ADMINISTRATION

JEFF BAXTER, Superintendent

 Jeff has been with the Department since August of 2007. His office is located at Fox Island County Park.

Jeff came to the Department from the City of Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department where he had worked for 20+ years, first as a Draftsman, then Manager and finally Superintendent of the Parks Division.

Jeff serves as an Advisor on the Board at ITT Technical Institute and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). Jeff has served on many other Boards over the years such as the Johnny Appleseed Festival Board of Directors and the Youth Service Bureau Board of Directors. He is also a Tin Demonstrator at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.

Jeff is married to Tami, and has five children, Brian, Melissa (married to Shane), Seth, Jessica and Sam. Jeff also has five grandchildren, to date, Caitlin, Julianna, Caston, Caleb and Isabella.

Jeff’s hobbies are hanging out with all the kids and grandkids, dogs and cats. He also enjoys Colts football and Nascar and Indy Car racing.

SUZI ELOPH, Office Manager

Suzi is the Office Manager for the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department and is primarily based in our Administrative Offices at Fox Island Nature Center. Suzi has been with the department since February of 2007.

Suzi has a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Indiana Tech and a Bachelors of Wildlife Science from Purdue University. Suzi previously worked for the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo and the Fire, Police, City, County Federal Credit Union.

Suzi’s hobbies are spending time outdoors, either working in backyard or camping, reading (mostly fiction), watching/listening to NASCAR events or spending time with her “critters”. Over the winter she has been making renovations to her house.

Suzi is married to Kevin and live in Fort Wayne with thier many dogs and cats!

FOX ISLAND COUNTY PARK

Ron Zartman, Park and Education Manager

Ron is the Park & Education Manager for Fox Island County Park so he is primarily based at the Fox Island County Park.

Ron has been with the Department for 23 years now, starting in November of 1985. Ron is a member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), serves as the Allen County  Commissioner to the Wabash River Heritage Corridor and is a member of the Fort Wayne Track Club.

His hobbies are travel, camping, running, hiking, kayaking, Nordic skiing, bird and wildlife watching, botany, music, reading, photography and cooking.

Ron recently married his longtime fiance’ Rita. Congratulations!! Ron also has a daughter, Ryan.  His parents are Norma and Paul Zartman and he has two brothers, Richard and Roger and a sister Rhonda.

NATALIE HALEY, Environmental Educator

Natalie is the Environmental Educator with the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department and is primarily based at Fox Island County Park.

Natalie has been with the Department since 2005.

Natalie is a member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and is a Certified Interpretive Guide. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Wildlife Science Option from Purdue University. Natalie is also a Indiana Master Naturalist.

Natalie has worked in the past as a lab assistant for Ornithology and Vertebrate Zoology,  a wetland research assistant, a summer intern at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Seasonal Naturalist at Racoon State Recreation Area and McCormick’s Creek State Park, and Temporary Pgram Director for Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary in Sarona, Wisconsin.

Natalie’s hobbies are camping, fishing, wetland birding, horseback riding, canoeing and scrapbooking.

Natalie is married to Scot Haley, a Resource Soil Scientist for NRCS, and they have two daughters, Kelsey and Rhiannon. The family also has a dog, Ginger and two cats, Amber and Holly and live in Dekalb County.

TOM LOCHNER, Maintenance Foreman

Tom is Maintenance Foreman with the Department and is primarily based at Fox Island County Park. Tom has been with the Department since November of 1994.

Tom states he isn’t a member of any associations or organizations, just a boring person! We don’t think so! Tom is our staff liason to the Allen County Safety Committee.

Tom’s hobbies are Slowpitch Softball-55 and older league and church league. Bowling, basketball, jogging, spending time at local YMCA and participates in some local 5K races.

Tom is married to Shelley who works for the Aboite Township Assessor’s Office. They have been married 39 years and have two children, a daughter Sara Goff, who works for the American Cancer Society and a son, Tad Lochner, a Chief in the US Navy stationed in San Diego. Tom and Shelley have three grandchildren, Ashlyn, Landen, and Mykenzie.

METEA COUNTY PARK

BOB DISPENZA - Park and Education Manager 

Bob Dispenza has been with Allen County Parks since 2001, first as Director of Environmental Education, then as Park and Education Manager at Metea County Park.

Bob is a life member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), and is certified as an Interpretive Trainer and Interpretive Guide.  He has earned the NAI Region 4 Distinguished Service Award in 1997, the Region 4 Distinguished Professional Interpreter Award in 2007, and the National NAI Master Front Line Interpreter Award in 2007.  He has a Bacheolors Degree in Environmental Interpretation from The Ohio State University and will earn a Masters of Business Administration from California State University in 2008

Bob is also a certified Wildland Firefighter.  His hobbies include woodworking, cycling, pocket watch collecting and repair, caving, hiking, Civil War reenacting (Union Navy), camping, skiing, working on the electric car and music (church and community groups).  He lives near Leo with his wife Jackie (teacher and former naturalist) and children Justinian, Laurel, Kim and Paul Ben.

KARIE DIVELBLISS- HARDING, Naturalist Part Time

Karie is a naturalist who is primarily based at Metea County Park. She has worked with the parks department since May 2006.   

In addition to her work at the County Parks she is a youth administrator at Harlan Christian Youth Center (4 years), a 4-H Llama Leader (10 years), and helps with education programs at Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab.  She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with endorsements in computers, science, language arts and social studies.

