Did you know that the month of May is National Bike Month? In conjunction with the 2013 National Bike Challenge and the League of American Bicyclists, Fort Wayne is encouraging cyclists of all ages and riding levels to get out and pump the pedals!

National Bike Month aims to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the variety of reasons people ride. Whether it’s biking for fun, exercise, helping the environment, saving time and money, etc… getting involved in National Bike Month is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather, while also championing the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons to get out and take a ride!

To go along with this month-long celebration of the bicycle, there are a variety of bike-related events that you can join in, whether it’s on your own or with a group! Even though it is already the middle of the month, there are still PLENTY of opportunities to get involved! Some of the highlights include:

• National Bike Challenge -all month: Log ALL of your biked miles in Fort Wayne on the National Bike Challenge website. On June 1st the top individual and top team who logged the most miles across the city in May will be announced. Join in on the opportunity to put Fort Wayne on the map as a City of Cyclists!
• Movie Night: Breaking Away – May 24: Bike to Cinema Center and get a member discount! Bicycle friendly Fort Wayne will watch your bike while you relax and enjoy a movie. Breaking Away is an Academy Award winner (1979, screenplay) that cycles high on comedy as four friends come to terms with life after high school. Filmed in and around Bloomington, it’s a Hoosier classic!
• Fort4Fitness Spring Cycle – May 25: Join the 2nd annual Spring Cycle tour of Fort Wayne. Participants can choose from three different touring distances ranging from 17-43 miles. There will also be a family-friendly ride. Make sure to stick around after the tour to watch the Twilight Criterium. For more info, check out http://www.fort4fitness.org/spring-cycle.asp
• Bike to Coffee Day – May 31: Meet up with fellow bike commuter over a cup of joe and breakfast at the Dash-In. If you can’t make it, don’t fret! This group meets on the last Friday of each month at the Dash-In between 7am and 8am.

Hop on your bicycle and help Fort Wayne celebrate National Bike Month!

In addition to these great events, there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved in National Bike Month and the Fort Wayne community. Every Sunday is Sundays on a Bike, where riders are encouraged to get out and take advantage of the lighter traffic and easy pace while exploring the city. There are also a number of  Trek the Trails events going on throughout the month.

For more information on how to get involved with National Bike Month, and any of the events going on, you can visit nationalbikechallenge.org, The League of American Cyclists, or Visit Fort Wayne. You can also contact the River Greenway (260-427-6228) or Bike Fort Wayne (bikefortwayne@gmail.com).

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One of my favorite things about Fort Wayne is that regardless of where you live, there is likely a trail nearby, and accessible. I recently moved to southwest Fort Wayne. Having lived in downtown for several years, I was unsure how that might affect my biking habit. To my surprise, there is a lovely (and scenic) route that takes you right into downtown!

Here’s how you can discover it for yourself. Start at the Engle Rd. Trailhead (1 block south of the intersection of Engle and Jefferson). Along the way, you will encounter some beautiful sights, so have your camera on hand! Eagle Marsh, home of the Little River Wetlands project, is a 716-acre wetland preserve located on the southwest border of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Eight miles of trails allow hikers to access the preserve’s varied habitats of shallow-water wetland, sedge meadow, prairie, mature forest and young trees. Be prepared to see some critters! My favorite part is crossing the bridge over the wetlands.

Get close to nature on the Towpath Trail.

Not far from the preserve is a drinking fountain and bench, ideal for taking a breather. From here, follow the trail northeast to Rockhill Park.

Insider’s Note: This is a very flat bicycle ride with only a few but very slight elevation gains.

There are restrooms and a drinking fountain available at Rockhill Park. Rockhill Park is also equipped with a basketball court, baseball field, small playground and picnic tables.

Insider’s Note:  There are several sections of the trail currently closed, largely between Engle Rd and Covington Rd.  Please be aware, during rainy times portions of the trail may be muddy and/or slippery. Please slow down and use caution especially on boardwalks.

