Updated February 27th, 2023
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for February
Heads up! This article was last updated 1 year ago.
Welcome MetroParks Monthly, a round up of programs, events and other happenings for February 2023. Whether you are a parent of little ones who love to explore or an outdoor recreationalist looking to build your skills, you’ll find happenings every month just for you in Five Rivers MetroParks.
Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.
Programs:
Outdoor Recreation:
- Adult Fly Tying Course: Feb. 1 – 6 to 8 p.m. Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Backpacking Loops of Ohio: Feb. 2 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Youth & Family:
- Life of a Log: Feb. 4 – 1 to 2 p.m. Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Sleeping Nature: Feb. 4 – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Englewood MetroPark
- Great Backyard Bird Count: 11 – 10 a.m. to noon and Feb. 18 – 10 to 11 a.m. Germantown MetroPark
- Forest Bird Search: Feb. 11 – 2 to 3 p.m. Please note: This program has been moved from Possum Creek to Germantown MetroPark.
- Birds of Prey: Feb. 11 – 6 to 8 p.m. Germantown MetroPark
- Tike Hike: 16 – 10 to 11 a.m. Cox Arboretum MetroPark and Feb. 23 – 10 to 11 a.m. Hills & Dales MetroPark
- iNaturalist: Feb. 18 – 1 to 2 p.m. Sugarcreek MetroPark
- Birds and Community: Feb. 18 – 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Beaver Search: Feb. 25 – 6 to 7 p.m. Possum Creek MetroPark
Earth Friendly Living:
- Fiber Arts Meetup: Feb. 7 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Possum Creek MetroPark
- Compost Kitchen: Feb. 7 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Virtual program
- Garden Boot Camp: Vegetables: Feb 11 – 10 a.m. to noon. Please note: This program has been moved from Possum Creek to Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
Adult Nature Exploration:
- Paint-A-Park: Feb. 5 – 2 to 5 p.m. RiverScape MetroPark
- February EcoTalk: Feb. 8 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Animal Tracking: Feb. 18 – 1 to 3 p.m. Germantown MetroPark
- Owls of Ohio: Feb. 18 – 7 to 9:30 p.m. Germantown MetroPark
- Winter Tree ID Workshop: Feb. 25 – 1 to 4 p.m. Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Owl Walk: Feb. 25 – 6:30 to 8:30 Twin Creek MetroPark
- Nature Close Up: Feb. 26 – 1 to 2:30 p.m. Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Teacher and Educator programs: For a complete list of programs and opportunities specifically for classroom educators, click here and be sure to sign up for MetroParks’ educator newsletter and Facebook group.
Special events:
METROPARKS TRAILS CHALLENGE
It’s back! The MetroParks Trails Challenge invites you to hike, bike, paddle, cycle, mountain bike and horseback ride for your chance to win cool prizes and bragging rights! MetroParks’ outdoor recreation team has selected 28 trails of varying lengths and terrain for you to complete on your own time and at your own pace. See how many trails you can complete before the Challenge ends on Oct. 31, 2023. Register here starting Feb. 1.
THE ADVENTURE SPEAKER SERIES
The Adventure Speaker Series kicks off on Feb. 9 and will feature four incredible tales of exploration from across the globe. Be inspired by local speakers sharing their adventures – and sometimes misadventures – as they bike, paddle and hike some of the world’s greatest trails.
- Thursday, Feb. 9: El Camino de Santiago – Two Styles of Travel by Diana Glawe and Emily Foubert
- Thursday, Feb. 23: Three Months on the North Sea Cycle Route by Tracy Burge
For more dates, check visit www.theadventuresummit.com. The Adventure Speaker Series is a coproduction between Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University.
SPECIAL SKATES
Look for special skating opportunities during the final month of the MetroParks Ice Rink:
- Diva Night is on Friday, Feb. 3 – 7 to 10 p.m.
- Enjoy two holiday skates: Sweetheart Skate deals in honor of Valentine’s Day from Feb. 10 through Feb. 14, in addition to extended skating hours on Presidents Day, Feb. 23 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The month ends with Family Day, the last day to skate at the MetroParks Ice Rink, on Sunday, Feb. 26 – 1 to 5 p.m. Learn more.
Please note: For the duration of the season, the Cafe will be closed during open skate, from 2:30 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT THE MARKET
Celebrate the rich history of Black culture in Dayton during Black History Month at the 2nd Street Market. Enjoy special live music on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to a women’s entrepreneurs panel and regenerative farming programming. Learn more.
Monthly must-do in your MetroParks:
1) Sledding – Are you still hoping for one more big snow? If the Dayton region experiences a snowfall, get out your sleds and head to Germantown, Taylorsville, and Englewood MetroParks.
2) Heart Healthy Trails – February is Heart Month, the perfect time to take steps to improve your cardiovascular health with MetroParks’ Heart Healthy Trails. These trails are shorter, easy to traverse and offer marks along the trails so you can keep your heart rate on track.
3) Nature at Night – While the sun is still setting earlier, take advantage of nature after dark. Get a head lamp or flashlight and explore the sounds of the many habitats in the parks at night. What do you hear? Any of Ohio’s nocturnal animals? Please note: Your MetroParks close at 8 p.m. daily.
Sustainability Tip:
Seal your home for energy savings, indoor air quality and comfort. There are many ways to improve home and building efficiency and comfort, but air sealing is one of the most cost-effective solutions and can be accomplished DIY or by hiring an insulation contractor. Our sustainability manager Tim Pritchard shares more here.
What’s growing:
Be on the lookout for witch hazel and skunk cabbage starting to grow when you visit the parks. Because of the strange weather, maple trees are currently being tapped about two weeks earlier than normal. We are also seeing early spring blooms pop up at Aullwood Garden and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks thanks to the unusual weather. Check out the buds on the trees and plants around you when you’re in the parks – are they waking up?
Sign up for MetroParks’ monthly gardening email newsletter for a deeper look at what’s growing in the parks, gardening tips, programs and more. Follow MetroParks Earth to Table on Facebook for additional gardening tips, recipes and more.
February Challenge: Visit a park that’s new to you!
With 18 clean, safe parks, your Five Rivers MetroParks may have a destination you have yet to visit. Find a park that is new to you by visiting metroparks.org or download MetroParks’ free mobile app. Some of our favorite “hidden gems” are Wesleyan and Possum Creek MetroParks.
Please note: Programs and events with limited capacity may fill quickly; however, in some cases waitlists are available. Please contact 937-275-PARK to inquire about being placed on a waitlist. Additionally, programs may be cancelled due to a variety of reasons – including weather conditions – please check our online calendar to check the status of a program or event before attending.
