Johnny Appleseed Park

Infobox park
park = Johnny Appleseed Park


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location = Indiana 930 and Harry Baals Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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size_acre = 31.0
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opened = 1973 (acquired)
operator = Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation
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status = Open all year

Johnny Appleseed Park, including what was formerly known as Archer Park, is a public park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is named after the popular-culture nickname of John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed," a famous American pioneer, who was buried on the site. Chapman's gravesite is accessible to public view though steel gates. The weathered tombstone says, "Johnny Appleseed He lived for others. 1774-1845." It also has a carved apple in bas relief. [ [http://photos.aroundfortwayne.com/Parks/Appleseed.htm Around Fort Wayne - Johnny Appleseed Park] . Retrieved on 2008-05-01.] [ [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1848 Find a Grave - John "Johnny Appleseed" Chapman] . Retrieved on 2008-05-01.]

The land of the park was donated to Allen County, Indiana by William T. McKay to serve as a memorial park for the community. It became part of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department as the city grew and annexed the land. Johnny Appleseed Park serves as the home for Fort Wayne's annual Johnny Appleseed Festival.

The current park, as of 2008, includes a large campground nestled in rolling meadows and woods along the St. Joseph River [ [http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=253 Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation - Johnny Appleseed Park Campground] Retrieved on 2008-05-01.] , Vietnam War Memorial, and at the extreme northwest corner of the park, includes the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Center and Memorial Statium.

See also

* List of parks in Fort Wayne, Indiana

References

External links

* [http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=45 Johnny Appleseed Campground]
* [http://www.johnnyappleseedfest.com/ Johnny Appleseed Festival web site]