Five Rivers MetroParks

Hunger Action Month starts tomorrow at the 2nd Street Market! Each Saturday, we'll host a local organization addressing hunger in our region - tomorrow it's our awesome friends at The Foodbank, Inc.

If you can, bring a non-perishable item (suggestions linked below) to donate. Visitors can also grab items from Market vendors with an orange Hunger Action Month bag displayed in their space.

As your region's outdoor destination that supports your physical, emotional and mental health, we understand the considerable effects hunger can have on people in our community. Let's help feed our neighbors, MetroParks fam, we got this!

Visit 2nd Street Market in September to give to food drive and help feed the hungry September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action. Sadly, there are around 106,200 food-insecure individuals in our area, and more than 35,800 of whom are children.

Free behind-the-scenes opportunity! 📣 We’re celebrating Open Doors Ohio by opening up the Aull residence to the public this Sunday, Sept. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Many people may have visited the grounds of Aullwood Garden MetroPark, but the house where John and Marie Aull resided is often closed. Guides will be on site to answer questions as visitors tour the home and peaceful, world-class garden that surrounds the residence. Registration is requested: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/?program_number=Q502&api=programs&type=program

Five Rivers MetroParks leaders say their proposed 10-year, 1-mill levy would fund existing parks and services in Montgomery County as the community engages in local outdoor recreation more frequently.

“The community very clearly told us that taking care of what we have is what is important,” said Five Rivers MetroParks CEO Karen Hesser. “Pursuing this will allow us to keep our habitats safe and protected.”

Read the full story below! ⬇

MetroParks: Levy needed to maintain current parks Five Rivers MetroParks leaders say their proposed 10-year, 1-mill levy would fund existing parks and services in Montgomery County as the community engages in local outdoor recreation more frequently.

How did the turtle cross the road?...With a little help from his friends! 💚🐢 Happy National Wildlife Day to all the local critters and those who protect them - especially Jason Sullivan, former MetroParks employee who helped out this little guy at Germantown MetroPark.

Your Five Rivers MetroParks supports the environment by protecting nearly 16,000 acres of land, 90% of which is in its natural state. Learn more about your MetroParks and how to Get Out & Explore this season at https://www.metroparks.org/get-out-explore/

Are you excited for your MetroParks to start looking like this?! This fall, there's so much to Get Out & Explore in your MetroParks, including:

🍂191 miles of trails for hiking, walking, backpacking horseback riding, mountain biking and cycling
🍂A significant portion of the region’s 270 miles of river corridor
🍂35 locations, including 18 MetroParks, the 2nd Street Market, eight conservation areas and eight portions of the region’s paved trail network

Learn more at https://www.metroparks.org/get-out-explore/

Take a peek inside the Aull House as part of the Ohio Open Doors program this week, in addition to chances to bird, find insects, mountain bike, paddle, fish and work on your fitness. Additionally, the 2nd Street Market kicks off Hunger Action Month with the The Foodbank, Inc. this Saturday! Learn more and register: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/

Happy Labor Day! Ranger Waller is out at Eastwood Lake and wants to remind everyone to be safe on the water and wear those life jackets!

As a friendly reminder, there is no swimming in your Five Rivers MetroParks.

Need to check mountain biking trails off your 2024 Trails Challenge log? Your next chance to try mountain biking at MoMBA is Tuesday, Sept. 3. You can borrow gear and tackle the trails for free, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The 2024 MetroParks Trails Challenge is presented by Huffy Bicycles with additional sponsorship from Dayton Children's Hospital and Wright State University .

GET ACTIVE: Take to the trails in mountain biking Five Rivers MetroParks Mountain Biking Area (MoMBA) at Huffman MetroPark features more than 9 miles of mountain biking trails for riders of all ages and experience levels. The scenic terrain includes winding wooded trails, a rock-bottom creek, plentiful hills and a rock-filled ridge.

We're weaseling our way into your hearts with this one! 🥹💚 MetroParks biologist Lisa Hill sent us these adorable pics of a furry friend that made its way into the camera array buckets at Spring Run Conservation Area.