In her spare time, she enjoys singing, reading, working with children, camping, hiking, cooking (especially over a campfire), gardening, and various other outdoor activities.

Karie is married to Gene Harding (teacher at Northrop), and they have a daughter Addie.  The family also has an Australian Cattle Dog named Oskar, 10 llamas (Baley, Soda, Genna, Havienna, Calamity Jane, Julio, Sassy, Remington, & Dias) and an alpaca named Wrigley.

DEANA DAVIS - Maintenance

Deana is part of our Maintenance Division of the Parks and Recreation Department and is primarily responsible for and based at Metea County Park.

She has been with the department almost 13 years now, originally as a part time worker and then becoming full time in 1997.

Deana’s hobbies include photography, volunteer visiting with her Therapy dog, Skylar, at Turnstone, Huntington Library and Garrett Library (Paws to Read program), The Townhouse and The Chapel. Deana also volunteers at Animal Care and Control one day a week training dogs in the Head Start program.

Deana has two dogs - Sassy and Skylar 

RACHEL ROSSITER SMITH - Naturalist Part Time

 Rachel is a part time Naturalist with the Department and is primarily based at Metea County Park.

Rachel has been with the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department since March 2007.

In addition to her work at County Parks she leads hikes and other activities with the Little River Wetlands Project and teaches classes for the Women in the Outdoor Series put on by the Wild Turkey Federation. Rachel is also assistant director of the the Izaak Walton League’s Conservation Day Camp.

Her hobbies include gardening, biking, hiking, camping and canoeing. She also enjoys all kinds of music, volunteer work, and just about anything having to do with the outdoors.

Rachel is married and has two children, Lily and Reed.

Metea County Park is offering a home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups.

Beginner (GRADE 1-3)
Intermediate (GRADE 4-6)
Advanced (GRADE 7-12)

Upcoming Sessions are held on Thursdays, FEBRUARY 5th and MARCH 5th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Metea County Park Nature Center. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER AND PREPAY by February 3rd by phone at 260.449.3777 or by emailing Karie Harding at kharding@allencountyparks.org or stop by the Nature Center. NO WALKINS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM

The fee for the program is $10.00 per student, $4.00 per adult (at least one parent/guardian is required for each family) and includes BOTH sessions. Classes fill up quickly, so reserve your space and please note that your space will NOT be reserved until you have paid. Classes begin promptly at 2:00 pm!!

This series session include these topics by age group

BEGINNER (grades 1-3) Max. 15 participants - must be prepaid!
Session 1 - MAMMALS - Find out all about those warm, furry residents of our parks and what makes them special.

Session 2 - AMPHIBIANS - They’re slimy, small and change a lot as they grow up. Explore the world of frogs, toads and salamanders.

INTERMEDIATE (grades 4-6) Max. 10 participants - must be prepaid!
Session 1 - DISSECTION FISH - Learn about the internal and external an anatomy of a perch. All equipment and materials provided EXCEPT gloves.

Session 2 - DISSECTION FROGS - The participants in this study will learn about the internal and external anatomy of a frog. All equipment and materials provided EXCEPT gloves.

ADVANCED (grades 7-12) Max. 10 participants - must be prepaid!
Session 1 - MICROSCOPE STUDY- The students will be learning how to use compound microscopes to see tiny things around them.

Session 2 - MICROSCOPE STUDY- Continuation of the above mentioned study.

“WATER LIZARDS” Spring Day Camp 2009

Fox Island’s Spring “Water Lizards” Day Camp is open for TWO SESSIONS this year. Both sessions are Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

SESSION 1  March 23 - March 27, 2009
SESSION 2  March 30 - April 4, 2009

Camp is for ages 6-12. Camp Directors are Natalie Haley and Ron Zartman.

This years camp will teach children how to do salamander research! By incorporating fun into learning we create positive experiences for children in a natural environment. We will trap salamanders so that the children can study and us monitor the survival of the salamanders of Fox Island’s ecosystem.

Click here to download a brochure
Click here to download a registration form you can print and mail in or drop off at our Nature Center!

Karie is a naturalist who is primarily based at Metea County Park. She has worked with the parks department since May 2006.   

In addition to her work at the County Parks she is a youth administrator at Harlan Christian Youth Center (4 years), a 4-H Llama Leader (10 years), and helps with education programs at Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab.  She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with endorsements in computers, science, language arts and social studies.

In her spare time, she enjoys singing, reading, working with children, camping, hiking, cooking (especially over a campfire), gardening, and various other outdoor activities.

Karie is married to Gene Harding (teacher at Northrop), and they have a daughter Addie.  The family also has an Australian Cattle Dog named Oskar, 10 llamas (Baley, Soda, Genna, Havienna, Calamity Jane, Julio, Sassy, Remington, & Dias) and an alpaca named Wrigley.

Free Park Stuff

Below are some links to cool park stuff like desktop wallpapers. Click on the picture to open up the appropriate resolution for your screen, then right click and choose “Set as Background”. Voila we’re on your screen!

Coming soon…Kids - Coloring pages of some of our favorite friends that live out here at our parks!

 Park Logo with fall leaves - 800 x 600

  Park Logo with fall leaves - 1024 x 768

Park Logo with Fox Island Dune - 800 x 600

Park Logo with Fox Island Dune - 1024 x 768

Park Logo with Metea Pond 800 x 600

 Park Logo with Metea Pond 1024 x 768

 Park Logo with Metea Nature Center 800 x 600

 Park Logo with Metea Nature Center 1024 x 768

Interested in employment opportunities with the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department or with Allen County?

