Feature Focus: Getting Back to our Rivers

Getting Back By Lindsey Coleman You’ve heard the story many times: Fort Wayne was founded on its rivers. With three rivers meeting right in the heart of our city, it’s no wonder that to our Riversthere’s been so much focus returned to those waterways.

For a long time, we took our rivers for granted. However, the three rivers that connect us all - the Maumee River, the St. Marys River and the St. Joseph River - are now bustling with activity and have become the cornerstone of our communities once more. Riverfront Fort Wayne, an initiative of the City of Fort Wayne, is leading efforts in the downtown area to bring us back to spending time on and around our rivers. The goal is an entire district in downtown Fort Wayne devoted to promoting the unique assets our city has to offer - a district that Riverfront Fort Wayne says will have “a personality shaped and sustained by our rivers.” In downtown Fort Wayne, there are loads of riverfront activities, including: • PROMENADE PARK: This public park offers the PNC Playground and Doermer Kids Canal for your littles, the Parkview Tree Canopy

Trail for walking, ping pong tables, corn hole boards and a foosball table, rental spaces, and free concerts as part of the Muddy River

Concert Series on Wednesdays in the summer. • DINING ON THE WATER: Dine with a spectacular water view at

The Deck, or head over to Promenade Park for Trubble Riverside

Cafe and Tap, or have a picnic at the Journal Gazette Foundation

Dining Gardens. • TOURS: Hop aboard Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation’s Sweet

Breeze, an authentic canal boat replica with river education onboard, or book a Rum Runner Party Boat trip for your adult crew to enjoy a beverage or two while floating down our St. Marys River. • BOATING AND BIKING: Our rivers are prime for kayaking and canoeing, and our Rivergreenway lives up to its name by offering opportunities to bike safely right along our rivers. Watercraft and bicycle rentals are offered at Fort Wayne Outfitters or Earth

Adventures Unlimited.

While Fort Wayne’s downtown is buzzing with riverfront development, there’s a community about 20 minutes northeast that’s beginning to boast its beautiful riverfront, too. For centuries, communities have built themselves upon the rivers, driving the economy and promoting the quality of life offered living near the water - and residents are beginning to take notice once more of Leo-Cedarville’s prime location on the St. Joseph River, with nearby Cedarville and Hurshtown reservoirs adding to its water access.

“If you’re an outdoor person, Leo-Cedarville is the best place in northern Indiana to live…. There are lake-type activities here, and it’s really a hidden gem,” Fort Wayne Outfitters owner Tim Hall said. The Leo area is outstanding for riverfront fun, including: • EXPLORE NATURAL WILDLIFE: The portion of the St. Joseph River running through Leo has been well-preserved and has more wildlife than downtown Fort Wayne, as it’s more secluded. Find cormorants, herons, bald eagles, healthy fish, and more on your adventures on

Leo’s waterways. • SAFE KAYAKING: Leo’s waterways are unique in that they don’t “flash,” or change water levels as quickly as they do in other areas of the county, making for a safer environment for the whole family to spend time on the water.

Photos provided by For Wayne Outfitters

Photos provided by For Wayne Outfitters

• EASY ACCESS TO THE WATER: With many launch areas, such as the Spencerville DNR Launch near the

Spencerville Covered Bridge area, the Leo-Cedarville

DNR Launch near Riverside Gardens Park, and the

Cedarville Reservoir, accessing the river is a breeze. • BIKING OPPORTUNITIES: Roads in the Leo-Grabill area have larger shoulders to accommodate Amish traffic and are perfect for bike riding right along the riverfront areas. The upcoming Cedar Creek Parks

Trail will only heighten these opportunities in the next few years. • STEADY EDDY’S: Fort Wayne Outfitters’ newest venture lies right in the heart of Leo. This kayak depot and restaurant offers kayak rentals, gear, food, and beer. There is a boat launch right on their property, and they allow guests to drop in their own kayaks here, as well. Our communities have a front-row seat to the greatness that is our river systems. For a full list of local launch sites and water safety information, visit the Northeast Indiana Water Trails website (neiwatertrails. com.) This regional partnership works to increase recreation opportunities on our waterways. Make the most of your summer by getting out to the water. a