Published April 24, 2024
Summer starts early at RiverScape with free festivals, fitness opportunities
Five Rivers MetroParks kicks off festival season this May, along with free fitness opportunities and special events at RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave. in downtown Dayton.
Special events this May include MetroParks’ Passport to MetroParks on Friday, May 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival is an opportunity to preview all the happenings in Five Rivers MetroParks this summer, from cultural festivals to MetroParks’ programs. Learn more at www.metroparks.org/passport.
On Friday, May 17, from 7 to 9 a.m., Five Rivers MetroParks will host its annual National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast. Participants are encouraged to bike to this free, pancake-flipping breakfast featuring live music, a cycling expo and more. Learn more at www.metroparks.org/bikemonth.
MetroParks has free fitness offerings featuring high impact group workouts, mindfully-focused programs and dance fitness. Free fitness classes include Fitness in the Park’s yoga and Zumba classes, which are presented by Kettering Health with additional sponsorship from McGohan Brabender. May’s fitness schedule is:
- Yoga in the Park with Speakeasy Yoga: Saturday, May 11, from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba in the Park with Meghan Millat: Saturday, May 18, from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Bootcamp with The Unit: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (located near the Festival Plaza)
- BootyMix with Amanda Miller Mondays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Tai Chi & Qigong at the River with Immortal Tree Qigong: Tuesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Stay Fit with DCDC: Wednesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Participants should remember to bring their own mat to yoga, in addition to a reusable water bottle to all fitness classes. Registration is not required. Check metroparks.org/programs for the entire fitness schedule.
Other happenings in May at RiverScape MetroPark include:
- Montgomery County Law Enforcement Memorial: Friday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- All-City Arts Festival: Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Fashion Meets Food Truck Rally: Sunday, May 5, from 2 to 7 p.m.
- YMCA Healthy Kids Day: Saturday, May 11, from noon to 4 p.m.
The Fountain Snack Bar will open Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 25 and offer snacks and cool treats, such as ice cream and cold drinks. Hours of operation are:
- Noon to 6 p.m. – Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Noon to 8 p.m. – Tuesdays through Saturdays
The RiverScape Café has a soft opening on Thursday, April 25 and will offer a new menu, including appetizers, flatbreads and desserts. Because RiverScape MetroPark is part of the DORA footprint, visitors can also enjoy a variety of beer, wine and hard seltzers. Hours through May 30 are Thursdays, from 5 to 8 p.m., with additional hours starting June 4.
Because RiverScape MetroPark is included in the Downtown Dayton Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) footprint, people walking in the downtown area are welcome to visit the park with their beverages within the DORA boundary. Learn more about DORA and participating businesses – including RiverScape MetroPark – at www.downtowndayton.org/dora.
The interactive fountains and Five Rivers Fountain of Lights will operate from Memorial Day weekend, May 27, to Labor Day, Sept. 2. The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights operates for 10-minute intervals at the top of the hour during the weekdays from 6:55 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. and during weekends from 10:55 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. Splash in the interactive fountains daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. These features are weather dependent and may close due to inclement weather, including high winds. For a complete list of MetroParks’ closures, please visit metroparks.org/alerts.
Save the date for kayaking rentals provided by Taiters Kayak Solutions beginning June 4. Tuesday, June 4 also kicks off new Tuesday Nights in the Park, which feature a rotating selection of entertainment such as cornhole tournaments, live music and music Bingo.
