MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for March

Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to life-long 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

For Everyone

• EcoTalk: Wildlife Interactions with Recreation Trails: Mar. 12 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark

Active Outdoors

• Hiking for Older Adults: Mar. 5 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
• Youth Trot English Horseback Riding Lessons: Mar. 5 – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
• Dayton Backpacker Campfire: Winter Backpacking in South Carolina: Mar. 6 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Try Winter Hiking: Mar. 8 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark*
• Try Backpacking: Mar. 9 – 10 a.m. to noon at Sugarcreek MetroPark*
• Bicycle Touring in the Miami Valley: Mar. 11 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Filleting Fish: Mar. 12 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Women’s Backpacking 1: Mar. 21 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
• Backpacking 1: Mar. 17 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
• River Van Access Tour: Twin Creek: Mar. 31 – 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark

Youth & Family

• Woodland Adventure: Mar. 8 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Englewood MetroPark
• Observing Nature’s Changes: Mar. 8 – 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
• Tike Hike: Mar. 12 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Englewood MetroPark
• Greenhouse Transplanting: Mar. 15 – 3 to 5 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Woodcock Walk: Mar. 15 – 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark**
• Tike Hike: Mar. 21 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark**
• Story Time: Spring: Mar. 21 – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the 2nd Street Market
• Signs of Spring: Mar. 22 – 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Taylorsville MetroPark**
• Beaver Search: Mar. 22 – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
• Become a Gardener: Mar. 29 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Woodcock Exploration: Mar. 29 – 8 to 9 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark**

Adult Nature Exploration

• Owl Walk: Mar. 8 – 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark**
• Spring Photos of the Garden: Mar. 22 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
• Woodcock Watch: Mar. 22 – 8 to 9 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark**

Earth Friendly Living

• Shrubs in the Landscape: When You Need a Change: Mar. 15 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
• Basic Blacksmithing: Mar. 15 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
• Compost Kitchen: Mar. 20 – 6 to 8 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
• Seed Starting: Mar 28 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the 2nd Street Market

*Program helps you complete a MetroParks Trails Challenge trail

**Program helps you complete a MetroParks Birding Challenge task

SPECIAL EVENTS

MetroParks Birding Challenge takes flight

Explore the wild, winged world of birds and contribute to important science for a chance to win cool prizes with MetroParks’ first-ever Birding Challenge. You can pick and choose from 30 tasks that take you from the parks to your backyard and encourage you to observe, create and collaborate.

• Tasks can be completed on your own time and at your own pace – and you have now through Nov. 9, 2025 to complete as many tasks as you wish.
• Tasks are suited for those of all skill levels. Complete just six tasks to quality for an official MetroParks Birding Challenge sticker and entry to win bird-themed prizes.
• Visit the MetroParks Birding Challenge webpage to register and find resources that will help you get started.

Participation is free for those of all ages. Learn more.

Help name our new Animal Ambassador

The newest addition to MetroParks’ Animal Ambassador team needs a name and you are invited to help! This little screech owl was rescued by Animal Care Alliance in Richmond, Indiana with incurable injuries to her left eye, which eventually had to be removed. She is fully flighted and is adapting to her new enclosure nicely. She is a second year bird which means she hatched last year. She is still a little wild yet but is calm and curious when on the hand and will be a beautiful addition to our education program. She lives at Germantown MetroPark under the care of our incredible education staff and volunteers.

Over the past few weeks, the public has made naming suggestions and MetroParks staff have collected their favorites. You can vote for your favorite name between now and Mar. 7.

The Adventure Speaker Series continues

Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University have partnered to offer four presentations meant to inspire a sense of adventure in outdoor enthusiasts of all interests. There are two final Adventure Speaker Series engagements during March from local adventurers.

These special talks are select Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. The schedule is:

• If Not Now…When?

Speakers: Uriah Langmeyer and Leolani Stanley

Wednesday, March 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wright State University’s Student Union

• Extended Travel

Speakers: Mike and Dani Mortell

Wednesday, March 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wright State University’s Student Union

Adopt-A-Park registration now open

Lend a helping hand and celebrate Earth Day during Five Rivers MetroParks’ largest annual day of service, Adopt-A-Park, on April 26. From invasive species removal to litter pick up, MetroParks staff need helping hands to beautify the parks and protect the region’s natural heritage.

Register as an individual, family, community group or with a friend by visiting MetroParks’ volunteer site, Get Connected.

Adopt-A-Park is sponsored by Montgomery County Environmental Services/Keep Montgomery County Beautiful and QEI Engineers.

Spring community, wellness and family activities at the 2nd Street Market

This March, the 2nd Street Market celebrates World Down Syndrome Day with a weekend of activities including arts and crafts, live music, community partners and speakers from Mar. 21 to Mar. 23.

Additionally, the Market continues to offer free community wellness programs on Fridays and live music on weekends. Gear up for Earth Month in April with programs that focus on sustainability, such as DIY Rain Collection Assembly Workshop on Sunday, Mar. 16 and Let’s Talk Electric Vehicles on Mar. 15.

For a complete list of 2nd Street Market happenings, sign up for its monthly email or visit its webpage.

MONTHLY MUST-DOS IN YOUR METROPARKS

Spring ephemerals: From winter aconite to lenten rose, there are plenty of later-winter and early-spring blooms in your MetroParks. Head to Aullwood Garden and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks to see what pops of color you can find along the trails and in the garden beds.

Explore the paved trails: Get ready for Bike Month this May by exploring the regions extensive network of paved trails – the nation’s largest paved trail network. Whether you are cycling, walking or jogging, there are sections of paved trails in your Five Rivers MetroParks and beyond. See the MetroParks Trails Challenge Trails Log for suggestions on where to start and check off trails while you embark on adventures.

Discover history: There are many places to explore local history in your MetroParks, including Possum Creek MetroPark’s Argonne Forest. You can still find traces of what used to be the 200-acre Argonne Forest amusement park. Interpretive signs help guide you through its nearly 100-year history. Hike the purple trail loop, which begins at the trail head at the Argonne Forest parking lot.

SUSTAINABILITY TIP – Think green while you clean!

Spring is the perfect occasion for a household reset after the long winter months. With a little extra effort, you can have a large impact on the planet if you dispose of household waste properly – especially hazardous materials, such as chemicals, paint and beyond. Learn how to clean green this spring by visiting MetroParks’ blog, ParkWays Online.

MARCH CHALLENGE – Get muddy!

Spring often means wet trails in southwestern Ohio. You can help Leave No Trace by hiking through the mud, as walking around mud on the trail is detrimental to vegetation and habitat adjacent to the trail. On incredibly muddy days, opt to hike on the paved trails if you are trying to avoid mud. Learn more.

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 MetroParks’ online calendar to check the status of a program or event before attending.