If you’re looking to appreciate the trails with other enthusiasts, you’ll enjoy the Trek the Trails series. Join other bikers on May 21st for a group ride on the Towpath Trail. Meet at the trailhead in Rockhill Park near 1400 Catalpa St., east of the intersection. or W. Jefferson Blvd and Freeman St. All rides start at 6 pm.

For updated information about closures, visit the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation website.

And, you can find more rides like these on our Trail Ride Itineraries page!

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After much anticipation, and what felt like one of the longest winters ever, spring is finally here!  The smell of BBQ and the sounds of children’s laughter fill neighborhoods throughout the city.  Bicycles are dusted off and families set out on Fort Wayne’s abundant trails.  Puppies become eager for walks and we dig through the cabinet to find sunscreen and that great pair of sunglasses from last year.  Suddenly landscapes turn green and beautiful flowers begin to bloom.  There’s nothing like those beautiful spring days to give hope and happiness to all of us.

During spring, Fort Wayne is filled with beautiful flowering trees and plants that bring magic to the scenery that simply can’t be duplicated outside of nature.  Here are a few spots you can find gorgeous spring blooms this spring to enjoy:

Foster Park, located at 3900 Old Mill Rd, is one of the most popular places to enjoy spring blooms.  In fact, they update the floral display each season so there’s always something to enjoy.  Boasting 32 flowerbeds and over 15,000 annuals this garden is not to be missed!  Delight your senses with an array of spring flowers, beautiful benches tucked in for quiet reflection, and a quaint walking path to get up close to nature.

Lakeside Park, nationally recognized by the All American Rose Selection Display Garden, boasts a rose garden unlike others in Fort Wayne.  It’s the site of many romantic proposals, weddings, and lazy afternoon picnics.  With over 1,500 roses on display and reflecting pools the Rose Garden is sure to bring out the romantic in everyone.

Tulips in bloom at Freimann Square in Downtown Fort Wayne

Freimann Square, located in Downtown Fort Wayne is a local favorite.  With the beautiful fountains, lush green grass areas, and thousands of spring bulbs and annuals, it’s sure to make you smile.  Attending a meeting downtown while you’re in town? Sneak over to Freimann Square for a few zen moments between meetings.  You’re sure to be refreshed.

Tower Bank as seen through beautiful blooming trees on Berry St. in downtown Fort Wayne

Downtown Fort Wayne is also in bloom throughout the spring with beautiful flowering trees and plants.  Take in the gorgeous, historic Allen County Courthouse while enjoying the beautiful blooms planted in the Courthouse Green.  These are sure to provide a sense of peace during your stay in downtown Fort Wayne.

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This post is part of a series highlighting the Your Story. Made Here. videos recently produced by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. These videos share the stories of Northeast Indiana, and our many strengths. Click here to view the rest of the series.

The crack of a bat, the cheering crowd, the taste of a ballpark hotdog and an ice-cold beer, it’s all waiting for you!

Locals love Parkview Field because it’s about so much more than baseball. The addition of Parkview Field to the downtown landscape generated a sense of community. Cheering on the TinCaps to their numerous victories has brought a sense of pride and togetherness to the community. The success of the community collaboration that brought Parkview Field to downtown Fort Wayne has continued through such events as Taste of the Arts and Buskerfest.

Opportunities to meet up with friends, network, or simply relax on the lawn are endless.  Whether you’re a young fan or a seasoned armchair pitcher there’s plenty to enjoy at Parkview Field. Young professionals are drawn to Thirsty Thursdays to network with peers, meet up with friends, and enjoy dollar beer night. Fireworks nights are great for a casual yet romantic date night or for families who enjoy looking up at the stars. Suites are available for those looking to entertain large groups or host business colleagues. The Homerun Porch and the Picnic Pavilion make great places to bring your employees for a fun activity away from the office.

