The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department officially reopened Brewer Park located at 800 East Pettit Street on September 3, 2025 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker, Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel, Parks’ Deputy Director of Planning and Landscape Chad Shaw and Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood advisory committee representatives and supporters and public officials celebrated the transformation that reflects the heart of this neighborhood. Members of the Allen County Bicentennial Committee also dedicated an “I am Allen” sculpture which is installed in the art garden at Brewer Park.

The park redesign includes:

• Two new playgrounds; one for pre-school and one for elementary school kids.
• A splash pad.
• Covered pavilion and restrooms.
• A ¼ mile walking path and new pedestrian connections to the neighborhood.
• Two new basketball courts.
• Significant landscaping improvements: shade trees, ornamental trees and a new art garden.

Background

The project follows five years of Park planning and fundraising with an advisory group from the neighborhood and active public input. Ground was broken with Mayor Sharon Tucker on September 18, 2024, and is estimated to cost $2.6 Million, supported with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Project funds provided by the City of Fort Wayne, and a generous private donation from Mark K. and Sarah E. Music through the Bridge of Grace Capital Campaign.