August

Monday, August 1–Friday, August 5; Nature Discovery Program II
Nixon Park, 9am–2pm
For ages 7–8. An interactive week combining both recreation and education. The children will investigate various natural history topics using hikes, projects, games and special presentations. $80, register at 840-7440.

Monday, August 1; Friends of the Rail Trail Annual Picnic
Hanover Junction Trail Station, 6pm
Pack a covered dish and come for fun and entertainment. The Friends group would love to have you join them on the lawn of the 1850s station. Program will be on the future of the Northern Central Railroad. NF, register at 840-7440.

Tuesday, August 2; County Park Hunting Permits Available
Rudy Park and Nixon Park 8:30am
Available until November 23, 2011. NF.

Tuesday, August 2; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rail Trail, Glatfelter Station Parking Area, 6:30–9pm
Take a 12- to 15-mile moderately paced ride for exercise and make friends with fellow riders. See historic structures such as Howard Tunnel, Hanover Junction Train Station and New Freedom Train Station. Each rider must have a helmet, a light and water. Bring money for a snack along the way. NF, NR.

Wednesday, August 3; Family Rambles
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Area, 6:30–7:30pm
Led by Parks Board Member Anne Walko and her 8-year-old daughter, families are invited to four fun-filled wanders. This program’s aim is to leave no child inside as recent research finds that children who get outdoors are happier, healthier and smarter. One hour for children who can walk; adults must be accompanied by a child. NF, NR.

Friday, August 5; Moonlight Boat Ride
Kain Park, Lake Redman Activity Area, 8:30pm
Take a quiet ride on Lake Redman after dark to explore the world of nocturnal life. Explore the many inlets of the lake, but keep your eyes open for the bats! A 30-minute astronomical tour around the sky is included. After boating, participants will be treated to ice cream sundaes and other refreshments. You may use a County-owned rowboat, pedal boat, canoe or kayak or your private boat. Participants need to bring their own flashlight for each boat. Floatation devices and rowing implements are furnished. $30/couple if using a County-owned boat or $20/couple for a private boat. Add $5 for each individual. Please register at 840-7440. 

Sunday, August 7; Incredible Insects
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Local insect authority Ryan Bridge will lead an indoor in-depth look at insects. A close-up view of both local and exotic specimens will reveal an incredible array of creatures both amazing and beautiful. For ages 6 and up. NF, NR.

Sunday, August 7; Wallace-Cross Mill Open House
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1:30–4:30pm
Throughout the summer, public open houses will be held every Sunday. Tour guides will guide you through the inner workings of a restored water-powered gristmill and explain its history and the role mills played in our communities.  NF, NR.

Monday, August 8–Friday, August 12; Archaeology Week II
Nixon Park, 9am–3pm
For ages 9–12. Co-sponsored with the York County Heritage Trust, this working week will be rewarding as students do “real archaeology” at the site of the 19th century York Iron Company mine, now the location of Raab Park. Students will learn proper techniques of doing archaeology and its interpretation and preservation. Each day, students will be treated to a special themed program. On Wednesday, the group will travel to Codorus State Park to examine a furnace and tour the Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York. Transportation will be provided by Red Lion Bus Company. Students must supply their own lunch and beverage. $150, register at 840-7440.

Tuesday, August 9; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rail Trail, Seven Valleys Parking Area, 6:30–9pm
Take a 12- to 15-mile moderately paced ride for exercise and make friends with fellow riders. See historic structures such as Howard Tunnel, Hanover Junction Train Station and New Freedom Train Station. Each rider must have a helmet, a light and water. Bring money for a snack along the way. NF, NR.

Thursday, August 11; Family Morning Discovery Walk
Kain Park, Spartan Road Parking Lot, 10–11:30am
Children and their companions together with park staff will explore and discover the many different habitats, plants, and animals in the park. NF, register at 428-1961. 

Thursday, August 11; Archaeology Walk
Raab Park, 7–8:30pm
York County Parks Archaeology Week students will be in the middle of their digs. Learn how these archaeologists have worked to uncover the structures and artifacts that help tell the story of the historic Mary Ann Furnace. NF, register at 428-1961.

Friday, August 12; Moonlight Boat Ride
Kain Park, Lake Redman Activity Area, 8:30pm
Take a quiet ride on Lake Redman after dark to explore the world of nocturnal life. Explore the many inlets of the lake, but keep your eyes open for the bats! A 30-minute astronomical tour around the sky is included. After boating, participants will be treated to ice cream sundaes and other refreshments. You may use a County-owned rowboat, pedal boat, canoe or kayak or your private boat. Participants need to bring their own flashlight for each boat. Floatation devices and rowing implements are furnished. $30/couple if using a County-owned boat or $20/couple for a private boat. Add $5 for each individual. Please register at 840-7440. 

Saturday, August 13; Garden Tours
Rudy Park, Administrative Headquarters, 9am–12 noon
Penn State Master Gardeners will give tours and answer questions about the many new annual and perennial flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs planted in trail beds. NF, NR.

Saturday, August 13; Moonlight Bike Ride- Theme: local history
Rail Trail, Glatfelter Staion Parking Area, 8:30pm
Take a 9-mile ride under a bright moon, learning about local history and nature. Tonight’s special program: birds of prey. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ride. $5, children under the age of 12 are free, NR.

