Parks and Recreation Events

Explore the history of the Fort Hunter Park Service Station in this year’s special exhibit. Built in 1929, the Fort Hunter Park Service Station has served the community in a variety of ways over the past century. Once home to an automobile service station, café, antique store, mini golf course and more, there are unlimited possibilities of what lies ahead for this historic building.

Now is a great time to visit Wildwood Park, camera in hand to snap outdoor photos for the upcoming Photo Contest!

Spend time outdoors this fall at beautiful Detweiler Park enjoying The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater. Dauphin County Parks and Recreation and Penn State Health are excited to provide an interactive Storywalk®. Squirrel is happily counting the colorful leaves on his tree when he notices—gasp!—one is missing. Convinced there's a thief in the forest, he sets off on a frantic quest to find the culprit, dragging his calm and patient friend Bird along for the ride. As Squirrel suspects everyone from Mouse to Woodpecker, he eventually learns a gentle lesson about the natural cycle of the seasons.

The annual Friends of Fort Hunter Greens Sale is happening now! Place your order for beautifully hand-crafted greens and help support Fort Hunter Park at the same time.

Thank you for your interest; however this program has filled and no additional spots are available. Enjoy the night sky, learn the myths and legends of constellations, and discover the basics of astronomy. The evening will begin with a short 0.75 mile walk along variable terrain to the open fields of the Airstrip Loop. Dress for the weather, bring a flashlight. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration is required.

Join us for the fourth annual Off the Beaten Path Bus Trip. Aboard a luxury coach, on a crisp fall day, we will be transported to Historic Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park in Centre Hall, PA. By flat-bottom boat, we will explore the magnificent cave system through an interpretive tour. Our group members will also experience the wonders of native North American animals in a carefully preserved habitat, while on a Farm-Nature Tour.

Discover the beauty and resilience of hellebores, the elegant perennials that bring color to the garden when little else is in bloom. Join Penn State Master Gardener Kevin Kelly as he explores the fascinating genus Helleborus-from species and hybrids to the best varieties for home gardeners. Learn how to grow these shade-loving evergreen gems with tips on soil preparation, care, and plant selection.

Join volunteer Jane Earle for a fall tree walk to view the leaves in their full color and learn how to identify them. Meet in front of the Nature Center. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Space is limited. Pre-registration required.

SOLD OUT! Thank you for a great response to this event. Tickets are now sold out. Calling all ghosts and ghouls! Come in costume to Fort Hunter Park for the Trick or Treat Trek. Follow the clues to keep your search on track. Your reward? Goodies at each stop along the way! This adventure is for those age 12 & younger. Trick or Treat Trek is sponsored by The Hershey Company and Aetna and presented in collaboration with Dauphin County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. This is a rain-or-shine event. Pre-registration is required to participate.

Enjoy a moderately paced walk around Wildwood Lake while enjoying the trees and animals at the park. September - December - The walk will occur from 1-2 PM, weather permitting This will be a walk on paved, gravel, and dirt surfaces. You can choose to walk only a portion, then turn around at any point if you would like to customize the length of your walk to your individual fitness goals.