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How to participate in park programs across Butler County this summer

Stacey Cordray and her son Jackson, 6, both of Butler, order some shaved ice from the 80s Ice tent on Saturday afternoon at Butler Area Community Day held at Alameda Park in 2023. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Fun Things to Do
Alameda Park

Soccer Shots — A youth soccer class takes place every Friday throughout the summer from 5 to 7:25 p.m. June 6 through Aug. 1.

Active, on-field parental/guardian participation is required for younger age groups. This class typically follows a “mommy/daddy-and-me” form, with a parent or guardian guiding and aiding each child.

Night Disc Golf — The park is hosting night rounds of disc golf beginning at 9 p.m. on June 27, July 18 and Sept. 5. The cost is $12 per person. Players must bring their own discs.

Butler Area Community Day — Butler County Parks and Recreation and Butler Township are teaming to hold Butler Area Community Day beginning at 5 to 10 p.m. July 2.

This event will involve local food, live music by Right Turn Clyde and plenty of children’s activities. Children’s activities are provided at no charge and include bounce houses, balloons, face painting and children shows. A fireworks show will close the night.

Cranberry Community Park Summer Concert Series

Community Park is hosting a series of free family-friendly movies at dusk on Wednesdays.

The movie lineup is Inside Out 2 on June 11, Despicable Me 4 June 25, The Grinch July 23 and Sonic 3 Aug. 6

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Morning Bird Walks — Join Jennings staff for casual bird walks this summer June 10 and July 9. Birders of all levels are welcome. Meet in the prairie side parking lot at 9 a.m.

Fireflies, Nature’s Fireworks — Jennings will hold a program about fireflies July 29 and 30. One will be for families and one for adults. Details have not been finalized.

A 45-minute indoor presentation will be followed by a stroll along the prairie trails admiring the flashes of Pennsylvania’s state insect, the firefly. This program is designed for adults and older children.

Self Guided Pollinator Walkabout — From Saturday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 17, enjoy the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and others that carry pollen from one flower to another ensuring seeds will be produced for the next generation of prairie flowers. Visitors can pick up a free guide and follow a designated route to discover the connection these pollinators have with the flowers they visit.

Sharon Allen, of Slippery Rock, enjoys one of the nature trails at this year's Celebrate the Bloom! event at Jennings Environmental Education Center in Brady Township on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Zach Petroff /Butler Eagle

Celebrate the Bloom — Celebrate the Bloom is a free annual event held at Jennings Environmental Education Center on July 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrating the state’s only prairie, the festival includes nature explorations, engaging demonstrations, local artisans and food, and musical guests.

The event is produced in cooperation with 3MJC, the friends group and funding partner of Jennings.

Mike Shaffer, a DCNR Environmental Educational Specialist, leads the Salamander Safari at McConnells Mill State Park in 2023. Butler Eagle File Photo
McConnells Mill State Park

Geology & Industrial History of Hells Hollow — A park guide to explore some unique geology along Hell Run as we hike to the waterfall and back as the sun sets. The geology of this area led to the iron industry and limekiln. Discover how it got its name and what it looked like in the 1800s.

Class is from 7 to 9 p.m. June 13. Meet at Hell’s Hollow parking lot.

Salamander Safari — The park naturalist leads another exploration of Hells Hollow from 4 to 5:30 p.m. June 27. The purpose of the event is to view salamanders and all the other creatures that live there.

Participants should meet at the Hells Hollow Trail parking lot.

Creek Critters — Those who attend the Creek Critters event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. July 18 will seek out salamanders, crayfish, aquatic insects and all the other creatures that live in Hell Run Creek. The event is intended for families.

Matchless Fire — The park naturalist will show how to make fire the good old-fashioned way with flint and steel and bow and drill method from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 31. Meet beside the Kildoo Pavilion

Sailboats offer free rides on Lake Arthur during the Moraine State Park Regatta in Muddy Creek Township in 2022. Butler Eagle File Photo
Moraine State Park

Preston’s Pearl — Preston's Pearl, an enclosed pontoon boat and Moraine State Park’s premier attraction, will begin tours Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. Tours begin at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sundays.

Visitors can learn about the area’s natural history and osprey reintroduction, while appreciating the scenery and wildlife on a trip around Lake Arthur.

Tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the Owlet Gift Shop.

Full Moon Paddle Meet for a nighttime paddle from 8 to 10:30 p.m. June 9, July 9 to explore the lake during the full moon. We will start the evening off by paddling into the sunset, then turn around and watch the moon rise, lighting up the night. Ages 12 and up are welcome.

Wonders of Wetlands (WOW) Educator Workshop “The Wonders of Wetlands” is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary hands-on inquiry based curriculum for grade levels K-12 focusing on the three definitive wetland parameters: Water, Soil, and Plants. Wetlands play an essential part in the lives of both wildlife and people and are one of the highest producing ecosystems in the world. Join state park staff from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to learn about utilizing wetlands as an investigative tool in your classroom.

Earn 7 Act 48 hours while experiencing the sights and sounds of wetlands on Lake Arthur. Class runs 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. Cost is $20.

For more information or to register please contact Environmental Education Specialist Mike Shaffer at mishaffer@pa.gov or 724 368-8811.

Venomous Snakes of PA — An opportunity to learn about venomous snakes in Pennsylvania is set from 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 12 at Pavilion #7 of McDanel’s Launch Area on the North Shore. Live snakes will be at the event.

Salamander Safari — A Salamander Safari is planned from 1 to 3 p.m. July 2. The event begins at the Davis Hollow Marina Office on the North Shore.

Explorers will search Davis Hollow Creek for salamanders and all the other creatures that live there.

Bats in Action — The park naturalist will lead a program about bats at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church from 8 to 9:30 p.m. July 26.

Those who attend will see a bat condo in action.

Regatta — The South Shore of Lake Arthur will host the annual regatta Aug. 2 to 3, featuring free music, fireworks, kayaking and sailing demonstrations.

The regatta will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 2 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 3.

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