Fort Wayne has two fresh reasons to get outside and explore this week. The city officially dedicated a new playground at Shoaff Park, one of Fort Wayne’s most beloved green spaces, while Visit Fort Wayne simultaneously unveiled new accessibility maps to help every resident and visitor navigate the city with greater ease.

The playground dedication at Shoaff Park marks a meaningful upgrade to a park that has long served families across the city. Shoaff Park, situated along the St. Joseph River on Fort Wayne’s north side, draws visitors year-round for its trails, picnic areas, and open green space. The addition of a newly dedicated playground means children and families will have an updated, modern space to enjoy during the warm summer months and beyond. The city’s investment in this community anchor reflects an ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving Fort Wayne’s park system for residents of all ages.

At the same time, Visit Fort Wayne announced the release of new accessibility maps — a development that signals the city’s growing focus on inclusive tourism and community access. The maps are designed to help people with mobility considerations, disabilities, or other accessibility needs better plan their outings around Fort Wayne, whether they’re heading to a downtown attraction, a neighborhood park, or a local event. By making this information readily available, Visit Fort Wayne is helping to ensure that more residents and guests can fully participate in everything the city has to offer.

Together, these two announcements paint a picture of a city actively working to make its public spaces more welcoming, more functional, and more fun. From the laughter of kids on a new playground to the confidence of a visitor navigating Fort Wayne with a reliable accessibility guide, both initiatives speak to the kind of community-minded progress that makes Fort Wayne a great place to live, work, and play.

Residents are encouraged to visit Shoaff Park to check out the new playground, and to explore the new accessibility maps through Visit Fort Wayne’s website.

Sources: Fort Wayne website (.gov), Visit Fort Wayne