Between work, activities and home, life gets busy. Sometimes you would love to escape the city without going too far! If this is the case for you, I have the perfect solution, and you don't even have go outside city limits. Minutes from downtown is Lindenwood Nature Preserve. Operated by Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, this 110-acre wooded park features 4 hiking trails of varying length (one is wheelchair and stroller accessible), a pond and an open-air pavilion.
If you are a resident of Fort Wayne, or an out-of-town guest, you can enjoy a hike. Lindenwood's trails vary from .25 to 1 mile in length. The Trillium trail is .5 mile is the most scenic trail in the spring with plenty of wildflowers along the way. The Reflection trail takes you to the pond, where you can sit and relax for a time. The other trails, Maple Spur (.25 mile) and Oak Paradise (.75) allow hikers to enjoy the high-quality, mature oak-hickory forest.
If you are not up for a hike, you can take in a picnic. Feel free to pick-up a to-go meal at your favorite locally owned, Fort Wayne restaurant or pack a picnic basket with your favorite foods from the store. Whether by yourself or with your family and friends, you can eat yummy food in a great park under a pavilion. Minutes from Jefferson Pointe and Downtown Fort Wayne, Lindenwood Nature Preserve is a great place for a peaceful lunch during the work day.
If you are into photography, whether as an amateur or a professional, Lindenwood is the perfect spot for a photo. Try to capture great shots of the squirrels, rabbits and deer roam about the woods. If action shots are not your thing, take one of the beautiful wildflowers and mighty trees.
No matter if you love hike, photography or picnicking, or even just relaxing, you and your guest will enjoy at the preserve. Admission is free. As a seasonal park, Lindenwood Preserve is open from May 1 to October 31. The hours of operation are Thursday-Saturday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm and Sunday, 12:00-6:00 pm.
