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.

Fish Dissection - 2 NISTEM points

February 11, Thursday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

We will study the external structures of a perch and then open it and study the internal structures. This program fills up fast so register as soon as you can. Must be 14 years old or older and preregistered.

Cost: $6.00/student, $2.00/adult
Pre-register by: 2/4 (REQ’D)
Min: 5 Max: 15

To register or more information:
Email:rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss

Groundhog Day Celebration

February 2, Tuesday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

As the weather continues cold, we all wonder when spring warmth will be arriving. One of our native animals has a reputation for being able to tell when – the groundhog. We are going to encourage him with a little celebration held in his honor. Learn about hibernation, the history of woodchuck weathermen, sing some Groundhog Day songs, and go out looking for our own Metea Park Marvin. Will he see his shadow?

Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: N/A
Min: N/A
Max: N/A

To register or more information:
Email:bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza

Monday Mornings with Michael @ Metea

Feb. 1, 22, & March 15

Greet the day from the beginning and watch the
world come alive. A sunrise experiential at Metea
County Park. Dress weather appropriate, and the
hiking is easy to moderate and often wet.

Feb./Mar. 7:00 AM
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: Prior Friday
Min: 5
Max.: 15

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert

Monday Mornings with Michael @ Payton

Jan. 25, Feb. 15, & March 8, 29

Greet the day from the beginning and watch world come alive. A sunrise experiential walk Payton Park. Dress weather appropriate, and hiking is easy to moderate and often wet.

Jan. 8:00 AM, Feb./Mar. 7:00AM
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: Prior Friday
Min: 5
Max: 15

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert

Astronomy – Get Stars in Your Eyes - 10 NISTEM points

January 28, February 4, 11, 18, Thursdays, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Boldly go where you have never gone before – to classes about astronomy! Take four nights out of winter and expand your horizons to infinity. The first night will be about observing methods and stars, the second about constellations, the third about the solar system, and the last about galaxies, nebulae and other distant objects. We will be observing with telescopes after each class (weather permitting). Bring binoculars or telescopes if you have them or need help with them.

Cost: $20.00 for the series, includes all handout materials.
Pre-register by: 1/23
Min: 5
Max: 40

To register or more information:
Email:bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza

Fourth Friday Night Hike

January 22, Friday, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

The waxing moon will light our path as we seek the secrets of the winter nighttime woods. Flashlights are welcome, but not needed. Be prepared for Indiana weather.

Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: 1/19
Min: 5
Max: 45

To register or more information:
Email:bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza

The Metea Challenge

January 20, Wednesday, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Come and learn about our new Metea Challenge Program. This 2 hour workshop will introduce new games, initiatives, and challenge courses. Age 10 and older. Dress to be comfortable and active.

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert

Monday Mornings with Michael @ North Metea

Jan. 18, Feb. 8, & March 1, 22

Greet the day from the beginning and watch the world come alive. A sunrise experiential walk at the North Metea Nature Preserve. Dress weather appropriate, the hiking is easy to moderate and often wet.

Jan. 8:00 AM, Feb./March 7:00 AM

Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: Prior Friday
Min: 5
Max: 15

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert

Scrapbook Night at Metea

January 15, Feb 19, March 19, April 16, Fridays, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Beginning Scrapaholics. Need a night to catch up on your scrapbooking? Need some time for your self? Want a Girl’s Night Out? New to scrapbooking? Leave the kiddies at home, come and relax & work on your scrapbook projects, family albums, mini albums, cards, and home décor.

Cost: $10/session (advance), $15 at the door.
Register 6 people and save $10.
Pay 3 months in advance and get 4th month FREE.

To register or more information:
Email: paulcorrine2005@aol.com
Call:260-460-0851
Corrine Paul

Add your name to my MONTHLY UPDATES (by email) to get hints and instructions for special projects and challenges at the next crop.

Reserve Your Table Today!!

Monday Mornings with Michael @ Metea

Jan. 11, Feb. 1, 22, & March 15

Greet the day from the beginning and watch the
world come alive. A sunrise experiential at Metea
County Park. Dress weather appropriate, and the
hiking is easy to moderate and often wet.

Jan. 8:00 AM, Feb./Mar. 7:00 AM
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: Prior Friday
Min: 5
Max.: 15

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert

Monday Mornings with Michael @ Payton

Jan. 4, 25, Feb. 15, & March 8, 29

Greet the day from the beginning and watch world come alive. A sunrise experiential walk Payton Park. Dress weather appropriate, and hiking is easy to moderate and often wet.

Jan. 8:00 AM, Feb./Mar. 7:00AM
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: Prior Friday
Min: 5
Max: 15

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert

Cross Country Ski Clinic

Date: When there is enough snow

Learn how equipment works, waxing vs. no-wax, purchasing, ski prep and maintenance, and how to dress. Receive basic instruction and practice on technique, weather permitting. Leave your phone number or email when registering and Michael will contact you with time and date.

Cost: $7.00 incl. 1 hr rental
$3.00 w/your equip.
Pre-register by : N/A
Min: 5
Max: 15

To register or more information:
Email:mgobert@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3777
Michael Gobert
Note: Need shoe size, height and weight when registering

What I bring to you

By Michael J. Gobert


In that I am new to Allen County Parks I have been given this opportunity to provide more of my history, skills and experience.

My friends know me as a caring, giving, open-minded, intelligent, and spiritual person. I am an educator, environmentalist, naturalist, horticulturalist, conservationist, cyclist, challenge course trainer and instructor, and wilderness guide that is always learning and growing. I have over 35 years experience of working in these fields of study, and have worked with all ages in a wide variety of learning environments. My approach to teaching is experiential and I utilize the acclimatizing sensory awareness methodology. I am a diverse and a directly honest individual. I will gratefully talk to you, and provide programs relative to any of the aforementioned topics.

I plan to provide specific programs in canoeing, cross country skiing, backpacking, camping, survival skills, and trip planning. Hopefully we can set up some trips.

A new program offering at Metea County Park is Challenge Course programming. This program is comprised of three primary aspects. The initial is usually games and initiatives. These are further divided into categories of social/recreational, trust, and problem solving. They all foster the development of communication and teamwork. The second and third level of challenge programming occurs on a Challenge Course. The military calls them obstacle courses, which implies that something is in the way. They are also called ropes courses by the professionals of climbing and builders organizations. I prefer to challenge rather than force or coerce you to do something you are unsure of. A challenge course is divided into low and high segments. I know of five local courses, (within 25 miles), two comprised of lows, and three with both. Of these Challenge Courses, The Timberline Challenge Program at Deer Run is renowned as one of this nation’s best courses in design and diversity of options. Lows and highs are made of wood, poles, cables, and/or rope strung between trees or posts. Lows are 10’ and under, whereas highs are commonly 25’ to 60’. I have been on a Challenge Course in Oregon that averaged 60’ and the highest was 131’. Hopefully we will be able to extend programming to a Challenge Course during warmer months in the future.

In summary, come see me at Metea. I am looking forward to meeting you, your family, groups, and organizations. I am at your service.