Fun things to do
Paula Rishack of Rochester teaches a 2022 yoga class at the Alameda Park Carousel Shelter, Butler. Butler Eagle file photo
Alameda Park
Free Family Fun: Butler County Parks and Recreation is hosting free family fun programs starting at 6:30pm every Thursday during the summer starting June 8 at the First Responder Pavilion. For program scheduling information, visit bcpr.recdesk.com.
Fitness in the Park — The program is held every Monday and Wednesday through September 27 at the Carousel Shelter. Summer Flow Yoga starts at 5:45pm and Zumba starts at 7:00pm Cost is $5 for a class.
Night Disc Golf: The park hosts night rounds of disc golf starting at 8:45 PM on a temporary course. The sessions will be on June 2, August 4 and September 1. Cost is $10 per person. Players must bring their own discs.
End of Summer Party: The family-friendly event will feature a range of activities for the community to enjoy on August 18. This is an all day event.
McConnells Mill State Park
Historic Gristmill Summer Hours: The 19th century grist mill is the centerpiece of McConnells Mill State Park. The historic mill is open from 10:30am to 3:30pm every Wednesday through Sunday through Labor Day. Entry is free. Interpretive visits to the mill, by staff or volunteer teachers, are scheduled at 1pm and 2pm.
Salamander Safari: Join a park naturalist for fun and discovery to explore Hells Hollow for salamanders and all the other creatures that live there, 4-5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 in the parking lot from the Hells Hollow Trail.
DCNR volunteer John Chos operates a Bessemer gas engine at Muddy Creek Oil Field in Moraine State Park. Muddy Creek Oil Field Living History Demonstrations are held the second Saturday of the month on Park Road in Moraine State Park. Butler Eagle file photo
Moraine State Park
Preston’s Pearl: Preston’s Pearl, an enclosed pontoon boat and the main attraction at Moraine State Park, will begin tours on Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. Tours start at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors can learn about the natural history of the area and the reintroduction of the osprey, while appreciating the scenery and wildlife on a hike around Lake Arthur. Tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the Owlet Gift Shop.
Pollinator Series: What’s All the Bee Buzz About? — Learn more about the life cycle of bees, how humans benefit from them and how to help them from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 7 at the McDanels Launch Area.
Glacier Ridge Shoreline Hike: Join park staff from 10 a.m. to noon June 10 at the east end of the Route 528 boat launch for a hike of about 2, 5 miles on moderate terrain on the Glacier Ridge Trail. Exit Route 422 and turn north on Route 528, cross the lake and turn right onto “Launch 528”.
Muddy Creek Oilfield Living History Demonstration: The Muddy Creek Oilfield is an award-winning site for the restoration of an old oilfield. This event, which will start on Saturday, June 10, highlights this well. The Bessemer Gas Engine and Marshall-Barr Oil Well Equipment No. 19 will operate from 11am to 4pm on the second Saturday of the month only on Park Road at Moraine State Park. The central site is across from the State Parks Region 2 office, 195 Park Road, Prospect (Old 422, off Route 528). It can be found by following the signs. Opening dates depend on volunteer availability and weather conditions.
Salamander Safari: Join a park naturalist for fun and discovery to explore Davis Hollow Creek for salamanders and all the other creatures that live there, 1-3pm July 1 at the office from Davis Hollow Marina to North Shore.
Regatta: The south shore of Lake Arthur will host the annual regatta from August 5-6, featuring free music, fireworks, kayaking and sailing demonstrations. The regatta will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on August 5 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 6.
