Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
March 3
March 4
Wed. Bird Walk: Sound Tune-up
As sunlight and warmth slowly return to our county, resident birds are beginning to form territories and sing! Now’s the perfect time to brush up your listening skills and get familiar with these local songsters before the rush of spring migration sets in. Come learn the basics of birding by ear on an easy-paced morning walk.
Our group will explore the scenic meadows and woodland trails of Baintertown Dam (Directions Here), while listening for the early songs of spring. The group will head out at 8 a.m. — please plan travel time accordingly.
March 4
March 12
Yoga in the Museum
Flow with history during this all-levels guided yoga class. Certified teacher Amanda of Innate Yoga will lead us through an empowering practice in the Museum’s gallery space. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and water bottles. A limited number of mats will be available for use.
Note: This class was originally scheduled for March 19th and has been moved to March 12th.
March 13
Books & Boots
The Elkhart Public Library has teamed up with the Elkhart County Parks to offer a book club for kids! Each meeting will include a book discussion followed by a park-led activity exploring one of the book’s environmental themes. Activities could include hikes, live animals, and more.
Visit the Elkhart Public Library’s website to check out a copy of this month’s book.
March 14
Breakfast with the Birds
The early birder gets the bacon! Come enjoy coffee with cardinals, OJ with jays, and pastries with pileated at the newly renovated DeFries House. During breakfast, visitors can watch birds flock to the feeders (while feeding themselves), learn about wintering species in our area, along with I.D. tips on birds that swoop in for a sunrise snack. After the meal, birders feeling up to it will have the chance to stretch their wings on a brief guided walk around the calendar garden. Come for the food, stay for the birds.
Meet at the DeFries House in DeFries Calendar Garden.
March 14
March 16
March 17
St. Patty’s Day Scavenger Hunt
This St. Patrick’s Day, grab your cell phone and come on out to the Ox Bow Haus Shelter in Ox Bow County Park to put your detective skills to the test. Try either the Creative Family Hunt where you and your family will search for a list of items to find in the park or the Clue Challenge Hunt where riddle-enthusiasts will search for 10 hidden golden shamrocks in exchange for a small festive prize. Here’s how it all works:
Clue Challenge Hunt:
- Check out the clues on our Facebook or Instagram any time after 3:30 p.m. on March 17. They will also be posted at Ox Bow Haus Shelter at 4 p.m.
- Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to find them before 7 p.m….you might have to do a little hiking. Hint, hint….
- Following the clues, seek out, and locate the golden shamrocks hidden in the park.
- DO NOT COLLECT the shamrocks, but instead snap a photo with any you find.
- As you take photos, please share them with us on Facebook or Instagram and include the #ecphunt2026 hashtag. Make sure your account is public or we won’t be able to see your photos!
- There are a total of 10 shamrocks hidden. Find any or all of them….it’s up to you.
- The hunt ends at 7 p.m.
- Stop by Ox Bow Haus Shelter for light refreshments and a small prize anytime between 4-7 p.m.
Creative Family Hunt:
- Visit Ox Bow Haus Shelter, anytime between 4-7pm to get a list of the items to search for in the park.
- DO NOT COLLECT the items, but instead snap a photo with any you find.
- As you take photos, please share them with us on Facebook or Instagram and include the #ecphunt2026 hashtag. Make sure your account is public or we won’t be able to see your photos!
- The hunt ends at 7 p.m.
- Stop by Ox Bow Haus Shelter for light refreshments and a small prize anytime between 4-7 p.m.
March 17
Hiking Club
Join our Hiking Club to explore a different park trail every month, make new friends, and glimpse the bounty of nature around every curve and corner. Hiking Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, March thru October. This month, hikers will explore Bonneyville Mill County Park on a 1.3-mile hike.
March 18
Curiosity Club: Police Officers
Tap into your preschooler’s natural curiosity as we get a visit and show-and-tell from a local police officer. Join in the fun and learning with this special guest, as well as our usual story, snack, and craft.
All Curiosity Club classes in 2026 will have a civics component. Let’s learn together about the helpers in our community!
March 20
Timberdoodle Trek
It may have the build of a chubby sandpiper, but during courtship, a male American Woodcock (aka “Timberdoodle”) becomes a master acrobat of the sky. Join the Parks as we embark on a twilight trek at *Lieber Nature Preserve to catch a glimpse of Timberdoodles spiraling in the sky. After the aerial show, we’ll listen for the soft hoots of owls and other nightlife found at the Preserve. Plan to dress for an evening hike. Registration Opens March 1st.
*NOTE: Parking is VERY limited so we will meet at the Elkhart Historical Museum and carpool to the site 5 minutes away.
Please plan travel time accordingly. This hike is weather-dependent. Please check this event page for updates before heading out.
March 22
March 27
Sandhill Crane Hike
Sandhill cranes are making their comeback now at Boot Lake Nature Preserve here in our own backyard. See a hundred or more of these magnificent creatures as they use this nature preserve as a spring stop-over on their way north. Please come dressed for the weather and a hike. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
March 28
Spring Bike Ride
Explore the scenic countryside together on the beautiful, paved Pumpkinvine Nature Trail to start the season off right. We will meet at Abshire Park in Goshen (Directions Here) and ride to Middlebury and back for a total of approximately 20 miles. Please remember to bring your bike, a bike helmet, water bottle, and money for lunch. This is a family-friendly program filled with fun, exercise, and adventure!
March 28
Historical Foodways
How do the ways we produce our food connect us to the past, reflect our values, and impact our communities? What is food sovereignty, and why does it matter? Hear various perspectives on these and other questions from local growers, educators, and eaters in this engaging panel discussion.
March 29
March 31
Setting The Millstones
At the end of each milling season, the 2,000 lb. millstones are separated for maintenance and cleaning. You are invited to attend the resetting of the Bonneyville Mill grinding stones. Those in attendance will observe the process of setting and balancing the top runner stone over the bottom bed stone. Snacks made from Bonneyville mill flour will be available. Registration is limited to 30 individuals.