Currently the Park Department has NO job openings available! Check back though!

Follow this link to get to the Allen County Human Resources Job Opportunities Page - Click Here

Allen County Parks Gift Shops 

Allen County Parks operates gift shops at Fox Island Nature Center and at the Gloria Goeglien Nature Center at Metea County Park. Gift Shop hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Inside you’ll find all kinds of items for the nature enthusiast. A few examples of our inventory:

•  Field Guides - Petersons, National Audobon Society, Tom Brown’s, Stokes.
• Nature Books for kids and adults including topics on butterflies, wildflowers, trees, mammals, astronomy, geology and reptiles.
• Stationary, bookmarks etc.
• Science related toys
• Handmade wren and bluebird houses
• Park T shirts and sweatshirts
• Hats
• Audubon series birds with authentic recorded bird calls
• Plush stuffed native animals such as raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum.
• Compasses
• Bug Spray and repellent, sun screen
• Candy
• Walking sticks, handcrafted
• Arrowheads, magnets, jewelry

Everything is reasonably priced so next time your out at Fox Island or Metea County Parks stop in and visit the Gift Shops and pick up a little something to remember your visit.

If there is no attendant on duty at the gift shop or reception desk just stop any staff person and they will be happy to help you out with anything gift shop related as well as any other question you might have regarding Allen County Parks!!

ALREADY A VOLUNTEER? - Click Here to go to the Volunteer Page

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

We would love to have you!!!!

We need volunteers for all kinds of activities, be it program help, maintenance help, removal of invasive species, filling bird feeders, small construction projects, hosts/hostess, anything you’d like to do!!

Unfortunately in this day and age we have had to implement a standard policy for clearing all of our volunteers! In order to assure that park patrons enjoy a SAFE visit, the following volunteer policy is in effect…

All potential volunteers for the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department must complete a volunteer application before volunteering. A link to this application follows, that you may download and send back to us.  ACP Volunteer Application (in Adobe pdf format).

Upon reciept of this completed application..(this is a MUST!)

Background checks will be completed and if cleared..

One of our staff will contact you for at an interview (this interview may be completed over the phone)

After this interview you will be Level One cleared and will be allowed to assist staff in volunteer activities but in no case will you be assigned alone with any member of the public. This level will exist until the completion of a mimimum of 10 hours of volunteer time.

If at this point you are still willing to volunteer and the staff’s evaluation of your initial hours is positive we will run the remaining checks and hopefully clear you to Level Two and further volunteer training.

Sounds complicated but it really isn’t!! We just want to make sure that the people that pay to use our parks and programs are exposed to the safest environment possible. I’m sure you can all understand this!

The reason we have two levels of clearance is for two reasons, one we can clear potential volunteers quicker and get you doing what you signed up for….Volunteering! Number two, my staff does not have to spend valuable hours completely clearing a volunteer that may decide that our parks are NOT where they want to volunteer. We hope this isn’t the case but certainly understand how it could and does happen.

Thanks for considering a volunteer position with Allen County Parks!

Jeff Baxter
Superintendent
Allen County Parks

Our apologies but due to budgetary and staff constraints along with low participation levels we are unable to host a Winter Day Camp in 2008 at Fox Island or Metea County Park.

Again our apologies.

Allen County Parks Staff

THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED OUR

SUMMER DAY CAMPS IN 2008 !!!

We hope you all had a great time!! Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about us so they can come next year as well! Good luck to all of our campers in school this year, come see us this winter and tell us how you’re doing!!

Allen County Parks Summer 2008 Day Camps
“Encouraging Natural Child Development”

Monday-Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Camps are for children ages 6 - 12
Camp Series starts June 9th and runs through August 8th
NO CAMP THE WEEK OF JUNE 30th  - JULY 4th
Camp Cost: $100.00 per week per child
Early Bird Discounted Rate (register prior to May 23rd): $95.00/wk/child
Sack Lunches from home required
Click here to download a Summer Day Camps Brochure
Click here to download a Summer Day Camp Registration Form

  

 FOX ISLAND COUNTY PARK CAMPS
Camp Directors- Natalie Haley and Ron Zartman
June 9th: Frog and Salamander Investigations “FSI”
June 16th: Double Dog Dare You
June 23rd: Nocturnal Night Creatures
July 7th: Rock Hounds and Indian Art
July 14th: Rockin’ Reptiles
July 21st: Sense the World

  

METEA COUNTY PARK CAMPS
Camp Director- Karie Harding
July 28th: Butterflies in my Stomach
August 4th: Mud Pies and Pudgies

This year’s summer day camps are offering a variety of specialty themes. Frogs and Salamander Investigations or “FSI” will be a favorite as well as Rocking Reptiles Camp. Each year we change the activities offered for each camp as we strive to present your child with valuable outdoor educational and recreational experiences. Activities guaranteed to keep your camper active and enthusiastic about nature!

Camp is one of the best investments you can make in your children’s development. By incorporating fun into learning about the outdoors, we create positive experiences for children in a natural environment.

For more information contact Natalie Haley, Environmental Educator at
(260)449-3180 or nhaley@allencountyparks.org

 

 

Welcome to our Program Page, here you’ll find upcoming programs, day camps, and special events! As with all of our site, we’re always under construction!! Keep checking back!!!!

