Park Programs for March 2019



We've also added a Volunteer Workday on March 2nd and a Wildflower Walk on March 16th. Call the Park Office for more info: 919-732-5505.



Public Input Sought for Park Planning

Little River is currently developing a Master Plan to guide long term planning and development of the park and its facilities and offerings. Please take a moment to contribute to the future of the park by completing this brief survey. Thanks!


Link to Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/littleriverparksurvey

Winter Walk Species Identification

Our Tiny Trekkers discovered some great stuff this morning and we just wanted to share the names and some info on a few things we found.

Running Cedar - this is a member of the clubmoss family and like other mosses, this plant produces spores in order to reproduce. It gets its name from the cedar bough like appearance of the plant. This evergreen was once used as Christmas decoration but so much of it was used, the plant was almost wiped out. 

Pipsissewa - also known as striped wintergreen. Its round, white, drooping flowers appear around late July. Indigenous tribes used this plant to treat gall stones, rheumatism and as a poultice on wounds. 

 

Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar - the caterpillar is covered with many tufts of fine bristles that can be white, yellow or orange. They also have longer "pencil hairs" at the front and back ends. The adults (moths) eat decaying plants with high alkaloid content which gives them a strong chemical defense against predators.

Programs and Events for December 2018

It's December already?! The park hours are from 8am - 5pm until the end of February. The park will be closed on December 24 & December 25. Here's what's happening at the park this month:

 

Tiny Trekkers: Winter Walk

Monday, December 3, 10am-11am

 

We’ll take a stroll along a trail and explore how the forest changes in winter. Maybe a story but probably no crafts for this program. Meet at the Large Shelter. Ages 3- 5 years; free.

 

Hike It Baby© - Hike with a Ranger

Saturday, December 8, 10am

 

Little River is teaming up with Hike It Baby/Durham to host a hike along the park’s beautiful trails. Baby backpacks and off-road strollers welcome. Call the park office for more information: 919-732-5505. Meet at the Large Shelter. All ages; free.

 

 

Star Gazing with Morehead Planetarium

Friday, December 14, 6:30pm-8:30pm

 

The fine folks 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. Meet in the Play Meadow. All ages; free.

 

Registration is open for the Little River Trail Runs

 

Mark your race calendar for January 19, 2019 as we get set for the 14^th Annual Little River Trail Runs. Go to the Trailheads website for race details and the links to register:  https://www.trailheads.org/lrtr. There will be 10 mile and 7k distance options.

 

Free programs made possible by donations from the Little River Trail Runs and the Trailheads Running Club. 

 

 

Have a great December and we'll see you next year!

April Programs at Little River

Call the park office for more details: 919-732-5505.

 

September Programs and Events at Little River

Here's a list of all the programs and events happening this month at the park. Please note that the park closes one hour earlier in September:

September Park hours: 8am - 7pm

Tiny Trekkers:  Butterflies 
Monday, September 11, 10am-11am 
Ages 3-5 years; free  

Trekkers learn about the transformation from caterpillar to  butterfly as we explore the garden and meadows for these amazing creatures. We’ll have a story, some games and  transform some paper into insects! Meet at the Large Shelter.

(Not So) Still Life Photo Shoot Pre-registration required! 
Saturday, September 16, 10:00am – 3:30pm  (deadline to register: Sept. 9)
Fee:  $35-$50     

Wildlife educators CLAWS, Inc. will bring their amazing birds for you to photograph in the park’s natural setting. Sign up for either the general photo session or the professional photographer-led session. For more information or to register go to: https://tinyurl.com/y9exlc7x. All proceeds benefit CLAWS!





Stargazing with Morehead Planetarium 
Friday, September 22, 8:00pm - 10:00pm 
All ages; free  

Morehead Planetarium will bring out the high power telescopes and give us a tour of the night sky. Call the park office after 4pm for cloud updates: 919-732-5505.

Discovery Club: Fossils 
Saturday, September 23, 10:00am - 12:00pm 
Ages 6 years & older; free  

Drop by and dig into how fossils are formed. Search for fossils from North Carolina.

Have a great month and we look forward to seeing you at the park.

August Programs and Events

Tiny Trekkers: Hummingbirds

Monday, August 7, 10am-11am. Meet at the Large Shelter. Ages 3-5 years. Free.

Trekkers try to keep up with the hummingbirds zipping around the park. Participants will learn how they get their food and fly so fast.

Discovery Club: Papermaking

Sunday, August 27, 10:00am – 12:00pm. Meet at the Park Office. Ages 6 & older. Free. Drop by and learn how paper is made from trees. Kids will use different types of recycled paper, leaves, flowers, and seeds to produce their own paper. Find out about how trees become paper and forest conservation.

Coming in September:

9/11 - Tiny Trekkers: Butterflies

9/16 - (Not So) Still Life Photo Shoot (register by Sept. 9/fee)

9/22 - Star Gazing with Morehead

9/23 - Discovery Club: Fossils