Lisa let us know that you can tell this is a weasel and not a mink because of the white patch on its head. Ohio is home to six species in the weasel family: least weasel, short-tailed weasel (or ermine/stout), long-tailed weasel, American mink, American badger and the northern river otter. This is likely a long tailed weasel because of its tail length, which you can see in the pictures.

Learn more about this cool conservation project in the last issue of ParkWays:https://www.metroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParkWays_SummerFall2024_v4_Pages-compressed.pdf

Fall is almost here and so is your chance to Get Out & Explore with an entire month of festivals, programs, events and special happenings in your Five Rivers MetroParks. Check it out and plan a September adventure with us:

MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for September - Five Rivers MetroParks Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ emai...

Your last chance to flow with Speakeasy Yoga is this Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. during Yoga in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark. While community fitness sessions continue into early fall, this is the final Fitness in the Park session this summer. We'll see you Saturday with your mats and reusable water bottles!

Yoga in the Park is presented by Kettering Health with additional sponsorship from McGohan Brabender.

New 2nd Street Market vendor alert! Have you been to La Petite Kitchen yet? The 2nd Street Market is open Fridays and Sundays from 11 to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New vendor at 2nd Street Market serves Euro-American cuisine La Petite Kitchen is one of the newest vendors at 2nd Street Market serving Euro-American inspired cuisine.

It's a joy for our staff to teach you how to connect with nature and it's also a joy when we learn important lessons from you, too. Thank you for the reminder to never give up, Brenda, and for letting us make your wish to ride a horse again come true. 💚

Sassy and our Carriage Hill MetroPark Riding Center staff had so much fun with Brenda and the folks at Grace Hospice yesterday. A huge shout out to Grace Hospice for their important work and to our Riding Center staff for all they do for our horses - and humans!

‘Keep going’: Wish to ride horse granted for woman with cancer HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) – A Miami Valley woman with terminal cancer got a little help to check a goal off her bucket list. She wanted to ride a horse again. Wednesday afternoon, her wish was gra…

‼️ You folks may have noticed it's hot - the kind of hot we all need to be aware of, no matter how long we're outside. Remember to stay hydrated, wear sun protection, head out with a buddy and limit your time outside. Chief Hess also shared an important reminder with Dayton 24/7 Now yesterday about where to safely splash in your MetroParks and why there is no swimming in your Five Rivers MetroParks. Check it out. ⬇️

🌊You can cool off at RiverScape, Island and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks now through Labor Day weekend.

https://dayton247now.com/news/local/local-organizations-warn-against-swimming-in-rivers-and-lakes-to-beat-the-heat #

Local organizations warn against swimming in rivers and lakes to beat the heat MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio (WKEF) – On a hot day like today, people are trying anything and everything to beat the heat.But local organizations want to say that co

Back to school was a little sweeter for our rangers this summer! 🥹 Thanks to the generosity of a community donor, our rangers were gifted with 84 backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies! Naturally, our rangers wanted to get them to students who needed back-to-school items the most in our community. Thanks to Detective Hemmingway and MetroParks community outreach coordinator Sheena Johnson, Sergeant Becker and Lieutenant Sargent were able to drop off backpacks to kids at Adventure Central, DECA Prep and Sunlight Village Inc. Way to go, team! 🫶

Join us in giving our rangers a shout out for all they do in the parks -- and beyond!

Everybody belongs outdoors and because of some awesome funders and partners, Carriage Hill MetroPark and the 2nd Street Market are now more accessible thanks to the addition of universal, height-adjustable changing tables.

The changing tables at Carriage Hill MetroPark were made possible in part by a grant from the Charles D. Berry Foundation. The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities provided funds from the Montgomery County American Rescue Plan Act to MetroParks for the purchase and installation of the table at the Market, and consultation expertise for the installation at Carriage Hill MetroPark.

Carriage Hill MetroPark, 2nd Street Market add universal, height-adjustable changing tables - Five Rivers MetroParks Five Rivers MetroParks’ Carriage Hill MetroPark and the 2nd Street Market have both been outfitted with universal, height-adjustable changing tables, making these facilities accessible to people with mobility challenges. The tables are located inside both restrooms by the Historic Daniel Arnold Fa...

Happy National Dog Day! Just in case you couldn't tell, we 💚 dogs (and responsible dog owners) here at Five Rivers MetroParks.

