Published February 14, 2024
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for March
Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month.
Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
PROGRAMS
Active Outdoors
- Youth Intro Canter English Horseback Riding Lessons: March 2 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Wilderness First Aid: March 2 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Vaulting Lessons: March 3 – 10:45 a.m. to noon at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Vaulting Lessons – Beginner: March 3 – 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Vaulting Lessons – Intermediate: March 3 – 2 to 3:15 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Wilderness First Responder: March 4 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Youth Advanced Canter English Horseback Riding Lessons: March 5 – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Adult Intro to Trot English Horseback Riding Lessons: March 5 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Youth Beginner English Horseback Riding Lessons: March 6 – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Youth Trot English Horseback Riding Lessons: March 6 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Youth Beginner English Horseback Riding Lessons: March 7 – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Dayton Backpacker Campfire: El Camino de Santiago: March 7 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Hiking for Older Adults: Englewood: March 13 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark
- Wilderness Medicine Open Recertification: March 15 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Filleting Fish: March 16 – 9 to 11 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- River Access Van Tour: Twin Creek: March 20 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Bicycle Touring in the Miami Valley: March 26 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- What’s This in My Tackle Box?: March 28 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office
Youth & Family
- Woodland Adventure: March 2 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Tike Hike: March 7 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Waterfowl Exploration: March 9 – 10 a.m. to noon at Englewood MetroPark
- Unraveling Plant’s Changing Stories: Project Budburst: March 9 – 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark
- Tike Hike: March 15 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Family Story Time: For the Birds!: March 15 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
- Become a Gardener: March 16 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Woodcock Exploration: March 16 – 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Woodcock Walk: March 22 – 8 to 9 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Journey Back in Time: March 23 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Signs of Spring: March 23 – 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Greenhouse Transplanting: March 23 – 5 to 7 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Adult Nature Exploration
- Owls and Star Walk: March 22 – 8 to 10 p.m. at Twin Creek MetroPark
- Animal Tracking & Radio Telemetry: March 23 – 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Woodcock Watch: March 23 – 8 to 9 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Waterfowl Fieldtrip: March 25 — 1 to 5 p.m. at Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office
- Practice Makes Perfect: March 30 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Earth Friendly Living
- Early Spring Garden Prep: March 2 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring: March 2 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring Guided Tour: March 2 – 11 a.m. to noon at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring Guided Tour: March 2 – 1 to 2 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring: March 3 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Spring Color in the Garden: March 9 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring: March 9 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring Guided Tour: March 9 – 11 a.m. to noon at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring Guided Tour: March 9 – 1 to 2 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Maple Sugaring: March 10 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- DIY Rain Collection Barrel Assembly Workshop: March 17 – 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
- Compost Kitchen: March 21 – 6 to 8 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
For Everyone
- Paint-A-Park: March 3 – 2 to 5 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Conservation Season Opener: March 5 – 5 to 7 p.m. at Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office
- Spring Scavenger Hunt: March 30 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
Special Events:
LAST CHANCE TO SKATE
The 2023-2024 skating season will be over before you know it! Be sure to visit during daily hours of operation until March 1.
The last evening of skating for the season is Friday, March 1, and will be the last themed skate, Disco Skate. Themed skate nights include special music selections, photo ops and contests.
The MetroParks Ice Rink is sponsored by PNC; MSD; media sponsor WKEF22/FOX45; Butler Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing; USI Insurance Services; Ed Smith Flowers; and Winans Chocolates + Coffees.
TRAILS CHALLENGE REMINDER
The 2024 MetroParks Trails Challenge started on Feb. 1, with many new trails to hike, cycle, walk, run, mountain bike and horseback ride. Check off trails on your own time and at your own pace for the chance to win awesome prizes.
Register today at metroparks.org/trailschallege and download OuterSpatial to use the mobile app to check off trails as you go on your mobile device. The 2024 MetroParks Trails Challenge is presented by Huffy, with additional support by Dayton Children’s, Wright State University and Miller Valentine Construction.
MARCH AT THE MARKET
Spend the weekend at the 2nd Street Market this March. Kick off the month by attending a Coffee Talk on March 1, during which participants can sample and learn about six kinds of coffee from six different islands. Join Andrew Fisher from Good Hands Bread on March 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., to learn about Benefits of Whole Grain Bread. Also on March 10, join Drive Electric Dayton for Let’s Talk Electric Cars. Participate in a DIY Rain Collection Barrel Assembly Workshop on March 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., hosted by Montgomery Soil and Water Conservancy District and Dayton Urban Green. Grab your family and wrap up the month with a Spring Scavenger Hunt around the Market on March 30.
SAVE THE DATE FOR ADOPT-A-PARK
Adopt-A-Park, MetroParks’ annual Earth Day celebration, will be Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers of all ages, accessibility levels and backgrounds will tackle dozens of projects in different natural areas. View available projects and sign up at metroparks.org/adopt beginning March 1.
Sponsored by Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful and QEI Engineers.
Monthly must-do in your MetroParks:
- Celebrate spring by searching for blooms: With the weather warming up, more plants are starting to bloom. Head to your favorite MetroPark to see what spring colors you can find.
- Watch for migrating birds: Spring is the prime season to catch a glimpse of migrating birds, with most spring bird migration occurring between mid-February and April. Birdwatchers should check out the wildlife viewing area at Englewood MetroPark, where the plentiful fish populations attract many feathered friends.
- See what’s biting in our ponds: A relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors, observe nature and unplug with your family, fishing provides an opportunity to slow down and find peaceful moments near the water. If you’re wanting to fish this spring, here are five places in the MetroParks you can do so without a license.
Sustainability Tip:
The official first day of spring is March 19, but spring cleaning can begin at any time. As you create tidy, healthy living spaces, there are several ways to reduce your impact on the environment with just a little extra effort.
Read more green spring cleaning tips.
March challenge: Participate in Global Day of Unplugging
Smartphone access – especially social media usage – has had an increasingly large effect on people of all ages. If you are someone who reaches for their phone multiple times throughout the day, consider committing to the Global Day of Unplugging.
This year, the Global Day of Unplugging is March 1, 2024. Take a 24-hour break from screens and spend time outdoors and with your friends and family. Visit the 2nd Street Market for a Coffee Talk or go to the Disco Skate at the MetroParks Ice Rink. You can also spend this time hiking your favorite trail or discovering a new one with the MetroParks Trails Challenge.
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.
