Park Programs in Butler County
Free Family Entertainment — Butler County Parks and Recreation hosts free family entertainment programs that begin at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday over the summer starting June 9 at the Odd Fellows Gazebo. For information on the schedule of programs, visit bcpr.recdesk.com.
Yoga/Cardio Classes — Every Monday and Wednesday until Sept. 28, instructors from Focused Fitness will lead yoga classes and cardio classes at the Carousel Shelter. Yoga begins at 5:45 p.m. and cardio begins at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for one class or $8 for both.
Night Disc Golf — The park is hosting night rounds of disc golf beginning at 9:45 p.m. on a temporary course. The sessions will be June 10, July 29 and Sept. 2. The cost is $10 per person, and registration is at 9 p.m. Players must bring their own discs.
End of summer soiree — The park will host a free movie in the park that begins at 6:30 p.m., along with food trucks, balloons, a bounce house and a magician show on Aug. 19 at the Alameda Park Athletic Field.
Historic Gristmill Summer Hours — The 19th century gristmill is the centerpiece of McConnells Mill State Park. The historic gristmill is open from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday from mid-May through Labor Day. Admission is free. Interpretive tours of the mill, given by staff or volunteer docents, are scheduled at 1 and 2 p.m.
Salamander Safari — Join the park naturalist for some fun and discovery to explore Hell Run Creek for salamanders and all the other critters that live there, from 10 a.m.-noon on Friday, June 10, at the Hells Hollow Trail parking lot.
Geology Day — Join park staff for visits to waterfalls, glacial history, and activities that rock. Visitors will meet at the picnic area at 9:30 a.m. June 11, hike to Kildoo Falls, the historic gristmill and the trail to Alpha Falls. Visitors will get a packed lunch before riding to Cheeseman Road for a hike to Breakneck Falls. Along the way, they will learn about the geologic processes that formed the Slippery Rock Gorge, a national natural landmark. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling the park office at 724-368-8811.
Preston’s Pearl — Preston's Pearl, an enclosed pontoon boat and Moraine State Park’s premier attraction, will begin tours Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. Tours begin at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sundays. Visitors can learn about the area’s natural history and osprey reintroduction, while appreciating the scenery and wildlife on a trip around Lake Arthur. Tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the Owlet Gift Shop.
Stargazing — From 8:30-10:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, spend an evening in the park gazing up at the night sky at the Lakeview Beach area. Learn some simple tools and skills that your entire family can use to enjoy stargazing.
Pollinator Series: What’s all the buzz about bees? — Learn more about the life cycle of bees, how humans benefit from them and how to help them from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 3 at McDanels Launch Area.
Glacier Ridge Shoreline Hike — Join park staff from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 4 at the east end of the Route 528 boat launch for a hike across approximately 2.5 miles on moderate terrain of the Glacier Ridge trail. Exit off Route 422 and turn north on Route 528, cross the lake and turn right into the “528 Launch.”
Muddy Creek Oil Field Living History Demonstration — The Muddy Creek Oil Well is a restoration site of an antique oil well, open for visitors to hear and see the industry that powered this region. Demonstrations will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturdays of the month starting June 11.
Regatta — The South Shore of Lake Arthur will host the annual regatta from Aug. 5 to 7, featuring free music, fireworks, kayaking and sailing demonstrations. The regatta will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 6 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7.
