wayne, look to the downtown area. There’s Coney Island on Main Street – tasty hot dogs with that one-of-a-kind Coney sauce, all nestled into a steamed bun. Cindy’s Diner, on the corner of Wayne and Harrison, offers great diner fare, but if you really want to indulge? Order “Garbage” on the breakfast menu. It may not be pretty, but it tastes incredible. Another delicious downtown destination is Powers Hamburgers on South Harrison St. On a good day, you’ll smell the burgers & onions before you even get there. And, when lunch is finished, don’t forget to top it off with a frosty treat from Fort Wayne’s own Zesto shops. Located just south of downtown on Broadway and Creighton, southwest on Falls Drive, north just off Washington Center Road or northeast at St. Joe Road and Maplecrest, Zesto’s ice creamy goodness will put a happy twist on any day.

Take a Dip
Many of us associate “spring break” with spending time on a warm, sandy beach with the prospect of playing in the cool water just a few feet away. While we don’t have the warm, sandy beach in Fort Wayne, we definitely have options to play in the water… or on the water. Check out Earth Adventures Unlimited just west of downtown, or Fort Wayne Outfitters just north of the city to rent a canoe or kayak and set out to explore the rivers in our midst.

Hometown Tourism
If these starter ideas aren’t going to do the trick, be a true tourist in your own town and head to www.visitfortwayne.com for more spring break staycation ideas. You’ll find everything you need to cover a week’s worth of days with family fun. You’ll find details on things to do, places to eat and special events. Don’t forget to click the DEALS tab, for specials and coupons to save a few dollars while you make many memories.

If you’re not heading for hot sun and beaches this spring break, make Fort Wayne your destination, and enjoy spring break right in your own hometown!

You don’t have to wait long for the next big Fort-4-Fitness event. On the heels of the largest turnout for the fourth annual Fort-4-Fitness Health Festival in September, which included a Half-Marathon, 10K, 4-Mile Run/Walk, Kids Marathon and Seniors Marathon — the Spring Cycle is set to be the premier cycling event in the Fort Wayne area.

The inaugural Fort-4-Fitness Spring Cycle is Memorial Day weekend 2012, on May 26 and 27. The event kicks off at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne at 9 a.m. and takes cyclists on a 56-mile race (for licensed cyclists in Classes 1 to 5) followed by Tours of 15, 25 or 56 miles. Those tours are open to all cyclists who are up to the challenge!

Then on Sunday thousands are expected to participate in the Bike-the-Fort family leisure ride. This ride also departs from Headwaters Park and will provide a scenic view of the heart of Fort Wayne. Free bicycle safety demonstrations and other activities will be happening on both days of the cycling event.

Close to 10,000 participants were registered for this year’s fall Fort-4-Fitness running and walking events. The spring event is sure to be crowd pleaser. Start planning a spring trip around this both professional cyclist, and family-oriented event now! For more information visit Fort-4-Fitness online. Detailed information about registration, fees, course maps and more will be available online in the coming months.

Fort-4-Fitness is a non-profit organization entering its fifth year of events, focusing on the promotion of health and fitness through an active lifestyle.

(This is the fourth installment in a four-part series showcasing the many parks found in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Today’s focus is on parks that are a part of the Allen County Parks system.)

Fox Island County Park

Fox Island County Park is the largest park in Allen County, featuring 605 acres. Of those acres, 270 are part of a State Nature Preserve, created to protect an area filled with unique plants, animals and geographic features. This park is known for animal sightings, its natural marshland, seasonal ponds, sand dunes and wetland forest. Marked trails allow visitors to take in the splendor of this area. Grills, picnic areas, shelters and more are also on-site. Fox Island County Park is located at 7324 Yohne Road.

Cook’s Landing County Park is a smaller but unique green space located near Cedar Creek, a state-designed scenic river. Both canoe boats and fishing are available here. There is also an open shelter on site, picnic areas and woodlands. Cook’s Landing County Park is located on the county’s north side near the corner of Coldwater and Shoaff roads.

Metea County Park

Metea County Park features 250 acres of green space in the north central portion of the county near Leo-Cedarville. Among those acres is the Meno-aki State Nature Preserve. At this park, experience nature at it’s heart – from hearing birds sing, to the sound of chirping crickets. Amenities on site include five miles of trails, woodlands, wetlands, picnic and campfire areas, a lake with a swimming beach in the summer and more. Metea County Park is located at 8401 Union Chapel Road.

Payton County Park features a mix of open fields, woodlands, and wetlands. A feeling of solitude and quietness are common hear as visitors explore the rural countryside. This park also has several miles of hiking trails through 40 acres of forest, field and wetland areas. Additional amenities on-site include a picnic shelter, small pond, picnic areas and grills. Payton County Park is located at 13928 Dunton Road, on the county’s far north side, between Hathaway and Gump roads.

(Fort Wayne and Allen County are home to approximately 90 parks, encompassing more than 2,800 acres of land. A dozen of these are Legacy Parks, a term coined to signify a park that has been established for 100 years or more. For more information on the parks featured here, and others, visit the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation online and begin planning your next outdoor excursion.)