Parks and Recreation Events

Spend time outdoors this spring and summer at beautiful Detweiler Park and Lykens Glen Park enjoying "Doe's Dandelions" by Laura Renauld and illustrated by Jennie Poh. Dauphin County Parks and Recreation and Penn State Health are excited to provide a new interactive Storywalk® book selection for the spring and summer seasons.

Visit naturally inspired trailside creations along Wildwood Park’s wandering trails and wetlands. Using mostly natural materials, artists have constructed large and small installations. This year’s theme is “Pathways.” A map-brochure about the exhibit is available online, at the kiosks or inside the Nature Center. Art In the Wild is Presented by the Mooney family foundation.

Join instructor Nicole Cassel for a relaxing outdoor Pilates class at Fort Hunter Park. Embrace the serenity of nature and the rejuvenating power of Pilates in our outdoor class! This class is perfect for all fitness levels and offers a refreshing break from the ordinary gym setting. Connect with your body, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of nature. See you on the mat! A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Advance registration is required, space is limited.

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. Participants should be in moderate physical condition and prepared to be physically active. Everything is provided including kayaks, equipment, shuttle, guides, and safety instruction. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Participants must be at least 6 years of age to participate. Participants between ages 6-9 years old must be in a 2-person kayak with a responsible adult. A parent or other responsible adult must participate in the program. No one under the age of 18 can participate without a participating parent, adult family member, or guardian. Adventure Awaits programs are supported by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg Adventure Trail.

Ready to release the stress and tension holding you back? Join us for our "Let EVERYTHING Go!" gentle yoga program, designed to help you unwind, relax, and rejuvenate! Join instructor Erika Malorzo from CommUNITY Yoga Space for a fun mindfulness program on the beautiful grounds of Fort Hunter Park. Let EVERYTHING Go! – Find what feels good to you with mindful movement. In this class, you will breathe, stretch, and gently move in and out of yoga postures. This class is held outdoors at Fort Hunter Park on the West Lawn area by the Fort Hunter Mansion with an inspirational view of the Susquehanna River. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield.

Join Penn State Master Gardeners for a leisurely one-hour stroll to learn about plants in the park. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Gather inspiration for your garden, get your gardening questions answered, and gain unique experiences of your local gardens and county parks. Also learn to ID plants, pollinators, insects, and diseases. The Master Gardeners are trained and knowledgeable and eager to share their knowledge with you. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and presented by Penn State Extension Master Gardeners. Pre-registration required; space is limited. Meet up specifics will be provided via email to registered participants.

Enjoy a moderately paced walk around Wildwood Lake while enjoying the trees and animals at the park. 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.

Learn to make a beautiful green sea turtle mosaic in this workshop hosted by Amanda from Mosaic Montage. This is a beginner-level workshop, no prior experience is needed! During the class, you will get to pick from multiple shades of machine-tumbled stained glass to create your one-of-a-kind decorated sea turtle. You will learn the basics of making a mosaic and about the supplies needed to create your work of art. Since the glass is machine-tumbled, it is sea glass smooth and safe to handle for ages 8 and older. You will be able to take your sea turtle home with you at the end of the class. All materials needed for this workshop will be supplied to you as part of your registration fee. You will be provided with a 10” tall sea turtle cutout that is painted green, water-based glue, and an array of beautiful stained glass pieces to pick from. Class length is approximately 2 hours. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.

Are you ready to laugh your way to wellness? Join us for a unique and joyful experience that combines laughter and yoga to boost your mood and well-being! Join instructor Erika Malorzo from CommUNITY Yoga Space for Laughter Yoga! What to expect at Laughter Yoga: Bring more oxygen to the body and brain, foster positive feelings and energize yourself with laughter. Laughter yoga is a unique concept where anyone can laugh for no reason. It combines laughter exercise and yoga breathing. No yoga experience is necessary. This class will be very interactive and there will be a whole lot of laughing going on. This class will take place outside on the beautiful grounds of Fort Hunter Park overlooking the Susquehanna River.

The sights and sounds of nature inspire music, engineering and art! In this Outdoor Art Girl Scout program, scouts are invited to meet and work with an artist, take a hike to explore designs in nature and then, create their own art as they fulfill requirements for their appropriate badge. Scouts will also examine and discuss Art In The Wild installations crafted by artists and organizations along our trails and contribute to a new all-scout, upcycled bottle-cap mural to be displayed at Wildwood Park. Please bring a drink, snack and lunch. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities in clothes that may get dirty and wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes. Space is limited. Pre-registration required.