Nature in Your Neighborhood

This program brings free, family-friendly fun to parks across the city! Beginning on June 4th and continuing on weekdays until August 9th, these activities offer a range of experiences that focus on connecting with nature and learning about our environment. Together, we'll create art with natural pigments, enjoy storytelling sessions, discover local plants and wildlife, and more! These events are designed to accommodate a wide age range and are suitable for children from K-12th grade. Adults are also welcome!

Circle of Life – Mondays, 10 a.m. – noon

Explore the interconnected wonders of nature where wildlife, birds, and fungi reveal their secrets through engaging, hands-on adventures!

Amazing Adaptations – Meet some neat creatures living in the park and learn about their habitats, life cycles, and survival strategies!

Birds of a Feather – Stop. Listen. Look, a bird! Join us as we look for local birds, learn bird calls, and craft binoculars to take home! 

Fungi Foray: A Park Exploration – Uncover the hidden world of fungi, marvel at the diversity of mushrooms and lichen, and explore how humans cultivate these fascinating organisms!

Earth Lab – Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – noon

Embrace your inner scientist as we experiment with solar power, unearth Lexington’s geological mysteries, and more! Get hands-on experience with scientific tools and leave with a deeper understanding of the unique environment around us.

A Drop of Water – Water is essential to live in a healthy ecosystem. Join us to learn about the water cycle, investigate the waters in the park, and learn by playing about maintaining fish populations.

Geocaching – Let’s go on a treasure hunt to explore the park, learn about Lexington’s geology, and improve our navigation skills using the Geocaching app!

Prism Pal – Have you ever wondered how rainbows form in the sky? Let’s make our own spectroscopes to explore the science behind rainbows and solve this mystery!

Solar Snacks – Learn how to harness the Sun's power as we cook up a tasty treat in our very own solar ovens!

Garden Guild – Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – noon

Follow the journey of your food from seed to table! Come get your hands dirty as we dig into the summer season and learn how to plant a garden that benefits both you and the environment.

Pollinators & Other Bug Friends – Craft a bug hotel to provide a home for the beneficial insects in your garden while learning about Lexington's pollinators and pests!

Seeds to Fruit: Exploring the Life Cycle of Plants – Learn how plants grow from tiny seeds into tasty fruit! We will explore the differences in seeds, learn some seed vocabulary, and learn the life a plant must live to grow a new seed.

Wormy Wednesdays – Transform food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for your garden in this vermicompost workshop, and take home your wormery to observe the process in action!

Nature Crafts – Thursdays, 10 a.m. – noon

Let nature be your muse as we paint with foraged pigments, mold our own clay, and transform upcycled materials into beautiful works of art! Connect with Lexington through artistic expression, and take home unique creations that showcase your creativity.

Earthbenders – Learn how to process ordinary dirt into extraordinary pottery!

Little Worlds – Create a miniature version of your local park with recycled and natural materials to capture the magic of all its little worlds!

Trash to Treasure – Reduce, reuse, and upcycle. Give dumpster-bound items new life as we explore different ways to reuse old clothes, plastic bags, newspapers, and more!

 

People & Parks – Fridays, 10 a.m. – noon

Join us on an expedition through Lexington's parks as we explore the wonders of our local ecosystem and learn how to be good stewards to all of its inhabitants, from the towering trees to the fragrant flowers, chirping birds, and crawling critters!

Green Tales  – Come take a stroll through the park to hear some local folklore and learn how to create your own nature stories! 

Park Palette – Learn how to make art from the colors you find in rocks, plants, and soil! 

Tree Huggers – Discover the beauty and importance of Lexington's trees while exploring the deep connections between humans and nature through fun, hands-on activities.

Special Events – Saturdays, 7 – 9:00 p.m.

Animals at Night – Bats, owls, moths, & more! Spend the evening with us learning about how animals live and thrive under the cloak of darkness.

Bioluminescence! – How do lightning bugs glow in the dark? Come learn about bioluminescence, the natural light produced by organisms, and explore its wonders firsthand at Jacobson Park.