Published July 28, 2023
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for August
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, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.
PROGRAMS
Active Outdoors
- Camping Package Rental: Aug 5 at Tecumseh, Geronimo or Little Turtle (Twin Creek MetroPark)
- Kayak 2: River: Aug. 5 – noon to 5 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Passport to Fishing Kit Pick Up: Aug 6 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at multiple locations
- Try Mountain Biking: Aug. 8 – 4 to 7 p.m. at MoMBA
- Youth Mountain Biking Skills Clinic: Aug 10 – 1 to 5 p.m. at MoMBA
- Mountain Bike Experience: Aug. 12 – 10 a.m. to noon at MoMBA
- Family Fishing Day: Aug. 12 – 10 a.m. to noon at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Kayak Under the Fountains: Aug 23 – 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark
- Mountain Bike Experience: Aug. 24 – 6 to 8 p.m. at MoMBA
- Backpacking: An Introduction: Aug. 30 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Fishing 1: Gear: Aug. 31 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
Youth & Family
- Tike Hike: Aug. 10 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark; Aug. 15 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Morning Chores: Aug. 12 – 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Nature Games: Aug. 12 – 3 to 5 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Wetland Exploration: Aug 18 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Pollinator Discovery: Aug. 19 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Creek Guide Training: Aug. 19 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Tree Observer: Aug. 19 – 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Prairie Seed Collecting: Aug. 26 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Ohio’s Fish: Aug. 26 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Creek Exploration: Aug. 26 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sugarcreek MetroPark
Nature Exploration for Adults
- Native Tree ID: Aug. 12 – 9 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Butterflies and Dragonflies : Aug. 12 – 1 to 2 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Morning at Wegerzyn: Aug. 26 – 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
Earth Friendly Living
- Pick Your Own – Flowers, Greens and Herbs: Aug. 5; Aug. 12; Aug. 16; Aug. 19; Aug. 23; Aug. 26; Aug. 30
- Harvesting the Pizza Garden: Let’s Make Sauce: Aug. 18 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Vegetable Garden Visits: The Demonstration Garden: Aug. 24 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
For Everyone
- Paint-A-Park: Aug 6 – 2 to 5 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark
- Children’s Garden Wonders: Animal Homes: Aug. 9 – 2 to 2:45 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
Outdoors and Nature-Based Certifications: For a list of training courses specifically for those in outdoor recreation and education, click here.
SPECIAL EVENTS
SMALL FARM & FOOD FEST
Join us at Carriage Hill MetroPark on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a celebration of healthy eating and sustainable living. Small Farm & Food Fest features hands-on activities for the entire family, a pop-up farmers market and talks on topics that cover everything from bee keeping to home brewing. This event is free and for the entire family. Get the schedule of activities and more here.
This event is sponsored by Edible Ohio Valley and Apple Farm Service.
LAST CALL FOR FREE FESTIVALS, SUMMER MUSIC
Island MetroPark welcomes the two-day African American Cultural Festival starting Saturday, Aug. 19. From noon to 8 p.m., visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities, food vendors, entertainment and more.
The Summer Music Series, presented by Enterprise Roofing, continues at RiverScape MetroPark starting on First Friday, Aug. 4 with the Dayton Salsa Project, with a special dance lesson led by Chevere LF Dance Studio. Free concerts resume on Thursdays the following week, Aug. 10, with Happy Hours from 5 to 7 p.m.
Kayak rentals hosted by Taiter’s Kayak Solutions continue in August and are available on Tuesdays (2 to 6 p.m.), Thursdays (4 to 8 p.m.) and during select special events through September (weather dependent).
Most fitness offerings at RiverScape wind down after August, with limited offerings in September and October. Visit MetroParks’ blog for all of August’s dates.
The Fountain Snack Bar, RiverScape Café, Five Rivers Fountain of Lights and Interactive Fountains all end operation after Labor Day so be sure to visit to cool down with a splash and some ice cream.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK
The 2nd Street Market is celebrating National Farmer’s Market Week (Aug. 6 through Aug. 12) with the first of four seasonal Sunset at the Market events. On Aug. 10, from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m., visitors have the chance to enjoy the market after-hours. Grab dinner and dessert from your favorite vendors, pick up produce, flowers, gifts and more. You can even grab a drink at a local spot to sit and enjoy at the Market, as it is a part of the DORA footprint.
During National Farmer’s Market Week, visitors can also enjoy Music at the Market and lend their creativity to a community art project. A gratitude quilt will be created by guests to be hung in the Market.
Learn more about everything happening at the Market this August.
Programs at the 2nd Street Market are sponsored by Dayton Children’s.
SERVICE SATURDAYS
Service Saturdays are perfect volunteer opportunities for those who are on a schedule and have a few hours of weekend availability.
Spend your Saturday morning giving back to the community and the planet while also meeting new people and building your outdoor skills. Services Saturdays are every third Saturday through October, from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up by visiting MetroParks’ Get Connected site.
Monthly must-do in your MetroParks
- Make a final splash: Visit the Children’s Discovery Gardens at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, the Interactive Fountains at RiverScape MetroPark or the splashpad at Island MetroPark to make one final splash this summer. All these water features close Labor Day, so be sure to get out & cool off while you can.
- Look up on a clear night: There are quite a few things to spot in the clear night sky this month including two supermoons and the Perseids, the brightest meteor shower of the year. Camp out in a MetroPark or in your back yard to see if you can spot a shooting star.
- Visit a veggie garden: See what’s in season by visiting the demonstration garden at Possum Creek MetroPark or Skeeter’s Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. You can also check out heirloom veggies at Carriage Hill MetroPark’s historical garden, which is adjacent to the farmhouse.
Sustainability Tip:
A plant-rich diet has a lower carbon footprint, but meat and dairy can certainly be a part of a healthy, climate-conscious diet. How? Shop local and be sure to opt for less processed food. Learn more supporting local, regenerative agriculture and find resources in sustainability manager, Tim Prichard’s, monthly guest blog.
August Challenge: Pack it out!
Your Five Rivers MetroParks asks that all visitors follow Leave No Trace in its parks, a series of seven principles that ensure everyone leaves nature better than they found it. You can help us keep your MetroParks beautiful by picking up one piece of garbage you see along the trails or waterways.
Picking up waste safely is a small gesture that can make a big impact for surrounding plant and wildlife. Learn more about Leave No Trace.
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.
