Parks and Recreation Events

Spend time outdoors this spring and summer at beautiful Detweiler Park and Lykens Glen Park enjoying "Doe's Dandelions" by Laura Renauld and illustrated by Jennie Poh. Dauphin County Parks and Recreation and Penn State Health are excited to provide a new interactive Storywalk® book selection for the spring and summer seasons.

Visit naturally inspired trailside creations along Wildwood Park’s wandering trails and wetlands. Using mostly natural materials, artists have constructed large and small installations. This year’s theme is “Pathways.” A map-brochure about the exhibit is available online, at the kiosks or inside the Nature Center. Art In the Wild is Presented by the Mooney family foundation.

SOLD OUT - Join us for the Victorian Tea in December. Enjoy an afternoon luncheon tea, an illustrated talk, and a tour of Fort Hunter Mansion. Begin the afternoon with an illustrated presentation, "The First Ladies of the White House,” presented by Dr. Donald Koones. You’ll enjoy a delicious luncheon tea consisting of homemade scones, savory and sweet treats, and unending cups of tea. Unique raffle prizes will be available with raffle tickets ($1 per ticket or $5 for six tickets), with proceeds benefitting The Friends of Fort Hunter. The afternoon will conclude with a walk through the Fort Hunter Mansion.

Join us for some fresh air and time outdoors for a walk at the recently opened Boyd's Park in Susquehanna Township! The Walk With A Doc program is designed to provide some general health information and a moderately-paced walk. This is a FREE walk, but we ask that you pre-register. This walk is appropriate for all ages and children are welcome to attend but should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. The full walk will be approximately 2 miles; however, there is an option to head back earlier if you don’t want to walk the full walk. The walking trail is TSA crushed stone and it is accessible to wheelchairs. The full walk is estimated to take approximately 1-hour based on the pace of the walkers. We encourage you to come out and join the walk for as long or as little as you are able The program topic will be on women’s health and will be led by Dr. Maria Tucker from Penn State Health Women’s Health. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and supported by Penn State Health with program coordination between Penbrook Parks & Recreation, Susquehanna Township Parks and Recreation, Capital Area Greenbelt Association and Dauphin County Parks & Recreation.

Join instructor Nicole Cassel for a relaxing outdoor Pilates class at Fort Hunter Park. Embrace the serenity of nature and the rejuvenating power of Pilates in our outdoor class! This class is perfect for all fitness levels and offers a refreshing break from the ordinary gym setting. Connect with your body, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of nature. See you on the mat! A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Advance registration is required, space is limited.

This adventurous wellness program is geared for those interested in learning how to kayak. Enjoy approximately six miles of easy paddling for approximately two hours on the normally gentle, tree lined Swatara Creek. This guided two-hour evening paddle will let you discover firsthand why many are getting involved in this healthy life-long hobby. Guides will provide kayak skill instruction before and during the trip. Participants should be in moderate physical condition and prepared to be physically active. Everything is provided including kayaks, equipment, shuttle, guides, and safety instruction. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Participants must be at least 6 years of age to participate. Participants between ages 6-9 years old must be in a 2-person kayak with a responsible adult. A parent or other responsible adult must participate in the program. No one under the age of 18 can participate without a participating parent, adult family member, or guardian. Adventure Awaits programs are supported by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg Adventure Trail.

Ready to release the stress and tension holding you back? Join us for our "Let EVERYTHING Go!" gentle yoga program, designed to help you unwind, relax, and rejuvenate! Join instructor Erika Malorzo from CommUNITY Yoga Space for a fun mindfulness program on the beautiful grounds of Fort Hunter Park. Let EVERYTHING Go! – Find what feels good to you with mindful movement. In this class, you will breathe, stretch, and gently move in and out of yoga postures. This class is held outdoors at Fort Hunter Park on the West Lawn area by the Fort Hunter Mansion with an inspirational view of the Susquehanna River. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield.

Join Penn State Master Gardeners for a leisurely one-hour stroll to learn about plants in the park. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Gather inspiration for your garden, get your gardening questions answered, and gain unique experiences of your local gardens and county parks. Also learn to ID plants, pollinators, insects, and diseases. The Master Gardeners are trained and knowledgeable and eager to share their knowledge with you. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and presented by Penn State Extension Master Gardeners. Pre-registration required; space is limited. Meet up specifics will be provided via email to registered participants.

Enjoy a moderately paced walk around Wildwood Lake while enjoying the trees and animals at the park. This will be a walk on paved, gravel, and dirt surfaces. You can choose to walk only a portion, then turn around at any point if you would like to customize the length of your walk to your individual fitness goals.

Learn to make a beautiful green sea turtle mosaic in this workshop hosted by Amanda from Mosaic Montage. This is a beginner-level workshop, no prior experience is needed! During the class, you will get to pick from multiple shades of machine-tumbled stained glass to create your one-of-a-kind decorated sea turtle. You will learn the basics of making a mosaic and about the supplies needed to create your work of art. Since the glass is machine-tumbled, it is sea glass smooth and safe to handle for ages 8 and older. You will be able to take your sea turtle home with you at the end of the class. All materials needed for this workshop will be supplied to you as part of your registration fee. You will be provided with a 10” tall sea turtle cutout that is painted green, water-based glue, and an array of beautiful stained glass pieces to pick from. Class length is approximately 2 hours. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.