Parks and Recreation Events

Fort Hunter Park Cost: $5 per person Join instructors Sandy Johnson & Charisee Grayer from Zoombalicious for a fun night of dancing! An outdoor Zumba class is a fun and energetic way to get your heart pumping while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. You'll dance to upbeat music and follow along with choreographed moves that will work your entire body. This class is held outdoors at Fort Hunter Park on the lawn in front of the Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter Park. The class is open to adults and children ages 6 and older. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. This is a Park Rx program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and supported by UPMC.

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park $3 per child, chaperones are free Join us on the front stairs of Fort Hunter Mansion every other Wednesday morning this summer for our new series, Stories on the Stairs! Families will enjoy a story on the stairs of the mansion followed by a hands-on activity related to the story. Pre-registration is required.

This adventurous wellness program is geared for those interested in learning how to kayak. Everything is provided including kayaks, equipment, shuttle, guides, paddling, and safety instruction. Enjoy approximately 5 miles of easy paddling for approximately two hours on the normally gentle, tree-lined Swatara Creek! This guided 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. You will be paddling, not just floating, at a leisurely pace during this program. There is a pathway made of pavers that leads you downhill to the entry point on the water. There you will be met by our EZ in EZ out kayak launch. If you need special assistance with this paddle, please contact us directly so we can discuss any accommodations needed for this program. Click on the registration link below for full program details.

Join artist and educator Naomi Spahr for two consecutive Thursday evening workshops. Explore the art of paper making design with natural added materials such as flowers and plants during the first evening. After a week of drying, combine your newly designed pages into a larger project. All materials will be provided. Workshop is limited to 10 participants. Pre-registration required.

Fort Hunter Park Free Join us for a FREE concert at Fort Hunter Park as we welcome the Bavarian Stompers to the stage! We have dinner options too with 1973 Burger Company and dessert with Sarah's Creamery and Penn State Ice Cream. Food Trucks begin serving at 6:00 PM The performance begins at 7:00 PM Each week will highlight local performing arts organizations or an outdoor movie every Friday night from June - August. Pack a picnic basket (or purchase from our food concessions), bring your blankets and your lawn chairs, and enjoy an evening of family fun!

Join us at the Olewine Pavilion to learn macramé, the art of decorative knotting. Fiber artist Lindsey Sansoni will teach a variety of essential knotting techniques and lead you through the creation of a beautiful hand-crafted set of macrame coasters. This is a beginner workshop with no previous experience needed to participate. The workshop fee includes all materials and instruction needed to complete 2 macrame coasters. Timeslots are limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration required.

Join volunteer Jane Earle to view fragrant water lilies, yarrow, white beardtongue, blue-eyed grass and common milkweed. Learn how these and other flowers were named and some of their uses by early settlers and Native Americans. Some trees may be bearing fruit. Meet at the North Lot. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Space is limited. Pre-registration required.

Children ages 6 to 8 will learn about animal adaptations, explore aquatic life in Paxton Creek and enjoy a live animal presentation. Each day will focus on a new, fun topic about plants and animals and include nature themed activities and crafts. Please register for only one week.

Fort Hunter Park – West Lawn $5.00 per person Join Certified Sound Therapist, Matthew Kramer for a Community Sound Meditation. Sound Meditations encourage deep listening practices which can create an ideal entry point for a meditative experience, particularly for anyone who has struggled to embrace more traditional forms of meditation. In the class, we’ll then begin with some gentle breath work and vocalizing, followed by a relaxing journey of various overtone-emitting instruments using the Gong, chimes, drums, rainsticks, rattles, handpan, singing bowls, and others. This experience creates space for deep relaxation, calming of the mind, and empowering positive change within oneself. No experience is necessary! Rain date: Thursday, June 22. This is a Park Rx program sponsored by Highmark and supported by UPMC. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

Join artist and educator Naomi Spahr for two consecutive Thursday evening workshops. Explore the art of paper making design with natural added materials such as flowers and plants during the first evening. After a week of drying, combine your newly designed pages into a larger project. All materials will be provided. Workshop is limited to 10 participants. Pre-registration required.