Download our Program Guide - The Wild Grapevine - click

Wild Grapevine Vol 5 - Jan - April 2009

Go to our upcoming programs and events page - Go there!

Spring 2009 “Water Lizards” Day Camps - 2 Sessions this year!!

Click here for more information

Fox Island County Park and Metea County Park Summer Day Camps
Click here for more information

2008 Winter Day Camp
We are sorry but due to budgetary and staff constraints there will NOT be an Allen County Park Winter Day in 2008. Again our apologies.

This page has the following sub pages.

• Summer Day Camps
• Winter Day Camp 2008
• Spring Day Camps 2009
• Home School Series

Don’t want to pay every time you visit? No problem!  We have Annual Passes available for individuals and families ranging from $15 - $35. See the link to our Annual Pass brochure. You can download it and send it in with your check and we’ll send it right out to you!

annpassbrochure2.pdf  Allen County Parks Annual Pass Brochure

Ever want to tell someone “Go take a hike!”?  Well, Annual Passes make great gifts, and we have over 10 miles of trails to go hiking on! Pick one up for a relative or friend and tell them “Hey, go take a hike!”

Annual Pass Benefits

Basic Individual Pass - $15.00
$Free Admission
$Free Fishing
$Free Mushroom Hunting (Fox Island only)
$Quarterly mailings of events
Basic Family Pass - $25.00
$Two adults
$Up to five children or grandchildren
$All Basic Individual Pass benefits
Gold Individual Pass - $20.00
$All Basic Individual Pass benefits
$10% discount at the Gift Shops
$10% discount on facility rentals
$$1.00 discount on cross country ski rental
$Discounts to select special events
Gold Family Pass - $35.00
$Two adults
$Up to five children or grandchildren
$All Basic and Gold Individual Pass benefits
$$5.00 discount on daycamp admission per child 

Pass Guidelines

1. Pass is valid for one year from purchase date.

2. Benefits are non transferable.

3. Individual passes cover only one person.

4. Family passes cover two adults and five children or grandchildren ages 7-19. (Children under 7 are free.) Pass will state parents names and number of children. Anyone else accompanying the family must follow regular park fee guidelines.

5. A Picture ID and pass are required at gate.

6. Annual passes are subject to change without notice. 

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING        

 Welcome to the Ski Conditions Report for Allen County Parks

 WE WANT SNOW !

If there is more than 4 inches of accumulated snow on the ground, come out to Fox Island and Metea County Parks for cross country skiing. We have a limited number of skis available for rent and sometimes we’ll be open only if you have your own equipment. The sled hill at Metea County Park will also be open from 9am to 6pm every day we have enough snow.

You can always check the “About” page for the latest condition but here is a legend of what the appropriate “traffic lights” mean

  If you see this red light (STOP) it means conditions are not favorable for skiing.

  YELLOW means we are NOT renting skis but you may bring your equipment and ski at your own risk!

  GREEN means COME ON OUT AND SKI!! We’re also renting!

AT THIS TIME (and always check back)

FOX ISLAND COUNTY PARK—  No Snow!!

METEA COUNTY PARK —    No Snow!

METEA COUNTY PARK SLEDDING HILL -   No Snow!!

SOL FEST IS BACK!!!!!!!!!

Last year was great and this year promises to be better than ever. Planning is currently underway for this years festival planned for May 2nd and 3rd of this year! Hours are Noon to 8:00 pm both days.

Sol Fest is a two day music festival at Fox Island County Park usually held the first weekend of May each year. It is a celebration of the Sun (solstice)! It’s cold now but remember Spring and Summer and the sun, they are right around the corner and so is Sol Fest!

Sol Fest began as an anniversary celebration of 25 years of nature education at Fox Island County Park and State Nature Preserve and the return of the summer season.

The most exciting thing about Sol Fest is that it benefits the KIDS!!! Most of the proceeds for the festival are designated for scholarships for schools that can’t afford to visit Allen County Parks on field trips, kids that can’t afford to attend our day camps and to provide environmental educational programming to organizations that assist disadvantaged kids. Sol Fest also allows our naturalists to travel to schools, local organizations, community centers, youth centers and youth detention centers. The other portion of the proceeds go back into putting on next years festival.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AT SOL FEST???????

We’re planning a wide variety of activities this year for everyone…

• Music - Come sit in the sun and the grass and listen to some of the most talented artists in the area. We’ve got something for everyone from ”wired” to ”acoustic” at our Main Stage.

• Beer Garden - Provided by the Mad Anthony Brewing Company - Enjoy some great brews, made right here in Allen County!

• Kids Area - Planned for the Bowman Lake area we’ll have activities such as kids nature hikes, crafts, edible insects, animal demonstrations, and games. THOSE WHO CAME LAST YEAR AND WERE DISAPPOINTED we’re going to try NOT to disappoint this year. Depending on sponsorships we are looking at Moonwalks, Slides, maybe even a climbing wall.

• Hayrides - Hop on the hay wagon and travel to different areas of the park for different activities

• Food - Enjoy some great food provided by local vendors and organizations

• Visit many local not for profit and local vendors booths, learn what they have to offer as well as learn to be “Green”

• Demonstrations - we hope to have canoe, kayak and bike demonstrations

• Hey, GO TAKE A HIKE!!! - Ever wanted to tell somebody “Go take a hike!” Now you can, bring that someone along with you to the festival and then tell’em!! Take off on a hike throughout our 600 acres, 250 of which are dedicated State Nature Preserve. Climb a 40 foot high sand dune.

