This holiday season join Darke County Parks for an evening stroll through the winter wonderland on Saturday, December 3rd from 6 to 9pm at Shawnee Prairie Preserve! There will be over 350 luminaries lighting the way along the wooded trails, allowing for a peaceful winter’s night in nature. As families hike along the illuminated trail toward the log house and blacksmith shop, they can enjoy crisp air, the bright stars, and perhaps the light crunch of snow on this early December evening.

In the log house, the fire will be warm with holiday snacks and drinks to sample. Enjoy pioneer music of Christmas past while relaxing in the comforts of the 18th century. Holiday crafts for all ages will be available upstairs in the log house and in the nature center to fuel the memories of this staff-favorite event. The nature center and gift shop will be open throughout the event offering a chance to discover a selection of unique gifts or that perfect holiday stocking stuffer! Don’t forget to bring a votive candle (or two) as a donation for next year’s path! Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland is the perfect event for the whole family to celebrate the winter season. Start a family tradition this year.

Trees are all around, yet many do not know a maple from an oak. As many trees lose their leaves in the winter months, this only adds to the difficulty. Join a naturalist on Saturday, November 26th at 10am at Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center for an informative program to learn how to identify a tree in the winter months through bark, twig, and growth patterns. The workshop will finish by heading outside to practice the newly learned skill. Registration is requested for this free event. For questions about this or any other park district programs or to register for the class, please call 548-0165.

Did you know? The hackberry tree is easy to identify by its wart-like bark.