May

Saturday, May 1; Household Hazardous Waste
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 and location, call 845-1066 or check www.ycswa.org.

Saturday, May 1; 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, NPR.

Saturday, May 1; 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 1; Lake Redman Boat Rental Open (spring hours)
Kain Park, Saturday & Sunday, 11am–7pm
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and rowboats are available for rental.

Sunday, May 2; Wildflower Walk
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Join park staff for an easy hike near a woodland stream to see the fleeting blooms of spring. Learn identification, ecology, lore, fact, and legend. NF, NPR.

Tuesday, May 4; 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, NPR.

Wednesday, May 5; Public Input Meeting, County Trail Plan
Nixon Park, 7–8:30pm
Public input is being sought for a countywide Greenway/Trail Plan. NF, NPR.

Sunday, May 9; Orioles and Oranges
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
 Badges: Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: All about Birds SB 5
In spring, orioles and oranges are a perfect combination. Join park naturalist Patti Chamberlin to learn about spring migrants such as Baltimore orioles. Participants will build an orange feeder to attract orioles to their homes. This would make a great Mothers Day gift for yourself or someone else. Ages 8 and up. $5 per feeder, pre-register at 428-1961.

Tuesday, May 11; 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, NPR.

Saturday, May 15; Native Plant Sale
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. For more information, call 840-7408.

Sunday, May 16; Civil War Re-enactors at Hanover Junction Train Station
Hanover Junction, Rail Trail Park, 10am–5pm
The Company C, 87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry will have a Civil War encampment at the train station. Visitors are invited to stop by the museum to interact with the re-enactors. Short programs on campsites, marching drills and black powder will be held. NF, NPR.

Sunday, May 16; Rockies to Deserts—Tortoises, Toads & Frogs of the West
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Spring park intern Amanda Kissel will introduce you to western “herp” species she has become familiar with in five seasons of field work in habitats ranging from the deserts of Nevada to Sagebrush in Oregon and Mountain ponds in Colorado. NF, NPR.

Tuesday, May 18; 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, NPR.

Saturday, May 22; International Games Day
Rocky Ridge Park, Hidden Laurel, Pheasant Pavilion 9:30–11:30am
 Badges: Brownies: Playing Around the World (Partial); Sports & Games 4; Juniors: World Neighbors 1; Your Outdoor Surroundings 10; Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: Games For Life S1
Come ready to play as part of Backyard Game Week. Jeff Witman of York College’s Recreation Department will host a family oriented introduction to outdoor games for children ages 5 and up and parents. Play games from simple to complex, familiar to new and from American to international. NF, NPR.

Saturday, May 22; 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, NPR.

Saturday, May 22; Public Star Watch
Rudy Park, 8:30–10:30pm
 Badges: Brownies: Space Explorer (Partial) Juniors: Sky Search (Partial), “Doing” Hobbies (Partial); Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: Space Exploration (Partial)
View the heavens through telescopes and binoculars. Come out to see various celestial objects and learn about each. Also learn how to use your new telescope or get hints on what to purchase. Please bring a blanket or chair to sit upon if you desire. Event held if skies are partly cloudy to clear. Call YCAS at 578-9109 after 5pm for the status of the Star Watch. More information can be found at www.ycas.org. Groups with ten or more people should place a courtesy call to 578-9109. NF, NPR.

Sunday, May 23; Wallace-Cross Mill Docent Training
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1–3:30pm
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, NPR.

Sunday, May 23; Landscaping for Wildlife
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Want to make your yard more attractive to local animals, ranging from birds to butterflies? Gary Peacock of York County Conservation District will provide tips, tricks and tools for improving your habitat to include York County’s wildlife. NF, NPR.

Tuesday, May 25; 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, NPR.

Tuesday, May 25; York County Parks Advisory Board Meeting
Pleasant Acres Annex, 7pm

Tuesday, May 25; Moonlight Dog Walk
Rudy Park, Canine Meadows, 8:30pm
Join the Friends of Canine Meadows and Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones for a walk through the park under a near full moon. Along the walk, several dog games, stargazing and fun activities will take place. Each participant will receive a glow stick. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the walk. $5 per person, register at 428-1961.

Wednesday, May 26; Kayak Lessons
Kain Park, Lake Redman Activity Area, 5:45pm–dusk
Join Uller’s Kayak and Canoe Shop on the water to learn the basics of kayaking. You may bring your own kayak or rent one from the boat rental. Call Uller’s at 747-0095 to pre-register.

Friday, May 28; 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, NPR.

Saturday, May 29; 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 rental.

Sunday, May 30; GPS Basics and Introduction to Geocaching
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
 Badges: Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: Orienteering T5
Learn how to use your new GPS unit or see what type of GPS unit is right for you. Start indoors with the basics of what GPS units are used for and how they operate. Then proceed outside to track down some geocaches and find a prize! NF, pre-registration required by June 5 by calling 428-1961. Ages 12+. GPS units provided by Gander Mountain.

Monday, May 31; Memorial Day
Parks office and Nature Center closed.
Park grounds, boat concession and Hanover Junction and New Freedom Stations open.