October

October 1: Alternative Energy
Nixon Park, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
There are many ways to produce energy other than traditional methods. Thomas Gibson from York College will suggest alternatives such as geothermal, wind, solar, voltaic, pump storage, and burning renewable resources. NF, pre-register at 428-1961.

October 1: Moonlight Bike Ride
Rail Trail, New Freedom Parking Area, 7:30 p.m.
Take a 9-mile ride under a bright moon detecting nocturnal life and astronomy and hearing folklore and railroad stories. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ride. $5, children under the age of 12 are free, NPR.

October 3: Raptors Rising—Accipter Magic
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Lot, North Overlook, 9 a.m.–12 noon
October offers the greatest variety of species from kestrels to coopers, osprey to bald eagles and more. Join hawk watcher Ken Orvis and observe the fall spectacle of migrating hawks while learning basic identification and facts about many species. Bring binoculars and field guides, and dress for the weather. NF, NPR.

October 3: Hanover Junction and New Freedom Stations Open for Saturday Hours
Rail Trail, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Saturdays only in October)
These two museums contain information on local history. Hanover Junction depicts the 1860s when the train station was a center of activity during the Civil War. The New Freedom Train Station has a 1940s railroad theme, including an actual scale model of a K-9 engine. NF. NPR.

October 3–4: Dinosaur Weekend
Nixon Park, Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12 noon–4 p.m.
See fossil exhibits including dinosaurs, participate in dinosaur games and stories, collect your own specimen from the Fossil Pit, hear special presentations, and buy specimens from several mineral and fossil dealers. NF. NPR.

October 3: Fox Story Time – Dinosaurs
Nixon Park, 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
Join park volunteers as they read “Oh say can you say Di-no-saur?” Children, bring your favorite adult with you to enjoy the story and activity. For ages 4–7. $5 per child, please pre-register at 428-1961.

October 3: Triassic Dinosaurs of Pennsylvania
Nixon Park, 11 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Join Dr. Roger Cuffey, Professor of Paleontology, Pennsylvania State University, as he presents a slide show on the various dinosaurs that walked through the Keystone state during the Mesozoic Era. Dr. Cuffey will talk about how they lived, what they ate and what sections of the state they lived in. Suitable for ages 10 and up. NF, NPR.

October 3: The Fossil Lab
Nixon Park, 1–1:50 p.m.
Join Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones for a trip back in time. Examine animals and plants that lived many years ago that are now preserved as fossils. Learn how fossils are formed and what they tell geologists. Participants will have a chance to make a fossil. Suitable for ages 8 and up. NF, NPR.

October 3: So You Want To Be A Geologist?
Nixon Park, 2:30–3:15 p.m.
Have fun testing your abilities to examine rocks and fossils with Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones. Each rock and fossil has a story to tell us about where they lived or how they were formed. Using a combination of samples and PowerPoint slides, see if you qualify to become a “downto- the-earth type of person. Suitable for ages 8 and up. NF, NPR.

October 4: The Dino Lab
Nixon Park, 1–1:45 p.m.
See dinosaur fossils up close as Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones leads you back in the Mesozoic Era. Participants will be able to touch real dinosaur bones, teeth and foot tracks. Learn how a geologist knows so much about a dinosaur when only his foot tracks are discovered. Some fun activities will be included. Suitable for ages 8 and up. NF, NPR.

October 4: Dinosaur Sites in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Nixon Park, 2:30–3:15 p.m.
Join Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones on a PowerPoint tour of old and new dinosaur sites in the area. The majority of the sites are found in York and Adams counties. A discovery of a foot track occurred as recently as 2002. Suitable for ages 8 and up. NF, NPR.

October 7: Young at Heart Hike
Rudy Park, 9–11 a.m.
Take a leisurely hike with seniors to study nature and learn some local historic facts. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and get exercising. NF, NPR.

October 10: Raptors Rising—Accipter Magic
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Lot, North Overlook, 9 a.m.–12 noon
 Badges—Cadette & Senior: All about Birds
                SB 2, 4, T 1, SP 3; Math Maps & More SP 3
. See October 3 for details. October offers the greatest variety of species from kestrels to coopers, osprey to bald eagles and more. Join local birder Randy Phillips and observe the fall migrating hawks while learning basic identification and facts about many species. Bring binoculars and field guides, and dress for the weather. NF, NPR.

October 10: Public Star Watch and New Telescope Clinic
Rudy Park, 8–10 p.m.
 Badges—Brownies: Space Explorer (Partial);
                Juniors: Sky Search (Partial), “Doing”
                Hobbies (Partial); Cadettes & Seniors: Space Exploration (Partial)
Here’s a great chance to view the heavens through telescopes and binoculars. Also learn how to use your new telescope or get hints on what to purchase. Please bring a blanket or chair to sit upon if you desire. If you need help with your telescope, bring it along and our experts will help you out. Event held if skies are partly cloudy to clear. Call YCAS at 578-9109 after 5 p.m. for the status of the Star Watch. More information can be found at www.ycas.org. Groups with ten or more people should place a courtesy call to 578-9109. NF, NPR.

