As a former landfill, Green Hills County Park is a unique spot to observe birds. Search the grassy hill for Eastern Meadowlarks and American Kestrels while you observe vultures and Red-tailed Hawks soaring overhead. Borrow or bring your own binoculars to scope out nature from a distance. All experience levels welcome! For ages 16yrs. & up. This FREE workshop will count for Criteria II or III or Continuing Education credit for the NCEE Certification program. This program will involve hiking about 1.5 miles total up and downhill on gravel terrain. There will also be extended periods of standing. Schedule: Oct 10, 2026 Saturday from 8:30am to 10:30am Duration: 2 hours Ages: 16 yrs +,

Did you know families actually lived on the land we now know as Harris Lake County Park? Join us on a hike as we share about the Smith and Holleman families who lived here and learn more about their history and way of life. We'll investigate some artifacts, share stories, and visit some landmarks in the park that provide a glimpse into the past. Wear closed-toes shoes and feel free to bring a water bottle. For ages 10 and up. All participants (children and adults) must be registered. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Schedule: Oct 11, 2026 Sunday from 1:30pm to 3pm Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 10 yrs +,

The Holly Springs Tree Advisory Committee provides assistance with planning an annual Arbor Day event, guidance about how Holly Springs can maintain good standing with Tree City USA standards and more.

Pickleball is a paddle sport which combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. No need to worry about the weather, this open recreation sport will have participants enjoying friendly game play in a climate controlled indoor setting. Ages: Age at least 19 yrs but less than 50 yrs,

Join us for Fright Night, a Halloween extravaganza that will send shivers down your spine! This bone-chilling event features carnival games, costume parades, and activities for all ages. Embark on a hair-raising adventure along the haunted trail, where creepy creatures lurk at every turn. With a plethora of spooky surprises, Fright Night guarantees a ghoulishly delightful experience for all. Mark your calendars, gather your courage, and prepare for a night of thrills and chills that will leave you with hauntingly good memories for years to come. Don't miss out on this frightful festivity! Ages: Age less than 200 yrs,

Come along with Outdoor Recreation staff and a member of New Hope Bird Alliance as we lead a bird outing and birdwatch at a city park. This is a 3-part series. Each bird outing takes place on a Friday and will occur at a different city park every week. The birdwatching series is open to all levels of birdwatching experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars, as supplies is limited. Preregistration is required for all participants. Ages: 16 yrs +,

Join us for the first installment in our new three-part Outdoorsman Series, designed specifically for older teens and adults! Fishing can be a fin-tastic way to get outdoors and connect with nature, but it can be hard to dive into as a beginner. What equipment do you bring? What bait do you use? What kinds of fish are you likely to catch? If you've got questions, we've got answers! Join our knowledgeable park staff for a morning of coaching and casting, as we help you take the first steps on your journey to being an expert angler! Fishing gear and bait will be provided. Space is limited! For ages 15 and up. All participants must be registered. Meet at the Fishing Pond. Bring a water bottle and wear closed-toe shoes. Participants 16 and older must have a valid North Carolina Inland Fishing License: https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/fishing/fishing-licenses Schedule: Oct 17, 2026 Saturday from 9am to 11am Duration: 2 hours Ages: Age at least 15 yrs but less than 99 yrs,

Spend the day at the “beech” as an ethnobotanist! In this series, we will explore the relationship between people and the plants around them. This session in particular will focus on our namesake species, the beech tree! We will discuss the importance of ethnobotany, learn how beech trees have been used over time and look for them in the park, learn sustainable harvesting practices, and get more acquainted with this species through a nature journaling exercise. Part of this program will take place off-trail. This program is recommended for ages 12+. Schedule: Oct 18, 2026 Sunday from 1pm to 2:15pm Duration: 1 hour 15 mins Ages: 12 yrs +,

Interested in learning about Pickleball? Dive into the world of Pickleball with our beginner-friendly class at Bethesda Park designed for new players! This introductory course covers essential skills and rules you need to start playing and enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in America. Over the course of four sessions, you will learn from one of our DPR experienced certified instructors who specializes in making the game accessible and fun. No experience? No problem. Come out and learn why people of all ages are excited about the sport of Pickleball! Please wear tennis shoes or court shoes, bring your paddle and a water bottle. Balls and nets will be provided. Ages: Age at least 18 yrs but less than 99 yrs,

Come along with Outdoor Recreation staff and a member of New Hope Bird Alliance as we lead a bird outing and birdwatch at a city park. This is a 3-part series. Each bird outing takes place on a Friday and will occur at a different city park every week. The birdwatching series is open to all levels of birdwatching experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars, as supplies is limited. Preregistration is required for all participants. Ages: 16 yrs +,

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist and improving your nature identification skills with park staff? We've got the opportunity for you! Harris Lake County Park is an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot which means it's a place where you can make observations of plants and animals and share them with scientists!Our focus for today's program will be on arachnology! Come learn about the spiders and other arachnids we have at the park and search for cool species! If you are new to ecoEXPLORE, please create a profile at https://www.ecoexplore.net/signup prior to the program. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Bring your device for taking photos and capturing data and wear closed-toe shoes. For ages 7 and up, must be registered with an adult. Space is limited! Schedule: Oct 25, 2026 Sunday from 1:30pm to 3pm Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 7 yrs +,

Schedule: Oct 26, 2026 Monday from 6pm to 8pm Duration: 2 hours Ages: 18 yrs +,

Have you ever wanted to go on a treasure hunt? Come join us at Beech Bluff County Park to learn about the worldwide treasure hunt known as Geocaching. You’ll learn about what geocaching is, how to get started, and even try to find some of the geocaches hidden at Beech Bluff County Park. All children must be registered with an adult. Portions of this program do take place off trail and may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility. Schedule: Oct 27, 2026 Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 6 yrs +,

Join us for a guided hike from along the river from Eno River State Park to West Point on the Eno. This full-day adventure will be a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, get your steps in, and enjoy nature. We will meet at West Point on the Eno, take a shuttle to Pleasant Green at Eno River State Park, then start our hike 11 miles of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail back to West Point. Bring your lunch and study footwear! We will provide opportunities to refill your water bottles along the way. Dress for the weather. Preregistration required for all participants. Ages: 12 yrs +,

Speaker: Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, Native Plant Trust Free; preregistration required Join us for this year’s Jenny Elder Fitch Memorial Lecture as Uli Lorimer with the Native Plant Trust explores the questions and challenges shaping ecological horticulture today. Successful gardens are being asked to be both beautiful and to provide ecological function. Welcoming more native plants into designed spaces has been shown to provide great benefit for humans and wildlife alike. Environmentally conscious garden decisions are based on assumptions that native plants better support ecosystems, that genetic diversity is essential, and that native cultivars may not be as functional as species. This talk will explore the assumptions and the challenges to those assumptions. What role does the nursery industry play in providing the right kinds of information for gardeners to make informed decisions? Do maintenance practices influence biodiversity, and how do science and research factor into these assumptions? REGISTER HERE

Enjoy a guided outdoor hike with a relaxed pace, supportive leaders, and an memorable experience for participants with visual impairments. Ages: 18 yrs +,

Join us as we explore the beautiful colors of fall! We will read Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall and go on a short hike in search of fallen leaves to incorporate in a craft featuring our fantastic fall foliage. For ages 2-5 with accompanying adult. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. *Please note the later time for fall and winter months! Schedule: Nov 5, 2026 Thursday from 11am to Noon Duration: 1 hour Ages: Age at least 2 yrs but less than 6 yrs,

Group: Kids · Category: Explore More