Updated July 1st, 2024
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for July
Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month.
Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
PROGRAMS
Active Outdoors
- Try Mountain Biking: July 9 – 4 to 7 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark
- Try Paddlesports: July 11 – 4 to 7 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 3: Smallmouth Bass: July 13 – 9 a.m. to noon at offsite location
- Advanced Level Summer Horse Camp: July 15 – 9 a.m. to noon at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Hiking for Older Adults: July 15 – 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark
- Downtown Dayton River Kayaking Trips: July 16 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at offsite location
- Try Fly Fishing: July 18 – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Mountain Bike Experience: July 23 – 6 to 8 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 1: Gear: July 24 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Camping Package: July 27 – overnight at Twin Creek MetroPark
- Flatwater Float: July 30 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark
- Fly Fishing 1: Casting: July 31 – 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
Youth & Family
- Tike Hike: July 5 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Wesleyan MetroPark
- Ohio’s Fish: July 6 – 2 to 4 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Nature’s Defenses: July 6 – 6 to 8 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Nature Games: July 13 – 10 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Microscopic Pond Investigation: July 13 – 2 to 4 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Youth Scientist Exploration – iNaturalist: July 20 – 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Taylorsville MetroPark
- Wetland Escape: July 20 – 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Nocturnal Excursion: July 20 – 8:30 to 10 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark
- Youth Mountain Biking Skills Clinic: July 25 – 1 to 5 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark
- Waterway Check-Up: July 27 – 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Tike Hike: July 30 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Sugarcreek MetroPark
Adult Nature Exploration
- Native Tree ID: July 6 – 9 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Butterfly ID: July 6 – 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Coyote Search: July 6 – 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Family Caregiver Nature Walk: July 10 – 11 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Summer Gardens at Cox: July 10 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Common Feeder Birds: July 13 – 9 to 11 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Stream Fishes of Ohio: July 13 – 1 to 4 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Nocturnal Wildlife Hike: July 13 – 9 to 10:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
- Tour Aullwood: July 17 – 6 to 7 p.m. at Aullwood Garden MetroPark
- Visit the Past: Carriage Hill Farm: July 20 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark
- Photography a la Mode: July 20 – 10 to 11:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
- Moth Ecology and Research: July 26 – 9 to 10 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark
Earth Friendly Living
- Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: July 3 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: July 10 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Compost Kitchen: July 11 – 6 to 8 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Harvesting and Preserving: Quick Ways to Save Summer Flavor: July 12 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
- Native Plants and Shade Gardens: July 13 – 1o to 11:30 a.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
- Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: July 17 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
- Master Recycling Class: July 24 – 6 to 8 p.m. at offsite location
- Prairie Tour: July 27 – 10 to 11 a.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark
For Everyone
- Paint-A-Park: July 7 – noon to 3 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
- Carriage Hill Steam Engine at the Market: July 21 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2nd Street Market
SPECIAL EVENTS
July at RiverScape MetroPark
The weather is heating up, but RiverScape MetroPark remains a destination to stay cool. Enjoy cool treats from the RiverScape Café and Fountain Snack Bar, plus the interactive fountains and Five Rivers Fountain of Lights. For even more splashing, kayak rentals provided by Taiter’s Kayak Solutions are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and during special events.
Also on Tuesdays, enjoy free evening programming that alternates weekly between cornhole, live music and Music Bingo.
NOTE: The City of Dayton’s Lights in Flight fireworks display is on Wednesday, July 3 at 10 p.m. at Kettering Field. The fireworks may not be best viewed from RiverScape or Deeds Point MetroParks. Please check the City of Dayton’s website for additional information, including street closures.
Summer Music Series
- July 5: 60s Rock Night featuring The British Invasion
- July 11: The Ark Band
- July 18: Dayton Jazz Orchestra
Sponsored by Jack W. & Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation and Enterprise Roofing.
Community Fitness – View Dates
- BootyMix: Mondays – 6 to 7 p.m.
- Tai Chi & Qigong at the River: Tuesdays – 6 to 7 p.m.
- Bootcamp with The Unit: Mondays and Wednesdays – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Stay Fit with DCDC: Wednesdays – 6 to 7 p.m.
Fitness in the Park – View Dates
- Yoga: Select Saturdays – 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba: Select Saturdays – 10 to 11 a.m.
Presented by Kettering Health and sponsored by McGohan Brabender.
Special events:
- Declare Dayton – July 19, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival – July 26 – July 28
Farm to table at the 2nd Street Market
With tons of produce in season, July is the perfect time to visit the 2nd Street Market. Learn something new, as the Market’s vendors and community partners host educational programs and the Dayton Metro Library’s Bookmobile stops by on select Fridays.
The 2nd Street Market will also host its Farm to Table Dinner on Thursday, July 11, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. As part of its Culture Kitchen series, Tia Stuart of the Narrow Way Farm will create a dinner, drink and dessert based on the fresh, seasonal produce at her farm and share her passion for farming with guests. Space is limited and registration is required.
Service Saturdays
Created especially for those who want to spend time outdoors while helping the community, Service Saturdays offer volunteers who have limited time during the week an opportunity to give back to nature. Service Saturdays are on third Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, through October. Help is needed with a variety of tasks, including invasive species removal, gardening and more. Sign up on MetroParks’ Get Connected volunteer site.
Save the Date for Small Farm & Food Fest
Save the date for the annual Small Farm & Food Fest at Carriage Hill MetroPark on Aug. 3! Join us for this free, family friendly celebration of all things healthy eating, farming, homesteading and sustainable living.
Small Farm & Food Fest is sponsored by Edible Ohio Valley and Apple Farm Service.
Monthly Must Dos in MetroParks
Visit Huffman Prairie Flying Field: Prairies are starting to reach full bloom with month, which means beautiful blooms and plenty of pollinators to find. MetroParks, Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the National Parks Services restored and maintains this historical and beautiful prairie that boasts nearly every color bloom of the rainbow. Learn how to go.
Creek play: Cool your feet and find some of nature’s coolest treasures by turning over rocks and searching one of the many creeks in Five Rivers MetroParks. From crayfish to fossils, there’s so much to explore. Start your creek play adventure at Wesleyan, Sugarcreek or Possum Creek MetroParks.
Plan a picnic: A summer staple that creates lasting memories, picnics are the perfect opportunity to spend outdoor time with family or loved ones. Families with kids will enjoy picnicking at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark on the green or the tables adjacent to the gardens – just a short distance away from the Children’s Discovery Garden. For sweeping views of the Miami Valley and breathtaking sunsets, plan a picnic at High View in Germantown MetroPark.
Need to accommodate a larger group of people. Plan to reserve a shelter for your next occasion.
Sustainability Tip: Update your recycling knowledge! Can you recycle your iced coffee cup? What about batteries? Many things can be recycled both at home and in community locations. For example, shopping bags can be recycled at your local grocer, while batteries can be recycled at the 2nd Street Market. Learn more about how to keep everyday items out of the landfill.
July Challenge: Get growing! Growing your own produce is great for your mind, body and the planet. It’s not too late to plant produce this season, whether you plan to plant just a few herbs or rows of lettuce. Learn how to get a jump on second season in the garden.
Please note: Programs and events with limited capacity may fill quickly; however, in some cases waitlists are available. Please contact 937-275-PARK to inquire about being placed on a waitlist. Additionally, programs may be cancelled due to a variety of reasons – including weather conditions – please check our online calendar to check the status of a program or event before attending.
