The Memorial Lake State Park Complex has announced its schedule of outdoor events in September at the complex, which includes Memorial Lake and Swatara state parks, and Boyd Big Tree and Joseph Ibberson conservation areas.
All programs are subject to change due to weather or staffing shortages. Please check the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Calendar of Events or Facebook page for cancellations or changes to programs.
Activities are free unless otherwise noted. If you have concerns or require special accommodations, please reach out to DCNR at least 72 hours prior to the event at 717-865-6470 or qheist@pa.gov.
Here’s this month’s schedule:
- Sunday, Sept. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. – Branching Out: Intro to Tree ID at Memorial Lake State Park. Explore the diversity and wonder of the trees commonly found in Pennsylvania and learn tips for identifying trees using bark, leaves, and seeds. Meet at the Middle Road parking lot.
- Sunday, Sept. 1, 1:30-3 p.m. – Mammal Tracks and Traces at Memorial Lake State Park. Explore the world of wildlife tracking by observing mammals’ skulls and furs and identifying tracks. Meet at Middle Road parking lot.
- Monday, Sept. 2, 9-10:30 a.m. – Birding Walk at Memorial Lake State Park. Join the park naturalist for a morning bird walk around Memorial Lake. The park can lend binoculars and field guides to participants or they can bring their own. Meet at Middle Road parking lot.
- Monday, Sept. 2, 2-3:30 p.m. – Stream Study at Memorial Lake State Park. Explore the quality of the stream by looking at creatures that live there. The park will provide strainers, containers, and magnifying glasses, as well as a discussion about life in the water. Bring shoes to wear in the stream. Meet at Lower Road parking lot.
- Friday, Sept. 6, 1-2:30 p.m. – Pawpaw: PA’s Forgotten Fruit at Boyd Big Tree Preserve. Pawpaw ripen in late summer and taste like a cross between a banana and a mango. Learn about the history, biology, and importance of pawpaw trees, followed by a hike to pawpaw patches in the park. Meet at the education pavilion.
- Saturday, Sept. 7, 10-11:30 a.m. – Pawpaw: PA’s Forgotten Fruit at Boyd Big Tree Preserve. Pawpaw ripen in late summer and taste like a cross between a banana and a mango. Learn about the history, biology, and importance of pawpaw trees, followed by a hike to pawpaw patches in the park. Meet at the education pavilion.
- Saturday, Sept. 7, 1-2:30 p.m. – Insect Exploration: Butterflies at Boyd Big Tree Preserve. Catch butterflies in the meadows and take a closer look at these important links in the local ecosystem. Meet near the education pavilion.
- Wednesday, Sept. 11, 5:30-7 p.m. – Fossil Frenzy: Dig into PA’s Past at Swatara State Park. Learn about the types of fossils that can be found at Swatara State Park, how they were created, and what they can tell us about the past. Dig for fossils in the park’s tried-and-true fossil hill. The park will provide plastic digging trowels, or bring your own. Meet at the Swopes Valley Trailhead, then walk about one half mile to the fossil site.
- Thursday, Sept. 12, 5:30-7 p.m. – Intro to Kayaking at Memorial Lake State Park. Learn the basics of kayak safety and technique. Kayak, paddle, and lifejacket provided. Meet at Lower Road Boat Launch. Limited spots are available, so prior registration is required. Fee: $5 cash or check to Friends of Memorial Lake. Participants under the age of 18 must be with a parent. Anyone bringing a child under the age of 12, email qheist@pa.gov to check for tandem kayak availability.
- Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30-8:30 p.m. – Going Batty: PA Bats at Memorial Lake State Park. Walk through the Middle Lot area to look for and learn about bats and why it’s more important than ever they be protected. Bring a flashlight. Meet at the Middle Road pavilion.
- Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Bear-Hole Trail Drive-Thru at Swatara State Park. Explore Bear Hole Trail by car. The drive begins at Swopes Valley Trailhead and goes 5 miles through the center of park, letting out at the Waterville Bridge near Lickdale. There are designated parking areas by the fossil pit, Daubert School, charcoal pit, and Bordner Cabin to get out and explore. Speed limit is 10 mph and all traffic is one way. Last entrance is at 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Girl Scouts Love State Parks at Swatara State Park. Join a morning trash clean-up. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Register in advance on the DCNR events calendar.
- Sunday, Sept. 14, 12:30-2:30 p.m. – Girl Scouts Love State Parks at Swatara State Park. Join an afternoon nature hike to Bordner’s Cabin and talk about its history. This 3-mile hike is over easy terrain. Wear appropriate shoes and bring water. Register in advance on the DCNR events calendar.
- Thursday, Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m. – Intro to Archery at Memorial Lake State Park. Learn the basics of archery, including safety, technique, and proper use of equipment. The park will provide all equipment necessary for the program. Children must be at least 10 years old to participate and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at Middle Road pavilion. Space is limited, and prior registration is required.
- Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-3:30 p.m. – Art in the Park: Nature Painting at Memorial Lake State Park. Explore your creative side by going on a short walk along the woodland trail to collect natural items to use as models to paint. The park will provide basic watercolors, brushes, paper, and other supplementary art materials, but feel free to bring along more supplies. Meet at the Middle Lot parking lot.
- Sunday, Sept. 22, 9-10:30 a.m. – Birding Walk at Swatara State Park. Join the park naturalist for a morning bird walk. The park has binoculars and field guides to lend out, or bring your own. Meet at Trout Run Trailhead.
- Sunday, Sept. 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Bordner Cabin Hike at Swatara State Park. Join the park naturalist for an easy 3-mile hike beginning at the Sand Siding Road lot, following Sand Siding Trail onto Bear Hole Trail, and stopping at Bordner Cabin to talk about its history before returning to the Sand Siding lot. Wear appropriate shoes and bring water. Meet at Sand Siding Road lot.
- Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Bear-Hole Trail Drive-Thru at Swatara State Park. Explore Bear Hole Trail by car. The drive begins at Swopes Valley Trailhead and goes 5 miles through the center of park, letting out at the Waterville Bridge near Lickdale. There are designated parking areas by the fossil pit, Daubert School, charcoal pit, and Bordner Cabin to get out and explore. Speed limit is 10 mph and all traffic is one way. Last entrance is at 2:30 p.m.
Project WILD
Meet at Memorial Lake State Park, 18 Boundary Road, Grantville, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, for Project WILD.
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental curriculum focusing on wildlife and habitat for students K-12. The focus is on hands-on activities and adapting them to new STEELS standards.
The event is for formal and non-formal educators. An hour’s advance work will be sent to participants through email.
Bring lunch and water. Dress for the outdoors.
Meet at the Middle Lot Pavilion. Pre-registration is required.
Cost is $15 an includes a curriculum and activity guide and light refreshments. Make checks payable to “Friends of Memorial Lake and Swatara State Parks” and deliver to the park office at 18 Boundary Road, Grantville PA 17028. Or pay by card by calling the park office at (717) 865-6479.
Contact Quinn Heist, environmental education specialist, at qheist@pa.gov or call the park office at (717) 865-6470 for more information.
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