Published January 17, 2024
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for February
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
- Dayton Backpacker Campfire Series: Feb. 1 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Learn to Skate: Children’s Course: Feb. 4 – 11 to 11:30 a.m. at RiverScape MetroPark
- Learn to Skate: Youth Course: Feb. 4 – 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark
- Learn to Skate: Teen/Adult Course: Feb. 4 – 12:20 to 12:50 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark
- Adult Fly Tying Course: Feb. 15 – 6 to 8 p.m. at MetroParks’ Main Office
Youth & Family
- Become an Ornithologist: Feb. 3 – 10 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Life of a Log: Feb. 3 – 2 to 3 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Tike Hike: Feb. 7 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- The Great Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 10 – 10 a.m. to noon at Germantown MetroPark
- Beaver Seach: Feb. 10 – 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Storytime Under the Snow: Feb. 16 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
- Great Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 17 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Conservation History: Feb. 17 – 3 to 5 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Tike Hike: Feb. 22 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Taylorsville MetroPark
- Forest Bird Search: Feb. 24 – 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark
- Youth Scientist Exploration – iNaturalist: Feb. 24 – 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
Adult Nature Exploration
- Winter Tree ID: Feb. 10 – 1 to 4 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Owls of Ohio: Feb. 10 – 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Early Spring Witch Hazel Walk: Feb. 17 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Photo Composition: Putting the Pieces into Place: Feb. 24 – 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Earth Friendly Living
- Vegetable Garden Boot Camp: Feb. 3 – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Get Your Potted Plants Ready for Spring: Feb. 9 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the 2nd Street Market
- Flower Garden Boot Camp: Feb. 10 – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Quilt As You Go: Tote Bag: Feb. 10 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- From Hoghouse to Smokehouse: Traditional Butchering Demonstration: Feb. 17 & Feb. 18 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Out With the Old: Ravel and Reuse: Feb. 24 – 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
For Everyone
- Paint-A-Park: Feb. 4 – 2 to 5 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark
Teacher and Educator Programs: For a list of programs and opportunities for classroom educators, click here and sign up for MetroParks’ educator newsletter and Facebook group.
Outdoor and Nature-Based Certifications: For a list of trainings specifically for those in outdoor recreation and education, click here.
SPECIAL EVENTS
THE ADVENTURE SUMMIT
A biennial celebration of outdoor culture, skill and experience, The Adventure Summit is Friday, Feb. 9, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Wright State University Student Union.
The Adventure Summit features more than 40 presentations, demonstrations, an outdoor adventure expo, clinics and competitions. Admission and parking are free.
The three featured presentations are:
- Breaking Barriers: To the Top of Everest and Beyond by Eddie Taylor
- A Journey of Illumination by Paddling into the Heart of America by Neal Moore
- Joy Drive: An Intergenerational Adventure to Every U.S. National Park by Dr. Brad Ryan with special appearance by Grandma Joy
The Adventure Summit is a co-production of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University. The event is presented by Wagner Subaru, with additional support provided by Bonbright Distributers, Great Lakes Brewing Co. and Explorer Chick Adventure Co.
VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE METROPARKS ICE RINK & 2ND STREET MARKET
Surprise your sweetheart, best friend or family with a MetroParks Ice Rink experience this Valentine’s Day. Special skating opportunities include reduced admission, Sweetheart Skate packages and more.
- New this year! Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. Galentine’s Day Skate, 50% off admission and skate rental.
- Valentine’s Day Skates are from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, and Thursday, Feb. 15. Admission is buy-one, get-one free and includes a box of Winans Chocolates.
- From Feb. 16 to Feb. 18, visitors can enjoy a Sweetheart Skate Special, which includes admissions, skate rental and hot cocoa for two, in addition to a box of Winans Chocolates, all for $20. Available while supplies last; special hours apply.
Enjoy a Valentine’s Day date night during Valentine’s Dine & Skate on Wednesday, Feb. 14, starting with skating to your favorite love songs at the MetroParks Ice Rink, from 4 to 6 p.m. Next, head to the 2nd Street Market for an intimate, seated four-course meal provided by Vegan It Iz Eats from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Entertainment provided by Jimmy Pepper Magician.
Registration includes two skate admissions and skate rental. Dinner includes four courses with beverages (plant-based, allergy-friendly meal). Space is limited; registration is required. $50/person.
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 and holidays, such as Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day.
Family Day Skates are on select Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Each has a family friendly theme with additional off-the-ice activities for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, themed skates are on select Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m. and include special music selections, photo ops and contests.
- Friday, Jan. 26: Cosmic Skate
- Friday, Feb. 9: Swiftie Skate
- Friday, Feb. 16: I Love Boy Bands Skate
- Sunday, Feb. 25: Penguin Party
- Friday, March 1: Disco Skate
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.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT THE 2ND STREET MARKET
February is Black History Month, and the 2nd Street Market will host special programs that invite the public to celebrate with a Market Evening of Love Celebrating Black Culture during Sunset at the Market. On Thursday, Feb. 8, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. the Market will be open for dinner, shopping and the Distinguished Gentleman will present dance performance “Black History in Motion.”
Check out all the Market’s events, including additional programs that celebrate Black History Month.
Programs at the 2nd Street Market are sponsored by Dayton Children’s.
Monthly must-dos in your MetroParks:
- Winter garden park surprises: Head to Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark this February to see what late winter’s colors look like. There’s something green to spot year-round, but winter witch hazel also should be bursting with warm color later in the month.
- Gal pals in the great outdoors: Invite the awesome ladies in your life out for a Galentine’s Day adventure this month. Head out for a hike, visit the adorable animals at Carriage Hill or , or snap a selfie on top of the Tree Tower at Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
- Check for tracks in the snow: When it snows, head to your favorite park – or even your back yard – to see what tracks are left in the snow. Check out the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ field guides to help you identify the tracks you come across.
Sustainability Tip: Celebrate soup season by saving your scraps
It may be soup season, but every season is the right time to be mindful of food waste. Indeed, food waste is one of the largest contributors to the landfill, with 38% of all food in America being tossed, according to Feeding America.
Before you compost your scraps, collect what you can to make a from-scratch soup stock for your next winter recipe. Here’s a Tasty recipe for a basic veggie stock using scraps.
February Challenge: Register for the MetroParks Trails Challenge
The 2024 MetroParks Trails Challenge kicks off on Feb. 1, with a host of 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 at metroparks.org/trailschallege and download OuterSpatial to use the mobile app to check off trails as you go on your mobile device. The MetroParks Trails Challenge is presented by Huffy.
