2024 FALL FESTIVAL

Join us at Rotary Park for our fourth annual Fall Festival from 11am to 3pm, sponsored by Fortera Credit Union. This family-friendly event will include pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, Halloween crafts, interacting with creepy crawlers and much more! Food trucks will be on-site and costumes are encouraged. This event is free and open to the public.

Parking for Fall Festival will be located at Clarksville High School. Transportation will be provided at no cost.

If you or your business/organization is interested in being a trick-or-treat station, please apply here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyMzYwNDM=
*Montgomery County Parks and Recreation will not reach out to you to collect vendor fees. Please be mindful of spam accounts.*

Savoring the Seasons, Herb Drying and Tea Blending 

Join us for the first nature in your neighborhood program on November 7th from 5pm-6:30pm at the Rich Ellen Banquet Hall located at 1466 TN-149. Parking is available out front of the Banquet Hall. As you enter the park, the building is accessed via a driveway on the left hand side. Check in begins at 4:30PM. 

This workshop will include a presentation on herb drying and tea blending. Participants will select plant varieties for their personalized tea blend based upon flavors and/or plant properties. A live version of several plants will also be available for participants to learn identification techniques. The many herbs used in this workshop will be harvested from the Rotary Park Community Gardens, Rotary Park meadows and even the RichEllen property! A special hot tea blend will be served during the class. All participants will be provided with the tools needed to make their own tea blend during the workshop. Each person will take home a unique tea blend in a provided jar, individual tea bags, and recipes. 

Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyNTkyNzk=

Haunted Hike Night 

Join us for a spine-tingling adventure through our special haunted trail! As night falls, brave souls will embark on a spooky hike filled with eerie sights and sounds at every turn. Along the way, you’ll encounter frightful stations featuring creepy characters and ghostly surprises that are sure to send chills down your spine. 

What to Bring: -A flashlight to guide your way through the dark. -Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. -Courage! 

This event is perfect for those looking for a fun and frightful outdoor experience. Whether you're coming for the scares or just for some ghostly fun, Haunted Hike Night promises to be a night to remember. 

Begin at the Nature Center with candy and hot cocoa. 

No registration required, come by between 6-8PM. 

There is also an ADA portion of the evening starting creekside. 

FALL BREAK WEEK

Discover the Hidden Creatures of the Night at the Nature Center!
This fall, the Nature Center is highlighting the mysterious world of nocturnal animals! Join us at Rotary Park to learn about and interact with these fascinating creatures who come alive at night. Experience the unique adaptations that help them thrive in the dark. Don't miss out on this captivating adventure into the nighttime wilderness!
Each day this week, drop in for a free activity 10am-4pm!
Evening programs are also Free, no registration required.

EVENING SCHEDULE:
-October 15, 6:30-PM: Creatures of the Night
Games in the Nature Adventure Trails Area & activities in the Nature Center!
-October 16, 4-5:30 PM: Bird Taxidermy Demonstration
Watch a taxidermist prepare a bird, bringing it back to “life!”
-October 17, 6-8 PM: Haunted Hike Night
Self-guided hikes with spooky stations to visit in the woods!
-October 18, 6:30 PM: Spooky Stories Around the Campfire @ The Rotary Park Amphitheater 2904 E Old Ashland City Road
BYO S’mores to a campfire at dark and listen to spooky stories!
-October 19, 10:30 AM & 12 PM: Live Owls at the Nature Center!
A special visit from Julie at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in Brentwood, TN. Limited Seating, *Registration required, 8 and older.

DROP-IN ACTIVITY SCHEDULE:
-Tuesday drop-in activity 10AM-4PM: Spider web scratch offs and spider ring making
-Wednesday drop-in 10AM-4PM: Scientific drawing from real BONES
-Thursday drop-in 10AM-4PM: October Activity Packet
-Friday drop-in 10AM-4PM: Owl Amulet, Necklace Making

*Saturday: Live Owl program with Owls Hill, *this program Requires Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/.../montgomery-county.../catalog

Spooky Stories Around the Campfire 

For centuries, people have been telling scary stories about creepy creatures and spooky spirits. Come along to the Amphitheater at Rotary Park and prepare for an evening of spine-chilling storytelling and s’mores around the campfire. 

The Amphitheater is located at 2905 East Old Ashland City Road, Clarksville, TN 37043. 

This immersive storytelling experience will feature urban legends, myths and ghost stories from our local area, brought to life in our outdoors amphitheater with sounds, costume, and the ambient surroundings of our local woods. Listen to traditional fables and new interpretations of folklore as our team brings these creepy stories to life. The campfire will be burning - but it will still be a chilling night! 

This is a family friendly event, however, the stories are suited for those 4 years older, please use your best judgement.  S'mores are available on a first come first served basis. You are welcome to bring your own s'mores supplies and your own chairs if desired. Amphitheater capacity is 100 people, first come, first serve. 

Lantern Hikes

• October 23, 6:45-7:45 PM
• October 29, 6:45-7:45 PM
• November 8, 6:30-7:30 PM
• November 22, 6:00-7:00 PM

Join us in the dark for a special Lantern Hike through Rotary Park! The trail difficulty level is rated moderate and will be in the dark, please use your best judgment when registering. Strollers are NOT recommended for this terrain. Appropriate footwear, long pants, and bug spray is recommended. The hike will last 45 min to 1 hour, each participant will carry a provided lantern through the woods. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. We will meet at the Nature Center front doors to check in up to 10 minutes before the program and to distribute lanterns.  After the hike, stick around for a cup of hot cocoa! 

