UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Wildlife Officer Mike Miller on a short hike where we will call in night critters such as owls, foxes and coyotes. Learn what products are available from retailers to help you call in animals, such as mouth calls, electronic call boxes and mp3s for your smartphone. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes.
Sounds of the Night Walk – February 22nd (7pm) – Heart of Ohio Trail – Mount Liberty parking lot on Simmons Church Rd, Mount Liberty
Join Wildlife Officer Mike Miller and park staff on a short hike where we will call in night critters such as owls, foxes and coyotes along Dry Creek. Co-sponsored by the Centerburg Joint Recreation District, learn what products are available from retailers to help you call in animals, such as mouth calls, electronic call boxes and mp3s for your smartphone. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes.
Owl Adventure – February 23rd (7:00pm) – Brown Family Environmental Center
Learn about the owls of the Kokosing River valley and take a short a short hike where we will call in owls. This collaborative program is sponsored by the Knox County Park District and Brown Family Environmental Center (Laymon Road near SR229 near Gambier). Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
Bogsuckers!, a Rite of Spring – March 24th (7:00pm) - Honey Run Highlands
Each Spring, a strange but interesting bird known as the timberdoodle, bog sucker or American Woodcock migrates into Ohio often after a full moon. Sounds strange you say? Wait until you see the courtship flight and display! Many who have discovered this annual event consider it the true beginning of Spring and seek them each year. Join former Metro Park Chief Naturalist Gary Moore for more “Doodle” lore and a short hike at sunset to highlight their antics as they begin what Aldo Leopold called “Dancers in the sky.” Meet at the Honey Run Highlands Parking lot entrance located on US 62 (10816 Millersburg Rd.), south of Millwood (near Caves Road intersection with US62).
Outdoor Skills for Youth Day - April 21st (9am-3pm) – Campbell’s Range
Sponsored by the Knox Chapter of Pheasants Forever, bring your sons and daughters to a jam-packed day of fun activities in the great out-of-doors. Park district staff will assist young anglers at the kiddy fishing pond. Other activities include 4-H shooting sports, build a birdhouse, GPS, leather crafting, pine cone birdfeeders, pet care, fur pelt demonstration, antler scoring, first aid, fly tying, flint knapping, muzzle loading, trapping and more. This event is free and open to the public - but you must register your child. For more information, call 740/599-6617. Event location is Campbell's Range, 22430 Coshocton Rd., Howard.
Earth Day Festival – April 22nd (11-3pm) - Kenyon Athletic Center, Gambier
The Fest is a FREE event that focuses on how to keep ourselves and our world healthy-two goals that go hand-in-hand! Features will include door prizes, music, retail and organization vendors, farmers market and hands-on activities for people of all ages. Do your part for the environment by cleaning up the Kokosing Gap Trail too!
Free Fishing Day – May 5th – Foundation Park, Mount Vernon
This popular event features free fishing for youth, bait casting competition and other outdoor activities. The angler with the biggest fish caught each hour will win a prize! Fishing rod and reels, terminal tackle and bait provided free of charge. Co-sponsored by the Knox Fish and Game Association, Kokosing Valley Bassmasters, Knox Chapter Pheasants Forever, Division of Wildlife and KCPD.
Mohican River Float/Clean-up and World Record Attempt – May 19th (10am) – Greer Landing Access, Greer
Enjoy a float down the Mohican River and help clean up this beautiful stream, while participating in a world-wide event. May 19th serves as the international “Ready, Set, Wear It” personal flotation device (life jacket) event, and KCPD has signed on as an event sponsor. In May of 2011, 1,685 people gathered at more than 99 events held around the world (37 US states and territories, 6 countries)! Come join us and be part of thousands of boaters worldwide that helps beat last year’s world record. This float will begin at Greer and will end at the picturesque Bridge of Dreams in Brinkhaven. Prepare to get wet, bring water and snacks and wear sunscreen. Eight canoes will be available, or bring your own canoe or kayak. You must register for a canoe by contacting Natalie Pirvu, Division of Watercraft, at 740/548-5490.
