Parks and Recreation Events

Wildwood Park Free Join Catherine Scott with the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, for an evening lecture on how to start composting at home. She’ll provide you with tips and tricks for reducing your household food waste and turning it into usable, biodiverse soil. Joining her will be Jil Strang, owner of DigMyEarth composting facility, located in Susquehanna Township, who will talk about commercial composting and the variety of services they offer. This is the first lecture in our Summer Sustainable Living Series which will focus this year on Sustainably Grown Food. Program will occur entirely outdoor, meet in the Olewine Pavilion. Pre-registration required.

Detweiler Park Free x Join Penn State Master Gardeners for a leisurely one-hour stroll to learn about plants in the park. A short presentation related to what we will be seeing will precede the walk. Participants can choose to walk only a portion. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and supported by UPMC. Pre-registration is required.

In June, mulberries will be ripe for the picking. These delicious berries are not just a favorite of songbirds, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks and squirrels—humans enjoy them, too. Take a walk with a Naturalist along the Towpath Trail sampling these berries at the North and South Parking Lots. Meet at the South Lot trailhead. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration required.

Fort Hunter Park Free Enjoy a movie night outdoors under the stars at Fort Hunter Park. The whole family is sure to love “Minions The Rise of Gru.” The Friends of Fort Hunter will operate a concession stand with movie snacks and drinks. Series sponsor: Renewal by Andersen of Central PA Supporting sponsor: Dauphin County Drug & Alcohol Services

Want to know more about stained-glass? Join Philadelphia native, Ashly Cabrera, for a beginners-stained glass workshop. Ashly will provide the equipment, materials and colored glass needed to design your own hummingbird suncatcher. Workshop is limited to 9 participants and includes staggered 2-hour timeslots. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required.

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

Fort Hunter Mansion $5 per person 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. This tour is best suited for the young (ages 5-12) and young at heart who want to have fun and enjoy learning.

Fort Hunter Park $25 in advance | $35 at the door Enjoy a beautiful day along the Susquehanna River and celebrate all that Pennsylvania has to offer. The day will be filled with music performed by several amazing bands who got their start right here in Pennsylvania – The Badlees, Jeffrey Gaines, Mountain Road, Pentagon, Devix, and The Cheddar Boys! There will be an abundance of tempting tastes and treats. Savor locally sourced foods from some fabulous vendors and food trucks that will be available for purchase while enjoying the upbeat sounds of top-notch musicians here at scenic Fort Hunter Park. Wine, Craft Beer, and Distilled Spirits will be available to taste and for purchase showcasing some of the best products from across the state. Sip your favorites as you also enjoy a fine gathering of craft vendors with unique items for every style. Each guest will receive a Proudly PA! souvenir glass at the event. Your passport to a perfect day in PA!

Fort Hunter Mansion $10 per person Enjoy a tour of the historic Fort Hunter Mansion followed by a stroll to the McAllister Family Cemetery. Join us at the Mansion at 1 p.m. to learn about the McAllister family and the beautiful building they called home. After a complimentary snack and comfort break, the group will take a 20-minute walk to the McAllister Family Cemetery.

Join Penn State Master Gardeners for a leisurely one-hour stroll to learn about the plants and flowers that are part of the Five Senses Garden along the Capital Area Greenbelt in Harrisburg. Parking is available at the trailhead at PA-441 (S. 28th Street at Dauphin Manor Drive). A handicapped parking area and access ramp are located behind the McDonald’s off Paxton Street. Participants should use these parking areas and walk over using the safety crossing. Participants will meet up at the kiosk in the garden.