While summer 2021 will look and feel different than usual at Five Rivers MetroParks, there are still nature-based adventures and fun to be had outdoors.
Keeping the health and safety of the community, volunteers and employees top of mind, MetroParks will offer the following activities and events:
RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.:
- *The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights will operate as usual Memorial Day through Labor Day. The fountains will operate for 10-minute intervals at the top of the hour during the weekday from 6:55 a.m. through 9:55 p.m. and on weekends from 10:55 a.m. through 9:55 p.m.
- *Bike rentals will resume and operate from May 29 through Sept. 5. Reservations will be required for rentals during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and walk-ups will be accepted on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 937-275-7275. The Bike Hub is also open and memberships are available online.
- *Music @ Lunch will return with live entertainment on Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from June 1 through Sept. 3.
- *Food concessions will be offered:
- – The RiverScape Café, located near the pavilion, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays from June 1 through Sept. 3.
- – Light fare will be available at the Fountain Snack Bar, located in the center of the park, which will be open from May 29 through Sept. 5 on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- *Fitness in the Park returns this weekend and will run through August. Classes will alternate between yoga and Zumba. The free classes will be held at the park from 10-11 a.m. and patrons also can choose to participate virtually and a link to each class will be made available on the RiverScape MetroPark Facebook page. Access to the fitness space will be restricted and pre-registration online is strongly encouraged to reserve a spot as space will be limited.
- *MetroParks hopes to resume the free Summer Music Series concerts this summer, with details to be announced at a later time. Other events, such as festivals, are being evaluated on a regular basis; as decisions are made, they will be posted to metroparks.org/riverscape or announced by the event organizer.
- *The interactive fountains will not be turned on at this time.
Island MetroPark, 101 E. Helena St.
The water play feature, located next to the playground, will open for the season as usual on Memorial Day, May 31. Please note that capacity will be limited to 16 people, including MetroParks staff. Be sure to check out the Heart Healthy Trail at Island MetroPark, too – its paved surface is great for strollers and wheelchairs.
Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave.:
The popular Children’s Discovery Garden reopened May 1. Children and their guardians can enjoy playing and exploring what nature has to offer. Please note the water play area will not be turned on at this time and the Children’s Discovery Garden has a maximum capacity of 50.
MetroParks’ annual Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience cancelled
Due to current precautions recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19, as well as the increased support and planning needed to meet current public health guidelines, the annual Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience has been cancelled.
A Five Rivers MetroParks event, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is the region’s premier outdoor adventure festival and a celebration of Dayton as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. The event hosts dozens of exhibitors and food trucks, live entertainment, competitions and more than 20 hands-on, outdoor activities, attracting more than 25,000 attendees in 2019. The event was not held in 2020.
“An event of this magnitude takes a year to plan and hundreds of MetroParks staff, volunteers, exhibitors, partners, sponsors and recreation professionals who travel from across the country,” said MetroParks Outdoor Recreation Special Event Coordinator Angela York. “To be good stewards of taxpayer funds, we have to consider the time and resources it takes to successfully plan and host a large-scale event like this, as well as the increased staff and volunteer needs to support this event.”
MetroParks is one of many national and regional parks agencies that has cancelled large events, in addition to local organizations that have cancelled large annual festivals that could not be safely or comfortably held with the current public health guidelines, even as the mass vaccination rollout is underway.
“In addition to connecting people to nature through outdoor recreation experiences, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is a celebration of all nature can do for your physical and mental well-being,” York said. “We look forward to being able to host the event in the future and are choosing to use our time to plan for an incredible event in 2022.”
Twin Valley Trail Challenge rescheduled
The 2021 Twin Valley Trail Challenge has been rescheduled from Saturday, June 5 to Saturday, Sept. 25. The event will be evaluated 30 days prior to make a final determination on whether it can be held. It will be similar to that of years past, during which hikers challenge themselves to safely hike as far as they can. There are 27.5 miles of the Twin Valley Trail (TVT) and all routes are in Germantown MetroPark, Twin Creek MetroPark and on the TVT Connector Trail. The event is free and open to the public thanks to generous sponsors and donors.
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Celebrating nearly 60 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275).