Lincoln Park Homeowner's Association

Lincoln Park Homeowner's Association

Lincoln Park History

Originating in 1950 as Lincoln Park Civic Association and through the years at times almost became inactive. Gradually, in times of need, it was revived. Gateway Plaza was formally occupied by a large garden nursery in the 1300-1400 of Goshen Road, renamed the “Uncommons”, the name never really took and was once again called Gateway.

In 1958, meetings were held regarding sewer improvements for the area of Cambridge and Stanford and the area behind the plaza. In 1969, a large apartment complex was proposed behind Gateway and a fund was started for legal counsel at that time. The proposed complex was defeated due to the increase of traffic and lack of sewers.

In 1976, Councilman Bill Hinga, suggested our present boundaries, Sherman on the East to Tyler on the west, West State on the south and Goshen Road on the north encompassing about 582 homes.

In 1977, a board and officers were in place. Our first president was Carl Lash and vice-president was Helen Angel. In 1979, Marsha Delagrange was elected president. That same year, the association defeated expansions of additional business on West State. That was also the first year a family was adopted for Christmas. President Delagrange started a telephone tree for detecting and reporting crime that won an “All American Award” from then mayor, Win Moses for best neighborhood in the city.

In 1980, another apartment Complex proposal, behind Gateway Plaza, was defeated. Federal money became available for storm sewers along Poinsette and Clayton Avenue. However, homeowners, short-sightedly, voted down the improvements.

In 1981, new by-laws were voted on and passed. Also in 1981, Dr. Jack Gren purchased 5.6 acres behind Gateway Plaza at a tax sale and donated it to the city. At that time, the Parks Department claimed no funds for development and intended to sell it. Bob Arnold, head of the Park Department, suggested that a park may still be possible is the neighborhood developed and maintained the park. Dr. Gren was presented a plaque for his donation, designed by neighborhood artist Susan Hedges, in the Mayors Office. Dues at this were $1 per single person or $2 per family. Dr. Gren had a suggestion of putting in a running course and the suggestion became a quest of Lavon Reader’s.

In 1982, Mike Elders became president. About this time, a federal housing unit was proposed across from Gateway and was defeated. A temporary sign was put up to make the entrance of Gren Park and the first playground equipment was installed. Volunteer’s mowed the park.

In 1983, Concerned Citizen’s Watch (CCW) was started with Joe Baeten as it’s first chairman. They began with 13 people patrolling, furnishing their own gas and CB’s.

In 1984 our newsletter began, through the years it has been renamed from Lincoln Park Homeowner’s Association, to the Lincoln Log, and finally to Lincoln Park Post. Max High became President. He was president through 1989. On June 23, 1984 a Gren Park Dedication was held with Lavon Reader as chairwoman.

In 1985, a dozen people installed poles to prohibit vandals from tearing up the park with cars. Current Park Chairman Gregg Roth had a gate installed. Dana Corporation donated $2500 for a backstop and line fences for a baseball diamond. The Park Department has taken over regular mowing and maintenance of Gren Park. Dues are $2 per single person and $4 per family.

In 1986 the city supplied five beautiful trees and plans call for a pavilion to be constructed. Dues are $2 single and $4 family.

In August of 1989 Gregg Roth became president. Our 2nd Annual Association Picnic was a huge success.

In 1990, traffic issues on Cambridge were a big discussion this year. Several thousands of dollars were used to place barriers at the end of Cambridge with the intersection of Goshen and the winding road leading to Gateway Plaza to stop cars from making left turns into Gateway.

In 1991, Max High received a Certificate of Honor from Tom Henry at the Third District Citizenship Awards ceremony for all the hard work and years he gave to the association.

In 1992, St. Mary’s Ave. received new driveway approaches, sidewalks, and handicap corners. 18 homes on Cambridge had their downspouts connected to either sanitary or storm sewers causing back ups into homes all received letters from the Board of Health. The Recycling Leadership Award was presented to Nancy Conti. New landscaping at Gren Park.

In 1993, Betty Gibson becomes President. In October it is our neighborhoods Bi-Centennial year. We are picked to pilot a program to test the benefits of privately operating some street department functions, this will last 2 ½ years.