• Dig for fossils

• Visit our Nature Center and learn more about ALL of our programs…we don’t stop when the festival is over!!

• RELAX - You can surely find a place at Fox Island to just relax, take a break from the hustle and the bustle, forget how cold it was in January and February. Take a deep breath……..its the beginning of May, Summer is ALMOST HERE!!!

 QUESTIONS! - If you would like more information regarding the festival contact Ron Zartman at 449-3180 or rzartman@allencountyparks.org

 SPONSORSHIPS - We’re looking for sponsors!!!!!!!! Putting on a two day festival is not without its share of costs. As mentioned before, our goal is to provide scholarships and opportunities for kids and organizations that could not otherwise afford environmental education programs, day camps and field trips. The more sponsorships that we can get to pay the bills, the more proceeds we can put into the scholarships. If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring all or a portion of the festival please contact Jeff Baxter at 449-3180 or email him at jbaxter@allencountyparks.org, he’ll be happy to talk to you about our different levels of sponsorships (and what you get for your sponsorship) or send you out a packet.

VOLUNTEERS - Want to help out at this years festival, we’d love to have you!!! Contact Natalie at 449-3180 or nhaley@allencountyparks.org.

SEE YOU AT THE PARK!!!!!!!!!

 LINKS PAGE

Here is a list of links to our friends and other helpful information….

OUR PARTNERS - Fox Island Alliance & Friends of Metea

Allen County Government

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Office - Allen County

Fort Wayne Astromical Society (Fox Island County Park is home to thier observatory)

ACRES

Little River Wetlands Project

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department

Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Science Central

City of Fort Wayne

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum

 Deana Davis

Deana is part of our Maintenance Division of the Parks and Recreation Department and is primarily responsible for and based at Metea County Park.

She has been with the department almost 13 years now, originally as a part time worker and then becoming full time in 1997.

Deana’s hobbies include photography, volunteer visiting with her Therapy dog, Skylar, at Turnstone, Huntington Library and Garrett Library (Paws to Read program), The Townhouse and The Chapel. Deana also volunteers at Animal Care and Control one day a week training dogs in the Head Start program.

Deana has two dogs - Sassy and Skylar

  Ron Zartman

Ron is the Park & Education Manager for Fox Island County Park so he is primarily based at the Fox Island County Park.

Ron has been with the Department for 23 years now, starting in November of 1985.

Ron is a member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), serves as the Allen County  Commissioner to the Wabash River Heritage Corridor and is a member of the Fort Wayne Track Club.

His hobbies are travel, camping, running, hiking, kayaking, Nordic skiing, bird and wildlife watching, botany, music, reading, photography and cooking.

Ron recently married his longtime fiance’ Rita. Congratulations!! Ron also has a daughter, Ryan.  His parents are Norma and Paul Zartman and he has two brothers, Richard and Roger and a sister Rhonda.

Suzi Eloph

Suzi is the Office Manager for the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department and is primarily based in our Administrative Offices at Fox Island Nature Center. Suzi has been with the department since February of 2007.

Suzi has a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Indiana Tech and a Bachelors of Wildlife Science from Purdue University. Suzi previously worked for the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo and the Fire, Police, City, County Federal Credit Union.

Suzi’s hobbies are spending time outdoors, either working in backyard or camping, reading (mostly fiction), watching/listening to NASCAR events or spending time with her “critters”. Over the winter she has been making renovations to her house.

Suzi is married to Kevin and live in Fort Wayne with thier many dogs and cats!

Tom Lochner

Tom is Maintenance Foreman with the Department and is primarily based at Fox Island County Park.

Tom has been with the Department since November of 1994.

Tom states he isn’t a member of any associations or organizations, just a boring person! We don’t think so! Tom is our staff liason to the Allen County Safety Committee.

Tom’s hobbies are Slowpitch Softball-55 and older league and church league. Bowling, basketball, jogging, spending time at local YMCA and participates in some local 5K races.

Tom is married to Shelley who works for the Aboite Township Assessor’s Office. They have been married 39 years and have two children, a daughter Sara Goff, who works for the American Cancer Society and a son, Tad Lochner, a Chief in the US Navy stationed in San Diego. Tom and Shelley have three grandchildren, Ashlyn, Landen, and Mykenzie.

Natalie Haley

Natalie is the Environmental Educator with the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department and is primarily based at Fox Island County Park.

Natalie has been with the Department since 2005.

Natalie is a member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and is a Certified Interpretive Guide. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Wildlife Science Option from Purdue University. Natalie is also a Indiana Master Naturalist.

Natalie has worked in the past as a lab assistant for Ornithology and Vertebrate Zoology,  a wetland research assistant, a summer intern at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Seasonal Naturalist at Racoon State Recreation Area and McCormick’s Creek State Park, and Temporary Pgram Director for Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary in Sarona, Wisconsin.

Natalie’s hobbies are camping, fishing, wetland birding, horseback riding, canoeing and scrapbooking.

Natalie is married to Scot Haley, a Resource Soil Scientist for NRCS, and they have two daughters, Kelsey and Rhiannon. The family also has a dog, Ginger and two cats, Amber and Holly and live in Dekalb County.

