May

Sunday, May 1; Wildflower Walk
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Join staff naturalist Kelsey Frey for an easy hike near a woodland stream to see the fleeting blooms of spring. Learn identification, ecology, threats, and traditional uses. NF, NR.

Tuesday, May 3; 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.

Saturday, May 7; Warbler Walk
Rocky Ridge Park, Hidden Laurel Parking Lot, 7:30–9am
Search for migrating warblers with naturalist and expert birder Randy Phillips. See some of the eastern forest’s most colorful birds, in the woods that top the ridge. Birders of all levels welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides. NF, NR.

Saturday, May 7; Household Hazardous Waste
Blackridge Road, 9am–4pm
Clean the shed and basement of unwanted household hazardous waste the right way with the help of the York County Solid Waste Authority. For more information: 845-1066 or www.ycswa.org.

Saturday, May 7; Volunteer Naturalist Training
Nixon Park, 9:30–11:30am
Is being a volunteer naturalist for you? This introductory program will guide you through what it takes to be a volunteer naturalist with the county parks. Training will teach how to conduct indoor and outdoor programs for a wide variety of age groups during the week and on weekends. Time commitment is your choice, no previous skills needed. NF, register at 428-1961.

Saturday, May 7; Hanover Junction and New Freedom Stations Open for Season
Rail Trail, 10am–5pm (Saturdays only in May)
These two museums contain information on local history. Hanover Junction depicts the 1860s when the train station was a center of activity during the Civil War. The New Freedom Train Station has a 1940s railroad theme, including an actual scale model of a K-9 engine.

Saturday, May 7; Lake Redman Boat Rental Open (spring hours)
Kain Park, Saturday & Sunday, 11am–7pm
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and rowboats are available for rental.

Sunday, May 8; Mother’s Day Nature Walk
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Join Park Naturalist Amber Carothers and take mom on a special walk to learn what is happening in the springwoods. NF, NR.

Tuesday, May 10; 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.

Saturday, May 14; Native Plant Fest
Pleasant Acres Complex, 9am–2pm
Come to the annual native plant sale sponsored by Penn State Extension and MAEscapes. An excellent selection of native wildflowers, ferns, grasses, shrubs and trees will be available as well as talks and exhibits. For more information:
840-7408 or www.maescapes.org.

Saturday, May 14; Family Fishing Program
Kain Park, Spartan Rd. Parking Lot, 9am–12 noon
No skill or equipment necessary. Adam Spangler from the PA Fish and Boat Commission will be on hand to help you start learning to fish or to sharpen your skills. Register with Adam at
705-7850 or adspangler@state.pa.us. NF.

Saturday, May 14; York County Geology Tour
Departs Nixon Park, 9am–12 noon
Take a trip around York County to examine some key geologic sites with Program Coordinator Jeri Jones. Stand on a 600-million-year-old beach, see where an Everglades swamp was found, and visit a local quarry. Register at 840-7440. $20 for Parks members, $30 for non-members.

Saturday, May 14; Moonlight Bike Ride
Rail Trail, Railroad 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, May 15; Minerals & More Minerals
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Join Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones for a fun look at minerals. Find out what makes a mineral, how we rely on them, and some basics on being a mine owner. Everyone will have a great time at this indoor audience-participation program. NF, NR.

Tuesday, May 17; 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.

Saturday, May 21; Habitat Work Day
Nixon Park, 9am–12noon or 1–4pm
Restore habitat on Nixon Park’s newest property. Volunteers are needed to maintain the meadow, remove invasive plants, and improve wildflower habitat. Bring your gloves, water bottle and pruners to help manage these newest 16 acres. NF, register at 428-1961.

Sunday, May 22; Wallace-Cross Mill Docent Training
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1–3pm
This is a perfect opportunity to get involved in assisting with tours of the mill. This is an introductory session to learn about how mills operate and the particulars about this mill. Refreshments will be available. NF, NR.

Sunday, May 22; Friendly Backyard Habitat
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Want to make your yard more attractive to local animals ranging from birds to butterflies to small children? Park Naturalist Kelsey Frey will provide tips, tricks and tools for improving your habitat to include York County’s wildlife. NF, NR.

Tuesday, May 24; Senior Excursion on the Rail/Trail
Departs from Brillhart Station Parking, 10am, 12noon, 2pm, 6:30pm
Take a 9-mile round trip on the “People Mover” and travel through Howard Tunnel with the turn around at Glatfelter’s Station. Program Coordinator Jeri Jones will present on local history and folklore. $8/person, register at 840-7440.

Tuesday, May 24; Kayak Lessons
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, May 24; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rail Trail, New Freedom 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, May 24; York County Parks Advisory Board Meeting
Pleasant Acres Annex, 7pm

Saturday, May 28; Lake Redman Boat Rental Starts Summer Hours
Kain Park, Saturday & Sunday 9am–7pm, Wednesday–Friday 1–7pm
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and rowboats are available for rent.

Sunday, May 29; Nature Quest
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Be our guest on this family quest. Hit the trails and follow clues to find the scavenger hunt answers. Prizes will be awarded. NF, NR.

Monday, May 30; Memorial Day
Parks office and Nature Center closed.
Park grounds, boat concession and Hanover Junction and New Freedom Stations open holiday hours.

Monday, May 30; Statewide Free Fishing Day
Kain and Spring Valley Parks
No fishing license is needed to fish on this day. It’s a great way to introduce a friend or relative to the lifelong sport of fishing. All other fishing regulations do apply. NF, NR.

Tuesday, May 31; Sunset Scramble Bike Ride
Rudy Park, Northern Extension, 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.