Sunday, August 14; Wallace-Cross Mill Open House
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1:30–4:30pm
Throughout the summer, public open houses will be held every Sunday. Tour guides will guide you through the inner workings of a restored water-powered gristmill and explain its history and the role mills played in our communities.  NF, NR.

Sunday, August 14; Intro to Wading Birds
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 pm, includes carpool to Kain Park
Program will start indoors with an introduction to common wading birds of the area and their ecology. Then we’ll carpool to Kain Park to search the water’s edges for these well-adapted birds. Bring binoculars of your own or borrow a pair of ours. NF, register at 428-1961.

Tuesday, August 16; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rail Trail, Hanover Junction Parking Area, 6:30–9pm
Take a 12- to 15-mile moderately paced ride for exercise and make friends with fellow riders. See historic structures such as Howard Tunnel, Hanover Junction Train Station and New Freedom Train Station. Each rider must have a helmet, a light and water. Bring money for a snack along the way. NF, NR.

Tuesday, August 16; Senior Excursion
Rail Trail, Seven Valleys Parking Area, 9am, 11:30am, 2pm, 6pm
Join Program Coordinator Jeri Jones on a fun trip on the people mover around this scenic valley. Hear about the nature of the park, relive the history of the Hex murder, and watch for wildlife. $10, register at 840-7440.

Wednesday, August 17; Family Rambles
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Area, 6:30–7:30pm
Led by Parks Board Member Anne Walko and her 8-year-old daughter, families are invited to four fun-filled wanders. This program’s aim is to leave no child inside as recent research finds that children who get outdoors are happier, healthier and smarter. One hour for children who can walk; adults must be accompanied by a child. NF, NR.

Saturday, August 20; Honey Bee Awareness Day: All About Bees
Nixon Park, 9–10am
Park Naturalist Amber Carothers will share the natural history of bees, their behavior and their importance. Visitors will also learn what they can do help these needed pollinators. For ages 10 and up. NF, NR.

Saturday, August 20; Honey Bee Awareness Day: Family Bee Adventure
Nixon Park, 10:30am–12noon
Bring the whole family for this indoor/outdoor program centered around bees and their honey. The program will feature a story, craft and a bee search outside. $5/child, register at 428-1961.

Saturday, August 20; Honey Bee Awareness Day: Honey Tasting
Nixon Park, 12noon–1pm
Local beekeepers will bring a variety of their locally-made honey. Come learn about the different types of honey and the benefits of honey, and taste the honey to see what you like best. NF, NR.

Saturday, August 20; Honey Bee Awareness Day: Could I Be a Bee Keeper?
Nixon Park, 2–4pm
York County Bee Keepers Association President Jeremy Barnes will introduce the fascinating world of honey bees. The program will feature an open hive demonstration. NF, register at 428-1961.

Sunday, August 21; Wallace-Cross Mill Open House
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1:30–4:30pm
Throughout the summer, public open houses will be held every Sunday. Tour guides will guide you through the inner workings of a restored water-powered gristmill and explain its history and the role mills played in our communities.  NF, NR. 

Sunday, August 21; Flintknapping
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Join Kirk Dreier from Baltimore County Parks for a hands-on demonstration of the ancient art of making tools from rock. This cultural interpretation program reflects how stone tools were manufactured in both the Old World and the New World. Participants will have the opportunity to practice with stone axes, throwing sticks, bow and arrows and atlatl. NF, NR.

Tuesday, August 23; Kayak Lessons
Kain Park, Lake Redman Activity Area, 6pm–dusk
Kain Park, Lake Redman Activity Area, 6pm–dusk
Join Uller’s Kayak and Canoe Shop on the water to learn the basics of kayaking. Instruction and boat rental $15. Class size limited; call Uller’s at 747-0095 to register.

Tuesday, August 23; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rail Trail, Glen Rock Parking Area, 6:30–9pm
Take a 12- to 15-mile moderately paced ride for exercise and make friends with fellow riders. See historic structures such as Howard Tunnel, Hanover Junction Train Station and New Freedom Train Station. Each rider must have a helmet, a light and water. Bring money for a snack along the way. NF, NR.

Tuesday, August 23; York County Parks Advisory Board Meeting
Pleasant Acres Annex, 7pm

Sunday, August 28; Wallace-Cross Mill Open House: Oliver Evans Day
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1:30–4:30pm
Who was Oliver? The pioneer of American industrial automation in milling. Celebrate the life and be amazed at the inventions of this little-known industrial tycoon. Tour guides will lead visitors through the mill, explaining its inner workings and showing the influence Oliver had in this mill and in all our lives. NF, NR.

Sunday, August 28; Rock Art on the Susquehanna
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Amateur archaeologist, and President of the Conejohela Chapter #28 of the Pennsylvania Archaeology Society, Paul Nevin will present this interesting PowerPoint program on the petroglyphs found in this famous river. Paul has conducted extensive research on these man-made features. NF, NR.

Tuesday, August 30; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rail Trail, Railroad Parking Area, 6:30–9pm
Take a 12- to 15-mile moderately paced ride for exercise and make friends with fellow riders. See historic structures such as Howard Tunnel, Hanover Junction Train Station and New Freedom Train Station. Each rider must have a helmet, a light and water. Bring money for a snack along the way. NF, NR.