Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
September 18
Open House at the Schoolhouse
Grab your schoolbooks and step back a century as you explore the One-room Schoolhouse at Bonneyville Mill County Park. Imagine yourself a student sitting in one of the small wooden desks, practicing your handwriting on the heavy slate boards, while keeping warm next to the wood-burning stove. As you catch a glimpse of what life was like for the average run-of-the-mill student, staff will be on-site to answer any questions you may have during these open hours.
September 18
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga in the parks. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
September 19
September 20
Feature Grain Day
Barley is the feature grain this month. Barley flour has a mild flavor and is great for muffins, quick breads and pie crust. All feature grain days in 2025 will highlight a grain that is not a normal part of our line-up. The resulting flour/meal will be a LIMITED EDITION, product available for a short time. Make sure to attend to get yours before itโs gone. Grinding demonstrations of Barley will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
September 20
September 22
September 25
Creatures of the Night: Spiders
As night falls, the places we spend time outdoors can feel like a very different place. Familiar trails melt into shadows and the daytime soundscape is replaced with things that go bump in the night as nocturnal creatures come out to play. Join the Elkhart County Parks as we lift night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of these creatures of the night, from spiders weaving webs to bats on the wing.
In September — We’ll step out to find one of the creepiest of crawlies โ the spider. Come brave the dark and see this fascinating, phobia-inducing creature in action on a spider-seeking night hike. Spider specialist, Linda Strain, will join us to identify and share fascinating facts about this eight-legged creature and watch it literally wrap up our 2025 Creatures of the Night Season!
๐ช๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐ข ๐๐ซ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง: Come prepared for a 2-mile hike. This program is weather-dependent. Please check the event page for updates before heading out.
๐ฆ๐จ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ: Hiking shoes, flashlight/headlamp, and extra layers (if itโs a cooler night).
September 26
Project WET Educator Workshop
Project WET (Water Education Today) is an international, interdisciplinary environmental education program about water and peopleโs relationship with it. ย This basic WET workshop is cohosted by the Elkhart County Parks, Elkhart County SWCD and the Elkhart Environmental Center and will provide K-12 educators with useful tips for teaching water topics in the field or classroom, hands-on experience with some of the fun lessons, a copy of the curriculum guide and professional growth points (if requested). ย No prior experience necessary. For more information on the Project WET program, visit https://www.projectwet.org/ย
September 27
Bike Ride to Middlebury
Explore the scenic countryside together on the beautiful, paved Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. We will meet at Ox Bow Haus in Ox Bow County Park and ride to Middlebury and back. We will be stopping for ice cream along the way. This ride will be a total of approximately 32 miles altogether. Please remember to bring your bike, a bike helmet, water bottle and money for ice cream. This is a family-friendly program filled with fun, exercise and adventure!
