Headwaters Park - Flood Control Works
February 8, 2008 by Dave MacDonald
It seems fitting to mention Headwaters Park in light of the recent flooding. Plagued by repeated deluges over the years, the area was transformed to provide year round entertainment while respecting the St. Mary’s River’s natural tendency to flood.
In 2002, Fort Wayne’s own Geoff Paddock, Executive Director of Headwaters Park, published Headwaters Park: Fort Wayne’s Lasting Legacy. The editorial review of Mr. Paddock’s publication describes the area’s rich history
From the flood of 1790 to the circus grounds
of the 1850s, to the first night baseball game of 1883 to a depression area shantytown of the 1930s, the rich legacy of the Headwaters is a vital part of the fabric of Fort Wayne’s history. Today, through the efforts of the Fort Wayne community and the Headwaters Flood Control and Park project, the area has been transformed into one of the most forward thinking city park projects in the country, providing a home for many area festivals and a beautiful addition to the downtown landscape of Fort Wayne.”
Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (June 2, 2002) Amazon Link ISBN-10: 0738519715 ISBN-13: 978-0738519715 36 Copies available at the Allen County Public Library
While it is regrettable that Fort Wayne residents still suffer from the occasional flood, we are fortunate that Headwaters Park exists to alleviate more damage.
See also:
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West Central Flooding - February 8, 2008
3 Responses to “Headwaters Park - Flood Control Works”
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I bought the book quite some time ago, probably right after I flooded in July 2003. I live at the Thieme-Berry-Nelson junction which is the lowest spot in West Central.
Tonight I am listening to the hum and rumble of a huge pump that has been running nonstop since Wednesday night. The clay dike is holding, but the St. Marys has not yet crested.
I have some really devoted city employees out front, and someone will be here all night. I bought a bunch of snacks and put them, a pot of coffee, and some sodas out on tables on my front porch.
I really don’t know what I would do if they weren’t here to help fight the flooding.
Thanks Charlotte. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and others like you.
We have some truly committed civil servants willing to sacrifice their time and talent for those they may not even know. So nice of you to reciprocate with your own generosity.
Dave:
It truly is times like these that make you aware how much people care about each other.
It also makes me ever more aware of how fortunate I am that I and my home will survive yet another flood. So many others here and around the world are left with nothing after a flood.
I can’t imagine what it must be like to live in a desperately poor nation or a poverty-stricken area of our own country when a disaster strikes. What little shelter, food, and clothing you might have is gone. Stick houses are flattened, mud covers the streets, sanitation is non-existent, and food is scarce.
I, at least, can rise in the morning with my home intact, a little worse for the wear, but still standing. I will have to redo my yard again, but at least I have a yard and what a small thing when so many others suffer so greatly.