Upcoming Events

All ages
Thursday, January 8 – Wednesday, February 18

Spot, the Park District Snowman, is excited to go owling in the parks! Whoooo knew we had so many! Each week, participants will receive a clue to go out in your parks to search for the owls. Owls will only be hiding at each park for one week! Scan the QR code on the sign next to Spot the Snowman to log which owls were in the park. Each week that you log owls gets you another entry into our raffle for some owl-themed prizes! After the hunt, an owl round-up with images of each owl will be emailed to you so you can vote for your favorite entry.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, February 11 (Clues are emailed every Thursday. Registering late may mean you miss some of the clues)

All ages
Sunday, February 1 – Saturday, February 28

Owlexander, the Park District mascot, would love to receive a letter, drawing or card about your winter park adventures. He is a great pen pal and will be sure to write you back and let you know all about his adventures, too. Letters can be dropped off at a special mailbox throughout February. Please address your letters to Owlexander Parks (no stamp necessary).

Owlexander will make a special appearance at Headquarters on Tuesday, February 17, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. if you would like to hand deliver a letter to him! He may even have special activities and treats for you!

Ages 6 – 12

Join us on your day(s) off school for a camp full of all our favorite fun camp activities, but in the winter! Campers will enjoy hikes and games outside, gather around the fire circle for s’mores, then warm up in the Smith House with games and crafts. You may also register for camp on Friday, February 13- see posting to sign-up!

Registration deadline: Monday, February 9

Ages 16 and up

This project is a 10.75″ square of glass for you to design a beautiful birch tree scene with the season of your choice. Complement your existing collection or pick your favorite season! Kathy Woodruff from Busy Beaver will lead participants through this customer-favorite class and help you start or complete your birch tree collection.

Registration deadline: Sunday, February 15

Ages 16 and up

What could be better than coffee and coloring? Join us for a relaxing morning of coloring inside and outside the lines! We will have plenty of hot and iced coffee with a variety of creamers and flavors on hand! All supplies included.

Registration deadline: Saturday, February 14

Ages 14 and up

Join local artist and educator Heather Ballard for a “level 2 beginner” class to learn the basics on how to use your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Get out of auto mode! This session will include time outside photographing the wonders of winter in the park and a more in-depth introduction to the basics of exposure, camera settings and composition. Bring your fully charged camera and memory card.

Registration deadline: Sunday, February 15

All ages

Learn about wildlife tracks and challenge yourself by searching for them in the park! This is a Tools to Trek program.

Registration deadline: Thursday, February 19

Ages 3 – 6

There is so much to be learned through nature play, but it’s tough when the weather turns chilly. This indoor program welcomes young naturalists to a world of imaginative play, all themed around nature. Each month will feature a different topic! In February, we will dive into learning about wildlife heroes (rehabbers, scientists, naturalists) through play.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, February 18

All ages

Build forts with what nature provides — sticks, leaves, mud or snow! Discover the fun of using nature to make a shelter as a family. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative use of materials, most livable and most woodland fairy-tastic. At the end of the program, we will take a commemorative picture and learn the proper way to give your creation back to nature. One registration per family.

Registration deadline: Monday, February 23