Since it was formed in 2000, Friends has an active history of involvement in park issues. We emphasize projects that encourage planning, provide environmentally sound options, facilitate neighborhood involvement, allow us to participate as volunteers, and educate area citizens. We:

• Encouraged and help obtain grants for comprehensive landscape studies and master plans for Lakeside, Swinney, and Memorial Parks, plans which integrate natural and past designed features with current park needs.

• Continue to advocate actively for similar plans for other parks.

• Support neighborhood groups working to improve the parks.

• Found and secured a park landscape architect for the placement and design of Fort Wayne’s first spray ground in Memorial Park.

• Sponsor and coordinate the Great Tree Canopy Comeback, an annual tree-planting day. Since its inception in 2000, the Great Tree Canopy Comeback has resulted in hundreds of new trees planted in Fort Wayne parks. It takes a vision to plant a tree...

• Sponsor talks by recognized experts on park trends, landscape stewardship, and public/private partnerships.

• Publicize the national significance of the original Fort Wayne park system and its designers, who are among the most celebrated landscape architects of the early urban planning movement.

• Hosted a national seminar on park landscape issues.

• Advocated for construction methods, which greatly reduced the impact of a major sewer project through a large woods in the future park on the Buckner Farm property.

• Advocate at public hearings for cleaner rivers and greater protection of Cedar Creek, this region's only designated Indiana Natural, Scenic, and Recreational River.

• Testified about the use of two softball diamonds which were to be replaced by a dog park in Foster Park West, helping park officials decide to retain one of the diamonds.

• Produce a newsletter which reports on park issues, and which highlights the work of the Friends and other groups on behalf of better parks throughout Allen County.