In 1994, Subway and Papa John’s Pizza are introduced into our neighborhood. Our association lost two members who have for many years been promoters and workers of our neighborhood to make it a better place for all: Lavon Reader and Max High. Plaques with our association name were put on stone light posts on both ends of Cambridge. The plaques were paid for from funds granted by the Foellinger Foundation in conjunction with the City’s Bicentennial Celebration, with the remaining funds we purchased to park benches and installed them under a shade tree facing the playground. New street lights in the 2400 to 2600 blocks of Stanford and also one between Cambridge and Stanford and one between Cambridge and the dead end. Officer Randy Hosford became our first NLO.

In 1995, Lighting problems on Cambridge and Purdue with only 300 light bulbs for our 50-year lights available in the country the decision on what types of lights to use. Jim and Sheryl Horst became our new editors of our newsletter. Our newsletter was renamed “The Lincoln Log”. We started offering an information hotline about goings on in our neighborhood. Sewer Task Force is formed.

In 1996, Rosie O’Grady became president. Much need street repair on Cambridge and chip & seal was applied to the horseshoe area connecting North Highlands and Stanford. Dues rose to $3 single/retired to $5 families.

In 1997, Lost June Romano as a board member but gained Nancy Conti. One of the top five associations with in the city to receive much needed sewer improvements. Cambridge and Purdue receive new lighting and the intersection of Trinity and Princeton will receive much-needed repairs. 20th anniversary since becoming an active neighborhood association.

In 1998, Goshen Rd. Bridge repaired for $650,000. Jim Horst was given the “Lou Grant” award for journalism for putting together our newsletter.

In 1999, a drunk driver destroyed one of our pillars at the north end of Cambridge.

In 2000, Irene, Lillian, and Ethel were “micro tunneled” and then chip and sealed. Anderson Surveying did a topographical survey and map of Gren Park for a running track. Received $15,000 grant from “Building Indiana” for 1,533 foot running track cost of $19,162.50 need to raise another $5,000 (which we received from 3rd District Councilman Tom Henry). Pillars at both ends of Cambridge and at the top of North Highlands are 75 years old. Officer Matt Newbauer becomes our new NLO. Adopted our motto.

In 2001, Gateway received a signal light at its main entrance. We lost a good President named Rosie O’Grady and gained Chris Hambrock.

In 2002, Sarah Romano becomes interim president until the next electon in May of 2003.

In 2003, Tiffany Willison became President and Chris Perez became Vice-President. Our playground equipment in the park was painted. Our neighborhood was the site of the first meth lab within city limits at the Knotty Pine Motel. Curbs and sidewalks were replaced on Cambridge. Curbs, sewer, and sidewalks replaced on Irene thanks to Danny Brown. A development off of Ralph Ave. was introduced since the area is zoned R-3. The Planning Board approved it with conditions. Tiffany resigned as President due to a move.

In 2004, we are now up to over 600 houses within our boundries. Chris Perez stepped down as VP. March 2004 Tiffany came back as President. New playground equipment in Gren Park. Property taxes went up due to a new assessment process. Raising of Solid waste fees. 2003 CEDIT money spent in our neighborhood, resurfacing of Goshen from Ethel to St Mary’s. Jo Kinerk became Vice President. Proposed convenience store at the corner of State and Sherman/ approved. Neighborhood Code became part of the Fort Wayne Police Department. Collected supplies for the Troops at our Sept. 11th picnic.


In 2005, New Liaison Officer, Officer Eric Thompson of the FWPD. Our area code 46808 is the 2nd highest in Allen County for possible lead poisoning. All officers are re-elected. New park equipment vandalized. Fence finally put around retention pond at Tyler Terrace. Dumping at the end of Tyler Ave. New storm sewer on the east side of Ethel. A lot of thefts in our neighborhood. New 96 gallon garbage containers caused a lot of controversy, still received them. Deena Davis and Jerry Kinerk cleaned up the end of Clifton Hills.

