Riverfront pavilion gets $1 million
By Dave Gong | The Journal Gazette
In the latest round of fundraising for Fort Wayne's riverfront development efforts, the Fort Wayne Park Foundation raised more than $1 million to support the planned Promenade Park.
The funds, which earned a $500,000 match from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, will go toward construction of the Fort Wayne Park Foundation Compass Pavilion. The Park Foundation also pledged $150,000 from its unrestricted endowment fund to the project.
“The Park Foundation is excited about the endless opportunities for enjoying the waterfront and downtown that Promenade Park will bring to the community,” Park Foundation President Kathy Callen said. “The Park Foundation is committed to supporting not only Promenade Park, but all of the 86 parks in our treasured park system and will faithfully continue to raise and steward donor funds.”
Officials say the Compass Pavilion will serve as the anchor for events and programs centered around arts and culture, nature, and recreation. It also will be available to rent. The pavilion, which will be constructed out of steel, limestone and wood, will have room inside for about 150 people and will feature a large pergola canopy with room for another 150 guests.
“The Park Foundation has always been extremely supportive of our park system,” Parks Director Al Moll said. “We're pleased and excited that they chose to invest in the Compass Pavilion. It will be one of the most eye-catching features of the park and it's appropriate that the pavilion named after the Park Foundation will house the donor wall.”
Other donors have supported other aspects of the planned park, including Sweetwater Sound and the Downtown Rotary Club, which pledged $200,000 each for a band shell and a fountain-like water feature, respectively. Dick Waterfield and the Waterfield Foundation donated $200,000 for a park entrance sculpture.
