XENIA — Greene County Parks & Trails (GCP&T) will host a variety of upcoming events. For more information or to register for programs, contact the parks at 937-562-6440, email [email protected] or visit www.gcparkstrails.com. The Narrows Reserve Nature Center is located at 2575 Indian Ripple Road.
Family game night
Family Outdoor Amphibian Game Night will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 20 at Russ Nature Reserve, 2380 Kemp Road, Beavercreek. Family members of all ages will learn about the amazing life of amphibians. All will learn to jump like a toad or overcome obstacles like a salamander. Participants should bring a flashlight. A campfire and s’mores will end the evening. Cost is $2 per person, Greene County resident; $3 person, non-resident.
Night rides
Cyclists can enjoy a free evening bicycle ride escorted by GCP&T Trail Sentinels beginning 7 p.m. Saturday, April 21 from Old Town Reserve to Young’s Dairy, Yellow Springs. Participants must be over the age of 18, wear a helmet and have lights. Rides will be cancelled in case of a thunderstorm. Incentives will be offered to those participants completing a minimum of 132 miles. Easily recognized by their uniform shirt and jacket, trail sentinels are trained by completing a CPR certification class and a skilled performance procedure.
Birds and Blooms Hike
Participants can join a naturalist for a hike 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at Indian Mound Reserve, 2750 US Route 42 East, Cedarville. Hikers will visit Indian Mound Reserve to view wildflowers and early spring migratory birds. Participants should bring binoculars.The program is free.
Wellness walks
GCP&T and Beavercreek City Parks are co-hosting a series of Wellness Walks at various GCP&T parks sites to promote the health benefits of walking on a regular basis. The walks will be held 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursdays and offer a 45-minute walk/hike with a GCP&T naturalist followed by a cool-down session with stretching. The walks will be held Thursdays, AMay 3, Phillips Park, 2132 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek; and May 17, Russ Nature Reserve, 2380 Kemp Road, Beavercreek.
Farmers’ market
GCP&T’s Farmers’ Market will be held 2-6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month, May to October, at Hobson Freedom Park, 2910 Trebein Road. GCP&T is currently accepting vendors to be accepted to the farmers’ market with all participants provided an approximate 10-by-10-foot space at no cost. Applications for the GCP&T Farmers’ Market can be found at www.gcparkstrails.com under Things to Do/Farmers’ Market or by contacting the park agency at 937-562-6440 or emailing [email protected]. Applications can also be picked up at the park agency headquarters.
FLAT Fund available
Families who may need financial assistance to participate in GCP&T programs may consider the Family Leisure Assistance Trust or FLAT Fund that was established in 1981 through donations. The fund is designed to assist youth to participate in leisure activities who are financially unable to do so based on family income. Each family who qualifies may receive up to $100 in assistance to cover the cost of registration for a summer camp or other youth program. Donations to the FLAT Fund can be made at any time by an individual, business or organization.
Free school programming
As a result of funding created by the passage of the GCP&T levy, the park agency is offering free school programming to classrooms at all age levels. The natural science and cultural heritage programs can be held within a GCP&T site or within the classroom as needed. Established program topics are available or programs can be created to meet the needs of the school. For more information or to schedule a program, contact GCP&T.
