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Promenade Park - 2021 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Winner
May 4, 2021
Photo By Kris Julius Photography
The new park connects downtown Fort Wayne to the riverfront, inviting people of all ages and abilities to come together and enjoy the water and natural life near the city.
Photo By MJames Photography
Boardwalk seating with tables lines the sidewalk leading into the park. The walkway connects the city sidewalks with the park paths, creating a space of interconnection with downtown and Promenade Park. Downtown residents and workers, as well as families and park-goers, come to eat and relax at the tables.
Location: Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Developer: Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation
Designers/Consultants: The Hagerman Group; Design Collaborative; Lamar Johnson Collaborative; Engineering Resources, Inc.; Hoch Associates; One Lucky Guitar; American Structurepoint
Site Size: 4.5 Acres
Photo By MJames Photography
One of the most unique and frequently used features of the park is its Tree Canopy Trail, winding in and out of the trees lining the river. The trail was specially designed so that wheelchairs could easily access it.
The ambitious scope of Promenade Park involved the transformation of the north and south banks of the St. Marys River in Fort Wayne, IN, into a signature space for recreation, relaxation, and reflection for the downtown Fort Wayne community and surrounding areas. The project site covered over 4.5-acres, and one of the key components – the Pavilion – includes over 6,400 square feet of space under roof.
Photo By MJames Photography
The PNC Playground is easily accessible from the park pathways, and has space for loved ones to watch their children enjoy the playground amenities.
The three rivers that Fort Wayne was originally built around had been fading into the background, not being well cared for. Promenade Park would connect the community with the rivers, bringing awareness to the need to care for the rivers as well as bringing the urban community closer to the natural environment. Several firms came together to form the Riverworks Design Group, who then went out into the community to hear directly from the people about what they envisioned for the future park.
Photo By MJames Photography
Promenade Park has been a central gathering place for the community and visitors, giving people a sense of pride and togetherness. It continues to draw people in and form connections.
Riverworks Design Group met with downtown workers, millennials, a local organization that supports those with physical and mental disabilities, and the League’s group of individuals with visual impairments to learn how to make the park a place for everyone. The park also became a symbol of prosperity for downtown Fort Wayne, with more riverfront development phases on the horizon, and a flourish of development with new businesses springing up downtown not far from the park.