New Online Calendar of Events

Now it's easier to find out what's going on at the park with our new online calendar!

Park Programs and Special Events for January through April 2015

Tiny Trekkers (age 2-4)

Tiny Trekkers is a series of programs designed for young children ages 2 to 4 years old accompanied by an adult. Trekkers learn about nature through stories, activities, crafts and games.

 

Getting Wild

Date/Time:     Monday, January 5th, 10am-11am

Location:        Park Office

Fee:                $2.00 per participant

Min/Max:        4/12

Description:  Trekkers explore the differences between wild and tame animals and learn about the wildlife living around us. We’ll have a story and an animal parade!

 

Fur, Feathers, Skins & Scales

Date/Time:     Monday, February 2nd, 10am-11am

Location:        Large Shelter

Fee:                $2.00 per participant

Min/Max:        4/12

Description:  Trekkers learn about the different ways animals are covered through touch and observation. There will be a story, games and an animal craft.

 

What’s the Weather?

Date/Time:     Monday, March 2nd, 10am-11am                                                            

Location:        Large Shelter

Cost:               $2.00 per participant

Min/Max:        4/12

Description:   Trekkers find out about weather as we create some clouds, make some rain, and wonder about thunder.

 

Discovery Club (ages 5 and Up)

Discovery Club programs are geared toward children ages 5 & up accompanied by an adult. Programs focus on learning about nature and science through hands-on activities and exploration.  

 

Bird Box Building

Date/Time:     Saturday, February 21st, 2:00pm –3:30pm

Location:        Large Shelter

Fee:                $5.00 per box

Min/Max:        3/10

Description:   Build a nest box for your home to help attract bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens to your own backyard.  

 

Fossil Find

Date/Time:     Saturday, March 28^th, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Location:        Large Shelter

Fee:                $5.00 per family/couple/individual

Min/Max:        3/10

Description:   Join staff on an archeological dig for North Carolina fossils. Participants will learn how fossils are formed, how scientists look for them and make their own fossils.

 

Special Events/Programs

 

New Year’s Day Bird Count

Date/Time:     Thursday, January 1, 9:00am – 12noon

Location:        Park Office

Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required

Description:   Come count the birds at Little River! Join staff as we tally the diverse species of birds found around the park. Results will be added to the national count held by the Audubon Society from December 14 through January 5.

 

10^th Annual Little River Trail Run

Date: Saturday, January 17

Description: The Park will be moving as runners converge on the trails of Little River Regional Park. Sponsored by the Trailheads, runners of every level are encouraged to participate in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable morning on the trails. Register at www.trailheads.org for the 10 mile or 7k races.

 

Volunteer Workday: Bird Trail

Date/Time:     Friday, February 13^th, 10:00am-1:00pm

Location:        Park Office

Min/Max:        4/15

Fee:                Free; 6 years and older; please register

Description:   Come help us maintain and improve our bird trail and enjoy some lunch on us. This workday requires moderate work and the ability to use tools (rakes, loppers).  Please wear sturdy footwear and dress to get messy. Registration is needed to know how much pizza and refreshments to provide. Bring water, gloves, tools and bug spray if you like.  For more information please call the park office at (919) 732-5505.

 

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Date:               February 13-16

Location:        Park Office

Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required.

Description:   Participate in this National event here at the park or in your own backyard. Pick up instructions, field guides and data sheets from the Park office. Spend as little as 15 minutes counting birds, leave checklists for us to tally or submit the information at home.

 

Star Gazing at Little River Park

Date/Time:     February 20, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

                        March 20, 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Location:        Play Meadow

Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required.

Description:   Volunteers from Morehead Planetarium will bring out the high powered telescopes and give us a tour of the night sky. Bring a blanket, camp chairs or your own telescope or binoculars. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: (919) 732-5505. 

 

Volunteer Workday: Spring Cleaning

Date/Time:     Saturday, March 21st, 10:00am-1:00pm

Location:        Park Office

Min/Max:        4/15

Fee:                Free; 6 years and older; please register

Description:   Help us welcome in spring by working in the butterfly garden and enjoy some lunch on us. This workday requires moderate work and the ability to use tools (shovels, pruners).  Please wear sturdy footwear and dress to get messy. Registration is needed to know how much pizza and refreshments to provide. Bring water, gloves, tools and bug spray if you like.  For more information please call the park office at (919) 732-5505.

