One of the most distinguishing features of Fort Wayne's downtown area is the confluence of three rivers: The St. Joe, the St. Mary's, and the Maumee. It's a natural place for a park: Headwaters Park. A century or two or three ago, trappers and traders met with American Indians and settlers in this location as a kind of town center. Today it's the center of a group of trails and paths along the riverbanks, known as the Rivergreenway.
This 24-mile long, linear park provides for lots of opportunities for recreation: biking, walking, running, skating, dog-walking, and nature-watching. The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department, along with the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven, own and maintain the miles of trails.
Sometime in the next few years, the trail network will connect to a new section, called the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. When this section is completed, the linked trails will increase to a length of 50 miles.
There are many historic sites to see along the trails, including the historic Old Fort and the old landing district. The trails are shaded, peaceful and quiet, mostly out of view from streets, roads and cars. Passages under bridges and tunnels feel secret and untouched by time. It's a way to be in the city and escape from it at once.
It's noteworthy when towns take down old railroad track right-of-ways and do trail systems. One of these on the north side of Fort Wayne will also soon plug into this trail system, further expanding it. See you on the trail, and happy trails indeed to you.
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