Parks and Recreation Events

Join Penn State Master Gardeners for a leisurely one-hour walk to learn about some of the many perennials, shrubs, and trees in the Park. Gather inspiration for your garden and gain unique information about this local Park, by learning to identify these plants, some of their pollinators, other insects or diseases, and soil or location preferences. Plants also have 'secrets' and we'll share some of them, such as being deer repellant, toxic or invasive. We are trained horticulturists and are eager to share our knowledge with you. 

Join us for a FREE concert at Fort Hunter Park to see The Greater Harrisburg Concert Band. Dauphin County Parks & Recreation is excited to offer a summer of fun events for the whole family with our Sunset Music & Movie Series! Food Trucks: Sarah’s Creamery is available beginning at 6:30 pm.

On this slow-paced walk, you will be invited to experience your breathing, senses, and the natural environment at various locations throughout Wildwood Park. Participants should be able to walk about 1- 1.5 miles on paved, gravel, and wood plank trails with some elevation gain. The program concludes with a lovely forest tea.

Do you like flowers, apples or cake? These all rely on pollinators! Join a Naturalist to discover the many different species that are pollinators and examine their important role in the environment, for wildlife, plants and people.

Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Tools and work gloves provided. This program is part of the Dauphin County Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration required.   

During this interactive tour designed for children and families, learn what life was like for the families that lived in the Fort Hunter Mansion from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. You will walk through the mansion’s rooms and learn about their different uses, see pictures of the people and animals that lived there, learn about objects of their everyday life, and do some hands-on activities.

Join Cara Martinez-Williams for a leisurely walk with a focus on trees. Become familiar with a variety of species around the Nature Center while their full leaf out in summer. This program is part of the Dauphin County Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Space is limited. Pre-registration required.  

Campers ages 9 to 11 who are interested in discovering the outdoors will spend the week learning more about species identification and natural history. Hands-on activities will explore life beneath water, amphibians, reptiles, birds and insects. Discover new habitats while visiting Detweiler Park and enjoy a live animal presentation. Various activities such as hiking, journaling and using binoculars will also be included. Please register for only one week. Registration limited to 20 campers.  

Join us on the front stairs of Fort Hunter Mansion as we read “We Are the Water Protectors” written by Carole Lindstrom. After the story, we will talk about the waterways in our park, how we can protect them, and even do some water experiments. Pre-registration is required.

This adventurous wellness program is geared for those interested in learning how to kayak. Enjoy approximately six miles of easy paddling for approximately two hours on the normally gentle, tree lined Swatara Creek. This guided two-hour evening paddle will let you discover firsthand why many are getting involved in this healthy life-long hobby. Guides will provide kayak skill instruction before and during the trip.