Parks and Recreation Events

Join a Naturalist for an afternoon walk around the grounds of Fort Hunter Mansion. The lane leading up to the Mansion is lined with sugar maple trees. Sugar maples are tapped in the winter when the nights are below freezing, and the days are above freezing. Take a step back in history to learn some dated methods used for tapping sugar maple trees. Meet in front of Fort Hunter Mansion and dress for the weather.

Join us at our annual Maple Sugar Festival for a fun day filled with sweet treats! Families can taste a variety of maple syrups, see how maple candies are made, practice tapping trees, make colorful crafts, and much more. Admission to the festival is free.

Join a Naturalist for a fun interactive story session for children ages 3-5. Stories, rhymes, and a craft/activity will introduce science through the eyes of the Cat In The Hat. Classes are offered during 3 consecutive Wednesdays. This program is sponsored by Altrusa of South Central PA, providing a book for each participant. Each participant will go home with a theme-related book. Pre-registration required.

Kick off the spring season with litter clean up along Industrial Road. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Refreshments will be available. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration required.

Stop by the Nature Center Bird Viewing Area for a warm cup of bird- friendly coffee, tea or hot cocoa with the Appalachian Audubon Society. Discover what birds visit our feeders most often and learn how to identify each one.

This program has SOLD OUT! This workshop will get you started with basic djembe drumming skills and give you a taste of West African Rhythm! In just one hour, you will learn about the melodic quality of these hand drums, learn to play music in a group and understand the cultural significance of traditional West African drumming. Even if you've never touched a drum, you'll be playing music together by the end of the class. Bring your djembe, if you have one, or we will have extras to use. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Advance registration is required, space is limited.

Join a Naturalist for a morning or afternoon woodburning workshop. Each participant will receive an 8 inch diameter tree cookie of their choice to woodburn using a wide variety of nature stencils. Woodburning supplies and instruction will be provided. Leave with a one-of-a-kind piece of art for your home. Timeslots are limited to 10 participants. Pre-registration required.

Songbirds have fascinated people for thousands of years, inspiring art, music, science, and even engineering! Join Naturalists at Wildwood Park for a Pennsylvania Songbird Workshop featuring the newly revised Pennsylvania Songbirds K-8 Guide. During this hands-on workshop, we will explore bird biology, adaptations, and migration; discover how birds influence design and engineering; and examine issues that affect both birds and people, such as land use and climate change. The workshop will also include bird identification and a short hike to discover the many species of birds that can be seen at Wildwood Park. PA Songbirds is coordinated by DCNR - Bureau of State Parks. This guide was developed in partnership between PA DCNR - Bureau of State Parks and Audubon Mid-Atlantic. This workshop is for any educator interested in birds and teaching through place-based education such as classroom teachers, non-formal educators, college students studying to be teachers (pre-service), school administrators, homeschool teachers, and youth leaders.

Join a Naturalist for a fun interactive story session for children ages 3-5. Stories, rhymes, and a craft/activity will introduce science through the eyes of the Cat In The Hat. Classes are offered during 3 consecutive Wednesdays. This program is sponsored by Altrusa of South Central PA, providing a book for each participant. Each participant will go home with a theme-related book. Pre-registration required.

Unlock the full potential of your garden with Penn State Master Gardeners in this informative and engaging session. Whether you're gardening in containers, a small backyard, or a larger plot, you'll gain practical strategies to optimize your space and boost your vegetable yield. Explore techniques such as square foot design, vertical gardening, companion planting, and succession planting to maximize every square foot and transform your garden into a thriving, productive space. Perfect for gardeners of all experience levels, this event offers actionable insights to help you grow more with less.