October 13, 2021 - On Saturday, October 23, from 10am – Noon, Friends of the Parks of Allen County invites citizens to partner with area parks & trails departments, including Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation and Fort Wayne Greenways and Trails, to plant new trees in parks and public spaces during the 20th annual Great Tree Canopy Comeback.
The event will include invasive species removal to help sustainably continue forest regeneration in all parks and trails around Allen County. To combat invasive species like Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive and Callery Pear, among others, there will be a variety of volunteer roles available. Planters will be in a group of five people planting trees, Tree Captains will be leading groups of Planters, Cutters will be removing invasive species, and Couriers will be transporting the invasive species to a designated area.
Volunteers of all ages are critical to the success of the event and are encouraged to sign up and help restore the tree canopy. Trees will be planted in the following parks this year: McMillen Park, Werling Park and Beckett’s Run Trail near Concordia Seminary. Invasive species will also be removed at Beckett’s Run Trail as well as Vesey Park.
Volunteers are asked to register in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., responding to the Facebook event, or downloading the signup form at www.facebook.com/yeaparks and mail it to P.O. Box 10152. Volunteers need to bring gloves, shovels, loppers, rakes and a wheelbarrow (if possible). Participants should also dress for the weather, as the work will be completed rain or shine.
It is the mission of the Friends of the Parks to promote the stewardship and celebration of the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the parks and public spaces in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Visit yeaparks.com to donate a tree or for more information.