Greene County parks events

Greene County News

XENIA — Greene County Parks & Trails will host a variety of upcoming events. For more information or to register for programs contact the parks at 937-562-6440 or email [email protected] or visit www.gcparkstrails.com.

Last night rides set

Enjoy a free evening bicycle ride escorted by GCP&T Trail Sentinels. Participants must be over the age of 18, wear a helmet and have lights. Rides will be cancelled in case of a thunderstorm. Night rides will continue at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 from Xenia Station to Cedarville, as well as at 7 p.m. Satuday, Oct. 22 from Xenia Station to Beavercreek Community Park. The Oct. 22 ride will be the last of the season. Seasonal refreshments at Xenia Station will follow the ride. Cyclists are also encouraged to decorate their bicycles with lights to commemorate Halloween.

Campfire cooking

Join Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Mike Schumacher 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Indian Mound Reserve, 2750 US Route 42 East, as he creates delicious camp meals using cast iron cookware. A meal with dessert will be prepared. The event is sponsored by the Little Miami Watershed Network, Jacksons Fruit Farm and Greene County Parks & Trails. Meat and dairy are part of menu. Cost is $10 for one session, $15 for both classes. Preregistration is required.

Volunteer at James Ranch Park

Soil, water, sunshine — and volunteers — create a blooming oasis in Xenia at Greene County Parks & Trails’ (GCP&T) James Ranch Park with its display gardens and access to Creekside Trail. The GCP&T volunteers work each Tuesday to design, plant and maintain the gardens, which are a popular destination for prom, wedding and homecoming photographs. James Ranch Park offers four acres and includes a 1800s brick residence built as a summer retreat for the James family. A springhouse and pond remain on the property as well as a garden gazebo and picturesque bridge near the trail. The park was donated to GCP&T in 1979.

Parks meetings

The Greene County Park District holds its monthly meetings 3:20 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Greene County Parks & Trails agency headquarters, 575 Ledbetter Road.

New activity guide available

The GCP&T Autumn 2016 Activity Guide is now available on the park agency’s website or by calling the park headquarters for one to be emailed or mailed to you. The guide features all programs, festivals and special events offered by the park agency, as well as information on renting park facilities and an overview of all park sites. An on-line edition is available at gcparkstrails.com.

Submitted photo “I Spy a Monarch Butterfly” was held on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Narrows Reserve Nature Center.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_monarch.jpgSubmitted photo “I Spy a Monarch Butterfly” was held on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Narrows Reserve Nature Center.

A campfire cooking session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Indian Mound Reserve.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_campcooking.jpgA campfire cooking session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Indian Mound Reserve.

GCP&T volunteers Sharon Manley and Jenny Davis pause for a moment to admire a pink dahlia within the gardens.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_volunteers.jpgGCP&T volunteers Sharon Manley and Jenny Davis pause for a moment to admire a pink dahlia within the gardens.

As part of the weekly volunteer garden team, Wallace Campbell tidies up a garden bed.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_volunteer2.jpgAs part of the weekly volunteer garden team, Wallace Campbell tidies up a garden bed.

Greene County News report complied by Anna DeWine.