The 3Rivers Federal Credit Union: Pedal, Paddle, Play returns this weekend, offering Hoosiers a fresh reason to hit the water — or the trails — in what’s become a midsummer staple for Fort Wayne’s outdoorsy crowd. Now in its 10th year, the event kicks off Saturday morning at Guildin Park, inviting participants to explore both the St. Marys River and the city’s growing trail network, all for a good cause.

The format’s simple but effective. Choose your ride — bike or boat — then follow a scavenger map through the city’s natural corridors, picking up clues, soaking in the scenery, and learning a thing or two about the region’s water heritage. But this isn’t just fun and games. Proceeds from registration go directly to Northeast Indiana Water Trails, a group quietly but steadily improving river access and safety across the region.

A Decade on the Water: Why It Still Matters

Ten years is a long run for a local fundraiser, especially one dependent on good weather and voluntary participation. So what keeps Pedal, Paddle, Play going?

Part of it, say organizers, is the deepening public love for Fort Wayne’s rivers. For a city long criticized for turning its back on the water, the transformation has been dramatic. Parks have been rebuilt. Trails have expanded. And now, an annual event draws hundreds of residents to float, pedal, and celebrate the city’s outdoors.

“This is about reclaiming our connection to the rivers,” said a volunteer at Northeast Indiana Water Trails. “People used to see the rivers as barriers. Now they see them as destinations.”

That shift hasn’t come overnight. Groups like NEIWT have spent years advocating for better boat launches, clearer signage, and education around water safety. Events like this help fund those efforts — and showcase their progress.

What Participants Can Expect on Saturday

Saturday’s event starts at 10 a.m. at Guildin Park. That’s when bikers and paddlers begin their scavenger hunts, exploring marked routes for clues and surprises. But the real party happens later.

Promenade Park — the city’s crown jewel along the river — becomes the hub from noon to 1:30 p.m. There’ll be live music, informational booths from local environmental groups, free drinks (cold ones, thankfully), and prize drawings for registered participants.

Not everyone needs to bring their own gear either.

• Bike and boat rentals are available through Fort Wayne Outfitters

• Entry fee is $30 for individuals or $55 for pairs

• Kids under 15 get in free with an adult

• Swag includes a 10th anniversary NEI Water Trails sticker, event T-shirt, and prize drawing entry

Participants pick one method of travel: you either paddle or pedal, not both. “It’s about exploring at your own pace,” said one of the event planners. “This isn’t a race — it’s a discovery.”

Northeast Indiana Water Trails: Quietly Making Waves

While the event is splashy and fun, the nonprofit it supports works mostly behind the scenes.

The Northeast Indiana Water Trails (NEIWT) organization has been steadily enhancing public access to area rivers for over a decade. Its work often goes unnoticed — until you’re standing at a new launch site or reading a sign explaining river ecology.

The group’s mission focuses on four key pillars:

• Public access: building or improving canoe/kayak launches

• Safety education: promoting smart paddling and water etiquette

• Stewardship: organizing cleanups and environmental advocacy

• Connectivity: creating a unified network of trails across counties

These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re vital infrastructure for communities looking to reconnect with their natural spaces.

The Bigger Picture: Fort Wayne’s Outdoor Evolution

In the past decade, Fort Wayne has undergone something of a mini outdoor renaissance. Downtown development, city investment, and growing civic pride have helped reclaim green spaces that once felt neglected. The rivers, long seen as little more than industrial backdrops, are now at the heart of this renewal.

The city’s Greenways and riverfront projects have extended trail access to thousands. Promenade Park alone — opened in 2019 — has become a focal point for events like this, bringing people together in ways that didn’t seem likely ten years ago.

Let’s be honest: Fort Wayne isn’t Portland. But the shift in mindset is real.

Here’s how that transformation looks on paper:

Those aren’t just numbers. They’re milestones.

What Locals Are Saying This Year

“I’ve been coming every year since 2017,” said Jeremy, a kayak enthusiast from New Haven. “It started as a fun thing to do with my kids. Now it’s like a tradition — same faces, same rivers, just more smiles.”

Others are newer to it. “I moved here during COVID, and this was one of the first events that made me feel part of the community,” said Sandra, a local teacher. “You don’t have to be hardcore athletic. You just show up and enjoy.”

Even local businesses are feeling the ripple. Fort Wayne Outfitters reported that advance rentals for this year’s event are higher than any previous year.

Looking Ahead: More Than Just a Fun Saturday

This weekend may feel like a breezy summer event, but its impact is deeper. Events like Pedal, Paddle, Play don’t just draw crowds — they build habits, relationships, and appreciation for shared resources. They normalize the idea that nature isn’t somewhere you drive to — it’s already here.

And for Northeast Indiana Water Trails, every registration fee helps fund more projects, more signs, more launches — and yes, more reasons to get outside.

It’s community investment, one paddle stroke at a time.