Crowder County Park offers public, educational programs for all ages, year-round. Visit our Calendar of Events and sign up for our E-Newsletter to stay up to date!

Scroll down or select a program series below to learn more about our offerings:

Special Events Discover the Park Nature Families Nature Watchers
Family Features Crowder By Night Tiny Tots Kids Get Crafty
 
 

PUBLIC NOTICE
 
COVID-19 Updates
 

The health and safety of our visitors and staff remain the top priorities for Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. As Wake County follows the state's phased approach to lift COVID-19 restrictions, we are also working to safely reopen park services in phases over the coming months.

Shelter Rentals and Park Use Agreements
As of October 1, shelter rentals and other park use agreements are available. Gatherings are limited to 50 people per the governor's executive order.

Playgrounds 
Playgrounds at parks managed by Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space are open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to maintain physical distance, wear masks or cloth face coverings, and wash or sanitize their hands often. Capacity limits are posted near each playground.

Park Capacity
Measures to limit the number of people allowed in the park at one time remain in place. If a gate is closed or cones are blocking the entrance, that means the park has reached capacity. Parks that are run by towns or cities may be operating differently—please reach out to them directly before visiting their parks.

Help Continue to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Wake County park and preserve visitors must comply with guidelines set forth by the State of North Carolina, including gathering with no more than 50 people, maintaining physical distance of at least six feet from any other person, and wearing a mask or cloth face covering when social distancing is not possible.
 
The following restrictions will remain in place at Wake County parks and preserves through at least November 30:
  • Park centers are closed.
  • Park programs and events are cancelled.
  • Special operations, such as boat rentals, group camping and lodge rental, are not available.
As a reminder, 24/7 digital programming is available at wakegov.com/parks/fromhome. There is no charge for all Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space public, group and outreach programs. Fees still apply for camps and shelter rentals.
 
We no longer accept cash on site at any Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space location. Payments can be made on site or in advance with a credit or debit card. Checks must be mailed in advance.



Public Program Updates

Crowder County Park is happy to announce to launch of our virtual public programs! 



Ready to sign up? Register online for public programs.
Search for programs by location, age, date and more!
 
CDP_RegistrationButton_Program.png 
 

For a printout of quarterly programs and events, and for a paper copy of the Wake County parks program registration form, refer to the program bulletin below.

 
The following programs are offered virtually. For more information, contact the park at 919-662-2850 or email crowderpark@wakegov.com.
 
Our staff also offers public programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park.
Check out the Yates Mill programs page for details.


 

Fantastic Fossils
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2–3 p.m.
Fossils tell scientists how animals and plants lived a long time ago. Join us as we become Junior Paleontologists! Learn all about the rock cycle, discover in which ways rock fossils form, and help us with some fun virtual activities. For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.


Happy Valentines Day, Mother Nature!

Sunday, Feb. 14, 2–3 p.m.

Did you give a valentine to Mother Nature this year? Join us as we celebrate a day of love and kindness at the park! Learn all about animal couples and their families, read a fun story, then create a homemade valentine to send to the park for display in the month of February. Mother Nature at Crowder is sure to appreciate it! For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.



Crazy Corvids

Sunday, March 14, 2–3 p.m.

Did you know crows, ravens and blue jays are super smart? Join us and learn all about these fascinating birds! Practice your corvid calls and play some fun, interactive activities. For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.



Crowder by Night


Predators and Prey

Friday, Jan. 8, 3–4 p.m.

Predators adapt to catch their prey, and the hunted adapt ways to avoid being eaten. This balance between predators and their prey is essential to a healthy ecosystem. We will look at many predator-prey relationships, the food chain, skulls and teeth of mammals, and do some interactive activities to test our knowledge. For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.



Owl Prowl
Friday, Feb. 26, 3–4 p.m.
Join us and discover the kinds of owls that are found in the Piedmont, what they eat, where they live, and what they sound like. Watch an owl pellet dissection, practice your owl calls, and play games with fun interactive activities. For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.


Outstanding Opossums

Friday, March 5, 3–4 p.m.

Did you know that opossums are the only marsupial located in North America? Come learn all about these fascinating animals and the important roles they play in maintaining healthy natural ecosystems, and join us for some fun, awesome opossum games! For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.



Duck, Duck, Goose
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m.–noon
Ducks and geese are on the move! Get to know our native waterfowl up close. Study feathers, beaks and feet, and learn about one of our most special birds: Wood Ducks! For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.


Busy Beavers

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m.–noon

Did you know that beavers are actually large rodents? Join us and discover the parts of a beaver, what they like to eat, and why these little engineers are so important to our ecosystems. We will test your knowledge in a round of trivia, and you can watch as we “build a beaver.” For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.


Silly Salamanders

Tuesday, March 9, 11 a.m.–noon

As spring arrives, so do salamanders, frogs and other amphibians. Learn the unique adaptations of a salamander, play a life cycle game, and join us for a meet-and-greet with a live amphibian. For all ages; FREE. Registration required for all virtual programs. A zoom link will be sent out to all registered participants a day before the program start date.


 

Story Walks

This is a self-guided hike with a storybook element. New to StoryWalk® concept? Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

When Winter Comes

December 12–January 16

Make sure to check out our interactive StoryWalk® activity! Join us anytime between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., now through January 16, for this fun, self-guided activity. This will be located on the Outer Loop Trail, beginning at the park’s Bird Garden, which is immediately on the left as you enter the park, across from the park’s office.

Our story is “When Winter Comes,” by Nancy Van Lann and illustrated by Susan Gaber. This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature. This hike is around 0.8 miles.



Slugs in Love

February 1–21

Make sure to check out our interactive StoryWalk® activity! Join us anytime between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., now through January 16, for this fun, self-guided activity. This will be located on the Outer Loop Trail, beginning at the park’s Bird Garden, which is immediately on the left as you enter the park, across from the park’s office.

Our story is “Slugs in Love,” by Susan Pearson and illustrated by Kevin O’Malley. This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature. This hike is around 0.8 miles.



A Perfect Day

March 8–28

Make sure to check out our interactive StoryWalk® activity! Join us anytime between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., now through January 16, for this fun, self-guided activity. This will be located on the Outer Loop Trail, beginning at the park’s Bird Garden, which is immediately on the left as you enter the park, across from the park’s office.

Our story is “A Perfect Day,” written and illustrated by Lane Smith. This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature. This hike is around 0.8 miles.


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