BYOB! “Bring Your Own Boat Day” on the Kokosing – June 2nd (11am-3pm)
This very popular event is back for a third year! Celebrate kayaking and canoeing on one of the cleanest rivers in Ohio. Bring your own kayak, canoe or garbage scow and float down the river with other paddlesport enthusiasts. Meet at the Kokosing Gap Canoe Access on Lower Gambier Road. Learn about boating safety and Kokosing River ecology from experts.
Early Riser Bird Walk – June 2nd (8am) – Honey Run Highlands Park (US 62 parking lot)
The East Central Ohio Audubon Society members and KCPD staff will jointly conduct this birding event. Binoculars will be provided for those who need them. Wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Honey Run Highlands Parking lot entrance located on US 62, miles south of Millwood (near Caves Road intersection with US62).
Eagles Soar Along the Kokosing – Sunday, June 10th (1pm)– Brown Family Environmental Center
For many of us, we can now enjoy a spectacular sight that was not experienced locally in our childhood. Thanks to sound management, good conservation and good science that banned widespread use of persistent pesticides, the American Bald Eagle can be observed flying and nesting in Knox County. Once endangered, America’s symbol was extirpated as a nesting species in Central Ohio, but now we have gone from a dearth to a blessing of eagles that can be observed.
Join Former metro Parks chief Naturalist Gary Moore as we car pool a short distance to a nesting site along the Kokosing where (with luck) we can view Eagles that may be feeding young. Spotting scopes and some binoculars will be provided for viewing from a respectful (and necessary!) distance. This collaborative program is sponsored by the Knox County Park District and Kenyon Brown Family Environmental Center and begins promptly at 2pm. at the BFEC (Laymon Road, Gambier) just off SR 229. Dress for the weather and allow 3 hours for the program, travel and viewing.
Fields of Fire – Blooming Prairie Tour – July 28th (10am) – 6021 SR 95, Fredericktown
Join one of Ohio’s foremost prairie experts, Guy Denny, for a tour of his spectacular prairie areas. Tall grass prairies are uniquely North American, as are some of the animals that inhabit them, such as the American bison (or buffalo). Learn the techniques of managing these special areas, such as controlled burning, handle wildland firefighting tools, stroll through acres of prairie in full bloom, and learn how to start a prairie in your backyard. Co-sponsored by Owl Creek Conservancy and the Knox Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
Mohican River Float - August 19th (2pm)
Participate in the third annual Mohican River Canoe Float in Greer. Thanks to our partners at Mohican Wilderness Campground, this event is still open to the public for free! Enjoy a float from the campground to KCPD's Greer Landing canoe access site. Learn about river ecology from an aquatic biologist. Life jackets, canoes and paddles provided. Registration is required - call the park office at 740/392-7275 or email info@knoxcountyparks.org by August 13th.
2nd Annual Rubber Duck Race – First Friday September 7th (TBA) – Kokosing River
Come to downtown Mount Vernon on the Kokosing River and watch the park district staff try to wrangle hundreds of rubber duckies. Visit the Heritage Centre Association for more details.
Early Riser Bird Walk – September 8th (8am) – Wolf Run Park
Get up early and learn to identify birds by sight and song. Binoculars and bird identification guides will be provided for those who need them. Wear sturdy shoes.
Heart of Ohio Tour – October 6st and 7th (1pm-6pm)
Drive your vehicle to various spots in southeastern Knox County and learn about the importance of agriculture, natural resources and culture in our great county. Visit Honey Run Waterfall on the tour! Fall Foliage Hike - October 13th (2pm) – Honey Run Park, Hazel Dell Road, Millwood
The Knox County Park District will host its annual Fall Foliage Hike starting at 2 pm. Trees in brilliant shades of reds, purples and golds will welcome visitors, symbols of the changing season and harvest time. Come celebrate nature’s spectacular palette of color and breathe the cool, crisp air. The hiking tour, which will last about two hours, is of moderate difficulty, and participants should come dressed for weather conditions and wear footgear suitable for trails.
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