In 2006, alot of thefts within our neighborhood. No registered Sex Offenders living within our neighborhood boundaries. Dumping at the end of N. Highlands. Mavericks bought by 3 Rivers Auto. Yeah! Con man hitting our neighborhood. Purchased new signs announcing meeting times. Donated $100 in gift certificates to Community Harvest Food Bank. Gren Park received 41 new trees (donated) thanks to Friends of the Parks. We added another page to the newsletter. McDonald’s demolished and then updated.

Past Officers

1976-77
President Carl Lash
Vice-President Helen Angel

1978
President Betty Keck
Vice-President June Clark
Treasurer Charlene Roush

1979
President Marsha Delagrange
Rec. Secretary June Clark
Corr. Secretary Lavon Reader
Treasurer Charlene Roush

1980
President Marsha Delagrange
Vice-President Carrol Fromm
(resigned Aug.)
A. R. Fromm
Secretary Paula Johnson
Corr. Sec Lavon Reader
Treasurer Charlene Roush

1981
President Marsha Delegrange
(resigned Aug.)
Vice-President Arlow Fromm
Rec. Secretary Paula Johnson
Corr. Secretary Lavon Reader
Treasurer Charlene Stevens, Kim Miller

1982
President Mike Enders
Vice-President Lavon Reader
Secretary Paula Johnson
Treasurer Greg Lynch

1983
President Mike Enders
Vice-President Lavon Reader
Secretary Rosie O'Grady
Treasurer Greg Lynch

1984-85
President Max High
Vice-President Lavon Reader
Treasurer Rosie O'Grady

1985-86
President Max High
Vice-President Lavon Reader
Secretary Shirley High
Treasurer Rosie O'Grady

1987
President Max High
Vice-President Lavon Reader
Secretary Debbie Ainslie
Treasurer Rosie O'Grady

1988
President Max High
Vice-President Lavon Reader
Secretary Debbie Ainslie
Treasurer Loria Aschenberg

1989-90
President Gregg Roth
Vice-President Doug Pritchett
Secretary Debbie Ainslie
Treasurer Loria Aschenberg

1991
President Gregg Roth
Vice-President Debbie Ainslie
Secretary Betty Keck
Treasurer Shirley High

1992
President Gregg Roth
Vice-President Betty Gibson
Secretary Betty Keck
Treasurer Shirley High

1993-94
President Betty Gibson
Vice-President Greg Bosk
2nd Vice President Jo Kinerk
Secretary Betty Keck
Treasurer Shirley High

1995
President Betty Gibson
1st Vice President Rosie O'Grady
2nd Vice President Chris Perez
Secretary Joan Miner
Treasurer Shirley High

1996-97
President Rosie O'Grady
1st Vice President Ruthie Fenner
2nd Vice President Chris Perez
Treasurer Julie Mensing
Secretary Becky Pfeiffer
Honorary President Betty Gibson

1998
President Rosie O'Grady
Vice-President Ruthie Fenner
Secretary Chris Perez
Treasurer Julia Mensing
Honorary President Betty Gibson

1999
President Rosie O'Grady
Vice President Chris Perez
Treasurer Kim Wolff

2000
President Rosie O'Grady
Vice-President Chris Perez
Secretary Joyce Oetting
Treasurer Kim Wolff

2001-02
President Chris Hambrock
Vice-President Sarah Romano
Secretary Nora Waters
Treasurer Rosalie Houser

2002
President Sarah Romano (interim)
Secretary Nora Waters
Treasurer Rosalie Houser

2003
President Tiffany Willison
Vice-President Chris Perez
Secretary Nora Waters
Treasurer Rosalie Houser

2004
President Tiffany Willison
Vice-President Jo Kinerk
Secretary Nora Waters
Treasurer Rosalie Houser

2005
President Tiffany Minniear
Vice-President Jo Kinerk
Secretary Nora Waters
Treasurer Rosalie Houser

2006
President Tiffany Minniear
Vice-President Jo Kinerk
Secretary Nora Waters
Treasurer Rosalie Houser

About our association

Lincoln Park Homeowner's Motto

"We, the residents of Lincoln Park, desire to make our neighborhood a safe and clean place to live and raise our families. We will continue through good leadership and our support to cooperate with others and always be open to learn and share. We dedicate our efforts towards these goals."