Parks and Recreation Events

 Visit Fort Hunter Mansion for a stunning sunset tour and see the house aglow by the warm afternoon sun. After your tour, enjoy freshly poured mocktails and a plate of sweet and savory snacks while watching the sun set over the Susquehanna River. Tours are limited and available by reservation only. 

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 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 and discover the art of natural potpourri making, designed for all skill levels. Dive into the world of fragrances as you learn to blend dried flowers, herbs and essential oils to create your own unique mix to take home and enjoy. Workshop limited to 25 participants. Pre-registration required.

Join Volunteers Rick and Peggy Price for this early September evening walk. The walk will begin at the South Lot and continue down the Towpath Trail. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration required.

Design and decorate a fall wreath base out of bamboo. Everything will be supplied to make a your custom-sized wreath base and then embellish it with decorations from nature, including dried flowers, grasses and seed pods. Participants may bring additional items and ribbon. Pre-registration required.

Saturday, September 7 3:00 – 8:00 pm Sunday, September 8 3:00 – 8:00 pm Fort Hunter Park $60 in advance – good for BOTH days $75 at the gate – good for BOTH days Jazz up your weekend! Join us for the 17th Annual Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival at beautiful Fort Hunter Park as we welcome national bands, wine tasting by PA wineries & more! Presented by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. This year’s entertainers include: Nathan Mitchell, Vincent Ingala, Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO), Four80East featuring JJ Sansaverino and Art Sherrod, Jr., Jacob Webb & Phylicia Rae and the FAME Jazz Ensemble! Browse among a gathering of Central Pennsylvania's top wineries, craft, and food vendors.

This adventurous wellness program is geared for those interested in climbing but never have, have climbed in the gym, or are new to outdoor climbing. Rock climbing and rappelling sessions can be adjusted to any difficulty level to satisfy your enjoyment in a beginner-friendly environment.

Join a Naturalist near Heckton Church along the River for an afternoon of Monarch Tagging. Learn about Monarch Watch and Project Monarch Health, annual community science efforts to help track Monarch Butterfly migrations and population trends. Try your luck with a butterfly net and get a chance to tag a butterfly with a unique round sticker. The program is for children or adults. This program is part of the Park Rx series of programs sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration required.

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.