The Lawton Skatepark, located in Fort Wayne, IN, does not allow bikes or scooters in the park. As a member of the BMX community for over half my life and have shared many parks with skateboarders, I, along with many others (including skateboarders), find this unjust or unfair. As the skatepark is well big enough to accommodate many forms of extreme sports all at once without incident.

On the back of this policy, the police force has gone out of their way to ticket and even try and impound bikes for breaking this policy. I, along with many others, feel that this is not a good use of police time as many other park rules are broken on a daily basis with the police turning a blind eye and cracking down on people that are trying to just enjoy the park in a clean and healthy manner, and not out on the streets of Fort Wayne. 

"BMX [or MTB] is important to the future of the U.S. bike industry. It appeals to kids, doesn’t have to cost much, and is suitable for both rural and urban environments. Additionally, studies have shown that involvement in BMX acts as a “gateway sport,” often the first step to a lifetime of interest in cycling. Increasing the number of parks that allow BMX [or MTB] riding will guarantee riders a legal, safe, and fun place to practice and play." - PeopleForBikes.org

There are many questions or issues that can arise, please join our group on Facebook if you would like to discuss: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386129178744360

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About the Skatepark (Copied from Visit Fort Wayne): 

Lawton Skatepark is located near the corner of Clinton Street and 4th Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The Skatepark's 20,000 square foot facility has 9 tons of reinforced steel, 500 cubic yards of concrete, and is lit at night (requires a button to be pressed) until the park closes.

The park is surrounded by an 8' fence and has one turn-style entry at the east side. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced areas and has bowls, ramps, and "fun boxes" that imitate cityscape. The most advanced bowl has a 9' drop off!