Contact: Deborah Davies, White Clay Creek State Park, phone: (302) 368-6900
or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902

White Clay Creek State Park Announces May Programs

See frogs by the full moon, pan for creek gems, treat your mom to a special brunch, take a hike or become a conservation partner – these are some of the fun and exciting activities you can join at White Clay Creek State Park this May.

The park is located at 425 Wedgewood Road in Newark. All programs take place at the White Clay Creek State Park Nature Center and programs are free, unless otherwise noted. Park entrance fees are in effect from May 1 through Oct. 31. For more information or to register for park programs, call the park office at 302-368-6900. For more information about the park, please visit www.destateparks.com/wccsp/index.asp.

Here are more details about the park’s May offerings:

• Children with Challenges Fishing Event – Selected Wednesdays in May
“Children with Challenges” is a non-profit run fishing program for groups of children with social, economic, physical or mental challenges. All the necessary supplies for fishing are provided along with crafts, a goody bag, and a cook-out or picnic style dinner for this early evening activity. For more information on this annual program, please call the nature center at 302-368-6560.

• Healthy Hike with the Naturalist – 8 a.m. every Tuesday
Join us for nature’s answer to the health club, hiking the beautiful trails of White Clay Creek State Park every week. Meet at the nature center. Pre-registration not required.

• Conservation Partners – Time TBA, Saturday May 5
Join the park naturalist in this inspiring new program that brings together people with common goals of conservation and protection of our environment. The May 5 topic is backyard habitat. For more information, please contact the nature center at 302-368-6560.

• Mother’s Day Brunch at the Estate – 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12
Treat your very special mom to a very special day at the beautiful Judge Morris Estate. Enjoy a sumptuous brunch complete with luscious teas and tasty treats while overlooking the breathtaking view of Chestnut Hill Farm. Play croquet on the lawn, tour the arboretum alive with unusual trees and shrubs, or just sit back and enjoy this relaxing mid-morning indulgence. In the case of inclement weather the event will take place entirely indoors. Cost is $23 per person. The Judge Morris Estate is located on Polly Drummond Hill Road, 1/4 mile north of Kirkwood Highway, in Newark. Please call the park office to make reservations.

• Civil War Encampment – 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 19
Drop into camp at the Carpenter Recreation Area and talk to Civil War soldiers about their daily drills and camp life, and then watch as they demonstrate their skills.

• Panning for Creek Gems – 1 p.m., Saturday May 19
This fun program begins in the nature center, checking out some of our cool geology specimens. Then participants will head to the sandy beach along the creek to pan for garnets, magnetite, and other shiny treasures, including this year’s extra special surprise panning activity. Don’t forget to bring your pie plate with holes in it to pan (provided for pre-registered participants). To pre-register, please call the park office by 3 p.m. the Friday before the program. Cost is $4 per person for pre-registered participants and $5 per person after the registration deadline.

• Full Moon Fridays: Frog Walk – 7 p.m. Friday, May 25
This month, come to the park nature center to meet some real, live frogs, learn about the different frog families and listen to frog calls. Then, take an evening stroll with the park naturalist to listen for the sounds of the awakening amphibians.
These programs occur monthly on the Friday on or right before the full moon. Program topics vary each season. This spring will spotlight some cool animal species in the park. Each program will include a briefing at the nature center and an outdoor exploration into the habitat each animal prefers. Although we can’t guarantee we will see the animal that night, we will share with you the tips and techniques you need to better your own nature explorations. Cost is $4 per person, due at the time of program. Space is limited; pre-registration guarantees you a spot until start-time. Call the park office to pre-register.
 

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