WHEATON, Md. – Dive into the fun at Waterfest, spruce up your abode with our native plant sales, or paddle your way to excitement this May with Montgomery Parks!
Native Plant Sales
Native Plant Sale | May 4–5 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Sale sponsored by Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs returns to in-person this spring. All sale proceeds benefit Black Hill Discovery Center and Seed Classroom. Members shop early. For more information, including the plant list, visit Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs.
Locust Grove Nature Center’s Spring Native Plant Sale | May 18–19 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pope Farm Nursery, 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg
Beautify your space with our native plant sale. Experts will be available to answer questions. This in-person sale will take place at Pope Farm Nursery and sales will support educational programs at Locust Grove Nature Center.
May nature center programs include:
Nature Hike and Seek | May 8 and 22 | 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Preschoolers and their caretakers, guided by a park naturalist, will have the opportunity to collect, count and sort different materials, shapes and patterns in nature and develop social skills like sharing and cooperation. Ages 3-5. Registration required. $7 per person.
Chanticleer Garden | May 8 | 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Visit this unique 35-acre pleasure garden near Philadelphia, Pa., featuring courtyards of tropical, perennial, and container plantings, water gardens, fountains and ponds, and the Ruin Garden. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $60 per person ($58, Friends of Black Hill).
Beginning Recreational Kayaking for Older Adults | May 12 and 15 | 12–2 p.m. on May 12; 6–8 p.m. on May 15
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control, and more in two sessions taught by certified American Canoe Association instructors. Ages 55 and older. Registration required. $55 per person.
Make Your Own Paper | May 17 | 4–5 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Learn to make paper with upcycled and natural materials. Ages 10 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
Orienteering 101 | May 18 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Grab family and friends and go orienteering in Wheaton Regional Park. Take turns finding wilderness checkpoints with your map, compass and powers of observation. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
Waterfest | May 18 | 11–2 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Come make a splash while learning about your local watershed through crafts, games, exhibitors and activities. All ages. Free.
Full Moon Fridays | May 24 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Enjoy the full moon for a hike and campfire. Registration required. Ages 10 and older. $8 per person.
Nature Center Pop-up
May 24, 4-6 p.m. Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park, 12121 Skylark Drive, Clarksburg
May 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds
Visit the Nature on Wheels vehicle and meet a naturalist to learn about the park, explore some natural objects, ask questions and do biology-themed activities. Registration optional. All ages. Free.
Ready, Set, Go! | May 31 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Embark on a family-friendly, nature-themed scavenger hunt adventure on the trails of Wheaton Regional Park. The hunt will be facilitated using the GooseChase smartphone app. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $15 per person.
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
About Montgomery Parks Nature Centers
Montgomery Parks operates five nature program sites, Black Hill Discovery Center, Brookside Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center, Maydale Nature Classroom and Meadowside Nature Center. The nature centers provide learning opportunities for youths and adults in a variety of ways including school, scout and public programs for all ages; special events, summer camps, birthday parties, volunteer opportunities, internships, engaging interpretive exhibits, live animal exhibits, native plant gardens, trails and nature play areas. For more information Montgomery Parks Nature Centers
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice, MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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