 Allen County Parks are open to the public 7 days a week with the following hours:

 Fox Island and Metea County Parks

1st Sunday in November (DST ends) - second Saturday in March  9am - 6pm

2nd Saturday in March (DST begins) - Memorial Day                      9am - 7pm

Memorial Day thru Labor Day                                                         9am - 9pm

Labor Day thur first Saturday of November*                                  9am - 7pm

* depending on the year this may be the last day of October

Payton and Cooks Landing County Parks

Year Round                                                                               Sunrise to Sunset

All parks are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days

Nature Centers at Metea and Fox Island County Parks are
open daily from 9am - 6pm

Your Allen County Parks are funded by the County of Allen and by user fees, facility rentals, program fees, grants, donations, and gifts. Staff salaries are provided by county tax revenues, but all operating and maintenance expenses are supplied by user fees and other sources. Your support through fees, volunteering and donations is essential to allow continued preservation, expansion, and educational use of Allen County Parks lands.

Admission to all County Parks is $2.00 per person age 7 and over. Children under age 7 are FREE.

Fishing is $2.00 extra and mushroom hunting (Fox Island only) is an additional $3.00

ANNUAL PASSES

Don’t want to pay every time you visit? No problem!  We have Annual Passes available for individuals and families ranging from $15 - $35. See the link to our Annual Pass brochure. You can download it and send it in with your check and we’ll send it right out to you!

annpassbrochure2.pdf  Allen County Parks Annual Pass Brochure

Ever want to tell someone “Go take a hike!”?  Well, Annual Passes make great gifts, and we have over 10 miles of trails to go hiking on! Pick one up for a relative or friend and tell them “Hey, go take a hike!”

Educational Programs - We have many, see our upcoming events page and calendar for more information, or coming soon, the WHAT’S NEW page will highlight upcoming events and programs with information and downloadable brochures and registration forms.

 RACHEL ROSSITER SMITH

 Rachel is a part time Naturalist with the Department and is primarily based at Metea County Park.

Rachel has been with the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department since March 2007.

In addition to her work at County Parks she leads hikes and other activities with the Little River Wetlands Project and teaches classes for the Women in the Outdoor Series put on by the Wild Turkey Federation. Rachel is also assistant director of the the Izaak Walton League’s Conservation Day Camp.

Her hobbies include gardening, biking, hiking, camping and canoeing. She also enjoys all kinds of music, volunteer work, and just about anything having to do with the outdoors.

Rachel is married and has two children, Lily and Reed.

WHAT’S NEW AT ALLEN COUNTY PARKS ? ? ? 

This page contains links to upcoming programs and events in the parks.

Keep checking back……………..

Upcoming Events and programming

***** BRAND NEW ******

 
Download our “Wild Grapevine” Newsletter with all of our upcoming programs The Wild Grapevine Vol 5 No. 1

OR

Go to our upcoming events page

Go to our Free Downloads page

Download a Parks Calendar - 2009 Allen County Parks Calendar

Download a Recreational Guide Recreational Guide

This page has the following sub pages.

• Downloads - free!

Jeff Baxter is Superintendent of the Allen County Parks and Recreation Department. Jeff has been with the Department since August of 2007.

Jeff came to the Department from the City of Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department where he had worked for 20+ years, first as a Draftsman, then Manager and finally Superintendent of the Parks Division.

Jeff serves as an Advisor on the Board at ITT Technical Institute and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). Jeff has served on many other Boards over the years such as the Johnny Appleseed Festival Board of Directors and the Youth Service Bureau Board of Directors. He is also a Tin Demonstrator at the Johnny Appleseed Festival.

Jeff is married to Tami, and has five children, Brian, Melissa (married to Shane), Seth, Jessica and Sam. Jeff also has five grandchildren, to date, Caitlin, Julianna, Caston, Caleb and Isabella.

Jeff’s hobbies are hanging out with all the kids and grandkids, dogs and cats. He also enjoys Colts football and Nascar and Indy Car racing.

 
Jeff, his wife Tami, Jessica and Sam at Johnny Appleseed Festival Tin Booth

  The Allen County Parks and Recreation Board is pleased to announce the “Draft” submittal of the Department Five Year Master Plan approved by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

At thier February 20th Park Board Meeting the Allen County Parks and Recreation Board was presented with the final draft of the Master Plan and unanimously approved the document. This document will now be submitted to the IDNR for its final approval.

We welcome and encourage, you the true owners, of Allen County Parks to take a few minutes, look over the plan and let your comments and feelings be known. We will be posting the newer version in the next couple of weeks. There are not many changes so if you still have not had time to look over the document please feel free to take a look at your convenience. For those of you who commented on the document, thank you for taking the interest and the time to provide your feedback!

Allen County Parks Master Plan 2008-2012 DRAFT (pdf 11MB)

OUR REASONS FOR PLANNING?

Our purpose is not simply to produce a plan, but to…

1. Improve agency management.

2. Establish direction and set constraints.

3. Define goals, objectives and priorities.

4. Communicate direction to staff.

5. Allocate agency resources.

6. Facilitate delegation of responsibilities.

7. Manage change.

8. Assure public accountability.

9. Evaluate success.

10. Promote consistency in decisions.

11. Promote cooperation and unity.

GENERAL PLANNING GOALS

• Fulfill the original and primary purpose for establishing the Allen County Parks andecreation Department…to provide needed parks, recreational opportunities and open space facilities throughout the county which fill the void between those provided on a state-wide basis and those provided by local governments.

