Want to volunteer at Allen County Parks?

We would love to have you!!!!

We need volunteers for all kinds of activities, be it
program help, maintenance help, removal of invasive
species, filling bird feeders, small construction projects, hosts/hostess, anything you’d like to do!!

All potential volunteers for the Allen County Parks
Department must complete a volunteer application
before volunteering. A link to this application can be
found at our website on the Volunteer in the Allen
County Parks page.

What's Happening at Metea County Park?

To view a complete and up-to-date list of activities occurring at Metea Park, please see the Wild Grapevine, available at the Allen County Parks website.

Preschool Morning Adventure - Rainbows

Thursday, March 13, 10:00 AM


Attention all preschoolers! Come to the Metea County Park Nature Center and discover Metea's pot of gold!

We will be learning all about rainbows. We will read a book, make a craft and look for Metea's pot of gold! Story and snack included too!

$3.00 per child, $2.00 per adult partner (partner required). Call 449-3777 for more information and pre-registration.

Annual Membership Dues

Don't forget to renew your membership to the Friends of Metea. Annual dues are payable at the first of the year.

Additionally, consider purchasing a park pass. A park pass allows the passholder to enter Metea Park without paying the $2 entrance fee. This pass is available only from the Friends of Metea and is available to members only. If you are ordering park passes, each person in your membership who is age 7 and up will need a pass to enter the park without paying the admission fee. For an economic alternative, families and those who frequent Fox Island County Park may wish to purchase a "Basic" or "Gold" pass from the Allen County Parks Department.

Rate Schedule:

  • Individual = $15
  • Family = $20
  • Corporate = $30
  • Senior = $10
  • Student = $10
  • Park pass = $5/per person


List your name and address, plus the names of each person for whom you are purchasing a pass; optionally, include your telephone number and/or email address. Make your check payable to the Friends of Metea and mail to:

Friends of Metea, Inc.
16015 Bayview Blvd.
Grabill, IN 46741

Cave Exploration Adventure 2008

Pre-caving Class on Friday, February 29, 7:30 PM


Trip on Saturday, March 8, all day


Go underground with Allen County Parks!

Caving instructor and naturalist Bob Dispenza will be leading a trip to the Garrison Chapel Karst area near Bloomington on Saturday, March 8. We'll be exploring a wild cave in the area and going off the beaten path, looking for cave wildlife and unusual formations.

Mandatory pre-caving class is Friday, February 29, 7:30 PM at Metea County Park. Class fee of $20.00 per person covers maps and caving instruction. Learn about geology, cave life, needed equipment and cave formation.

This activity is somewhat strenuous, but suitable for beginners.

Call 449-3777 to make reservations.

Home School Series

Thursdays, February 21 & March 20, 2:00 - 4:00 PM


Metea County Park is now offering a home school science enrichment program for all ages.

We will be separating the students into three age groups and will be working on several different topics throughout the school year.

Participants in this project MUST pre-register at 449-3777. At least 5 people per age group must pre-register for the program to run.

The fee for this program includes both month's sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Cost for parents is $4.00.

EACH SESSION BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 2:00 PM AT THE METEA COUNTY PARK NATURE CENTER

PLEASE PLAN TO COME EARLY FOR REGISTRATION.

Beginner group - grades 1-3
TOPIC: Owl Pellets and Microscopes
Price: $10.00 per student

The beginner group will be learning about owls and will have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet to discover what they ate.

During the second session they will be using the dissecting microscopes to discover the world around them. They will be viewing different organisms under the microscopes.

Intermediate group - grades 4-6
TOPIC: Dissection
Price: $20.00 per student

The intermediate group will be dissecting a crayfish during the first session and earthworms during the second session. They will learn both the external and internal anatomy and will learn habitat and mannerisms of the creatures.

We provide most supplies. If you would like to have protective gloves please bring them yourselves.

Advanced group - grades 7-12
TOPIC: Dissection
Price: $20.00 per student

The advanced group will have the opportunity to dissect a frog during the first session and a perch during the second session. They will learn both the external and internal anatomy and learn habitat and mannerisms of these creatures.

We provide most supplies. If you would like to have protective gloves please bring them yourselves.

Volunteer Training for Salamander Research

Saturday, February 16, 2:00 - 3:30 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center


We need your help!

We are collaborating with Little River Wetland Project to find out more about these important indicator species. This project will run from the time the ground is workable, late February, until the first of April, depending on weather and we need individuals to check the traps, do some measurements, record info, and take pictures. We will be monitoring Eagle Marsh and Metea County Park.

To volunteer for this project, you MUST have a volunteer application submitted and cleared and you MUST have taken this training course! Cost is free!

Please call 449-3777 to reserve your spot.