PARKS CALENDAR
Finding Finnegan:
Finnegan the Leprechaun is at it again and will be hiding in the Springfield, Donnelsville and Northridge areas Feb.28 - March 20. Check the National Trail Parks and Recreation District Facebook page or visit ntprd.org for weekly clues and then search for Finnegan. Send a picture of yourself with Finnegan in the background to get entered into a weekly drawing for Finnegan’s pot of prizes. Finnegan will move the Monday of each week to a new hiding spot. Send your photo by tagging National Trail on Facebook or emailing it to nationaltrail@springfieldohio.gov. For more information call 937328-7275.
Shamrock Walk (Crow Series): A Shamrock Walk for youth ages 5-12 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1 from 1-2 p.m. at Smith Park in New Carlisle. Green plants are emerging just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Take a nature walk to look for shamrocks along the way. Listen to a story and play a game. The Shamrock Walk is part of the Crow Series and is held in partnership with the New Carlisle Public Library. This program is free and registration is required by today. For more information call 937-882-6000 or 937-3287275.
Pilates: A new session of
Pilates will begin on Wednesday, March 1 - April 5 from 9-10 a.m. at the National Trail Parks and Recreation Districts Administration Building. Pilates is for ages 18 and older and is a low impact form of exercise that aims to strengthen and tone muscles, build strength, flexibility and balance. The registration fee is $50 and the deadline to register is today. For more information call 937-328-7275.
Woody Invasives, Management and Native Alternatives Workshop: A Woody Invasives, Management and Native Alternatives Workshop will be held on Saturday, March 11 at the National Trail Parks and Recreation Districts Administration Building. At this workshop for adults ages 18 and older, learn the life histories of major woody invasive species in our region that inform physical, chemical, and combined methods of control. Staff from MEEC will share best practices developed during more than 20 years of experience creating habitat for wildlife by freeing light, soil and moisture resources by removing invasive plants. We will highlight the rebuilding of the shrub, herb and understory tree layer, which can help limit reinvasion. The registration fee is $10 and the deadline to register is March 6. For more information call 937-3287275.
Cardboard Classics: The Cardboard Classics is for all ages and will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at the NTPRD Chiller. Bring your pre-constructed bobsled and race for the gold. Teams of one or two push the sled while the pilot guides it towards the finish line. All participants must wear clean, dry athletic shoes. Helmets are available and recommended. Prizes will be awarded for race winners and most creative sled. The registration fee is $5 per entry. For a complete list of race guidelines visit ntprd.org.
Rock & Mineral ID: A Rock & Mineral ID for ages 8-12 will be held on Saturday, March 11 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Davidson Interpretive Center. Discover what types of rocks and minerals are around us every day during this free program. Bring two or three rocks along with you to identify with the group under direction of geologist Gary Getz. The registration deadline is March 3. For more information call 937882-6000.
Trail Tots: Trail tots is for children ages 3-5 along with a caregiver and is scheduled for Thursday, March 16 from 10 - 11 a.m. at the National Trail Parks and Recreation District. Children will learn about nature during this outdoor program while having fun and meeting new friends. Celebrate
St. Patrick’s Day with a story, craft and games. The registration fee is $8 and the deadline to register is March 13. For more information
call 937-328-7275.
Puzzle Palooza: The Puzzle Palooza is for ages 5 & older and will be held on Friday, March 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the National
Trail Parks and Recreation District Administration Building. Puzzle Palooza is a race to finish a 500 piece puzzle. Teams of up to four people will all begin working at the same time and the first team to finish will be crowned the winners. The registration fee is $20 per team and the deadline to register is March 10. For more information call 937-328-7275.
Trail Hikers: Trail Hikers is held on Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. These guided, self-paced hikes allow you to explore our local natural environment. These trails are all natural so be sure to wear your hiking boots. Hikers must complete a yearly registration form before their first hike. Go to ntprd.org to check out the Trail Hikers schedule. Registration is available online by going to ntprd. org or by calling 937-328-7275.