VCSP plans weekend events to coincide with Labor Day

Village Creek State Park has a full weekend of activities scheduled for those staying at the park over the Labor Day holiday weekend as well as those who just want to stop by and visit. Programs are planned for each day throughout the weekend, beginning with three programs on Friday. The holiday weekend will kick off with a Creek Crawl at 11 a.m., Friday. Visitors will meet park interpreter Brody King at the visitor center to walk to the creek where they will explore the biodiversity Village Creek provides. Participants are encouraged to wear clothes they don’t mind getting muddy and wet. The program will last about 45 minutes. At 4 p.m., the program will focus on Erosion in Motion, as erosion has shaped the past, present and future at VCSP. “Join Brody at the amphitheater to discover the unique geology of Village Creek and the stories erosion simultaneously preserves and jeopardizes,” park officials said in a press release. Park interpreter Emiley Purvis will lead a program focusing on the age of trees, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the amphitheater. "Are you as old as a tree?," asked Purvis. “We’ll discover how to tell the age of a tree and what happened during its life. You will also have the opportunity to create your own ‘tree cookie’ story.” Saturday’s programs will be begin with a hike and end with a kayak tour on Lake Dunn. At 9 a.m., park visitors are welcome to join King at the Lake Austell Boat Ramp parking lot for “Echoing Footsteps” as they walk the Old Military Road Trail. “Your footsteps echo the footsteps of the past and the future,” said King. King said participants will learn stories, history and hardships of those who walked the Old Military Road and how those things can be preserved for the future before beginning the one and a half mile moderate hike. Participants are encouraged to wear hiking shoes and to bring water and bug spray. Nature Connections Stroll will begin at 11 a.m., at the visitor center and be lead by Purvis along the Arboretum Trail. “We will use our senses to explore what makes Village Creek State Park special, all while capturing our discoveries on paper,” she said. Purvis said the Arboretum Trial is a relatively easy 1/2-mile stroll. She encourages participants to wear bug spray and comfortable shoes. One of two water safety programs over the holiday weekend is set for 2 p.m., Saturday, at Lake Dunn. King will meet participants at the Lake Dunn Swim Beach to talk about ways to stay safe while having fun around the water. The weekend’s second water safety program will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, at the Lake Austell Swim Beach and be led by Purvis. King and Purvis will discuss ways to stay safe while having fun around the water. Registration is not required for either event. Purvis will meet park visitors at the Lake Dunn Boat Ramp parking area at 6 p.m., Saturday, for an evening kayak tour. “Looking for a unique summer evening adventure by the lake?” asked Purvis. “Join us for a peaceful kayak tour around Lake Dunn where we will search for wildlife and discover who calls Village Creek State Park home.” The tour will last about an hour and a half, which will include a safety briefing and paddling demonstration. Kayaks, paddles and lifejackets will be provided. Although paddling experience is not necessary, participants should be comfortable around water. Childrenages14andunderwill be required to paddle tandem with an adult. Those wanting to participate in the kayak tour are required to pre-register by calling the park’s visitor centerat870-238-9406by 5p.m.,Friday, to reserve a spot, as space is limited. The park will charge fees for adults and children participating in the kayak tour. On Sunday morning, King will lead park visitors on a guided tour of the Big Ben Trail. The hike will originate at the visitor center where King will cover the park’s history and share stores about the name Ben. Participants are reminded to wear sturdyshoesforthis1/2 mile moderate trail,and to bring water and bug spray. Nature journals will be the focus of aprogramat11a.m., Sunday ,at the visitor center. King will help participants make their own nature journal and teach them tips and tricks to begin a journaling journey. All materials will be provided. Purvis will meet park visits at the amphitheater at 4 p.m., Sunday to discuss how to becomeastateparkexplorer. Theprogramis intended for childrenagessixto14toteach themhowtoconnectwithstate parksandtheresources found withinthoseparks. “Start your journey to becomeanofficialJuniorRanger at this30-minutegathering,” saidPurvis. AnimalsatVCSPwillbethe focusofprogramsonLaborDay. At9a.m., theparkwilloffer Birding101. Purviswillmeet visitorsat theamphitheater todiscuss the basicsofbirdingbeforeallowing participants toput theirnew skillstothetest. “Wewill lookandlistenfor birdsduringa1/2milewalkon the Arboretum Trail,” said Purvis.Participantsshouldwear sturdyshoes, bringwaterand wear insect repellent.Theyare alsoaskedtobringbinoculars if theyhave them, althoughthe parkhasafewpair thatwillbe available. MammalsofVillageCreek willbethefocusofaprogramat 11a.m.,onMonday. “Haveyouever felt thefurof abobcat?”askedPurvis. Purviswillmeetparkvisitors at theamphitheater toteach about nativemammals and allowparticipants tofeel their furs. “Thisprogramisgreatforany age,”sheadded. An installmentof theFish NameGamewillbeginat2p.m., Monday,atthevisitorcenter. “Want tobrushuponyour fishIDskills?”askedPurvis. “Join us outside the visitor center toplay theFishName Game. Participantswill learn what featurescanhelppeople identifydifferent fish, thenput theirnewIDskills tothe test duringthegamewhichisfunfor thewholefamily.”

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