5 Accessible Outdoor Adventures in Fort Wayne

Opened in 2019, Promenade Park made it a point to be both welcoming and accessible to residents and guests of all abilities. Not only are its wide paths paved with tactile surfaces for vision-impaired guests, but its grassy areas are also wheelchair accessible, as are the tables and chairs on them. 

Additionally, there’s accessibility right down to the water’s edge, making a wheelchair-to-watercraft transfer easy. Dedicated accessible parking, as well as larger family restrooms, accommodate wheelchairs, too. Lastly, individuals with visual impairment needs are met, and dedicated spaces for visual and sensory separation from traffic are also found on the property. 

An inclusive playground for kiddos with all abilities and the first in the state of Indiana, Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground is located at Kreager Park. Designated as one of the “50 Best Playgrounds in America”, all who visit are able to swing, climb, hang, and spin. 

Created with a “Pod”-style, each of the three areas was created for children of specific ages and needs. The Alpha Pod is ideal for children ages 2-5 years and offers parallel, group, and solitary play. The Beta Pod is perfect for kiddos aged 2-12 and is filled with multi-sensory areas, including the NEOS® 360, the world’s first outdoor electronic play system. Lastly, the Gamma Pod is fit for children aged 5-12, and its Aero Glider (a multi-use rocker) can accommodate up to two wheelchairs. 

Truly one of my favorite places in the city, the Fort Wayne Zoo is a must-visit. Open from mid-April through October,  there’s accessible parking at the entrance as well as wheelchair rentals. Most pathways are easily accessible with a wheelchair, as is the Z.O. & O. train ride and designated areas for families needing a quiet space are clearly marked. Also, sensory kits are available to use during visits. 

If you’ve been to Downtown Fort Wayne, you’ve probably spied a mural or two - or several. But did you know that 11 of the gorgeous building eye candy are outfitted with detailed 3-D models to assist those with visual impairments? Indeed. The Fort Wayne Public Art Trail not only gives new life to tired building facades, but entire alleyways are also now filled with artistic beauty. 

With a network of over 120 trails in Fort Wayne and Allen County, many offer wheelchair accessibility. If I had to point out a few of the coolest, check out the Salomon Farm Trail - it loops around Salomon Farm Park to connect with the Pufferbelly Trail (that’s fun to say!), which is absolutely gorgeous in autumn when the leaves turn their brightly-colored hues of crimson, saffron, and tangerine. Additionally, the loop that goes around the Lakeside Rose Garden is paved and offers designated accessible parking spots.

For more information on Fort Wayne’s accessible activities and areas, please visit

https://www.visitfortwayne.com/accessibility/.