Published September 26, 2023
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for October
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
- Vaulting 101: Oct. 9 – 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Bicycle Maintenance 1: Oct. 17 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 2: River: Oct. 21 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Bicycle Maintenance 2: Brakes: Oct. 24 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Hiking for Older Adults: Oct. 25 – 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Taylorsville MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 3: Smallmouth Bass: Oct. 28 – 9 a.m. to noon at an offsite location
- Halloween Pony Rides: Oct. 28 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
Youth & Family
- Camping and Hiking: Oct. 5 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Sugarcreek MetroPark
- Morning Chores: Oct. 7 – 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Nighttime Exploration: Oct. 13 – 7 to 8 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Introduction to Project Feederwatch: Oct. 14 – 10 a.m. to noon at Germantown MetroPark
- Creepy Creatures: Oct. 14 – 3 to 4 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Bat Search: Oct. 14 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Birds of Prey: Oct. 17 – 4 to 5 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Fall Tree Identification: Oct. 21 – noon to 2 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Nocturnal Adventure: Oct. 21 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Tike Hike: Oct. 24 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Farm Life: Oct. 25 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Forest Frenzy: Oct. 28 – 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Squirrel Mapper: Oct. 28 – 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Night at Possum Creek: Oct. 28 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Bat Roost Monitoring: Oct. 28 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark
- Falling Leaves: Oct. 30 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Adult Nature Exploration
- Owl Walk: Oct. 6 – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Sugarcreek MetroPark
- Stargazing at Aullwood: Oct. 11 – 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Aullwood Garden MetroPark
- Spider ID and Ecology: Oct. 21 – 10 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Witch Hazel Walk at Wegerzyn: Oct. 28 – 1 to 3 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
For Everyone
- Nature Art: Fall Foliage Lanterns: Oct. 5 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- October EcoTalk: Ohio’s Bat Populations and Maternity Roost: 11 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Family Story Time: Fall Leaves: Oct. 13 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the 2nd Street Market
Special Events
WAGNER SUBARU OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
The Midwest’s premier outdoor adventure festival, produced by Five Rivers MetroParks, is back Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday Oct. 8 at Eastwood MetroPark. The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, presented by Huffy, is FREE and has activities for all ages, skill levels and interests – including the family dog.
Enjoy demos from the pros, try its, live music, food trucks, a used gear area, expo with your favorite retailers, free camping and much more.
Want to experience behind-the-scenes festival fun? Sign up to volunteer at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience.
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is presented by Huffy with additional support from Outside Inc., Mike’s Bike Park, Subaru of America, Greak Lakes Brewery, Fifty West Brewery, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Cyclotherapy, Kayak Coffee, Best Breed and City BBQ.
FALL FAMILY ADVENTURE
Enjoy a free, family friendly magical fall adventure at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark on Oct. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. Learn how animals and plants change in the fall while you enjoy games, crafts, face painting and a yummy marshmallow roast.
Explore the prairie and then hear wonderful tales from a storyteller. You’ll enjoy live music, a magician, meet Animal Ambassadors, learn the secrets of spiders and stroll through the beautiful gardens. Refreshments provided.
Registration is requested; walk ins are welcome.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
You can help make a difference in your Five Rivers MetroParks by lending a help hand to spruce up the parks before the cold weather season on Saturday, Oct. 28. From 9 a.m. to noon, hundreds of volunteers are needed to help with 20 projects across 14 sites in the greater Dayton region.
Volunteer as an individual or with friends, family, coworkers or community group.
Sign up to volunteer during Make a Difference Day.
Make a Difference Day is sponsored by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, CareSource Foundation, Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful and ServeOhio.
LAST CHANCE FOR OUTDOOR MARKET PLUS FALL FUN
October at the 2nd Street Market kicks off with special seasonal Market days including:
- Apple Days: Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Pumpkin Decorating: Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Trick or Treat at the Market: Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The outdoor farmers market ends the last weekend of October, so be sure to enjoy seasonal fare before the cold weather months roll in. 2nd Street Market programs are sponsored by Dayton Children’s.
SPECIAL EVENTS & COMMUNITY FITNESS AT RIVERSCAPE METROPARK
With just a few months until the opening of the MetroParks Ice Rink, RiverScape MetroPark will host a few fall outdoor events, in addition to free community fitness.
Free Bootcamp with the Unit continues through the end of October, with limited dance fitness programs offered through the middle of October.
Monthly must-do in your MetroParks
Leaf peeping: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has reported that fall color is expected to peak in mid-to-late October. Fall color will be on display in every MetroPark; however, MetroParks’ staff highly recommend Hills & Dales, Twin Creek, Germantown, Carriage Hill, Taylorsville and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks.
Fall photo op: Carriage Hill MetroPark is a wonderful destination to capture a casual family photo. Park staff have set up a photo destination outside the historical farm and the colorful barns provide the perfect colorful backdrop for seasonal pics. As a friendly reminder, professional photographers are required to have a special permit.
Slightly spooky hikes: From the remnants of the Argonne Forest Amusement Park at Possum Creek MetroPark to the tower at Hills & Dales MetroPark, there is plenty of eerie history to enjoy in your Five Rivers MetroParks this season. Check out this blog to learn more.
Sustainability Tip: Help keep the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience a waste-free event
Traditionally, festivals are known for the considerable waste they generate. As a conservation agency, your Five Rivers MetroParks strives to keep the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience – and many of its events – waste-free. Plan ahead by bringing a reusable water bottle and making a plan to visit designated waste stations are just a few things you can do to help keep waste out of the landfill.
October Challenge: Turn in your 2023 MetroParks Trails Challenge Log
Whether you’ve checked off all 28 trails or just a handful, the only way for you to win awesome prizes by participating in the 2023 MetroParks Trails Challenge is to submit your Trails Log by Oct. 31. Simply submit your log by visiting metroparks.org/trailschallenge to complete your digital submission.
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.
