Nature PROGRAMS

Nature PROGRAMS

2024 NATURE PROGRAMS

We are excited to be working on a variety of new offerings and experiences to get you connected with the great outdoors. From self-guided scavenger hunts, nature hikes and story walks in our parks, to new adventure programming and park amenities, we are committed to fostering your relationship with the natural world. Stay tuned for announcements on Facebook, and follow our interactive new website… come along on this journey of discovery in 2024!

SNOWSHOE RENTALS
If Mother Nature graces us with the white fluffy stuff this winter, we will break out the snowshoes and get our adventure on! Daily and weekend rentals available for all ages. Stay tuned for details!

BLUEBIRD BOX BUILD

Saturday, 3/9, 11-1pm, Freedom Park Camp Building, $10/child

Under the professional instruction and guidance of the LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council, each participant will build a functional bluebird box! When completed, the box can be brought home and placed outside for bluebirds to nest in. It is such a joy to watch these beautiful birds! Limited to just 10 participants, ages 8 and over, an adult helper is required to attend (and assist only when needed, we encourage independence when possible). All materials and instruction provided. Please bring a hammer.  Registration is required online at www.lagrangeparksandrec.com and will open soon!

FREEDOM PARK AFTER DARK
Full Moon Hikes
Tuesday, 4/23, 8:30pm – Pink Moon
Tuesday, 9/17, 7:30pm – Harvest Moon

Join us, along with the LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council for these special full moon hikes in Freedom Park! Please bring a flashlight or headlamp, and dress according to weather conditions. Age 10+.

HALLOWEEN HIKE
Red Wing Trails
Sunday, 10/27, 6:30pm

Join us, along with the LaGrange Conservation Advisory Council, and Paul Doherty, Recreation Advisory Board Member, for this special hike/walk at Red Wing Recreation Area in LaGrangeville!  Come for a pre-hike social with light refreshments at 6pm and the hike will begin PROMPTLY at 6:30pm from Paul’s driveway, 120 Veile Rd. We’ll follow the Red Wing Lake Trail to the Stream Trail, a 1.5 mile full loop. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp, and dress according to weather conditions.

Attendance for this event is by REGISTRATION ONLY at www.lagrangeparksandrec.com beginning Tuesday, October 8th at 9am. PARKING IS LIMITED and only cars registered for the vent will be allowed in parking areas.

An email will be sent to all registrants prior to the event with parking instructions and meeting spot. In case of bad weather, the event may be cancelled; please watch our Facebook page for cancellation notice.

FREEDOM PARK BOOK DRAGONS

Tuesdays, 6/25 – 8/27
Join Ms. Jess as we partner with LaGrange Library for storytime and more at the Small Pavilion at Freedom Park!
Littlest Dragons (ages birth-2.9 years) – 9:30-10am
A great introduction to the world of learning through songs, instruments, puppets, and a story.
Book Dragons (ages 3-12 years) – 10-11am

Book Dragons Assemble!  Create music, art, and stories as well as read some great books. Each session will host a mirage of events, ranging from lightsaber training to hunting for Bigfoot to becoming a knight!

Ms. Jess has 20 Years of Early Childhood experience and a BA in Early Childhood Education. She uses all that knowledge to create this spectacular program.
Sessions are drop-in, no registration required.

NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH

Watch for National Park and Recreation Monthly activities coming in July!

TAKE THE VITAMIN N CHALLENGE WITH US THIS SUMMER!

What is the Vitamin N Challenge you ask? It’s a campaign designed to get everyone to live a more nature-rich life, to get outdoors and become more connected to the natural surroundings. The challenge comes to us through the Children & Nature Network, and founder/author, Richard Louv. Richard’s book, Vitamin N- the Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life, is the backbone to this challenge and helps everyone to realize how easy it truly is (and how beneficial), to add nature into your lifestyle.

 

As a department, one of our top goals is to help connect our community to nature. We want to assist you with this challenge and will be sharing a Vitamin N list of nature activities you can do to help you meet the challenge. In the meantime, we encourage you to take the pledge with us and commit to getting outside. Follow this link to take the pledge!  https://eadn-wc04-796033.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/CNN23_VITN_pledge_23-5-28.pdf

To read all about the Vitamin N Challenge, go to https://www.childrenandnature.org/resources/vitaminn/

We hope to see you outdoors!

WAPPINGER CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL WALK

Saturday, 9/7, 1-3pm

Come join us as we partner with LaGrange Library for storytime at the Small Pavilion at Freedom Park! Enjoy a story followed by a small craft or activity. Books are selected with preschool/kindergarten in mind but all ages are welcome because who doesn’t like a good book? Watch for registration through LaGrange Library at www.laglib.org.

SKI CLUB

Watch for registration and pricing in October!

Residents ages 8+ are eligible for discounts at Thunder Ridge Ski Area including ski and snowboard lessons, lift tickets, and rentals.

What's Your Story?  show us at #LagParksandRec

parks & Recreation contact