 

Statewide Star Party @ Little River

Date/Time:     Friday, April 24^th, 8:30pm – 10:30pm

Location:        Play Meadow

Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required

Description:   Join us at Little River Park for the 3rd annual Statewide Star Party. Star gazers at various locations across the state will come together to enjoy an evening under the night sky. This year we are focusing on our Solar System. Come a little early and walk our scale model of the planets. Part of the North Carolina Science Festival. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: (919) 732-5505. 

 

Environmental Education at Little River

Little River Regional Park offers a variety of nature programs for all ages. Regularly scheduled programs and special events are listed below. For more information, call the park office: (919) 732-5505 or register online: https://server3.co.orange.nc.us/.  Pre-registration is required.

Little River's Big Sweep 2014



Remnants from the old farmstead: tractor tires and metal barrels.

A huge Thank You to all this year's volunteers!

Thousands of volunteers across the nation gather each year in October to clean up litter from our waterways and public lands. As part of the nationwide Big Sweep, our volunteers scoured the park and portions of the Little River for trash and debris. One of our goals this year was to remove several large, old tires left from the days when the park property was a working tobacco farm. 



 Volunteers, including a members from area scout troops, hiked portions of the South River Loop and North River Loop trails looking for litter that may have been left behind by other visitors or washed downstream from outside the park boundaries. They also did some off trail reconnaissance for trash, pulling several large items that were visible from the trail as well as finding other long abandoned items half buried under years of fallen leaves.

Though litter along the river was hard to find, volunteers reported that a black snake and some frogs were spotted enjoying some of the last warm weather of the season. Possibly an indicator that all the previous year's Big Sweeps are paying off for the park's year-round residents.

If you'd like to participate in next year's Big Sweep or are interested in volunteering for other projects or clean-ups, contact the park office: littleriverpark@orangecountync.gov. We'd be more than happy to put you to work!




Fall Programs Focus on Birds

Programs at Little River Regional Park for September through December 2014 have been announced. Little River Park offers a variety of nature programs for all ages. Regularly scheduled programs and special events are listed below. Park staff can also arrange programs on a variety of topics for schools, scouts, or other groups. For more information, call the park office: (919) 732-5505. Registration is available online: https://server3.co.orange.nc.us/. Pre-registration is required unless otherwise noted.

Tiny Trekkers (age 2-4)

Tiny Trekkers is a series of programs designed for young children ages 2 to 4 years old accompanied by an adult. Trekkers learn about nature through stories, activities, crafts and games.

Hungry Hummingbirds

Date/Time:     Monday, September 8^th, 10am-11am
                       Tuesday, September 9^th, 10am-11am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:  Trekkers try to keep up with the hummingbirds zipping around the park. Participants will learn how they get their food and fly so fast.

Who-o-o Is It?

Date/Time:     Monday, October 6^th, 10am-11am
                      Tuesday, October 7^th, 10am-11am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:   Trekkers learn about owls – what they eat, the noises they make, and why they get to stay up late. Join us as we hoot it up at the park!

Terrific Turkeys

Date/Time:     Monday, November 3^rd, 10am-11am
                       Tuesday, November 4^th, 10am-11am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:  This month we celebrate wild turkeys. We will practice our gobble, gobble, gobble, make some turkey art and discover why turkeys call the park home!

Birds for Beginners

Date/Time:     Monday, December 1^st, 10am-11am
                       Tuesday, December 2^nd, 10am-11am
Location:        Park Office
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:   This month we turn the park office into a bird blind where Trekkers will learn about birds and why we watch them. We’ll read a story about birds, make a craft, and observe the birds at our feeders.

Discovery Club (ages 5 and Up)

Discovery Club programs are geared toward children ages 5 & up accompanied by an adult. Programs focus on learning about nature and science through hands-on activities and exploration.  

Tracks & Scat

Day/Date:      Saturday, November 22
Time:              10:00am – 11:30am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $5.00 per family/couple/individual
Description:  Signs of animals are everywhere; you just have to know where to look.  Join us as we look for tracks and scat of Little River wildlife. Make your own track station to take home and discover the wildlife in your backyard or neighborhood.

Special Events/Programs
 

CLAWS: Vulture Culture

Day/Date:      Saturday, September 13
Time:              10:00am – 11:00am
Location:        Small Shelter
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:   Wildlife educators from CLAWS will be on hand to talk about vultures! Help celebrate International Vulture Day by learning more about this important though much maligned bird species. CLAWS will be bringing Fluffy, the black vulture and some of their raptors and other birds of prey. Two vultures currently being rehabilitated may be released (if they are not ready, look for them at October’s program).