• Provide for the comprehensive outdoor recreational needs of the county to extent possible within resources constraints.

• Provide healthful and safe recreational pursuits, facilities and programs that reflect the area’s unique composition of persons, physical setting, and local resources.

• Preserve and enhance the county’s diverse natural and human resources and encourage greater public awareness and education of our attributes.

• These attributes include scenic resources, cultural antiquities, historical places and unique geological and environmental settings. These features should ideally be linked by trails or other means.

 

To comment on this draft, contact Jeff Baxter, Parks Superintendent:
phone: 260-449-3180
email: superintendent@allencountyparks.org

Allen County Parks can provide an excellent alternative for your next special event, party, conference, meeting, wedding or reception.

For more information contact Erika Arnold at rentals@allencountyparks.org or call 449-3180.

Download our Rental Brochure Allen County Parks Rental Brochure

 Metea County Park Nature Center Classrooms

Outdoor Shelters

Metea County Park Pond Shelter
$50/day* + admission**
40 people maximum standing

Metea County Park
Sports/Sled/Lake Field
$50/day*
Without indoor rental + admission**

Fox Island County Park Shelters
#1 (closest to pond parking lot)
$75/day* + admission**
50 people standing

#2 (farther away from pond parking lot)
$75/day* + admission**
50 people standing

Geogarden
$75/day* + admission**
30 people standing

Payton County Park Shelter
Open sunrise to sunset
$75/day
50 people standing

Cooks Landing County Park Shelter
Open sunrise to sunset
$75/day
50 people standing

*day = park hours
1st Sunday in November - 2nd Saturday in March 9am-6pm
2nd Sunday in March - Memorial Day 9am-7pm
Memorial Day - Labor Day 9am-9pm
Labor Day - 1st Saturday in November 9am-7pm
**admission = $2/person (under 7 free)

Metea County Park Nature Center
Large Classroom
Capacity = 100 people
$180 for 9am-5pm
$200 for 6pm-Midnight

Small Classroom
Capacity = 64 people
$150 for 9am-5pm
$170 for 6pm-Midnight

Both Classrooms
Capacity = 200
$330 for 9am-5pm
$370 for 6pm-Midnight

Full Facility *
Saturday Rentals require a full facility
Capacity = 200 people
$700 for 9am-Midnight

Conference Room
Capacity = 15 people
$40 for 9am-6pm
$25 for 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm

* full facility = entire first floor

Additional hours—$25/hour

Fox Island County Park Nature Center
Large Classroom
Capacity = 50 people
$90 for 9am-5pm
$125 for 6pm-Midnight (Sun-Fri)

Small Classroom
Capacity = 35 people
$70 9am-5pm
$100 6pm-Midnight (Sun-Fri)

Both Classrooms *
Capacity = 90 people
$160 9am-5pm
$200 6pm-Midnight (Sun-Fri)
$300 6pm-Midnight (Sat)2

Full Facility
Capacity = 100 people
$500 for 9am-Midnight

Kent Room (Conference Room)
Capacity = 15 people
$40 for 9am-6pm
$25 for 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm

Bird Observation Building (B.O.B.)
Capacity = 40 people
$50 for 9am-6pm - no evenings

* Both classrooms required for Saturday night rentals

Alcohol Policy
$30/hr. per security officer
Minimum of 2 officers when alcohol is being served
Licensed bartender when any alcohol is served

We provide…
Tables and chairs
Pull down screens at Fox Island

Campfire Permits
$15 with first bundle of wood
$5 extra for each additional bundle of wood
$25 per 2 hours if staff tends fire

Nature Programs
Contact a naturalist for a program of your choice

We do not provide…
Audio-visual equipment
Catering services/food
Decorations

Further Guidelines
Clean-up Responsibilities
     Leave the facility like you found it
     Sweep floors with provided sweeper
     Clean off tables, chairs & countertops with provided cleaner
     Take trash out to dumpster

Holding a Rental Date—2 Ways
     $50 non-refundable deposit with a completed rental contract
     Or, rental fee paid in full with a completed rental contract
     Rental fees must be paid in full within 60 days of the rental date

On July 19, 1965, the Allen County Park Board was formed. On July 28, 1965 their first meeting was held. The original 5-member board was appointed by the Circuit Court Judge of Allen County.

These seven members are appointed by five sources rather than only one source under the original ordinance. Members are appointed as follows:

2-members appointed by the Circuit Court Judge;
2-members appointed by the County Council;
1-member appointed by the County Commissioners;
1-member selected by’ the’ County Extension Committee; and
1-member appointed by the Mayor of Fort Wayne.

 
They currently meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. On an as-needed basis, and in accordance with Indiana Code, they will conduct an executive session for special concerns such as real estate options or personnel matters. The Park Board is under the authority of both the Allen County Commissioners and County Council

Current Park Board Members:

Samuel Gregory Jr. - President
Vacant - Vice President (position open until 09 election)
Ricky Kemery - Secretary
Matthew Henry - Member
Christine Vandervelde - Member
Kim Stacey - Member
William Crowley- Member
Tim Hall- Member
Carrie Hawk-Gutman - Park Board Attorney

Meetings are at 4 PM every 3rd Wednesday, alternating between Fox Island and Metea County Parks.

