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:
PUBLIC NOTICE
Wake County Parks COVID-19 Service Update
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.
Wake County parks and preserves have been open throughout the pandemic. Visitors must comply with guidelines set forth by the state, including gathering with no more than 25 people and maintaining physical distance of at least six feet from any other person. External restrooms and water fountains are open.
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.
The following restrictions will remain in place at Wake County parks and preserves through at least July 31:
- Playgrounds and park centers are closed.
- Park programs and events are canceled.
- Special operations, such as boat rentals, group camping and lodge rental, are not available.
- Shelter rentals and other park use agreements are canceled.
- Camps are canceled through the end of 2020.
As of 5 p.m. June 26, the State of North Carolina has mandated that people must wear masks or cloth face coverings when in public and unable to adhere to social distancing guidelines. This applies at Wake County’s parks and preserves.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our digital programming. It's Wake Parks from Home!
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.
Search for programs by location, age, date and more!
To register in person or by mail, please download a copy of our Registration Form or call 919-662-2850 for more information.
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.
Our staff also offers public programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park.
Check out the
Yates Mill programs page for details.
NOTE: All public programs are canceled for the month of May.
Special Event
Pond Palooza – Canceled
Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join us for this family-friendly event focused on amphibians, reptiles and their habitats. Learn about frogs and the clean water we all need. Enjoy fun activities such as crafts and games, meet and greet with live animals, and view a variety of exhibitor displays. For all ages; FREE! Registration is not required.
Please visit the events main page for more details.
Programs that are fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Let's Talk Turtles – Canceled
Sunday, April 19, 2–3 p.m.
Crowder is home to many different types of turtles. Discover the turtles that live here and examine the special adaptations they have in order to survive. Walk down to the pond to play turtle bingo and then meet some of our fascinating turtle residents up close. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
The Buzz on Bees – Canceled
Sunday, May 17, 2–3 p.m.
Celebrate our #1 pollinator by learning about the busy bees of Crowder Park. Learn the dances of bees and how they communicate, discover how pollination works, and taste different types of honey. Then plant a flower in our container garden. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Beautiful Butterflies – Canceled
Sunday, June 21, 2–3 p.m.
Explore the types of butterflies that call the park home and the different stages of their life cycle. Identify the special adaptations that butterflies have, and go on a nature hunt to search for the perfect butterfly habitat! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Crowder by Night
These family programs explore the park at night. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
Night Time Explorers – Canceled
Friday, April 3, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
The park comes alive after dark! Let the moon guide your way as we stroll around the pond in search of these night-time critters. Play fun games and try to catch some nocturnal bugs! Don't forget a flashlight to spot the spiders! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Fantastic Frogs – Canceled
Friday, May 8, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Rribbit! Listen to the chorus of frogs and toads as the sun sets at Crowder Park. Sort through facts about toads and frogs, play froggy bingo, and make a herp hotel! Then walk down to the pond and hear our amphibian friends in action! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Summer Fun – Canceled
Friday, June 26, 7–8 p.m.
Join us for a night of family fun at the park! Play nature games, observe nocturnal animals and roast s'mores around the campfire. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment.
This weekday program is fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Super Senses – Canceled
Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know crickets can hear using their feet, or that a rabbit's tongue has 17,000 taste buds? Discover fun facts about your five senses through hands-on activities and a nature walk. Explore prickly versus tickly objects, take the taste bud test and make a smelly craft. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Beetle Mania – Canceled
Tuesday, May 26, 11 a.m.–noon
One in every four animals on Earth is a beetle! Beetles are everywhere! Learn the life cycle of beetles and compare and contrast them to different insects. Go on a bug hunt to discover beetles and use a magnifying glass to look at them up close! Then make a beetle craft to take home. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Ant Antics – Canceled
Tuesday, June 16, 11 a.m.–noon
Ants can lift and carry more than three times their weight! Hunt for ants in the garden, observe them in action and play a fun game to discover how they build their colony. Wrap up the hour with a fun snack of “ants on a log.” For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
This weekday program is for ages 3–5. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Hear Here – Canceled
Wednesday, April 29, 11 a.m.–noon
Do you hear that? Discover the sounds of nature at the park through games and hands-on activities! Read "The Listening Walk" and go on a scavenger hunt using just your ears! Then make a turtle tambourine! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Billions of Beetles – Canceled
Wednesday, May 27, 11 a.m.–noon
Beetles are one of the coolest groups of insects on Earth. They are known as living jewels because of their shiny colors. Read "The Very Clumsy Click Beetle" and make your own flipping beetle. Then go on a bug hunt to find beetles and bugs! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Amazing Ants – Canceled
Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m.–noon
Ants are amazing creatures, and they are always on the go. Learn the parts of an ant using play dough, create an ant restaurant to discover their favorite foods, and go on an ant hunt to look at them under a magnifying glass! Then make a fun craft to take home. For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
This half-hour weekday program is for children ages 18 months to 3 years old. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Colors in Nature – Canceled
Monday, April 20, 10:30–11 a.m.
Practice your colors by sorting natural objects found in the park! Then go on a nature hunt to find plants and animals of different colors! For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is required.
Movement in Nature – Canceled
Monday, May 11, 10:30–11 a.m.
Work on your motor skills through center-based activities. Practice threading, sorting, jumping and catching. Then play with musical instruments. For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is required.
Animals in Nature – Canceled
Monday, June 1, 10:30–11 a.m.
Practice your recognition skills through sorting, matching and more! Move like animals in nature and find park critters in a fun scavenger hunt. For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is required.
This weekday drop-in program requires no registration. Come anytime for some creative fun (please note supplies may be limited on occasion)! Meet at the Cardinal Shelter.
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Eco-Crafts – Canceled
Monday, April 6, 11 a.m.–noon
Help us celebrate Earth Day by creating fun craft projects from everyday objects! We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination. For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.
Spring Flowers – Canceled
Monday, May 4, 11 a.m.–noon
The flowers are in full bloom at the park! Create a craft bursting with color inspired by nature. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.
Fresh Fruit & Veggies – Canceled
Monday, June 29, 11 a.m.–noon
June is Fresh Fruits and Veggies Month! Create a painting using fresh produce as stamps. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination. For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.
Discover the Park
Hiking fun for the whole family. No registration required. Meet at park office.
Walk in the Woods
Turtles – Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.–noon – Canceled
Birds – Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.–noon – Canceled
Flowers – Friday, June 19, 11 a.m.–noon
Take a walk in the woods and discover the animals and plants that call our park home. Help collect data for our Natural Resources Inventory Database and other citizen science projects. All experience levels are welcome. We can learn together! For all ages; FREE. Registration is not required. Meet at the Park Office.