City of Fort Wayne: Greenways and Trails

The Greenways and Trails Department continues to grow under the leadership of Dawn Ritchie, Greenways Manager, and the Department’s Program Manager, Rick Zolman.  In 2024, 3 miles of trail were built in Fort Wayne, bringing the total to 153 miles of trails in the regional network with 107 miles in the City limits.

The primary functions of the Greenways Department include project development and management, overseeing volunteer programs, event administration and coordinating trail maintenance and improvements.

2024 Accomplishments:

• Trail Uses in 2024: 1,008,243
• Programmed our 7th annual Open Street Event on Sunday August 18th. We welcomed more than 6,100 attendees had an estimated $313,000 of economic impact to our community
• The Greenway Ranger Program added 18 new Greenway Rangers in 2024, bringing the total number of active volunteers close to more than 100. The rangers group spent more than 1800 hours volunteering along our trail system.

• Successfully organized or assisted with Trek the Trails Bike Rides, Tread the Trails walk/runs, the Winter Solstice bike ride/walk, Bike-to-Work Day, and the Renaissance Car Show.

• Added a 3-mile walk for National Take a Hike Day in November

• Helped secure a $5 million donation for the Pufferbelly Trail bridge over Coliseum Boulevard by the Vann Family Foundation
• Inspected all trails older than 10 years.  Documented all maintenance issues with photos, notes and paint.   We will use this data to create a priority list for bidding maintenance projects in 2025 and beyond
• Identified side paths that needed crack-sealed.  Worked with a contractor to crack seal more than 50,000 LF of the highest priority areas
• Worked with media, City’s Public Information Officers and Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. on education, publicity, and outreach
• Awarded Trail Volunteer of the Year and planted a tree in his honor along the trail system.  Coordinated maintenance of trails with Parks, City Utilities and Public Works, including tree removal, tree replacement and new tree plantings
• Inspected all bridges and boardwalks
• Secured various sponsorships and donations for events, as well as donations of right of way.
• Assisted with right of way acquisition on Wheelock Road Trail and Hanna St. Trail. 
• Construction was completed on the following trails: 
  • Liberty Mills Road Trail: Middle Grove Road to Falls Drive/Coventry Lane (0.75 miles) 
  • Summit Park Trail, Phase 1D: Fishing Line Trail to Lima Road (0.69 miles) 
  • Covington Road Trail: Hadley Road to Getz Road (0.9 miles) 
• Construction began on the following trails and will be completed in 2025:
  •   Hanna Street Trail: Burns Blvd to Decatur Rd (0.25 miles)  
  • Pufferbelly Trail: Ice Way to Washington Center (1.7 miles)