Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
April 15
April 15
Hiking Club
Hiking Club meets once per month to hike for health, friends and fun. The hike takes place in a different location each month but is always on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. This month’s hike takes place at Ox Bow County Park. This hike has mostly flat terrain and is about 1.6 miles in length.
April 19
Forest Bathing
Experience a two-hour guided forest bathing walk with certified guide, Juli. A series of guided, meditative invitations to find your own authentic way of interacting with the land will be offered. There is no right or wrong way to do it…just be yourself. All are welcome in the forest. Bring a water bottle and blanket to sit on.
April 21
April 24
Latino Immigrants in Elkhart County History
Elkhart County resident Zulma Prieto is the founder and Coordinating Editor of El Puente, the first Hispanic newspaper in Indiana. She is also an expert on and advocate for Latino immigrants in Elkhart County. Join us as we learn about this important part of Elkhart County’s history and the work Zulma has done in our community.
April 24
Creatures of the Night: Aquatic Insects
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.
Dark fairies, giant water bugs, water scorpions, and leeches—oh my! Discover some of nature’s gnarliest macroinvertebrates lurking just beneath the surface of our woodland ponds. Pull on your muck boots and grab a headlamp as we step into the shallows and take a closer look at the alien world of aquatic insects.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: Come prepared for a 1-mile hike in muddy terrain. This hike is weather-dependent. Please check the event page for updates before heading out.
𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥: Rainboots, waterproof layers, and a headlamp/flashlight.
April 25
Polliwogs in a Bog
Polliwogs are tadpoles that may become frogs, toads, salamanders or newts. Join a naturalist as we go in search of these secretive, slippery critters and other strange creatures who call wetlands their home. Aquatic nets will be supplied. We will be meeting at the Benton Dam in River Preserve County Park.
April 25
April 26
April 26
Trout Day
After enjoying a delicious pancake breakfast, hop on over to one of our trout day activity stations to learn about the trout that live in the river, how to catch them, and how they got there. This is in conjunction with our Buckwheat Pancake Breakfast and opening day for trout season on the Little Elkhart River.
April 26
Volunteer Day: DeFries Garden Clean Up
Learn new skills, care for the environment, meet new friends, and be a part of something big — sign up for a Volunteer Day! On 4/26, assist park staff with cleaning and prepping the gardens for the growing season. Plan to bring water, work gloves and your favorite garden tools. Advanced registration required.
