Blackstone River & Canal park slates February activities
UXBRIDGE – Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation have announced their February 2019 program schedule.
All programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children.
Reasonable accommodations are available upon advance request. For more information or to register, call (508) 278-7604 or email blackstone.heritage@state.ma.us
Saturday, Feb. 2: WHERE IS GROUNDHOG?, 11 a.m. to noon
Did the groundhog see his shadow?
See what wildlife is up to in the winter around the park.
Find clues of winter residents; think like an animal while walkingaround habitats that may provide cozy resting places. Meet at Visitor Center; walk approximately 1 mile. Please dress for the weather. All ages welcome to this family program.
Saturday, Feb. 2: PLAYING WITH SHADOWS, noon to 1 p.m.
In celebration of Groundhog Day,come and play with the science of shadows on the back lawn of River Bend Farm Visitor Center. Creating art using the shadows of branches and capturing them with photo sensitive paper. In the event of inclement weather, activities will take place inside the visitor cen- ter. All ages welcome to this family program. Please dress for the weather.
Sundays, Feb. 3 and 17: CANAL WALK, 1 to 2 p.m.
On a guided walk down the canal towpath, learn about the canal’s historical and cultural significance and its role in the farm to factory transformation of the Blackstone Valley. Meet at the River Bend Visi-tor Center. All ages welcome. Approximately 2 miles. If conditions permit, bring snowshoes and hiking poles.
Sunday, Feb. 10: EVERGREEN WALK, 1 to 2 p.m.
Explore winter’s beauty by searching for green on a brisk, easy walk to appreciate the park’s evergreen plants. See how plants adapt to the cold weather and provide food or shelter for wildlife. All ages welcome. Meet at the Visitor Center. Approximately 1 mile. If conditions permit, bring snowshoes and hiking poles.
Friday through Monday, Feb. 15 to 18: STORYWALK AT GRANDPA’S SUGARBUSH, by Margret Carney, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Get the whole family outside and enjoy reading a story as you stroll along the park. The featured picture book captures the signs of spring and the old-fashioned way of making maple syrup. A short, easy, self guided walk. Great for families. Saturday, Feb. 16: WINTER WILDLIFE, 10 to 11 a.m.
Stop by the River Bend Farm Visitor Center to learn about the different animals that live in the park and what they do in the winter. This program will have a hands-on activity and a short walk to look for signs of winter wildlife. All ages welcome.
Saturday, Feb. 16: WATER AND FIRE RIVER WALK, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Show your love for the elements earth, air, water and fire. Take an easy walk to the bank of the Blackstone River, gather around a campfire, and enjoy hot chocolate as visitors and staff talk about water quality and share stories of the river’s recovery. Spend some time outdoors and bask in the peacefulness of the sights and sounds of water and fire. All ages welcome. Easy walk to river approx. 1 mile round trip. Bring snowshoes if conditions permit.
Monday, Feb. 18: FUN ON THE FARM, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Come and play the way they would have in the early days of River Bend Farm. Learn how to play nine men’s morris, hoop and stick, and other games from the 18th and 19th centuries in River Bend Farm Visitor Center’s unheated hayloft. Make your own game boards for historic games so you can continue the fun all school vacation long! All ages welcome.
Thursday, Feb. 21: MAPLE SUGARMAKERS WEATHER WATCH, 1 to 2 p.m.
Is it maple-sugaring season yet? Let’s talk about the weather and the science of maple sugaring to find out what conditions get the sap running, then head out on the trail for some hands on action as we measure and mark trees for tapping. Up to a 1 mile walk.
Friday, Feb. 22: MAPLE STORY TIME, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Join staff in the heated meeting room for a maple -hemed story time, followed by a short outdoor nature walk and a craft activity. Meets rain or shine – during inclement weather, outdoor discoveries will be substituted by a scavenger hunt in the unheated hayloft of the River Bend Farm Visitor Center. Bundle up and get young children out to enjoy nature.
Saturday, Feb. 23: BROWN BAG ALONG THE BLACKSTONE, noon to 1 p.m.
Pack a lunch and join us in the heated “bull pen” – now a conference room at River Bend Farm Visitor Center. Watch an episode of “Along the Blackstone,” an awardwinning series of videos by the Rangers of the National Park Service capturing the stories, cultures, natural re-sources, and the heritage of the Blackstone Valley.
Saturday, Feb. 23: BOOTS ALONG THE BLACKSTONE, 1 to 2:15 p.m.
After watching an episode of “Along the Blackstone,” join an interpreter in taking a leisurely walk along the towpath while discussing the stories and history uncovered in this episode! Approximately 2 miles. Bring snowshoes if conditions permit.
Sunday, Feb. 24: READING NEW ENGLAND’S FORESTS, 1 to 3 p.m.
Learn about the stone walls and new growth trees that make up our local forests as we hike to Goat Hill Lock. We will be talking about why these stone features are found across Massachusetts and looking at ways to decipher the history of an area through what we see. Approximately 2.5 miles on an uneven path.
Ongoing Daily
River Bend Farm Visitor Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Following the Plough exhibit explores the story of the Blackstone Valley and its communities from pre-European settlement through European style agricultural development, industrialization, and into today. Guided tours for groups with advance notice. Free Admission. Accessible.