You can help keep your pets, wildlife and other park visitors happy and safe in MetroParks by always having your dog leashed and under control, packing out 💩 and sticking to pup-friendly park locations!

Say it ain't so! This week is the final Summer Music Series at RiverScape Concert and your last chance for a free yoga session with Speakeasy Yoga. Also this week, hit the river for a paddle downtown and grab the freshest flowers and veggies from our Demonstration Garden at Possum Creek MetroPark. Learn more and register: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/

We've had some milder weather recently, but temps are looking to spike back up before Labor Day. Stay cool by visiting our water features and the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights during the last week of operation for the season: https://www.metroparks.org/safe-ways-to-cool-down-in-your-metroparks/

As a friendly reminder, there is no swimming in Five Rivers MetroParks.

Hey! These folks look familiar! Congrats on 15 years, Dayton Hikers!! 🥳

Dayton Hikers group celebrates 15 years of being on local trails Scenic wooded trails and historical urban sites, brisk heart-pumping hikes and slow-paced beginner-friendly adventures — the Dayton Hikers have been a mainstay for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels for 15 years.

Last week, Ranger Supinger spotted some good samaritans picking up litter at Hills & Dales MetroPark and was so proud to see such amazing citizens! 🥰 Let's give a shout out to these awesome helpers and remember to always pack out what you bring in to the parks!

MetroParks and University of Dayton want to hear from you about protecting the region's natural heritage. Take this 10-minute survey or save this post and return to it when you have 10 minutes to spare!

How do you feel about protecting the region's natural heritage? - Five Rivers MetroParks Five Rivers MetroParks and The University of Dayton are conducting a study to learn more about how residents in the region feel about protecting the region’s natural heritage. Taking this 10-minute survey is voluntary and can be completed at any time. Take the survey. Related Posts This Is What Co...

Tapas anyone? The next Culture Kitchen is Sept. 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the 2nd Street Market. Chef Santiago will be whipping up an array of small bites from his native Mexico. Space is limited for this special Culture Kitchen program and registration is required. Learn more and register: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/?program_number=Q287&api=programs&type=program

Don't put your gardening gear away just yet. It's time for second season in the garden, which means you can still grow carrots, kale and more!

Keep on growing: Second season in the garden - Five Rivers MetroParks Hot weather crops, such as peppers and tomatoes, are getting ripe and popping up left and right in your garden. In case you were thinking about winding down, think again: You can keep the gardening fun going into fall with cooler-season vegetables and herbs.

What's your favorite '80s tune and why is it "Let's Dance" by David Bowie?! ⚡️🔥 Retrobution will be hitting the RiverScape MetroPark Pavilion stage this Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. for one of our last Summer Music Series Concerts of the season. Enjoy free live music, plus the RiverScape Cafe will *totally* be open serving drinks, bites, desserts and snacks. We'll see you in your finest scrunchies, hand-made pink prom dresses and Members Only attire.

PS: This is not a Rickroll - we're never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you.

RiverScape MetroParks' Summer Music Series is sponsored by The Jack W. & Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation and The Enterprise Roofing & Sheet Metal Co..

Were you spotted at the The Dayton African American Cultural Festival (DAACF) at RiverScape MetroPark over the weekend?! We had such a great time and hope you did, too! Festival season at RiverScape keeps going with the PACO - The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization's Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sept. 21. See you there!

PHOTOS: Dayton African American Cultural Festival 2024 The Dayton African American Cultural Festival celebrated its 18th year at RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton on Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024.

Big hair, don't care! The 80s are BACK this Friday at RiverScape MetroPark with Retrobution. We'll also host a flatwater float, Conservation Kids/Leaders programs, FREE fitness sessions and much more. Learn more and register: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/

The biggest and brightest full moon for 2024 is on Monday, Aug. 19. This moon is both a "super moon" due to it's proximity to the Earth and a "blue moon" due to the number of full moons this summer.

August's moon is also referred to as the sturgeon moon because of the abundant number of sturgeon in the Great Lakes this time of the year. Check out more astronomical events happening in 2024: https://www.metroparks.org/mark-your-calendar-astronomical-events/