Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District

☀️Summer memories are meant to be shared!

We’re inviting YOU to join a “Find Your Summer Outside” Photo Challenge.

This week, we’d love to see:
🌲 Family hikes
🦋 Wildlife sightings
🎣 Fishing adventures
🌅 Sunsets
📍 Favorite park spots

Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured!

Because some of the best stories from the parks are yours. 🌳

Photo Credit: Kayla Shaw

🐦 If you see a bird rolling around in the dirt... don't worry!

It's probably taking a dust bath.

While it may look messy to us, dust baths are one of the best ways birds keep their feathers in top condition.

By fluffing fine dust through their feathers, birds can:
🐦 Absorb excess oils
🪶 Remove pesky parasites
💨 Keep their feathers clean and ready for flight
❄️ Stay well insulated in changing weather

Who knew a little dirt could be so important?
The next time you're visiting one of our parks and spot a bird kicking up a cloud of dust, you'll know it's not making a mess, it's having spa day! 🌿

👇 Have you ever seen a bird taking a dust bath before?

🌧️ Rain or shine, the show goes on!

If bad weather rolls in this Saturday, our Amphitheater programs will move indoors to the barn at Lauer Farm.

🌿 Some gifts keep giving for generations.

In 2019, Dr. Herbert and Elfi Beil made the generous decision to donate their property so that future generations could experience and enjoy nature.

This summer, that vision is becoming a reality.

Beil's Buck Run Nature Area was created as a peaceful place where visitors can slow down, hike, birdwatch, and reconnect with the natural world.

With prairie habitat, ponds, wildlife viewing opportunities, and scenic river overlooks, this new space is designed to preserve what makes nature special.

Spaces like these become part of a community's story.

🇺🇸 America 250 Natural Treasure Hunt | Clue #3

You've explored an ancient oak.
You've discovered a hidden sulfur spring.

Now it's time to uncover a place that helped shape Ohio's history.

📍 Destination: Deep Cut Historical Park
🔍 Clue #3:
Long ago boats did flow,
Through winding waters calm and slow.
Goods and travelers passed this way,
Helping America grow each day.

Locks and towpaths hold the key,
To where your hidden clue may be.
Search at Deep Cut, and sit still,
A piece of the past awaits your skill!

Think you've solved it?
Head to Deep Cut Historical Park, discover this week's Natural Treasure, and don't forget to scan the QR code when you find it!

🎖️ Find 3 of the 5 Natural Treasures to earn your limited-edition America 250 Johnny Appleseed Park District sticker!

If you find it, leave us a 🚣 in the comments.

History is waiting...

Happy Birthday, Ranger Dave! 🎂🎉

Today we're celebrating someone who helps make the Park District such a welcoming place for everyone who visits.

Please join us in wishing Park Ranger Dave Zimmerly a very happy birthday! 🥳

With more than 35 years in law enforcement and a lifelong commitment to serving others, Dave brings kindness, experience, and plenty of smiles to our parks each day. Whether he's patrolling the trails, lending a helping hand, or chatting with visitors, he's always working to make our parks a safe and enjoyable place to explore.

Dave, thank you for everything you do for our parks, our community, and everyone who visits. We hope your birthday is filled with plenty of time outdoors, great memories, and maybe even a slice (or two!) of birthday cake. 🎂

🕸️ Imagine spending hours building your home...

..only to tear it down and build it all over again the very next day. 😲

One Ohio spider does exactly that!
Can you guess which master architect rebuilds its web almost every single day?

Which Ohio animal almost completely rebuilds its web every day?
A. Wolf spider
B. Orb-weaver spider
C. Fishing spider
D. House spider

Drop your guess in the comments!
No Googling... we're weaving on the honor system! 😉

We'll reveal the answer later this week!

🕷️ Bonus question: Have you ever spotted a perfectly round spider web covered in morning dew? They're one of nature's most beautiful works of art!

🇺🇸 America 250 Natural Treasure Hunt | Clue #2 Revealed!

Did you solve this week's riddle?
"Near the river's edge, it bubbles up and flows,
It smells a bit like eggs, into the river it goes!"

🥁 The answer is...
The Natural Sulfur Spring at Kendrick Woods!

Hidden along the South Trail, this fascinating geologic feature has been bubbling up from underground for generations.

Long ago, locals believed these mineral-rich waters were a "Fountain of Youth," thought to cure all sorts of ailments. While we now know that's more legend than science, the sulfur spring is still an incredible reminder of the unique geology beneath our feet and the powerful aquifers that supply fresh groundwater throughout Ohio.

And yes... if you noticed an "eggy" smell, your nose wasn't playing tricks on you! 👃🥚 That distinctive scent comes from the naturally high sulfur content in the water.

It's one of Allen County's hidden natural treasures and a perfect example of why slowing down on the trail often leads to the best discoveries.

If you found the sulfur spring and scanned the QR code, you're one step closer to earning your limited-edition America 250 Johnny Appleseed Park District sticker!

🎉 Clue #3 drops tomorrow! Get ready for another adventure as we continue uncovering the hidden stories and natural treasures found throughout our parks.

Have you ever visited the sulfur spring? What surprised you most about this unique spot?

📚🌿 Wild Reads Book Club | A Sand County Almanac

This week's reading carried us into March and April, and one thing has become clear...

Reading this one feels less like reading a nature book and more like walking beside Aldo Leopold as he shares the stories and lessons he's gathered from a lifetime outdoors.

Our Naturalist team found themselves getting completely immersed in these chapters.
A few moments that stood out:
🪿 The return of the geese, a sure sign that spring is on its way.
🌳 The remarkable bur oak, whose thick, corky bark allows it to survive prairie fires that shape healthy landscapes.
✨ And one of our favorite reminders: sometimes nature's greatest spectacles, like the incredible springtime displays of the American woodcock, simply need the right space to unfold.

One quote that really made us stop and think: "Bur oak is the only tree that can stand up to a prairie fire and live."

It's a powerful reminder that many of nature's most resilient species have adapted to challenges over generations, and that every part of an ecosystem has a purpose.

📖 Next up: We'll be reading May, June, and July, and we can't wait to see where Leopold's stories take us next.

If you're reading along with us, what has been your favorite story or lesson so far? We'd love to hear what stood out to you. Happy reading! 📖