Parks & Recreation Department

Play More with DPR and Participate In An Environmental Activity!

For information on any program or to pre-register, please contact Chris Shepard or Jessica Finelt at (919) 471-1623 and press option 2 or e-mail christopher.shepard@durhamnc.gov.

 

Join in the Celebration of Creek Week
Saturday, March 20 through Saturday, March 27


Logo for Creek Week, March 20-27, 2010

Durham Parks and Recreation is part of a coalition with Keep Durham Beautiful and other local organizations to provide opportunities for Durham residents to discover and explore local streams and lakes through educational programs and recreational activities and to do their part to protect waterways through volunteer projects.

The week will be filled with a variety of activities including topical speakers, hands-on educational sessions, canoe/kayak training, nature walks, creek clean-ups, workshops, and more.

To view a list of Creek Week activities on waterways throughout Durham, please see the Creek Week Web site or contact Laura Webb Smith at (919) 560-4326, ext. 30235.

 

The Durham Environmental Education Learning Opportunity (DEELO), "Why Water?" provides a series of hands-on activities for your learning space and the outdoor setting of Sandy Creek Park. This curriculum was established to bridge a gap between the Durham city parks and the Durham Public Schools. We found this to be a perfect opportunity to bring sixth to eighth grade Durham youth outside the classroom and learn the standard science requirements in different way. Sandy Creek Park was targeted for this curriculum because of a plethora of educational opportunities for the youth such as, restored wetlands, habitat restoration projects, and an abundance of wildlife. This type of programming will act as a vehicle in guiding youth to discover, explore, and enjoy the natural world through creative and challenging experiential opportunities that contribute to their physical, emotional, and social health.

The environmental education unit provides private programs for the on-site portion of the DEELO at Sandy Creek Park. For information about the DEELO and what the curriculum can offer you, please contact us at 471-1623, opt. 2 or e-mail Jessica Finelt.

Introduction to Durham Environmental Education Learning Opportunities
Durham Environmental Education Learning Pre-Visit Activities
Durham Environmental Education Learning On-Site Activities
Durham Environmental Education Learning Post-Visit Activities
Durham Environmental Education Learning Vocabulary
Durham Environmental Education Learning References

 

Join us for fun, hands-on environmental programs in our beautiful natural areas. From constellations to winter forest we will explore the natural world around us. We’ll also offer a monthly night hike, plus one constellation program, giving you an opportunity to experience the fascinating world of nature at night. These programs are open to the general public, all ages, and many are FREE.

March

Parents Night Out

March 12 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
Parents, here’s your chance for an evening out while the children explore nature at night. We will hike in the park, play games, and make nature art. Children ages 5-9. Call to register. $12 (CRPC), $13 (CRNPC), $17 (NCRPC), $18 (NCRNPC).

Leaves and Trees

Saturday, March 13 (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
Enjoy a spring day in the forest while discovering why there are different shapes and sizes of leaves.

Discovering Deer

Saturday, March 13 (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
We’ll look for evidence of deer throughout the park and learn about how deer survive in an urban environment.

Night Hike

Friday, March 26 (8 p.m. - 10 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
Come join us as we explore the forest in the beauty of night.

Spring Beauties

Saturday, March 27 (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
We’ll stroll through the park searching for a variety of spring wildflowers while learning about their identifying characteristics and importance in the natural world.

Fungus Among Us

Sunday, March 28 (1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
As the spring arrives, mushrooms are popping up. Come out and discover many of the different types of mushrooms at the park. If you have an identification book, please bring it.

Spring Nature Camp

We will be offering a one week version of our popular half day summer camp. The camp is for ages 5-12 and runs from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. You must pre-register by March 17, limit of 20 children.

$45 (CRPC) and $50 (CRNPC), $55 (NCRPC), $60 (NCRNPC) per child for the week. Call (919) 471-1623 (option 2) for information.

March 22 - March 26 at Sandy Creek Park
March 29 - April 1 at West Point on the Eno

 

April

Spring Break Trips: Trips are for ages 10-14.

$12(CRPC) or $13(CRNPC), $17(NCRPC), $18(NCRNPC) per day.
Tuesday, April 6, Paddle Trip Lake Michie, Durham County.
Wednesday, April 7, Hike White Pine Preserve, Chatham County.
Thursday, April 8, Paddle Trip Upper Flat River, Durham County.
Friday, April 9, Paddle Trip Lower Flat River, Durham County.
Trips run from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. You must pre-register.

Amphibian Adventure

Friday, April 16 (7 p.m. – 9 p.m ) at West Point on the Eno
Let’s explore the world of amphibians. We’ll learn about the different types of amphibians living in the area and explore wetlands where we’ll look for and try to identify them.

Puddle Discovery

Saturday, April 17 (10 a.m.- 12 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
Do you ever wonder how frogs and salamanders survive during the egg and larval stage? Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that form in spring from rain and snow melt. Because these pools lack predatory fish the frogs, toads, and salamanders use them to breed in and lay eggs. Let’s explore this type of wetland.

Seeds of Life

Saturday, April 17 (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
Come join us on an expedition into the world of seeds. We will learn about seed shapes, structure, and importance.

