Allen County Parks

PHOTO CONTEST SPONSORED BY THE ALLEN COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT
& THE FORT WAYNE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS

How many times have you been out in the woods or driving down the highway and spotted a strange looking tree or plant and wished you had a camera? Or you saw the clouds making an unusual picture in the sky? Now’s your chance to document these freaky formations only Mother Nature could love and possibly win a prize.

Allen County Parks and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation encourage you to get out your digital cameras, put on your hiking boots, and search for peculiar nature formations.

For instance, sometimes tree trunks have bizarre shapes or gourds resemble the face of a famous person.

This contest is an outgrowth of an Indiana Department of Natural Resources contest for weirdest tree. For examples of some weirdly shaped trees submitted to the IDNR, visit:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-InvasionWeirdTrees_2008.pdf  

RULES:

• The formation must be within Allen County
• The formation must be natural forming (not the result of pruning or other manipulation)
• Pictures should be digital and sent to steve.goodwin@cityoffortwayne.org
• The formation’s location information must accompany the picture
• One photo entry per person
• Photographer’s name, email, phone and address accompany picture
• Picture must be received no later than April 1, 2010

A panel of arborists and park officials will judge photos for the weirdest formation in Allen County, and will announce the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners.

 PRIZES:

• First Prize -  A one day admission to the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo for 2 adults and 2 children w/12 free ride pass AND your choice of either an Annual Individual or Family Pass to Allen County Parks!
• Second & Third Prizes - choice of either a free swim ticket to any of the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation pools, or a complimentary ticket for a 9 or 18 hole round of golf at Foster, McMillen or Shoaff Golf Course.

So get out there and find the best example of a weird formation. We will announce the winners at the Arbor Day press conference April 30^th, 2010.