Updated July 26, 2024
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for August
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
- Stand Up Paddleboarding 1: Aug. 1 – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- ACA Kayak Instructor Level 1 Certification: Aug. 2 –9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Try Paddlesports: Aug. 5 — 4 to 7 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Try Mountain Biking: Aug. 6 – 4 to 7 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 2: Lake: Aug. 8 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 2: Wading and Reading Water: Aug. 18 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Backpacking 1: Aug. 20 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Flatwater Float: Aug. 22 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 3: River: Aug. 24 – 9 a.m. to noon at Eastwood MetroPark
Youth & Family
- Morning Chores: Aug. 10 – 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Trees & Our Climate: Aug. 10 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Tike Hike: Aug. 14 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Englewood MetroPark
- Butterflies and Dragonflies: Aug. 17 – 1 to 2 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Creek Guide Training: Aug. 17 – 4 to 6 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Spider Search and Identification: Aug. 17 – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Radio Telemetry: Aug. 24 – 2 to 4 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Creek Fun: Aug. 24 – 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Wesleyan MetroPark
- Bat Search: Aug. 24 – 8 to 9 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Tike Hike: Aug. 28 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Pollinator Discovery: Aug. 31 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Prairie Seed Collecting: Aug. 31 – 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
Adult Nature Exploration
- Photography Scavenger Hunt: Aug. 4 – 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Walk with the Horticulturist: Late Summer Garden Changes: Aug. 7 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Visit The Past: Taylorsville CCC Shelter: Aug. 10 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Taylorsville MetroPark
- Insect ID and Behavior: Aug. 10 – 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Family Caregiver Nature Walk: Aug. 13 – 11 a.m. to noon at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Tour Aullwood: Aug. 14 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Aullwood Garden MetroPark
- Moth Trapping: Aug. 23 – 8 to 10 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Beaver Watch: Aug. 23 – 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
Earth Friendly Living
- Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: Aug. 7 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Transition Garden: Summer to Fall: Aug. 9 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
- Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: Aug. 14 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Landscape Lessons: Placing Natives in the Landscape: Aug. 17 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
For Everyone
- Paint-A-Park: Aug. 3 – 3 to 5 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark
- Paint-A-Park: Aug. 4 – 2 to 5 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
SPECIAL EVENTS
Small Farm & Food Fest
Join us for Small Farm & Food Fest at Carriage Hill MetroPark on Saturday, Aug. 3, 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 healthy eating, farming, homesteading and sustainable living. Various food trucks will be on site. This event is free and for the entire family. Get the schedule of activities and more here.
Small Farm & Food Fest is supported by media sponsor Edible Ohio Valley, and sponsored by Apple Farm Service.
Celebrate National Farmer’s Market Week
The 2nd Street Market is celebrating National Farmer’s Market Week (Aug. 4 through Aug. 10) with a special Sunset at the Market. On Thursday, Aug. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., visitors can shop a variety of vendors, including all your favorite permanent vendors, as well as enjoy food tastings and demos, workshops, pop-up vendors, and musical entertainment.
Learn more about the schedule of entertainment and activities at MetroParks.org.
August at RiverScape MetroPark
African American Cultural Festival
The 18th annual Dayton African American Cultural Festival is a two-day, family event which celebrates the richness of African American culture. This year, the festival will be held at RiverScape MetroPark, on Saturday, Aug. 17, from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 18, from noon to 6 p.m.
Summer Concerts and Tuesday Nights in the Park
RiverScape Summer Music is sponsored by Jack W. & Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation and Enterprise Roofing.
- Pickin’ in the Park featuring Whiskey Bent Valley Boys & My Brother’s Keeper: Aug 2 – 6 to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday Night Cornhole Tournament: Aug 6 – 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Rock/Americana Night featuring Ludlow Creek: Aug 8 – 7 to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday Night with Patrick Arnold: Aug 13 – 7 to 9 p.m.
- Big Band Night featuring Central Jazz Big Bandgo: Aug 15 – 7 to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday Night Music BINGO: Aug 20 – 7 to 9 p.m.
- 80s Night featuring Retrobution: Aug 23 – 7 to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday Night with Reyna Spears: Aug 27 – 7 to 9 p.m.
- Funk/R&B Night featuring Big Gil & His Funky All-Stars: Aug 29 – 7 to 9 p.m.
August Fitness in the Park
All classes are free and no registration is required. Fitness in the Park is presented by Kettering Health and sponsored by McGohan Brabender.
- Yoga in the Park with Tori Reynolds from Speakeasy Yoga: Aug. 3 – 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba in the Park with Meghan Millat: Aug. 10 – 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba in the Park with Meghan Millat: Aug. 24 – 10 to 11 a.m.
- Yoga in the Park with Tori Reynolds from Speakeasy Yoga: Aug. 31 – 10 to 11 a.m.
Protect your MetroParks
For more than 60 years, Five Rivers MetroParks has been connecting people with nature by providing clean, safe outdoor spaces that support the public’s physical, emotional and mental health. Help your MetroParks protect the region’s natural heritage and keep its facilities up-to-date, safe and open by:
- Volunteering with Five Rivers MetroParks
- Learning more about your Five Rivers MetroParks on November’s ballot
- Becoming a MetroParks Champion
Monthly Must Dos in MetroParks
Plan a camping trip: There’s still time this summer to schedule a low-cost, family-friendly activity. Find a campsite at your favorite MetroPark and sleep under the stars. MetroParks also has trailside camp sites that are designed to support travelers hiking, cycling or paddling through the region who need a simple place to camp as they continue along their journey. Learn more and reserve a campsite at metroparks.org/reservations.
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 and cool off while you can.
See the stars: Stargazing is a great way to spend your summer nights and your MetroParks are open until 10 p.m. every night, making them the perfect place to look at the night sky. See if you can spot the summer constellations – Aquila, Cygnus, Lyra, Sagittarius, Scorpius, Ophiuchus and Hercules – or the Perseids, the brightest meteor shower of the year.
Sustainability Tip: Shop at farmer’s markets.
National Farmers Market week from Aug. 4 – Aug. 10, making now a great time to support farmer’s markets in the area. Shopping local is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and can be a fun way to spend a weekend morning. The 2nd Street Market’s Outdoor Market is open every weekend through October.
August Challenge: Capture the late summer blooms.
The leaves will start changing before we know it, so take this chance to see what blooms in the late summer. While you’re exploring your favorite MetroPark, capture the moment by drawing the wildlife you see, taking pictures of a gorgeous sunset or painting the park.
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.
