Best Bird Watching Area Fort Wayne Near Me

4worldlovers: At Little River Wetlands Project (LRWP), we get our boots muddy while working towards the highest goals – quality of life, improvement and sustainment of our natural resources – for the betterment of our community.

Our mission is to restore and protect wetlands in the historic watershed of the Little River, a major tributary of the Wabash River, and to provide educational opportunities that encourage good stewardship of wetlands and other natural ecosystems.

4worldlovers: Deetz Nature Preserve, named after a retired maintenance director, Thomas Deetz, became park property in 2006. Located at the intersection of Parrot and Hartzell roads, Deetz Nature Preserve is 72 acres of low-lying wetland area.

The preserve-now a beautiful, natural area-was donated by Waste Management. The area has been replanted with native grasses, and the reforestation process has been started with the planting of many young trees. The area has multiple mowed trails, a parking area, and an outdoor classroom. The area is a fantastic location for leisure walks, bird watching, and nature hiking.

Areas like the Deetz Nature Preserve are critical because its wetlands release vegetative matter into rivers, which helps feed fish. While wetlands are truly unique, they must not be thought of as isolated and independent habitat. Wetlands are important to the health of all other biomes as well as to wildlife and humans everywhere.

Wetlands prevent flooding by acting as a holding area for an overabundance of water and retaining water until it can slowly be released. This helps keep river levels normal along with filtering and purifying the surface water.

Wetlands help to counterbalance the effect of humans on rivers by rejuvenating them and surrounding ecosystems.

Numerous animals that live in other habitations use wetlands for reproduction or migration.

Unlike most other habitats, wetlands directly improve other ecosystems. Due to its many cleansing benefits, wetlands have been compared to kidneys. The analogy is a good one because kidneys and wetlands both help cleanse the system and control water flow.

4worldlovers: Lindenwood Nature Preserve encompasses 110 wooded acres with an open-air pavilion and 4 hiking trails: Trillium Trail (.5 miles), Oak Paradise Trail (.75 acres), Trail of Reflection (1 mile) and Maple Spur Trail (.25 miles). Hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking and just relaxing in nature are a few of the activities you'll enjoy at the preserve. Admission is free. The park has portable restrooms on site, but no running water, so please plan accordingly. Follow us on Facebook for nature news, updates and annoucements! Pets and bikes are not allowed in the preserve.


For more information about the preserve please contact Eden Lamb or 260-427-6008.

Maggie is currently at Saint Francis University pursuing an Environmental degree with a conservation focus. She enjoys working with kids as they explore the natural world. She enjoys all things nature related but especially enjoys learning more about fungus.

Look for Maggie the next time you head to Lindenwood and ask her your nature related questions.


On March 17, 1994, the Board of Park Commissioners resolved to protect the park in perpetuity by applying to the Department of Natural Resources for Nature Preserve status. This designation was awarded by the state of Indiana and Lindenwood Park became Lindenwood Nature Preserve.


Before you come to Lindenwood, check out the list of Park Rules.

* Provide programs and events designed to promote environmental education and cultural enrichment and to Foster awareness that the natural setting enhances the quality of life through artistic inspiration, spiritual connection, physical fitness and exploration.

Lindenwood Nature Preserve became a park when the city leased the land from Lindenwood Cemetery in June 1974. When the 10-year lease expired, the Fort Wayne Park Foundation, with the help of the English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation, purchased the land for the Board of Park Commissioners. Lindenwood Park became an official city park in 1987.


We have four trails at Lindenwood. The trail head is the campfire ring inside the park. The Trillium trail is .5 mile and is our most scenic trail in the spring due to the prevalence of wildflowers. The Trail of Reflection is 1 mile in length. This trail is the only trail that leads to the pond and is accessible up to that point. The Maple Spur is .5 miles and intersects with the Trail of Reflection or you can return to the trail head. The last trail is Oak Paradise and is .75 mile in length.


