Wright County Parks & Recreation Programs and Activities
Fall/Winter Programs
The weather is cooling off, leaves are turning color, and soon winter will be upon us. Come experience the fall/winter with us at Wright County Parks & Recreation. We have multiple opportunities for you join us during this time of year and we hope to see you at one of our programs. As always, you are encouraged to "Explore the Opportunities" as much as you possibly can with Wright County Parks & Recreation. Registration is required for all programs.
Nature and Learn
Ney Nature Center is now offering classes for Homeschool students and any others that want to join us in nature! Each class is two hours long and will allow students to build skills and understanding of the natural world. These classes are meant for mixed age groups, 6- 13 years old.
Creepy Crawlers
In this class, homeschool students will learn about spiders, worms, and all other flightless insects. We will explore where they come from and what makes them creepy-crawly. Students will learn this through exploration of the natural world.
- Date: October 20th
- Time: 9:30-11:30 am
- Cost: $8
- Ages: 6-13
- Max participation: 20 kids, 11 and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.
Habitats
Habitats are the natural home for plants, animals, and other living organisms. But what makes each habitat unique? In this class, homeschool students will discover the who and why of the habitat of Robert Ney Park.
- Date: November 17th
- Time: 9:30-11:30 am
- Cost: $8
- Ages: 6-13
- Max participation: 20 kids, 11 and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.
Cross Country Skiing
Learn the basics of Cross Country Skiing including how to use your poles, proper technique, and even the best way to get back up when you fall.
- Date: January 12, 2023
- Time: 9:30-11:30 am
- Cost: $8
- Ages: 6-13
- Location: Robert Ney Regional Park
Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a winter adventure through Ney Park. Experience places within the park that are only accessible during the winter.
- Date: February 9, 2023
- Time: 9:30-11:30 am
- Cost: $8
- Ages: 6-13
- Location: Robert Ney Regional Park
Migration
Ever wonder why some birds migrate and others don't? This is a great opportunity to learn about migration of birds, their patterns, and reasons.
- Date: March 9, 2023
- Time: 9:30-11:30 am
- Cost: $8
- Ages: 6-13
- Location: Robert Ney Regional Park
Little Naturalist
Little Brown Bats
For the little naturalist in your home! Start the morning at the Robert Ney Nature Center for Storytime, followed by nature play and crafts! This session will be themed after the small, flying insect eater, the Little Brown Bat! This program is for kids 1-5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Date: October 26th
- Time: 10:30-11:30 am
- Cost: $5
- Ages: 1-5 w/adult
- Max participation: 15
Black Bears
For the little naturalist in your home! Start the morning at the Robert Ney Nature Center for Storytime, followed by nature play and crafts! This session will be themed after the black bear! This program is for kids 1-5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Date: November 9th
- Time: 10:30-11:30am
- Cost: $5
- Ages: 1-5 w/adult
- Max participation: 15
Pinecone
For the little naturalist in your home! Start the morning at the Robert Ney Nature Center for Storytime, followed by nature play and crafts! This session will be themed after pincones! This program is for kids 1-5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Date: January 18, 2023
- Time: 10:30-11:30am
- Cost: $5
- Ages: 1-5 w/adult
- Max participation: 15
Cardinals
For the little naturalist in your home! Start the morning at the Robert Ney Nature Center for Storytime, followed by nature play and crafts! This session will be themed after the bright red cardinals! This program is for kids 1-5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Date: February 15, 2023
- Time: 10:30-11:30am
- Cost: $5
- Ages: 1-5 w/adult
- Max participation: 15
Clovers
For the little naturalist in your home! Start the morning at the Robert Ney Nature Center for Storytime, followed by nature play and crafts! This session will be themed after clovers, just in time for St. Patrick's Day! This program is for kids 1-5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Date: March 15, 2023
- Time: 10:30-11:30am
- Cost: $5
- Ages: 1-5 w/adult
- Max participation: 15
Dog Sledding with Silent Run Adventures
Join Silent Run Adventures at Ney Park to learn everything you need to know about Dog Sledding. This is a great opportunity to learn from some of the best mushers around. At the end of the presentation, you will have a chance to experience the thrill and excitement of being pulled by a team of Siberian Huskies around Ney Park. At the end of your outing, warm up with hot cocoa or cider! Space is limited to 25 participants per session.
Evening Mush
- Date: Friday, January 6th
- Times: 4-6 p.m. & 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Fee: $35 per person
- Who: All ages Welcome (Ages 5 & Under Free with Paid Adult)
Daytime Mush
- Date: Saturday, January 7th
- Times: 8:30-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., & 2-4 p.m.
- Fee: $35 per person
- Who: All ages Welcome (Ages 5 & Under Free with Paid Adult)
Women, Wine, & Winter
Spend the evening snowshoeing under the stars on Bertram Chain of Lakes, followed by a wine tasting and charcuterie boards by the fire in our chalet. The guided snowshoe tour of the Bertram Chain of Lakes will be about an hour long. A local winery will be providing the wine! You must be 21+ to attend this event.Lantern Ski
Join us at Ney Park for a night of Cross-Country Ski fun! The trails will be groomed and lit with lanterns to help guide you through the winter wonderland of Ney Park. Inside the Nature Center, there will be sweet treats and warm drinks to enjoy. Once you have your treats and drinks, you can head outside to sit fireside to warm your toes.- Dates: January 21st
- Times: 6-9 pm
- Location: Ney Park
- Cost: Free (Optional ski rental is $5 - ski sizes are limited)
- Who: All ages welcome
Woodworking for Wildlife
A great program for the whole family!. You will have the opportunity to build your birdhouse and learn how to install and maintain it—limit to 2 feeders per family.- Dates: January 29th
- Time: 2 pm
- Cost: $10
- Who: All Ages
- Max Participation: 25
- Location: Ney Park
Moonlit Snowshoe
It’s time to discover winter’s wonders off the beaten path as we venture to and through areas accessible only by snowshoe in winter. This year we will be exploring the winter wonders of the Bertram Chain of Lakes! Either bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair when you register.- Date: February 4
- Time: 7-8:30 pm
- Cost: $7
- Who: 5 and up
- Max Participation: 15
- Location: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Sweetheart Snowshoe
Spend the evening with your sweetheart at Bertram Chain of Lakes Park! The evening will start with a catered dinner followed by a guided. We will also have the opportunity for six couples to choose the sweetheart cabin package, which includes dinner, a hike, and a one-night stay at one of our camper cabins. The evening will end with a dessert social at the chalet.
- Date: February 11th
- Time: 6-9 pm
- Cost: $40/per couple
- $110/ cabin package
- Max Participation: 30
- Location: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park