2009 Meeting Dates - (all dates tentative)

January 21, 2009, Metea

February 18, 2009, Fox Island

March 18, 2009, Metea

April 15, 2009, Fox Island

May 20, 2009, Metea 

June 17, 2009, Fox Island

July 15, 2009, Metea

August 19, 2009 Fox Island

September 16, 2009 Metea

October 14, 2009 Fox Island

November 18, 2009 Metea
 
December 16, 2009 Fox Island      

2008 Meeting Agendas Archive

January - No meeting
Feburary 2008 Agenda
March 2008 Agenda.pdf
April - Cancelled
May 2008 Agenda
June 2008 Agenda
July 2008 Agenda
August 2008 Agenda
September - Cancelled
October 2008 Agenda
November 2008 Agenda
December 2008 Agenda
 

Photo by Frank Gray, The Journal-Gazette

Bob Dispenza has been with Allen County Parks since 2001, first as Director of Environmental Education, then as Park and Education Manager at Metea County Park.

Bob is a life member of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), and is certified as an Interpretive Trainer and Interpretive Guide.  He has earned the NAI Region 4 Distinguished Service Award in 1997, the Region 4 Distinguished Professional Interpreter Award in 2007, and the National NAI Master Front Line Interpreter Award in 2007.  He has a Bacheolors Degree in Environmental Interpretation from The Ohio State University and will earn a Masters of Business Administration from California State University in 2008

Bob is also a certified Wildland Firefighter.  His hobbies include woodworking, cycling, pocket watch collecting and repair, caving, hiking, Civil War reenacting (Union Navy), camping, skiing, working on the electric car and music (church and community groups).  He lives near Leo with his wife Jackie (teacher and former naturalist) and children Justinian, Laurel, Kim and Paul Ben.

 Administration

Jeff Baxter
Superintendent
Allen County Parks and Recreation
7324 Yohne Road
Fort Wayne, IN  46809
Phone 260-449-3180
Email: superintendent@allencountyparks.org

Susan Eloph
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
Allen County Parks and Recreation
7324 Yohne Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Phone 260-449-3180
Email: officemanager@allencountyparks.org

Fox Island County Park

Ron Zartman
Park and Education Manager
7324 Yohne Road
Fort Wayne, IN  46809
Phone 260-449-3180
Email: foxisland@allencountyparks.org

Natalie Haley
Environmental Educator
7324 Yohne Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Phone 260-449-3180
Email: programs@allencountyparks.org

Tom Lochner
Maintenance Foreman
7324 Yohne Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Phone 260-449-3180
Email: tlochner@allencountyparks.org

Metea County Park

Bob Dispenza
Park and Education Manager
8401 Union Chapel Road
Fort Wayne, IN  46845-8202
Phone 260-449-3777
Email: metea@allencountyparks.org

Karie Harding
Part-time Naturalist
8401 Union Chapel Road
Fort Wayne, IN  46845-8202
Phone 260-449-3777
Email: kharding@allencountyparks.org

Rachel Rossiter-Smith
Part-time Naturalist
8401 Union Chapel Road
Fort Wayne, IN  46845-8202
Phone 260-449-3777
Email: rsmith@allencountyparks.org

Deana Davis
Maintenance
8401 Union Chapel Road
Fort Wayne, IN  46845-8202
Phone 260-449-3777
Email: ddavis@allencountyparks.org

This page has the following sub pages.

• Meet the Staff

N.E.A.T (North East Allen Tour)

September 12, 2009 Metea County Park

Sponsored by Allen County Parks, Friends of Metea and Summit City Bikes and Fitness

Enjoy a beautiful fall day as you roll past farms and parks. The 20, 40, and 62 mile tours will include stops at Metea, Payton and Cook’s Landing County Parks. All routes also pass Bicentennial Woods and Vandolah Preserves, owned by ACRES Land Trust. The 40 and 62 mile routes also tour southern Dekalb County and surrounding Amish communities. There are a few gravel road areas, but not too much in the way of hills. Feel free to stop and explore any parks along the way, but remember that the snack service ends at 2 PM. Transportation (SAG) service ends when the last rider is oof the route. Be careful of wet leaves in the roadway, they can be very slippery. Please let us know what you think of the tour, and how we might improve it in the future!

General Information:

NEAT will begin and end at the entrance parking lot at Metea County Park, located at the corner of Union Chapel Road and Leo Road (SR1) west of Cedarville. THIS IS NOT A RACE. Take your time and enjoy the scenery. The ride will begin at 9 AM, and will be held rain or shine. No refunds will be made! Volunteers will provide SAG service to transport riders back to thier cars in case of severe exhaustion or major breakdown.

Requirements:

1. All riders are required to wear helmets and be in good physical condition to complete the ride.
2. Multi speed bikes (10 speed or more) with good brakes are a good idea for this ride. A water bottle is strongly recommended. There are some gravel and dirt roads and the route does cross a few busy highways.
3. Riders must be prepared to repair thier own flat tires and complete minor repairs.
4. Riding single file is preferred. If walking up a hill, keep to the far right shoulder of the road. Be courteous to your neighbor, stay to the right side and never cross the center line of the road. Verbally warn other riders if your passing and pass only to thier left.
5. Riders must obey all traffic signs, signals and laws.
6. An adult must accompany riders under the age of 16.

Registration:

Registration and Check In will open at 8:30 AM for the 20, 40, and 62 mile routes. Registration packets will include the route map.

Registration Form:

Click here to download a registration form and liability release, bring it with you th