Wake Parks Bring Wildlife and the Holidays Together

11/28/2007

Saturday, December 1, 1 – 3 p.m. – Nature Crafts: Recycled Wraps
Recycling is “in” and so are the holidays! Children ages 6 to 8 can make their own wrapping paper from recycled items and stamps during the Recycled Wraps event at Blue Jay Point County Park. Recycled Wraps is $7 per child; preregistration is required. For more information or directions, call 870-4330. Blue Jay Point County Park is located at 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh.

Wednesday, December 5, 10 – 11 a.m. – “A House Spider’s Life” by John Himmelman
Parents and children ages 3 to 5 are invited to learn all about the life of a house spider as they enjoy “A House Spider’s Life” by John Himmelman. Participants will discover which spiders live at Lake Crabtree, meet real spiders, and make their own spider to take home. The event is $4 per child; preregistration is required. Meet at the White Oak Shelter. For more information, call 460-2723. Lake Crabtree County Park is located at 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville.

Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Wild Fowl on the Water!
Join the Historic Yates Mill County Park naturalist and observe the millpond’s waterfowl from a canoe. Prior canoe experience is helpful but not required. All safety equipment is provided. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars and field guides. This is a family program for children ages 6 and up. The event is $5 per person or $10 per canoe with a three persons per canoe maximum. Preregistration is required. For more information or directions, call 856-6675. Historic Yates Mill County Park is located at 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh.
Note: This program will be cancelled if temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at time of launch.

Saturday, December 8, 5 – 7:30 p.m. – Christmas Candlelight Tour
Visitors are invited to enjoy holiday decorations from around the world as they stroll through Historic Oak View Park, guided by the soft glow of luminaries, or to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Oak View’s mature pecan grove. After touring the grounds, families are invited to the 1850s farmhouse for caroling, hot apple cider, storytelling and a visit with Old St. Nick!

The Historic Oak View Warming Tree will be on display, and all visitors are encouraged to trim the tree with donations of new clothing, toiletries or canned goods. All “decorations” are given directly to a Wake County Battered Women’s Shelter.

This event is free. For more information, call 250-1013. Historic Oak View County Park is located at 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh.

Sunday, December 9, 2 – 3 p.m. – Winter Tree Identification
Become a tree expert and impress others by identifying trees without leaves! Learn to look closely at buds, bark and other clues. This event is for families with children ages 8 and up and costs $2 per person or $5 per family. Preregistration is required. Meet at the Manager’s Office. For more information, call 460-2723. Lake Crabtree County Park is located at 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville.

Tuesday, December 11, 2 – 3 p.m. – Rocks Rock
Can you tell the difference between a sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock? Come out and learn some of the stories these rocks tell. Bring your family, children ages 5 and up and meet at the Cypress Shelter. The event is $2 per person or $5 per family. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 387-4342. Harris Lake County Park is located at 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill.

Saturday, December 15, 7 a.m. – noon – 107th Annual Audubon Society Bird Count
Join naturalist John Connors of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, and members of the Wake Audubon Society for the annual winter bird count at Yates Mill Pond. Many recurring and some rare winter migrants have been counted in the past. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars and field guides. Come dressed for winter weather and wear proper footgear. The program is free. For more information or directions, call 856-6675. Historic Yates Mill County Park is located at 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh.

Wednesday, December 19, 2 – 3 p.m. – Cavity Creators
Explore the world of a woodpecker! Learn how these fascinating birds make their homes and creating a suet treat to take home for your feathered friends. Cavity Creators is designed for families of children ages 7 and up. The event is $2 per person or $5 per family. Preregistration is required. Meet at the Loblolly Shelter. For more information, call 387-4342. Harris Lake County Park is located at 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill.

A complete list of programs is available at www.wakegov.com/parks. From the main Parks page, follow the link on the left for General Information, then click on programs at the bottom of the pop-up menu.

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