Become a TrailBlazer of Allen County!
Not to be confused with Fort Wayne Trails’ own Trail Blazers Monthly Donor program, we are a participating partner in the Allen County Trailblazers Hiking Program.
The mission of this partnership: To encourage and promote exposure to the outdoors, provide opportunities for physical fitness and mental wellness, and to increase the awareness and support of all participating agencies.
Allen County has an array of incredible natural areas, parks and nature preserves to serve the population with opportunities for hiking. All provide a setting to enjoy the beauty of our natural environment, places for family fun and exercise, and ways to increase physical fitness.
Annually, the participating parks and organizations assemble a list of 15 trails at various natural areas, each about 1 mile in length. Hikers who complete 10 of the listed trails will receive an award (see below). These trails will change on a rotating basis over several years. To find the current listing, please visit the Allen County Trailblazers website.
Forms can be downloaded online or picked up at agency offices after completing a short sign-up form so the number of participants can be tracked. The Trailblazers form will have space for the date hiked and participant contact information. Cooperating agency logos and contact information are included. The back of the form will have directions to the parks areas where the trails are located. This is a honors system as long as the date hiked is filled out it will be considered.
- Special Note: As normally Allen County Parks charges an entry fee you must sign in at one of the Nature Centers to receive free entry to hike. Just tell the receptionist you are there to complete one of the
trails and show them your form and they will allow entry.
The form is turned in to obtain a reward of a bronze medallion that can be mounted on a hiking stick. A sticker to attach to the walking stick will have the logos of all participating agencies and be included. Sticks will be available at cost (about $5). Awards may be picked up at Metea or Fox Island County Park Nature Centers, the New Haven Parks office and the Fort Wayne Parks office. This program will run from July 1 to December 31, with last awards given out by January 31.
For additional information, please visit the Allen County Trailblazers Facebook page.