Moraine, McConnells Mill set for season
Moraine State Park is off Route 422 in Muddy Creek, Worth, Brady and Franklin townships. It is bisected by routes 422 and 528.
The park office can be reached at 724-368-8811.
• Saturday — Who Let the Dogs Out?, 1 to 3 p.m. Dog owners will meet at the Pleasant Valley picnic area on the south shore of the lake for a two-mile hike with their pets. Dogs will be permitted to swim in Lake Arthur following the walk.
• Monday — Nature Watch Kayaking, 1 to 3 p.m. Kayakers can take their own boat or borrow a park kayak by calling the park office. Participants will paddle the lake at a leisurely pace while bird-watching and looking for wildlife. Kayakers must be at least 12 years old. Adults must accompany paddlers under the age of 18.
• June 12 — National Get Outdoors Day, noon to 6 p.m. Activities include kayaking, boating, fishing, geocaching, biking and children's events. For a schedule of family events, call the park office.
• July 4 — Scavenger Hunt at the Beach, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Meet at the concession area at Lakeview beach for a family scavenger hunt/adventure. Find all the scavenger hunt items and win a prize.
• Aug. 6 — Star Gazing Party, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Join members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh at the bike rental building and try out a number of telescopes. A presentation will show pictures from the cosmos. Take a blanket and snacks for the family.
• Aug. 7 and 8 — Lake Arthur Regatta, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Held at the Pleasant Valley picnic area on the south shore, this two-day event features entertainment, kayak and canoe races, hot-air balloon rides, hiking, swimming and the Moraine Marketplace. Fireworks will be set off Saturday night, and food and drink vendors will be available.
The park is in Lawrence County off Route 422, near its intersection with Route 19.The park office can be reached at 724-368-8091.• Monday — All About the Trees Hike, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn about Pennsylvania native trees and how to identify them. Round out the hike with a visit to a record-breaking tree in the park. Meet in the parking lot above Breakneck and Eckert bridges at 10 a.m. for the guided hike.• June 16 — Owl Prowl, 8:30 to 9:45 p.m. Look for nocturnal wildlife on the park's Hell's Hollow trail. Take a flashlight and hiking shoes to Hell's Hollow parking lot.• June 20 — Native Plants for Your Garden, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Penn State University master gardeners from Lawrence County will give a presentation on the park's native plant garden near the old grist mill and answer any gardening questions. Green thumbs can join in a wildflower hike following the presentation. Park in the Kildoo picnic area lot and allow time to walk to the mill.• July 3 — Campfire Cuisine, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Learn how to prepare delicious trail food at the courtyard next to the old mill. Various methods of outdoor cooking will be demonstrated, and take home some tips will be offered to satisfy cravings in the woods. Park at the Kildoo picnic area.• July 15, 22 and 29 — Discover Penn's Adventurers in History, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Thursday children's day camp will challenge participants in fire-building, poison plant identification, hiking and camp cooking. The cost for all three days is $15 per child. Call the park office to make reservations.• Aug. 7 — Celebrate McConnells Mill!, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Join the party at the state park's new pavilion. Learn park history, share experiences and have some cake in tribute to the park.
