Five Rivers MetroParks has a passion to protect nearly 16,000 acres of land around Dayton, Ohio. The MetroParks hosts dozens of events throughout the year to invite the public to experience the conservation efforts of the beautiful parks and nature spaces.
May the 4th Be With You | Thursday, May 4
Wegerzyn: The force is strong at Wegerzyn Gardens this first week of May! Come our with your family to participate in an awesome Star Wars Themed nature scavenger hunt and receive a prize. Stay afterwards and enjoy Star Wars themes along the Marie Aull Trail. Weather Dependent, $3.
MayFair at the Market: Member Preview | Thursday, May 4
The Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation Board is proud to announce the return of the MayFair plant sale in a NEW location at the 2nd Street Market! MayFair at the Market starts on May 4th with a members-only preview sale before opening to the public on Friday, May 5th. Stock up on perennials, annuals, hanging baskets and more while supporting Five Rivers MetroPark May. Thursday is for Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation members only, become a member here!
Morning Chores | Saturday, May 6
Carriage Hill: Join a farm staff member to experience a typical workday for a farm hand. Participants will help with a variety of historic chores. Meet at the front gate of the farm, ages 8-12 $5.
Growing History in the Garden | Saturday, May 6
Wegerzyn: Heritage plants, whether from a specific country or region or just that your family has always grown them, deserve a spot in all gardens. We’ll discuss the origins of popular fruits, vegetables and flowers and ways to mix them in your home landscape for extra excitement, beauty and pollinators. Ages 18+ $15.
All City Arts Festival | Saturday, May 6
RiverScape: Join us for a day of music, art and food featuring the talents of the Dayton Public School students. Come support students from all elementary, middle school and high school buildings for lots of exciting art displays, musical performances and more! Weather Dependent.
Six Legged Beasts | Saturday, May 6
Possum Creek: Come explore the prairie and catch insects that probably live in your own backyard. We’ll use nets for close up inspection and we’ll release after identifying what we’ve captured. Weather Dependent, ages 3-13, free.
Forest At Night | Saturday, May 6
Taylorsville: Have you wondered what happens in the forest once the sun goes down? Join us as we explore mammal pelts and creatures of the night before we go on a hike to see what nocturnal animals are out! Bring a flashlight if you have one. Weather Dependent, ages 3-13, free.
Healing Nature Journaling Kit | Sunday, May 7-13th
Various MetroParks: This program kit, designed to start a Nature Journal and nature observation practice, includes blank journals, colorful pencils and pens, book The Curious Nature Guide, a getting started activity packet, soothing tea, and basic tools to get started. Supplemental activities in the kit will guide you through mindfulness invitations as a great way to de-stress and get outside to enjoy nature.
Paint a Park | Sunday, May 7
Sugarcreek: Spring has sprung and we’re excited to see what this season has to show us. Come join us at Sugarcreek Metropark and see the budding oak trees estimated to be around 550 years old. Art supplies will be provided to borrow on site for you to create with and at the end of the program all participants will be given the opportunity to share their art work on our digital gallery. Weather Dependent, all ages, free.
Natural Art for Families | Wednesday, May 10
Wegerzyn: Combine outdoor play and art in this fun family activity. We will explore the gardens and find natural items to use as paintbrushes, stamps and more. Create your own painted canvas to take home and enjoy. Each registration will receive one canvas. Work together or let each person create their own masterpiece. All ages, $10.
Planting for Pollinators | Saturday, May 13
Cox Arboretum: Pollinators have an important job to do, so lets help them by planting flowers they need! Learn about pollinator friendly plants, and get ideas to make your family habitat more pollinator friendly. Ages 3-13, $3.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day | Saturday, May 13
RiverScape: Come celebrate YMCA Healthy Kids Day at Riverscape, part of the national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids. The Y will be hosting kids fitness classes, line dancing, sports skills clinics, games, arts and crafts, Camp Kern activities and more. The event is free, open to the public, and will be a great time for your kids to get outside and play! All ages, free.
Tree Exploration | Saturday, May 13
Sugarcreek: Come discover some of the most common trees that make up our forests and learn how Five Rivers MetroPark Sugarcreek is giving back to our forests. Ages 3-13, free.
Nocturnal Backyard Insects | Saturday, May 13
Cox Arboretum: Come explore the incredible diversity of nocturnal insects, and how to share them with friends. Participants will get a nocturnal insect starter kit to enhance their next backyard sleepover. Ages 3-13, $3.
Pop Up Poetry for Mother’s Day | Sunday, May 14
Tike Hike | Thursday, May 18
Germantown: Grab your best pals and meet at Germantown MetroPark for a one hour tike hike, ages 3-5, free.
Bike to Work Pancake Breakfast | Friday, May 19
RiverScape: Leave your car in the garage and support National Bike to Work Day. Ride on your own, or with a group to RiverScape MetroPark for a free pancake breakfast before you head to work. Live music and cycling-related exhibitors are all part of the fun.
Planting the Children’s Vegetable Garden | Friday, May 19
Wegerzyn: It’s time to get planting! This year we have big plans for the Children’s Vegetable Garden at Wegerzyn! Join us to learn all about gardening as a family and help us plant a pizza garden and pumpkins for our new pumpkin tunnel. In August we will harvest our plants and make pizza sauce.
Spring Migrants | Saturday, May 20
Cox Arboretum: Join us in looking and listening for spring migrant birds. Before heading out we will practice using binoculars and review tips for identification, so you can continue improving your skills at home. Ages 10-17, $3.
Build a Hanging Planter | Sunday, May 21
2nd Street Market: Meet Betty Hoevel, Educator from Five River Metroparks, as she shows you the items you need to successfully build a hanging planter. All ages, free.
Sensory Exploration: Into the Forest | Wednesday, May 24
Wegerzyn: Let’s enjoy a walk through the forest that focuses on the senses. We will take the Marie Aull trail to learn about things we can see, hear, feel and even taste new things as we explore the forest and learn about the plants and animals that live there. All ages, $5.
Passport to MetroParks | Friday, May 26
RiverScape: Join us for an exciting family friendly evening full of music, food and fun activities! Go on an adventure through the park to learn about events and programs available through Five Rivers MetroParks and even experience some of them that night! Grab a passport and get it stamped at booths along the way to be entered for a chance to win exciting prizes that will help you Get Out and Explore! Round out your evening by grabbing dinner at the food truck rally and catch entertainment that highlights the Dayton Celtic Fest, with performances by Celtic Academy of Irish Dance and McGovern Irish Dance.
Owl Prowl | Saturday, May 27
Englewood: Escape on a night walk in search of the Barred Owls, while learning about their interactions with our forests. Ages 3-13, free.
Nest Watch | Saturday, May 27
Germantown: Join us as we search for nest and learn about the citizen science effort, NestWatch. This nationwide monitoring program helps track bird nests, from when nesting occurs, number of eggs laid, and more. Bring binoculars if you have them. Ages 3-13, $3.