During this guided hike, look for wildflowers containing the colors pink, yellow, and orange. Roll over logs and look for inhabitants like salamanders, slugs, and centipedes. Trails may be wet and muddy, so wear the appropriate shoes. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Gatehouse 10 AM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Michelle Rumschlag mrumschlag@hancockparks.com

Disc golf involves throwing a disc at a target with rules similar to golf. Learn the rules of disc golf and practice by playing the front nine holes at Riverbend Recreation Area. Discs will be provided or bring your own. Dress appropriately for the weather. Riverbend Recreation Area Big Oaks Activity Area Shelter 3 6 […]

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 […]

Spring is here and it is time for nesting season. During this guided hike, look for different types of nests used by squirrels, woodpeckers, insects, and other animals. Trails may be wet and muddy, so wear the appropriate shoes. Riverbend Recreation Area Big Oaks Activity Area Parking Lot by Shelter 3 6 PM All ages […]

Many interesting and colorful birds are passing through during spring migration on their way to the breeding grounds in the north. During this guided hike, search for birds like Swainson’s Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, ducks, shorebirds, and a wide range of colorful warblers. Binoculars will be provided or bring your own. Oakwoods Nature Preserve […]

Young anglers can try their luck as the Hancock Park District hosts its 28th Annual Fish Festival. Trout stocking will take place prior to the event courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division. Fishing will be allowed by bank only. Children must do the fishing, but limited adult assistance is permitted. All […]

Birds build nests of all shapes and sizes. The Best Nest Ever is a story about a little bird who is tired of the old nest and wants a new one. After the story, look around the Discovery Center at the nests on display, then build one to take home. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center […]

Mothers love flowers. Decorate a clay flowerpot with jewels, plant a flower and it to give that special someone on Mother’s Day. All supplies will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. Click here to register with $5 per person by 1 PM on Wednesday, May 6. Minimum: 4/Maximum: […]

Aim, shoot, and score! Learn safety measures and the basics of archery from a Certified Archery Instructor while shooting arrows at targets with a compound bow. Archery equipment will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 6 PM Ages 9-15. Click here to register with $10 per person by 1 PM on Wednesday, May 6. […]

Look at a rabbit skeleton, touch a rabbit fur, and find out what rabbits like to eat besides carrots. Activities include Do the Bunny Hop, Pin the Cotton Tail on the Rabbit, and a carrot matching game. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 1 PM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other ages siblings are welcome to attend. […]

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 […]

Under the ground is a vast network of connections that help keep the forest healthy. Learn about the fascinating relationships that some mushrooms have with trees and how they benefit each other. Hike the trails looking for mushrooms, including turkey tails, dryad’s saddle, and yellow morels. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM Ages 16 […]

Many interesting and colorful birds are passing through during spring migration on their way to the breeding grounds in the north. During this guided hike, search for birds like Eastern Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Red-eyed Vireo, and a wide range of colorful warblers. Binoculars will be provided or bring your own. Aeraland Recreation Area […]

Birds take amazing trips every year. Look at displays of birds that migrate north for the spring, play Migration Hopscotch, and create a pinecone bird feeder for your yard. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is not required. […]

Use nets to catch and study tadpoles that live in Goose Lake. Tadpoles and other aquatic animals will be put in plastic containers and then released after taking a closer look. Wear closed-toed shoes and clothing that can get wet. Aeraland Recreation Area Shelter 10 AM Ages 5-10 with an adult. Free; registration is not […]

The Galliformes are a group of birds who spend most of the time on the ground and are known commonly as land fowl. Learn about these amazing birds like chickens, pheasants, and turkeys through pictures and displays. Make a chicken out of paper plates and construction paper. All supplies will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve […]

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 […]

Explore the trails in a 29.4-acre restored wetland along the Blanchard River. Observe the stars in the night sky and search for wetland animals that have returned to the area like frogs, rails, owls, bats, and raccoons. After the hike, look at moths and other nocturnal wetland insects at a light trap. The trail may […]

Trees are a vital part of nature. During this guided hike, look for the largest tree, find the state tree of Ohio, and observe wildlife. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 AM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Chris Allen callen@hancockparks.com

Troy Willoughby from the Millstream Astronomy Club will present a program titled My Astrophotography Set-up. See how to build a backyard observatory and equip it with telescopes, computers, and other accessories. After the program, view the night sky. Jupiter and Venus will be the featured planets. The Millstream Astronomy Club will have telescopes available (club […]

Learn about animals living underground. View worms up close, try worm calling, and go on a hike to search for underground creatures by looking for burrows and flipping logs. This is a drop-off program. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 1-2:30 PM Ages 5-14. Free; but click here to register by 4 PM on Friday, May 15. […]

Learn the basics of spinning wool, from the history of spinning to the process of taking fleece from a sheep and turning it into usable yarn. Participants will use a simple drop spindle to create a small section of yarn. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Activity Barn 6 PM Ages 16 and up. Click here to register […]

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 […]

Try the amazing art of tie-dyeing. Repurpose an old, white T-shirt and turn it into something new. Participants must bring their own T-shirt. Dyes will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 6 PM All ages are welcome. Click here to register with $3 per person by 1 PM on Thursday, May 21. Minimum: […]

During this guided hike, search for cool insects and buggy creatures like butterflies, ants, beetles, spiders, and rollie pollies, use nets to collect bugs, and take a close-up look. Riverbend Recreation Area The Meadows Activity Area Shelter 6 10 AM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is […]

Celebrate the start of summer vacation with a cookout. Enjoy hot dogs roasted over the fire, chips, veggies, s’mores, and lemonade, and play cornhole and ladder ball. Bring your own chair. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Activity Barn Patio 6 PM All ages are welcome. Click here to register with $5 per person by 9 AM on […]

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 […]

Try your hand at catching fish in Giertz Lake. Learn about the basics of fishing, fishing gear, common sport fish species, and about fish behavior. All skill levels are welcome. A fishing pole will be provided or bring your own. Corn will be available for bait or bring your own lucky lure! All participants who […]

Travel through space and choose your own adventure. Roll the dice with your crewmates to decide what path your spaceship will take and then go into the planetarium to see the different destinations. Make wise choices since supplies will be limited on the journey. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. […]

Learning to sew is fun and easy. Make a 4-patch hot pad while using a simple straight stitch. All supplies will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1 PM Ages 8-18. Click here to register with $5 per person by 1 PM on Friday, May 29. Minimum: 3/Maximum: 20 Chris Allen callen@hancockparks.com

One of the most important creatures for a healthy river system are freshwater mussels. Learn about these living water filters, the species that can be found in the area, and how to protect these vulnerable animals. Play a board game called Mighty Mussels Journey Through the Watershed, participate in a mussel fact scavenger hunt, and […]

A blue moon happens when two full moons come out within the same calendar month. The next one won’t occur until December 2028, so don’t miss the chance to walk the trails under the light of the blue moon. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 9 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not […]