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The Explore Your Park Series is a free, drop-in program for all ages that offers hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, creature features, guided park tours, and more.
About
The Explore Your Park Series is a free program for all ages that offers hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, creature features, guided park tours, and more. Events will be 2 hours in length and attendees can drop in to participate for any amount of time during that period. This program will visit a different Portland park each month to learn from and about the plants and animals that call it home.
Explore Your Park Series Schedule
Events will be 2 hours in length and attendees can drop in to participate for any amount of time during that period. Please note - events will be cancelled if conditions are unsafe due to outdoor conditions. Check our website for most up to date information.
Summer Calendar
| Day | Date | Time | Park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weds | July 1 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Ventura Park (E) |
| Weds | July 8 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Parklane Park (E) |
| Weds | July 15 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Holly Farm Park (SW) |
| Weds | July 22 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Alberta Park (NE) |
| Fri | July 24 | 11:00am - 1:00 pm | Sellwood Park (SE) |
| Weds | July 29 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Montavilla Park (E) |
| Fri | July 31 | 11:00am – 1:00 pm | Forest Park Lower Macleay (NW) |
| Weds | Aug 5 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Mill Park (E) CANCELLED because of AQI and Heat |
| Weds | Aug 12 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | McCoy Park (N) |
| Weds | Aug 19 | 11:30am – 1:00 pm | Luuwit View Park (E) |
| Fri | Aug 21 | 11:00am – 1:00 pm | Forest Park Lower Macleay (NW) |
| Weds | Aug 26 | 11:00am – 1:00 pm | Mt Tabor Park (SE) |
| Fri | Aug 28 | 11:00am – 1:00 pm | Knott Park (E) |
Monthly Creature Feature and Park Information
JULY
Creature Feature: Butterflies!
Flowers are in full bloom, and butterflies are fluttering throughout the city. As the weather gets warmer, butterflies come out from dormancy or fly up from different parts of the world. For non-migrating butterflies they are coming out of a period called diapause – a butterfly's version of hibernation where they suspend their development in one of their four life stages. The cabbage white butterfly, often mistaken for a moth, is a butterfly that overwinters primarily in their pupal stage in Oregon.
Both butterflies and moths have modified hairs that are made of chitin – the same material that insect exoskeletons are made of. The modified hairs are known as scales and when disturbed come off like dust or powder. It covers their legs, bodies, and wings providing the butterflies with thermal regulation, flight efficiency, protection, defense, and bright colorings.
Learn more about butterflies in Oregon at our upcoming events in July across multiple Portland Parks at the schedule below.
Learn more about butterflies:
Butterflies and Moths Pocket Guide
Butterfly Conservation | Xerces Society
Butterfly Anatomy | American Museum of Natural History
What the powder on butterfly wings really is and how it protects them
Where do butterflies and moths go in winter? | Butterfly Conservation
The Butterfly Life Cycle: From Egg to Icon and Every Stage in Between | HowStuffWorks
Butterfly | Description, Insect, Life Cycle, Classification, & Facts | Britannica
What to expect on your visit
- Check in: there will be a check in station where staff will hand out scavenger hunt stamp cards and review the stations and stops. Look for the check in sign.
- Warm drinks (only during winter season): apple cider and hot cocoa will be available. Limited supplies.
- Activity stations: in the winter there will be an indoor space with stations set up to explore nature similar to the outdoor scavenger hunt. Feel free to explore inside, outside, or both. In the summer there will be activities set up at tables by the starting location.
- Scavenger Hunts (self-guided): scavenger hunts are created to be able to do on your own, but on site there will be environmental education staff to assist. Rain or shine. Look for signs stationed across the park.
- Stamps: as you complete each stop of the scavenger hunt stamp your sheet. Stamps will be located on the signs for each stop.
- Check out: show staff your completed scavenger hunt for a prize (sticker).
Survey: complete our online survey to help us improve these events.
Connect With Us
Partner With Us: Community groups and organizations are invited to come table during these events. If you are interested in tabling or conducting outreach at an Explore Your Park event, please reach out!
Suggest a Park: We want to hear from you -- let us know which parks you want to 'explore' with us.
Provide Feedback: Share your thoughts on Explore Your Park events. We appreciate your feedback and want to improve programming.
Questions: Any other questions about this program's content or logistical details?
To connect with us fill out our communication form or reach out to Environmental Education Program Coordinator Karen Chao at Karen.Chao@portlandoregon.gov.