Portage Park District Calendar

Some people love them. Some people hate them. Some people even eat them. Wherever you stand, let’s learn more about the maker of one of our favorite sounds of summer.

This is an indoor program. 

These slower paced, group hikes offer a chance for all ages to enjoy a hike on a smooth, level surface whether you want to learn about nature or chat with friends.

The Berlin Lake Trail is a flat, crushed limestone path. 

Moths rarely get the credit they deserve because they come out after dark. We will literally be shining a light on these incredible night-time creatures to see all the forms that we miss out on during the day.

Busy bees are everywhere! Let's walk and talk about the importance of our native pollinators. 

Morgan Park has crushed limestone and natural surface trails.

Sitting by a river on a hot summer day can be life-giving, but have you ever asked yourself, “Is A River Alive?” That is the question posed by Robert Mcfarlane in this month’s book. Come ready to discuss your thoughts!

Taking a moment to center yourself is a great way to start any day. Sequoia Wellness will be in the parks to guide us through this “meditation in motion” practice.

If you’re a new hiker, maneuvering trails can be daunting. Our rangers offer monthly hikes to help people get acquainted with our beautiful parks! Already familiar? Come anyway for a hike with a friendly face.

Complete a Junior Ranger activity with friends! Kids ages 5-12 and their families are invited to join this group hike led by a PPD Staff member. We will complete one activity from our Junior Ranger program together.

Breakneck Creek Park has natural surface trails. 

Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature as an instructor leads you through a beginner friendly yoga routine.

Trail Lake Park has paved and crushed limestone paths. Feel free to bring a large beach towel to put under your yoga mat. 

We are much more active in the summer, which means we have many more accidents. Hike with a wound care specialist from UH Portage to learn how to best handle your summer burns, scrapes, and bites.

Explore a high-quality headwater stream with our staff and meet some of the aquatic creatures up close and personal! We will be using nets to gently sample the stream and learn how we determine water quality based on the macroinvertebrates we find.

Come be part of our citizen science team that is actively monitoring butterfly populations at Trail Lake Park. We’ll teach you how to identify these winged masterpieces on the fly.

Have you not tried birding yet because you’re just not a morning person? Then hawks are the perfect gateway to birding as they tend to soar in the afternoon. Join us to learn why and much more about these birds of prey.

Join us for our next Happy Hour Hike with the Portage Park District Foundation! 

Please meet at the SR 224 trailhead for a short hike, followed by a trip to a local lake house for beverages!

These slower paced, group hikes offer a chance for all ages to enjoy a hike on a smooth, level surface whether you want to learn about nature or chat with friends.

The PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail is a flat, asphalt-paved path. 

Subjects in motion can make for a blurry mess of a photo. Come practice action shots of walkers, runners, and bicyclists. 

The Portage HIke & Bike Trail has a flat, asphalt-paved path.

Cyanotype is a fun and fascinating art form that allows you to create with the power of the sun. We’ll go on a short nature walk before creating our own masterpieces on photosensitive paper.

The Headwaters Trail has flat, crushed limestone trails. 

Join us at this open-house style event to learn the basics of fishing and throw out a line. Space is limited so be sure to register!

Limited amounts of fishing supply will be available to borrow. Feel free to bring your own gear. 

Want to make the most of your flower gardens with the least amount of effort? Native flowers are the way to go if you’re interested in increasing the amount of biodiversity in your yard.

Local historian Bruce Dzeda will be presenting the history of the Brady Interlocking Switch Tower located in the parking lot of Towner’s Woods Park. Join us to learn about the structure, its function, and the people that operated it.

This is an indoor program. 

This monthly program allows you to check off part of the Wild Hikes Challenge in the company of people that love hiking and nature as much as you do. Get one step closer to earning your medallion!

Practice your map reading skills as we learn about the parts of a park map with friends! Explore maps of Ohio and Portage County.

Portage County Health District will join us to give registrants new helmets so they can make the most of their summer adventures safely. Giveaway will be followed by a family friendly bike ride.