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.

Myths and Mysteries of the Marsh

Programming offered off site in conjunction with Little River Wetland Project

October 28, Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Eagle Marsh Barn

Join naturalist Natalie Haley in a night-time hiking adventure with our wetland neighbor, Eagle Marsh. Natalie will share myths of the marsh critters (our friend the beaver, the muskrat, the heron and the crane, etc…)during a lovely night ramble through this lush wetland.

Cost: FREE.
Pre-register by: N/A
Min: 5
Max: 30

To register or for more information:
Email: crc@lrwp.org
Call: 478-2515
Rachel Smith

Night Hike

October 30, Friday, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

Come and experience the night at Metea. Let’s use our senses to explore what makes night-time different from the day. After our hike we will gather around the campfire and enjoy some s’mores. All ages welcome.

Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/25
Min: 5
Max: 20

To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller

Night Hike - 2 NISTEM points

October 23, Friday, 7:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

Out into the mysterious night woods we go! Enjoy the wild darkness as we learn about night animals we don’t know much about. Suitable for all ages. Flashlights optional, and not used on the hike.

Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: 10/18
Min: 5
Max: 30

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

Seeds are Everywhere - 2 NISTEM points

October 22, Thursday, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center

Let’s take a look at how seeds disperse themselves. They float through the air, get caught on our clothes, and they are inside an apple when you take a bite! We will go on a seed hike, take a look inside a seed, and have a seedy snack. Ages 6 through adult

Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/16
Min: 5
Max: 20

To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller

Sunny Schick Photography Class – Shooting Nature

October 18, Sunday, 2:30 PM– 4:30 PM, at Metea County Park Nature Center

Instructor Chuck Fletter will share techniques for shooting wildlife and taking macro photos. He will cover how to choose the best lens for your needs and how to make the best use of your existing equipment. A selection of Tamron demo lenses for Nikon and Cannon SLRs will be available.

Fee: $12.00
Pre-register by: 10/16
Min: 5
Max: 20

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

Living Crayfish Observation - 2 NISTEM points

October 20, Tuesday, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, at Metea County Park Nature Center

This is a creek activity, so wear old shoes or water shoes. We will be in the river to collect specimens. We will then observe the following, habitat of the crayfish, function of the appendages, make up of the exoskeleton, make up of the eyes and other sensory organs.
Ages 12 through adult.

Cost: $ 2.00
Pre-register by: 10/15
Min: 5
Max: 15

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

Home School Series - 2 NISTEM points per class

October 15, November 19, Thursdays, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Metea County Park Nature Center

Home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups. Includes BOTH month’s sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Classes fill up quickly, so reserve you space. Classes begin at promptly 2:00 PM! Sessions will be held both indoors and outdoors. Dress for the weather.

Cost: $10.00/student
$4.00/adult
Pre-register & PREPAY by: 10/10/09
Min: 5/age group
Max: 20
SPACE WILL NOT BE RESERVED UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID

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

Session 1: October 15

Beginner (grade 1-3)
Pumpkins – Seed to Jack-o-Lantern.
Study the life cycle of the pumpkin and then carve a Jack -O- Lantern to take home.

Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Animal myths.
Are daddy-long-legs the most poisonous spider? Do squirrels get rabies? Learn the truth about our animal friends (and not some Internet rumor).

Advanced (grade 7-12)
Trees
We will continue the study of trees by building a collection for educational use in the park.

Session 2: November 19

Beginner (grade 1-3)
Squirrels
Red squirrels do not drive out gray squirrels; gray squirrels do not remember where they buried nuts, and squirrels do eat meat! Take a naturalist-led hike through Metea woods and learn more about these “nutty”, or not so nutty, rodents

Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Geology
We’ll get to the “rock bottom” of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, and learn about glaciers and other geologic forces and facts. Yes, it’s true, Indiana ROCKS!

Advanced (grade 7-12)
Mosses and Microscopes
Explore the tiny world of some of our smallest plants. What looks like just a little green spot in the woods becomes a whole ecosystem under the microscope.