Public Programs
As part of Crowder Park's environmental education agenda, the park offers a number of scheduled programs open to the public. These programs cover a wide range of topics and take place in an outdoor setting. Many are designed to introduce young children to the natural world around them, but others are appropriate for adults or families with older children. Please contact us if you have any questions about a particular program.
The following programs are offered at Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten Ten Road, Apex. To register, complete and sign the registration form and return it with payment (made out to Wake County Parks) by mail or bring by the park office. Payment and registration form must be received to confirm your spot in the programs. For more information about the following programs, contact the park at 919-662-2850 or email crowderdistrictpark@wakegov.com.
Preregistration is required for all programs.
For more information about our programs please select the following:
13th Annual Frog Fest
Saturday, March 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Leap on over to Crowder District Park for our 13th Annual Frog Fest event. It’s going to be Frog-Fabulous! There will be plenty of fun educational activities for the whole family – games, crafts, live animals, entertainment, and exhibits from local agencies and organizations. For details, call 919-662-2850 or check out the Crowder events web page.
If an individual, family, or group is interested in volunteering, please contact our park volunteer coordinator, Carolyn Carter, at 919-856-6675.
Nature Watchers
Preschool children with accompanying adult(s) discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature activities, games, crafts and guided outdoor exploration. Meet at the Park Pavilion. For ages 3–5; Fee: $4 for each program or 3 programs for $10. Preregistration is required.
Valentines for the Birds
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 14 & 15, 1–2 p.m.
Show the birds you love them with some homemade valentine treats made especially for them. We will make suet hearts and other treats. You will find out what birds will enjoy your valentine.
Silly Salamanders
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 6 & 7, 1–2 p.m.
This is the time of year the salamanders are out and about. Learn some fascinating facts about our silly salamanders and what they can teach us about our water.
Nature Friends
Ages: 6–9 years
Fee: $4/child/program or all 3 programs for $10
In these programs, kids will discover the natural world through hikes, hands-on nature activities, outdoor exploration, games and crafts. Meet at the Robin Shelter.
For the Love of Birds
Tuesday, February 14, 4–5 p.m., AND Wednesday, February 15, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
February is the month of love, so let’s celebrate by making some homemade valentine treats for our feathered friends. You’ll learn what you can do to show your love for the birds in your own community by providing nesting spots, clean water and plenty of backyard habitats.
All about Amphibians
Tuesday, March 6, 4–5 p.m., AND Wednesday, March 7, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
This is the time of year a lot of salamanders and frogs are out and about. Learn bunches of fun facts about these important animals and explore why their survival is threatened and what we can do about it.
Be sure to check out the Nature Explorers Program Series for ages 9–13 at Historic Yates Mill County Park.
Family Programs
Fee: $3/person or $5/family
For All Ages; These programs encourage families to enjoy an outdoor experience together.
Let’s Move Outside: Get Naturally Fit!
Saturdays, February 4 and March 10, 10:30 a.m.–noon
For all ages, Fee: $5/family or $3/person
Are you naturally fit? Yes…no…maybe? Well, regardless of your age, shape or fitness level, it is never too late to exercise. Come get moving with us in the beautiful setting of Crowder District Park! Wear your walking shoes! Meet at the Park Pavilion.
Wonderful Whitetails
Sunday, March 11, 2–3:30 p.m.
For all ages, Fee: $5/family or $3/person
White-tailed deer are common backyard visitors for many people. Did you know that a buck's antlers can grow up to 1/4" per day? Or that a deer can run almost 40 miles per hour? Learn about this graceful animal's amazing adaptations for survival, then make a deer track and even your very own set of antlers. Meet at the Park Pavilion.
Crowder by Night: Spring Splendor
Friday, March 16, 7–8:30 p.m.
For all ages, Fee: $5/family or $3/person
Spring is still a few days away, but wildlife is waking up from winter and getting down to the business of growing and having families. We'll hike around the pond and listen for the calls of our amphibian friends and search for other sights and sounds of the season. Meet at the Park Pavilion.
Weekday Wonders
These programs are offered during the week for homeschoolers, track-out kids or when traditional public schools are closed. Age and fee is listed with each program. Bring a water bottle or cup, and dress for the weather.
All Weekday Wonders will meet at the Cardinal Shelter.
Peek into the Pond
Tuesday, February 21, 2–4 p.m.
Ages 7–10, Fee: $8/child
There is so much happening below the water's surface in Crowder's pond. We'll dip into the pond to search for macro-invertebrates and take a closer look at them under the microscope. Then get crafty and create your own pond habitat to take home. Space is limited, so register early. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
Quartz and Its Cousins
Friday, March 23, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Ages 9–12, Fee: $4/child
Quartz is the most common mineral found on Earth. A significant component of many igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, this rock is found in an impressive range of varieties and colors. Explore the many facets of quartz and take a short walk to see the big quartz outcrop found in Crowder Park. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
The Great Backyard Bird Count
We are offering some FREE, family-friendly programs for all ages in conjunction with the Bird Count!
Walk About the Pond – Bird Count
Saturday, February 18, 2–3:30 p.m.
Join a park naturalist on a one-mile hike around Crowder’s Pond and help to identify and count the birds that we see along the way. Learn how to identify backyard birds by sight, sound and other signs. Meet at the Robin Shelter.
Gardening for Birds, Butterflies & Beneficial Bugs – registration is required!
Sunday, February 19, 2–3:30 p.m.
With a bit of planning, you can have beautiful birds, butterflies and other wildlife flocking to your garden. That's good news because not only are these winged creatures fun to watch, they're essential pollinators. Learn about native plants that support wildlife and plant some in the park’s educational gardens. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter.
Breakfast with the Birds – registration is required!
Monday, February 20, 8:30–10 a.m.
We will leisurely walk the trails to identify and count the birds. Then enjoy doughnuts with a cup of shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee or hot chocolate for the kids. Please bring a reusable mug for each member of your family. Meet at the Park Pavilion with the rocking chairs.
Adult Workshops
How Does Your Vegetable Garden Grow?
Sunday, February 26, 2–4 p.m. at the Heron Shelter
For ages 16 & over. Fee: FREE, but preregistration is required
Join a Wake County Extension Master Gardener to learn helpful hints on how to plant a successful vegetable garden. The workshop will provide information for the novice gardener. The topics cover soils, site selection, water sources, fertilizing, composting, pests and diseases, what to grow, how to grow, harvesting and a few other topics for the beginner.
As part of Crowder Park's environmental education agenda, discovery boxes are available for use at the park office. Discovery boxes are packaged lesson plans intended for use by teachers or parents who wish to educate a group of children without requesting a program through the office. These boxes are available at the office and must be signed out for use. Discovery boxes are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Public programs are updated on a quarterly basis.
Check out the current Wide aWake Program Directory. For more information regarding public programs, or to sign up for the mailing list, contact the Crowder Park office at 919-662-2850.