3 Rivers Federal Credit Union Employees enjoying a night off with Johnny TinCap at Parkview Field

Be on the lookout for “theme nights” at the ballpark as well. Love getting dressed up for Halloween? Why not celebrate on May 10 with “Halfway to Halloween” night at Parkview Field. Several “Decade Celebrations” are planned for the 2013 season with nights honoring every decade from the 50’s-90’s. There’s even “Star Wars Night” for you to sport your Darth Vader costume and a “Social Media Night” to give you an excuse to be on your smart phone throughout the game.

Great minor league sports aren’t limited to downtown Fort Wayne. Experience the Mad Ants Basketball, Komets Hockey, and the Derby Girls at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.  There’s something for every sports fan throughout the year.

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When the sun starts shining for days in a row, the breeze doesn’t make you run for your coat, the temperature lets you wear short sleeves, and you can breathe in the smell of flowers is in the air; you know it’s outdoor concert season.

Enjoying a concert in the freedom of the outdoors is a great way to have a little care-free fun with friends, dance and sing along as loud as you want to the music (guilty!) and enjoy the fresh air. Fort Wayne may not have a huge outdoor venue, but we do have the Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, which never fails to bring high quality performances to Fort Wayne without breaking the bank. This summer will be no different! With acts like Chicago, Kansas, Little River Band and America, the Foellinger Theatre summer concert lineup, being tagged “A Summer Like No Other”, promises to be one of the best yet.

The sounds of Chicago will come to Fort Wayne on August 27.

One amazing concert we’ll get to see this summer is from one of rock’s most well-known groups, Chicago, who will take the Foellinger Theatre stage Tuesday, August 27 at 8 p.m. This will definitely be a concert no classic rock fan will want to miss! With over 100 million records sold, 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive number one albums, 11 number one singles, 5 gold singles and 25 platinum albums, Chicago is still a force to be reckoned with even 40 years after they first came together. They are known to put on a powerful live show, so get your tickets fast!

Kansas will perform at Foellinger Theatre on September 14.

One of my personal favorite classic-rock bands, Kansas, will perform on September 14. Not only has Kansas had some huge hits throughout their nearly 40-year career (anyone else belt out “Carry On Wayward Son” when it comes on the radio?!), but they’ve had a ton of success. The band boasts 8 gold albums, a platinum selling live album, over 200 weeks on the Billboard charts throughout the 70s and 80s and a million-selling gold single “Dust in the Wind”.

Other nationally acclaimed acts bringing music to the Foellinger stage are Little Red Band and America. Two powerhouse bands featuring some of the best musicians rock music has to offer. Beloved acts Fort Wayne audiences are sure to want to catch again include Cherish the Ladies and The Lettermen.

Several great tribute bands will also be performing as a part of the lineup this summer. Come on down to Margaritaville for the first Fort Wayne performance of Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. The British will invade the Foellinger Theatre with a performance from Chicago Beatles tribute band, BritBeat. Travel back to the 70s and 80s with Midnight Special. Listen to the smooth sounds of The Eagles with Hotel California.

Beyond concerts, Foellinger is once again hosting nine free, family-friendly, movies on Wednesday nights throughout the season at 9 p.m. Madagascar III will kick off the movie season on Wednesday, June 19. Other movies being shown under the stars are: ParaNorman, Brave, The Lorax, Hotel Transylvania and Oz: The Great and Powerful. This is a great chance to kick back and relax while leaving the couch and

With all of the excitement coming with the upcoming concert and movie season, Foellinger Theatre is also rolling out improvements to the venue. Phase 1 of this improvement project will provide an additional 48 seats beneath the roof, including a new patio seating area. This phase will also include functional and cosmetic improvements, new landscaping at the eastern edge of the theater and an expansion of the enclosed area to the east of the theater by 18,000 square feet. Phase two of the project will add a new building to the expansion area for concessions and a covered pavilion for group rentals.

If you have the chance to make it out to Foellinger Theatre, whether it’s for a concert, movie, or just to check out the venue, DO IT! It’s a gem you don’t want to miss.

Tickets for “A Summer Like No Other” events are on sale now! For a complete line-up for the summer, and more information, you can click here,  here or here.

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