Foster Park was listed as the “most visited park” in a recent needs analysis survey and was voted “Best Local Park” in the Fort Wayne Newspapers Reader's Picks survey.
The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department had planned to celebrate the park's 100th anniversary with special events Friday and Saturday. But the severe storm last Friday that downed trees and cut power all across the area forced the parks department to postpone the celebration.
The anniversary event since has been rescheduled for July 27-28, said Natalie Eggeman, parks department public information officer. People can go to www.fortwayneparks.org and scroll down to the “News Flash” listings for any new updates on the event.
The parks department did get an early part of the 100th anniversary celebration started last Thursday: Officials dedicated a new limestone “Foster Park” monument sign at the entrance to the park off Old Mill Road near Rudisill Boulevard. Rockhill, Lakeside and Swinney parks have received similar monument signs.
Here's a brief history of Foster Park from the parks department's website:
The park was created in 1912 when Samuel and Col. David N. Foster and their families donated 67 acres to the City of Fort Wayne. The land included a 2-mile stretch along the St. Marys River. A short time later, the Fosters donated 40 more acres to the city for the park.
In the early 1920s, the Park Board bought 111 additional acres, increasing the park to 218 acres, including 4 miles of riverbank along the St. Marys. Additional land was added in later years, bring the park's total area to 255 acres.
Along with the Foster Park Golf Course, playground areas and athletic fields, the park also contains its renowned flower gardens and a replica of the log cabin in which President Abraham Lincoln was born.
