City announces improvement grants for 35 neighborhoods

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – On Monday, Fort Wayne Sharon Tucker announced that 35 city neighborhoods have been awarded improvement grants.

“The Neighborhood Improvement Grant program exemplifies how we’re working together to make a positive difference in Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Tucker. “It’s imperative that neighborhoods have the opportunity to try new things and add a special sense of place with projects that are unique and build up individuals and families. I’m always encouraged when I get to spend time in neighborhoods and interact with residents to find innovative ways to enhance the quality of life in our community.”

The City released the following:

Community Development’s Neighborhoods Department awarded more than $166,000 in grants up to $5,000 to complete projects in one of four areas: placemaking, transit improvements, landscaping, and neighborhood identification or branding. Routine maintenance projects are not eligible for funding. Neighborhood leaders must demonstrate that they have gotten input from residents when selecting a project.

Examples of funded projects include installing new playground equipment, benches, historic markers, painted crosswalks, street trees, branded signage, speed limit signs and landscaping. In the Hamlets of Woodland Ridge West, where today’s news conference was held, improvements will be made to the neighborhood pond to improve access and safety. Contractors and neighborhood volunteers will install native plants and two rock outcroppings to stabilize the pond’s shoreline erosion. This project represents a partnership with the Purdue Environmental Resource Center, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Native Plant Society to improve the health of the pond and enhance the wildlife within and around it.

“This is the eighth year for the Neighborhood Improvement Grant program and neighborhood leaders continue to report what a positive impact it has on their communities,” said Dan Baisden, neighborhoods department director. “They tell us that it increases pride in their neighborhoods and encourages residents to become more involved in their associations.”

2025 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Awardee List

• Aboite Lake Estates Association – $5,000 to repair signposts and install newly branded signage.
• Arlington Park Association – $5,000 to add new playground equipment to community playgrounds.
• Brierwood Hills – $5,000 for landscaping and bench restoration at community entrance.
• Broad River Neighborhood Association – $5,000 for planting 100 street trees.
• Concordia Gardens Community Association – $5,000 for new playground equipment at park.
• Crestwood – $5,000 to paint new crosswalks for pedestrian safety.
• East Central Neighborhood Association – $4,986 to install new fencing and gates for the community garden and food pantry.
• Eastside Neighborhood – $5,000 for a new mural, signage, and landscaping.
• Fairfield Neighborhood Association – $4,630 to install waste bins and dog waste stations.
• Hamlets of Woodland Ridge East – $5,000 for a new entrance sign and branded street signs.
• Hamlets of Woodland Ridge West – $4,000 for installation of hardscape and native landscape to community pond.
• Harrison Hill Neighborhood Association – $4,970 to paint crosswalks for pedestrian safety and install a dog waste disposal station.
• Harvester Neighborhood Association – $5,000 for a historic marker and new water fountain in McCormick Park.
• Historic Fairmont – $5,000 to install two lighted dog waste disposal stations and two artist-designed, painted crosswalks.
• Historic South Wayne – $1,465 for new painted crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety.
• Lafayette Place Improvement Association – $4,987 to update landscaping, paint the neighborhood park’s gazebo, and add a bench and waste bin to a bus stop.
• Lakes of Buckingham Co-Owners Association – $5,000 for sidewalk replacement and new street trees.
• Larez – $3,500 for the purchase and installation of branded neighborhood marker signs.
• Lincoln Village – $5,000 to landscape and update playground equipment at the community park.
• Maplewood Community Association – $5,000 to add seating and improve landscaping at the neighborhood park and entrance.
• Memorial Park Neighborhood Association – $5,000 to install speed limit signs, crosswalk, LED lighting, and an outdoor bulletin board.
• Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood Association – $5,000 to install two Buddy Benches and a Funnel Ball game in neighborhood pocket parks.
• North Pointe Woods Community Association – $5,000 to repair guardrails and a retaining wall.
• Oak Glen – $5,000 for landscaping improvements to the neighborhood entrance and community pond area, and to add new benches.
• Rock Creek Community Association – $5,000 for community retention pond improvements.
• Saddle Brook Community Association – $3,900 for a new community message board at entrance.
• Saratoga Park Community Association – $5,000 to demolish old and install new community entrance signage.
• Tamera Place – $5,000 for new community entrance signage and landscaping.
• The Association of Chandler’s Landing – $5,000 for landscape upgrades at community entrance.
• Wallen Chase Association – $5,000 to plant new trees along the community pond sidewalk.
• Wheatridge – $4,739 to install a shared community shed for association resources.
• Windswept Community Association – $5,000 to remove old playground equipment and prepare space for new playground equipment at the community park.
• Winterset Square Condominiums – $4,500 to remove two dying trees and plant new trees at the community entrance.
• Woodland Lake Association – $5,000 for landscape upgrades at the community entrance.
• Wyndemere Community Association – $5,000 to install new mailboxes for all residents.