A more detailed description of each trail is now available: Trail Descriptions


Lindenwood Nature Preserve is located between US Highway 24 (W. Jefferson Blvd.) and Spring St. from US Highway 24, turn north onto Lindenwood Avenue. The preserve is on the west side of the street across from the Lindenwood Cemetery.

The preserve is now open daily year round from dawn to dusk.

We offering programs throughout the year at Lindenwood. Check out the Lindenwood Events & Programs link to learn more!

Interested in a virtual walk at Lindenwood? Then check out the Lindenwood Facebook link to learn more!

Highly recommend this field trip. Great staff and we all had a great experience. Becky E.

Patient and understanding, could withstand the variation of student abilities. It is always nice for teachers to have someone take over-especially at the end of the year. Judie P.

It was exceptional because as a teacher, I did not have to do much! She (Renee) did it all and she was confident with a strong voice and the kids listened to her. Good job! Judie P.

Jared and Karla, thank you for the wonderful tour. You made it fun and meaningful for our pre-schoolers. St. Joe Pre-school staff

Renee and Jared gave both of my girls a wonderful birthday experience! They had so much fun and did not want to leave even though it was cold and wet. Renee and Jared were flexible and made the party happen-everything was perfect. Stacy B.

I was so impressed with Lindenwood. I had never been here before and was amazed at how beautiful the park was. My Daisy/Brownie troop had so much fun and they all want to go back! M. Sabre

4worldlovers: ACRES Land Trust is a member-supported nonprofit dedicated to protecting natural and working lands in northeast Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio. More than 2,000 ACRES members make it possible to protect these areas and offer trail systems for free public use, open dawn to dusk daily.

4worldlovers: NOTICE: FOX ISLAND WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO EXTENSIVE STORM DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!

WE ARE STILL CLOSED. While we have made significant progress on removals of downed trees and other damage to the park we still have a lot of cleanup and trail work to be done that CANNOT be accomplished safely with the public inside the park. Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped with planting of trees on our planting days.


As it stands right now we are not looking to open up the park in 2023. We apologize as we know a lot of people like to spend Memorial Day and other summer days at the park.

Click here to go to the Fox Island Storm Damage page


WE LOVE YOUR DOG BUT ALL DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH AND UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PERSON WHO BROUGHT THE DOG.

FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN ANY ALLEN COUNTY PARK!

ALCOHOL, OF ANY KIND, IS NOT PERMITTED IN ANY ALLEN COUNTY PARK! COOLERS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH AND SEIZURE.

PLEASE NOTE: We do NOT accept credit cards. Payments must be cash or check!

Click here for Streetside view of Fox Island and its trails This will bring up a Streetside Google Map. Any area that has a blue line can be viewed by dragging the Pegman to that spot on the trail or road. For help with this Google Map Help Streetside View

Fox Island is a 605 acre park located in southwest Allen County. Within this park, 270 acres are dedicated as State Nature Preserve, which protects areas having unique plants, animals or geographic features. Hundreds of species of animals and plants live at Fox Island because of the relatively natural condition of most of the area, with its habitats of marsh, seasonal ponds, wooded sand dunes, wetland forest, old fields and restored prairie. The park contains the largest contiguous forest in the county and a glacial sand dune.

Seven miles of marked trails through the preserve enable visitors to enjoy the beauty and splendor of the park. Over six miles are available during the winter for cross country skiing as long as we have four or more inches of snow on the ground. Hundreds of species of animals and plants live at Fox Island because of the relatively natural condition of most of the area, with its habitats of marsh, seasonal ponds, wooded sand dunes, wetland forest, old fields and restored prairie.

Nature Center – Large and small classrooms, conference room all available for rental; gift shop, education offices, and a variety of exhibits including the “Tree House”

Bowman Lake – Swimming beach – No lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk

Fishing (additional $2 per person) – you must possess a valid Indiana fishing license