Have you always wanted to try a 5K but never got around to it? Are you tired of those holiday pounds sticking around? Do you just need some motivation to get healthy? Darke County Parks is hosting a fitness program called 5K Fit every Thursday @ 5:30pm from now through May 18th. Join them throughout the spring to get healthy. They’ll have three different programs for you to choose from (walking, walking/jogging, and running) to suit your fitness needs and help you work towards a healthier lifestyle.

With everyone setting their own goals and moving at their own pace, feel free to join them at any point during the program. For every time you attend, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a free registration for the Raptor Run/Walk” on Saturday August 5th at Shawnee Prairie Preserve. Please dress for the weather and bring a timing device and water bottle. For questions or weather updates, call the Nature Center at 548-0165.

Did you know? Because of hills, wind, avoiding puddles, people, and obstacles, walking outdoors burns more calories than walking on a treadmill.

Join Darke County Parks for their spring hiking series as they explore the sensations of spring. Each week of Spring brings a new wave of wildflowers to the forest floor of Coppess. On Wednesday, April 19th at 6pm join a naturalist to see what’s blooming at Coppess Nature Sanctuary located on Young Rd. one half mile south of St. Rt. 47 between Ansonia and Union City. Who knows what the season’s weather will bring, so keep the conditions in mind when you dress for the hike. The hike will continue rain or shine, but please wear boots for the mud if it has been rainy. 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.

Did you know? Claytonia virginica, more commonly known as spring beauty, also goes by the name fairy spud.