Habitat Heroes

Sunday, April 18 (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno
Learn about the issue of native vs. non-native plants. We will discuss the benefits of having native plants and flowers in our parks and yards. At the end of the program participants will be given the opportunity to adopt a small area of the park where they will remove non-native plants and help bring back native plants in an on-going process. Call (919) 471-1623 (option 2) for information or to register.

Sunset Paddle

Friday, April 23 (7 p.m. - 9 p.m.) at the Lake Michie Boathouse
Join us as we enjoy the beauty of Lake Michie at sunset by boat. Experience the transition from day to night while on a relaxing paddle. You must register and let us know if you need space on a city boat. $3 (CRPC), $4 (CRNPC), $5 (NCRPC), $6 (NCRNPC).

 

May

Fishin’ Frenzy

Saturday, May 8 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) at the Lake Michie Boathouse
This program gives children a chance to learn to fish. We provide poles and bait, parents you provide the company. For ages 5-12. The fee is $2 (CRPC), $3 (CRNPC), $4 (NCRPC), $5 (NCRNPC) per child and every child must be accompanied by an adult. Limit 12 children. You must pre-register.

Tubing on the Eno

Saturday, May 15 (1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno.
Join us for a fun float down the Eno River. Tubing is a great way to experience nature. This program is for ages 7 and up. All participants must wear life jackets which the City will provide. Space is limited to 12 people.
$3 (CRPC), $4 (CRNPC), $5 (NCRPC), $6 (NCRNPC). Call to register.

Spring Forage

Saturday, May 22 (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno Park.
Explore and search for spring herbs, nuts, berries, and fruit in the forest.

Night Hike

Saturday, May 22 (9 p.m. - 11 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno.
Come join us as we explore the forest in the beauty of night.

Trees and Leaves

Sunday, May 23 (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno.
Enjoy a spring day in the forest while discovering why there are different shapes and sizes of leaves.

Fungus Among Us

Sunday, May, 23 (3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno.
In spring, mushrooms are popping up. Come out and discover many of the different types of mushrooms at the park. If you have an identification book, please bring it.

 

June

Starry, Starry Night

Saturday, June 5 (9 p.m. - 11 p.m.) at the Lake Michie Boathouse.
Enjoy a program about the summer constellations. The summer skies are great for viewing the stars and we will utilize the open views up at Lake Michie.

 

July

Night Hike

Friday, July 30 (9 p.m. – 11 p.m.) at West Point on the Eno.
Come on this hike as we explore the forest at night. We will listen for animals and enjoy the beauty of the woods at night.

Eno Discovery Summer Camp

Eno Discovery is a full day camp, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. located at West Point on the Eno City Park. This camp focuses on age appropriate learning and exploration of the Eno River and the surrounding landscape. The children will discover the world of plants, insects, and animals in and around the Eno River. This camp is mostly outdoors and has limited indoor time. Space is limited to 12 campers per week. Cost is $120 (CRPC), $132 (CRNPC), $135 (NCRPC), $152 (NCRNPC) per week. Camp meets at the EE Center at West Point on the Eno. Please see the schedule below:

Ages 5 - 8: June 14 - 18, June 28 - July 2, July 12 - 16, July 26 - 30
Ages 9 - 12: June 21 - 25, July 6 - July 9, July 19 - 23, August 2 - 6
No Camp: July 5

Registration for this camp is on Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at West Point on the Eno. Registration will continue starting March 22 at West Point and the Parks and Recreation main office. For information about this camp or to schedule a time to register, please call (919) 471-1623 (option 2).

Mountain Explorations Trip

Join us on a fun camping trip to Mount Mitchell State Park in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. We will hike, explore streams, play in waterfalls, and camp under the stars. The program is August 8 - 13, for ages 10 - 14, limited spaces. Call (919) 471-1623 (option 2) for information or to register.
$195 (CRPC), $215 (CRNPC), $215 (NCRPC), $265 (NCRNPC).

Preschool

February
Tuesday, February 9 and 23, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, February 16 and 23, from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday, February 4 and 18, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

March
Tuesday, March 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, March 2 and 16, from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday, March 4 and 18, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

April
Tuesday, April 13 and 27, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 20 and 27, from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 15 and 29, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

May
Tuesday, May 11 and 25, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 4 and 18, from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13 and 27, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

These classes are for children 3 - 5 years old and all classes will be held at the Environmental Education Center at West Point on the Eno Park.
Cost is $4 (CRPC), $5 (NCPC), $6 (CRNPC), $7 (NCNPC) per class.

For information or to register, call Chris Shepard or Jessica Finelt at (919) 471-1623 (option 2) or e-mail Shepard.

Meeting Locations for Programs

Lake Michie Boathouse: Take a right on Bahama Rd, off of 501 North, follow until the lake. The boathouse entrance is the first driveway on the right after crossing the lake.

West Point on the Eno Park: 5101 North Roxboro Rd. We meet at the Environmental Education Center. Once you have entered the park, look for the blue and yellow signs to lead you to the parking area and then to the center.