Darke County Parks is looking for anyone interested in the time honored trade of blacksmithing. People have been working iron for over 3500 years, and until the, relatively, recent past, the blacksmith was the hub of the community. Everything from carriage springs to horseshoes and meat forks to roofing nails came from the blacksmith’s shop. It is that heritage from over 200 years ago that the blacksmith shop at Shawnee Prairie Preserve is trying to honor.

The park district is particularly interested in those with experience in the blacksmith trade, especially Master Blacksmiths, but will take anyone with a passion to learn. To inquire about volunteering to work in the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Blacksmith Shop, please call the park office at (937) 548-0165.

Join Darke County Parks for their spring hiking series as they explore the sensations of spring. On Thursday, May 26th at 6:30pm join a naturalist at Shawnee Prairie Preserve just west of Greenville on State Route 502 to forage for fresh spring edibles. Who knows what the season’s weather will bring, so keep the conditions in mind when you dress for the hike. For more information about this or any of the other exciting hikes in this season’s series or other Park District programs, please call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165.