Little River’s Big Sweep

Day/Date:      Saturday, October 11
Time:              9:00am – 12:00pm
Location:        Park Office
Fee:                Free; ages 6 and up; no registration required
Description: Join thousands of volunteers across nation as we clean up litter from our waterways and lands. As part of the nationwide Big Sweep, we’ll scour the park and portions of the Little River for trash and debris. We’ll also try to remove several large, old tires abandoned when the property was logged in the 1960’s. Gloves, trash bags, pick-up sticks and refreshments provided.

CLAWS: Halloween Myths

Day/Date:      Saturday, October 25
Time:              6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:   Wildlife educators from CLAWS will help dispel some of the myths about owls, ravens and other animals associated with Halloween. If the vultures weren’t released during September’s program, they will be for this one! Come in costume and have your picture taken with Grip, the raven. Join us for a Haunted Hike immediately following the program.

Haunted Hike

Day/Date:      Saturday, October 25
Time:              7:00pm – 8:30pm
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:  Ghouls and goblins of all ages are invited to experience the park after dark. We’ll take a short walk around the park’s paved walking loop and discuss the myths and mysteries of creatures of the night. Tricks and treats are planned for those that dare to take the hike so beware!

Little River Under the Stars

Dates:             September 26^th, 8-10pm
                        December 12^th, 6-8pm
Location:        Play Meadow
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:  Volunteers from Morehead Planetarium will bring out the high power telescopes and give us a tour of the night sky. Bring a blanket, camp chairs or your own telescope or binoculars. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: (919) 732-5505. 

Full Moon Viewing

Date:               Saturday, December 6
Time:              5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location:        Play Meadow
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:   Join us for the last full moon of the year. We’ll have the big telescope and a few binoculars and take a tour of the surface of the moon. Learn about moon phases and create some craters. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: (919) 732-5505.     

New Year’s Day Bird Count

Day/Date:      Thursday, January 1
Time:              9:00am – 12:00pm
Location:        Park Office
Fee:                Free; ages 6 and up; no registration required
Description:   Come count the birds at Little River. Join staff as we tally the diverse species of birds found around the park. Last year’s participants tallied over 20 different species!

 

 

Matching Grants Program Accepting Applications

Durham County Open Space Matching Grants              Program Accepting Applications       The Matching Grants Program of the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations in Durham City and County. The grants are to assist nonprofit organizations in preserving open space lands and promoting new or improved recreational opportunities for citizens. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:   · Assistance to a local Land Conservancy organization in acquiring an environmentally significant natural area in Durham County. · Assistance to a local Scout Troop to clear and build a trail on publicly owned lands. · Assistance to a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to upgrade play equipment at a local elementary school that is used by the community. · Assistance to a local recreation organization to build a disc golf or other recreation course. · Assistance to a local organization previously funded by a Matching Grant to add additional improvements or recreation opportunities to an existing location. Major changes to the program for FY 14-15 include: · A 24 month period to complete any project · Organizations with an existing project are eligible to apply An informational session will be held on Tuesday, September 16 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Durham County Main Library located at 300 N. Roxboro St.  This session will be held in the 3rd Floor Conference Room. The application deadline is 5:00pm on Friday, November 14, 2014. For questions about the grant process, Contact Bo Gattis, Matching Grants Administrator at (919) 560-0012, or email matchinggrants@dconc.gov. For project specific questions contact Brendan Moore, Open Space Land Manager, at (919) 560-7957 or email brmoore@dconc.gov.   Grant guidelines and applications are available online at http://budget.dconc.gov/index.aspx?page=117

Summer Food Drive Update

The summer food drive sponsored by the Orange County Employees Consortium collected over 1000 pounds of canned food and almost 400 pounds of pet food. The food items will go to Orange Congregations in Mission for distribution to county residents in need. Summer is always a difficult time for OCIM so the contribution was appreciated. 

The bins will be back either for the holidays or next spring so if you missed this food drive, you will have another opportunity to contribute. Thanks for helping our community fight hunger.

By the Numbers: June 2014

This June was the driest on record for the park. Last June was the wettest with over 13 inches.

These are the statistics for June:

Total number of visitors: 3970.5

Total rainfall amount: 2.298 inches

Average daily high: 87.4 degrees F

Average daily low: 66.4 degrees F

Mountain bike trails open: 97% of the month

If you want to compare with last month, these are the statistics for May:

Total number of visitors: 6243

Total rainfall amount: 6.992 inches

Average daily high: 80.8 degrees F

Average daily low: 55.1 degrees F

Mountain bike trails open: 90% of the month