Playing with shadows can be fun. Explore shadows through hands-on activities like watching a shadow puppet show, creating paper shadow puppets, tracing the shadows of toy animals, reading the time on a sundial, and playing a shadow matching game. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are […]
Vogelsong Conservation Area, which was created to protect water quality, expand wildlife habitat, and provide natural beauty, can be reached by hiking the Blanchard River Greenway Trail from Eastpoint Area. Exploration will involve hiking around the small prairie and along the edge of the riparian forest, looking at the Blanchard River from the pedestrian bridge, […]
Resident and migratory birds are here for the summer. Some of these birds can be seen through pictures and displays and by hiking the trails, such as Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch, and Northern House Wren. Riverbend Recreation Area Big Oaks Activity Area Mariann Dana Younger Memorial Pavilion 6 PM All ages are welcome. Free; but […]
Children can get dirty and clean at the same time with suds and sand. Have fun mixing colors with suds painting, making colored sand and colored sand art, blowing homemade bubbles, and sculpting with sand and foam. Wear clothes that can get stained. Riverbend Recreation Area The Meadows Activity Area Shelter 6 10 AM Ages […]
Explore Aeraland Recreation Area, which is a rural county park in a quiet country setting. Hike the Highline Trail with scenic views of the South Branch Portage River, and the Upland Trail that traverses a 13-acre meadow. Check out Goose Lake and look at fungi, trees, wildflowers, birds and other animals, and visit the bat […]
Asterisms are distinct shapes and patterns in the stars that can be seen in the night sky. They are not constellations, but they can consist of stars from multiple constellations. One of the best-known asterisms is the Big Dipper, which is part of the Urus Major constellation. From inside the planetarium, look at asterisms, planets, […]
The Hancock Park District Administrative Office Building sits nicely on the bank of the Blanchard River along with trees and a variety of wildlife, including the Northern Flicker. Information about this common woodpecker will be shared. Bring a chair and enjoy a root beer float. Binoculars will be provided or bring your own. HPD Administrative […]
Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]
The archery range will be open for anyone who has participated in one of the Hancock Park District’s archery instructional programs. A certified archery instructor will supervise the archery open shoot. Archery equipment will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 6 PM Ages 9 and up. Click here to register with $10 per person […]
Nature journaling is the art of using pictures and words to record observations. Nature journaling will be discussed, examples of nature journal pages will be shown, and a journal prompt will be chosen to help create a nature journal page. All skill levels are welcome. Sketchbooks and supplies will be provided or bring your own. […]
The Discovery Center will be open for visitation. Visitors can choose to participate in unstructured and/or structured activities. Activities and attractions include bird watching via the Windows on Wildlife, mounted animals and live animals on display, nature videos, field guides and nature books for reading, touch table and puppets, and seasonal displays and exhibits. A […]
This small 10-acre park is a wonderful place to pack a summer snack, play in the playground, and listen to the birds. Take a walk along the Blanchard River Greenway […]