October 11: Cider Fest
Wallace-Cross Mill, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Come enjoy a fall outing, take a tour of the mill and sample some freshly prepared sweet apple cider. NF, NPR, but donations are accepted.

October 11: Fall Flowers
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 p.m.
Wander through a world of enticement as you take an afternoon hike to examine the flowers at the end of the season with botanist Bob Bull. NF, NPR.

October 12: Columbus Day
Parks office and Nature Center closed.
Park grounds open.

October 14: Young at Heart Hike
Nixon Park, 9–11 a.m.
Take a leisurely hike with seniors to study nature and learn some local historic facts. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and get exercising. NF, NPR.

October 15: Fall Senior Excursions
Rail Trail, Hanover Junction Parking Lot, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Take a 7-mile ride along one of the scenic sections of the park. Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones will take you back to time as he narrates some of the history along the way. Participants will pass through historic Howard Tunnel. Watch for wildlife and have some fun on the ride. $5/person, pre-registration  required at 840-7440.

October 15: Fall Senior Excursion and Lunch
Serenity Station, 11 Church Street, Seven Valleys, 11:30 a.m.
Take a round-trip ride on the People Mover to Howard Tunnel followed by lunch at Serenity Station and a special program. $20/person, pre-registration required at 840-7440.

October 17: Lake Williams Five Miler
Nixon Park, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fill your lungs with fresh air and your eyes with the color of fall as you circumnavigate Lake Williams on a fine fall morning. A Park Naturalist will lead this somewhat hilly hike to take in the splendor of the lakeside scenery. Bring a water bottle and snack, and dress for weather. NF, pre-register at 428-1961.

October 17: Raptor Rising
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Lot, North Overlook, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
 Badges—Cadette & Senior: All about Birds
                SB 2, 4, T 1, SP 3; Math Maps & More SP 3
October offers the greatest variety of species from kestrels to coopers, osprey to bald eagles and more. Join hawk watcher Ken Orvis and observe the fall spectacle of migrating hawks while learning basic identification and facts about many species. Bring binoculars and field guides, and dress for the weather. NF, NPR.

October 18: Fall Foliage Frolic
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 p.m.
 Badges—Juniors: Earth Connections 3;
               Webelos: Forester 3
Take an afternoon hike with forester and park volunteer Bill Greenawalt and unlock the mysteries of fall colors. Also, learn about the lives and history of the trees that bear them. NF, NPR.

October 21: Young at Heart Hike
Rail Trail, New Freedom South Parking Lot, 9–11 a.m.
Take a leisurely hike with seniors to study nature and learn some local historic facts. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and get exercising. NF, NPR.

October 24: Raptor Rising
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Lot, North Overlook, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
October offers the greatest variety of species from kestrels to coopers, osprey to bald eagles and more. Join hawk watcher Ken Orvis and observe the fall spectacle of migrating hawks while learning basic identification and facts about many species. Bring binoculars and field guides, and dress for the weather. NF, NPR.

October 24: Compass Hike
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Parking Area, 1– 2:30 p.m.
 Badges—Junior: Finding your way (Partial),
                Camp Together 6; Cadette & Senior:
                Orienteering (Partial), Camping T1
Join York County Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones as he walks participants through the woods teaching how to read a compass and follow a compass course. NF, please register by calling 428-1961.

October 25: Partners in the Park 5K Race
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Picnic Area Parking Lot, 2 p.m.
This unique running race passes through the park using roadways and trails. Runners are teamed into pairs and runners’ times are combined to produce a total time. Prizes are awarded in various categories. Event proceeds benefit the trails at Rocky Ridge Park. Call 840-7440 for registration details.

October 25: How Animals Prepare for Winter
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 p.m.
 Badges—Brownies: Watching Wildlife 3;
                Junior: Earth Connections 7, 9 Wildlife 4
This is the last hike of the Spring to Fall Sunday Walk Series at Nixon Park. Explore what steps the animal world is taking to get ready for the long winter months on an autumn afternoon stroll with Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones. NF, NPR.

October 27: Parks Board Meeting
Pleasant Acres Annex, 7 p.m.

October 28: Young at Heart Hike
Highpoint Scenic Vista Trail, 9–11 a.m.
Take a leisurely hike with seniors to study nature and learn some local historic facts. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and get exercising. NF, NPR.

October 31: Ghost Walk
Raab Park, 7–9 p.m.
 Badges—Cadette & Senior: Heritage Hunt (T1)
Take a walk and relive the life of a miner employed by the York Iron Company. Participants will visit this 19th century mine after hours when strange things may happen. Participants must bring a flashlight and be prepared to walk one mile with hills. Sturdy shoes are suggested, as several hills will be included. NF, pre-register by calling (717) 428-1961.