Searching for something to keep the kids entertained over summer break?
The Frankfort Parks, Rec and Historic Sites offers a variety of activities for children of all ages to enjoy — including two brand new programs Art in the Parks and Environmental Adventures in the Park, which is geared specifically for grade school-age students.
In partnership with Josephine Sculpture Park, local families are invited to participate in the once-a-month program, which will meet on the first Sunday of each month through August and alternate parks and feature an art project that kids can make and take home.
After brainstorming different ways to get more people interested in the local park system, Alex Cunningham, with the city, and Melanie VanHouten and Jeri Howell, of the sculpture park, came up with the program.
“I think we are all on the same path to get kids and families in our community out enjoying all that we have to offer,” Cunningham said. “Less TV time and more running, playing and learning.”
Art in the Parks, which is offered in five monthly sessions, was slated to begin at Cove Spring Park in April but was rained out. The program is offered from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and remaining dates include the June 2 event at Dolly Graham Park, where attendees will make twirling twig mobiles; July 7 at Fort Hill, where participants will construct botanical suncatchers; and Aug. 4 at River View Park, where children will create sunprints.
Like Art in the Parks, kids attending Environmental Adventures in the Park, which falls on the first Saturday of each month from 10-11 a.m. from June to November, must be accompanied by an adult.
The parks department, county and AmeriCorp Kentucky’s Environmental Education Leadership Corps have teamed up for the program that will engage elementary school students by addressing environmental issues and partaking in an activity.
The program kicks off June 1 at the River View Park Ward Oates Amphitheater with “Recycling Olympics.” The wetland area at Cove Spring Park will host July 6’s “Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.” On Aug. 3, the series will move to Capitol View Park for “Renewable or Not.”
“Adopt a Tree” will take place at East Frankfort Park on Sept. 7, followed by “Nature’s Recyclers” at the Juniper Hill Park pavilion on Oct. 6, and lower Cove Spring will host Nov. 2’s “Habitat Hike.”
And speaking of hikes, as part of the Explore Nature Series, the parks department also offers Wildflower Walks each Sunday from 2-3:15 p.m. at Cove Spring Park. Participants will meet at the lower park’s pavilion and learn about local plants and wildflowers while hiking through the park.
“I just hope more of the community knows what a wonderful parks department we have and how invested our staff is in this community,” Cunningham said.
All the events are free and open to the public. For more information on any of the department’s programs, call Cunningham at 502-875-8575.
