Saturday, June 4th, 2016, is National Trails Day. In the Triangle you can celebrate it with a guided hike, help clean up trails, create a nature journal or visit an environmental education expo. These are all free activities. Here’s what’s happening near you:
Artify: Arts in the Park
Booth Amphitheatre in Cary
10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Join us as we “artify” the National Trails Day® celebration and walk the beautiful Symphony Lake Greenway. Members of the Greenway Committee and the Cultural Arts Committee will guide you and share observations of both nature and culture. Enjoy a series of visual arts experiences, designed by artist Nate Key, as well as other visual and performing artists, at stations along the trail. Other highlights include listening to the sounds of the NC Symphony as they rehearse for the Summerfest concert later that evening. Tours start on the Crescent Deck at 10:15am, 11:30am, and 12:45pm. For more info call (919) 469-4061.
Tanyard Branch Trail connecting with Bolin Creek trail
513 Cotton Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
A guided hike starting from the Tanyard Branch Trailhead leaves at 10 a.m. Parking will be available at Hargraves Community Park at the corner of Mitchel Drive and Roberson Street and overflow parking should be available at the Northside School on Caldwell Street. The first 50 people will get a free pedometer.
Environmental Education Expo
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lots of interactive stations for children and adults to experience the wonders of nature while learning about the environment. Songbird identification, bugs, reptiles, trees, camping, and much more. Children can pick up a passport to collect stamps for a prize.
Triangle Volksmarch
Stations along Capital Greenway (follow link, above, for a map), Raleigh
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Earn the 2016 Volksmarch patch! Pick up your passport & map at event locations. Visit stamp stations along the Capital Greenway anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Choose-your-own short treks, or walk the entire 5.6 miles.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Decorate a Walking Stick. Free sticks available while supplies last. NC Museum of Art Amphitheater.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Citizen Science. Help biologists do real science experiments. Prairie Ridge EcoStation.
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Chirba Chirba Dumpling food truck will be at Prairie Ridge Eccostation.
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Forestry Festival. See live demonstrations and meet Smokey Bear. Schenck Forest.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Box Turtle Survival Skills with Park Rangers. Experience the park through the eyes of a 100-year old turtle. William B. Umstead State Park, Reedy Creek Entrance.
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Triangle Volksmarch after party. Celebrate a day of hiking/walking with local food, fun, family and friends at Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Cameron Village.
Poet’s Walk
376 St. Mary’s Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Silent guided meditation hike around the 1-mile loop.
Eno River State Park Maintenance Day
Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC 27705
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Help repair a very pretty, but rather eroded section of trail along the banks of the Eno River. Volunteers will need to wear boots or solid shoes and work clothes you can get dirty. Bring work gloves, water, lunch, insect repellent. Tools provided.
Falls Lake Workday on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
121 Sherron Road, Durham, NC 27703
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Meet at the Food Lion to split up into work teams that will cut branches, pull out saplings, drag logs off the trail, pick up trash, rake, fill holes and level the trail on our 60 miles of the MST at Falls Lake. Wear work clothes and solid shoes or hiking boots suitable to the weather; work gloves, if you have them (if not, we have some); plenty of water; lunch
And a couple a little farther afield:
Hike at Cedarock Park
4242 R. Dean Coleman Road, Burlington, NC 27215
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Meet at 9 a.m. at the middle park office (near the fishing pond) for a guided hike on a 2-mile trail appropriate to all fitness levels.
Create a Nature Journal
Shallow Ford Natural Area
1955 Gerringer Mill Road, Burlington, NC 27217
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Ages 16 and up, create a nature journal to take on your hike; materials will be supplied. Pre-register at https://alamance.recdesk.com under “Programs” or call (336) 229-2410
