Area state parks hosting Green Friday activities
State parks throughout the area will be hosting programs on Friday for those who want to avoid the Black Friday shopping madness by spending time outdoors.
Village Creek State Park, located north of Forrest City on Highway 284, will host Green Friday on the Greens, with a golf cart cruise at The Ridges Golf Course from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
“Avoid the madness of Black Friday and give the gift of memories instead with Green Friday on the Greens,” said VCSP Interpreter Catherine Combs. “Learn about what makes the trees in fall so special and stick around after the cruise for nature crafts at the Pro Shop.”
Reservations may be made beginning Wednesday, Nov. 24, by calling The Ridges at 870-2385226. The program costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Space is limited and reservations are required.
Mississippi River State Park in Lee County is offering several programs throughout the day on Friday.
Park Interpreter Cara Curtis said visitors may join her throughout the day for different adventures in the park.
On Friday, the park will also host a nature journaling program at 11 a.m., at the Bear Creek Lake
Day Use Area. Participants, young and old alike, will spend time journaling what they see in nature, allowing them to be creative and simply relax.
Later that day, the park will hold the Ridge exploration hike at the Bear Creek Loop Trailhead, starting at 2 p.m. During this guided hike, participants will discover the unique habitat of Crowley's Ridge as they hike through the forest and see how the plant life changes from cottonwoods and sycamores near the creek beds at the bottom of the ridge to more tulip poplars and oaks at the top. The Bear Creek Loop Trail is one-mile long and participants are asked to wear sturdy shoes and bring their own water.
Delta Heritage Trail State Park will be hosting a Green Friday historic homemade holiday ornament workshop from 1 to 4 p.m., at its visitor center on Highway 49 in Phillips County.
“Delta Heritage Trail runs primarily on a former rail line. In the early 1900s it passed through a landscape that was the home to many sharecroppers and families that worked in the timber industry. Money was often scarce, and they had to make their own holiday decorations from low cost recycled items they had at home
or from gathering outdoors,” said DST Park Interpreter Ryan Smith. “Join us as we step back from the hustle of today's Black Friday and get a feel for a simpler time as we learn about how these decorations were made, and you can create your own to take home with you.
Preregistration is not required for this event. Those wanting to participate may stop by the visitor center anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family.
The visitor center is located at 5539 Hwy. 49 in West Helena.