Registration Required: https://secure.rec1.com/.../montgomery-county.../catalog

2024 Community Garden Schedule

September 28, 9 AM-11 AM

October 12, 9 AM-11AM

Garden located to the left of the Nature Center, long pants, sun protection and water suggested.

To receive information on daily tasks/updates, please register @ https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog

DIY Workshop, Tiny Terrariums

• September 20
• October 5
• Nov 17
• Dec 11
• Jan 17

Come to the Nature Center to learn how to make a terrarium in almost any kind of container! We will supply the plants, soil, fairy garden sculptures, ect. You bring a clear container to plant in. There will be an artist onsite to assist with making oven baked personalized sculptures for inclusion in your terrarium. The container can be new, used or recycled, with or without a lid. This is a great way to relax at the end of the week and get your hands on some green plants in the winter!

Free: Registration is required. https://secure.rec1.com/.../montgomery-county.../catalog

Orienteering Meet!

Register to participate in the first ever orienteering meet at Rotary Park with the Nashville Orienteering Club!  

*MEET RESCHEDULED for October 19th, 10AM-12PM start time, 4PM finish time. 

Time Frame: Participants should arrive between 10 am and 1 pm to check-in at the pavilion, participants must complete the course and be back at the registration pavilion no later than 4 pm. Advance registration is required. 

Compasses will be provided to those who need to borrow. 

When checking out, please indicate which level you are interested in competing at. If you are registered for the clinic, you do not need to register separately for the meet, you may compete in the beginner course.

Meet Registration here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMwMzc3OTA= 

Turtle Time!

Our new Eastern Box Turtle, Penny, will be outside for exercise today in the field in front of the Nature Center every Tuesday and Thursday. She is a fast tiny turtle and will certainly put on a show! Sometimes our animals hide while inside of their enclosures, but Penny will 100% be out and running around. 

This is a drop-in, free, event. No registration required.  If the weather is undesirable, we will move her exercise pen inside the Nature Center. Check social media for the monthly times. 

Survival Skills for Families

This new 90 minute program is designed to empower families with the skills needed to survive wilderness emergency situations.  Whether you are going on vacation to the woods, beach or a backyard, the skills will teach you to save yourself and show you how rescue teams operate.  This is most beneficial when the whole family can attend.  Children under 4 are welcome, however, the content and timeframe may not be sustainable, please use your best judgment.  This program will take place inside the Nature Center using simulated situational tools and supplies. 

• October 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• November 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Jan 4

Register here: Catalog - Montgomery County Parks & Recreation (rec1.com)

Story Tails

Every 3rd Saturday of the month the Nature Center will hold "Story Tails," a program promoting literacy to children by creating a wonder for the natural world. Each session will include the reading of 2-3 nature books, songs, games and, activities! Sessions will be held inside and/or outside, depending on the weather. This program is for children ages 1-6 and the special needs community. The program runs from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm, snacks provided. 

• Sept 21
• October 12
• November 16
• December 21

Register here: Catalog - Montgomery County Parks & Recreation (rec1.com) 

Bird Watching

Join us to learn the basics of bird watching, or hear from the pro's on their tips! This is intended for birders of all abilities, weather brand new to watching birds or seasoned pros. We will meet at the nature center at 8:30 and get an idea of where people would like to walk to for the day from a selection of birding sites. If you have any ADA accommodations, please let us know so we can select an appropriate site to access!

• October 18

We have NEW binoculars for checkout or you can bring your own.

Topics covered:

-Binocular operation (as needed)

-Bird identification

-Best birding practices

-Field guide usage

Afterwards, wander the park and trails, or relax on our viewing deck! Suitable for 8+.

Drop in or register: https://secure.rec1.com/.../montgomery-county.../catalog

Binocular Check-Out

The Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation is generously sponsoring the new binocular checkout program.  Simply fill out a request with your preferred time and day and you can pick them up from the Nature Center reception desk.  There is no cost for this program, we simply ask you return the set before 4 pm T-F and by 2 pm on Saturdays. 

To reserve a pair, please click here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI1ODA4MDg=  

Live Taxidermy Demonstrations

Every 3rd Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 PM

• September 18, Turkey
• October 16, Mourning Dove
• November 20
• December 18

A taxidermist will walk participants step by step through the process of skinning a bird to the final stuffing/mounting. The chosen specimen will be the Yellow Billed Cuckoo. This bird was found deceased on the park property. 

Bird mounts are unique in that they do not require harmful chemicals for preservation. No eating or drinking will be allowed in the room for the duration of the process. Participants will not be permitted to touch the specimen.

*Passed in 1918, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits the take (including killing, capturing, selling, trading, and transport) of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is illegal for an individual to collect eggs, feathers and/or nests. 99% of birds are protected by this law, typically not covered by the MBTA include house sparrow, European starling, and rock pigeons.*

Register here: Catalog - Montgomery County Parks & Recreation (rec1.com) 

2024 Art Exhibits

Fall Exhibit: Montgomery Academy Student Exhibit, August 5-November 10, 2024

*Artists wishing to exhibit in the Nature Center can fill out this form: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI0OTcwMDk=

 Reading Round-Up

Join us on the first Friday of the month to enjoy a group reading for your little ones! This program is sponsored by The Blue Star Families of Tennessee in an effort to build home libraries. Each child who attends gets to pick out a free book to take home! Snacks are also provided. After the reading, feel free to stay in our Community Room or go outside on the deck to enjoy your goodies. Arts for Hearts will lead a related art activity afterwards as well! This Program is suitable for children age 2-5 and. Parents are expected to stay with their children for the duration of the event.

Dates

• Oct 4
• Nov 1
• Dec 6

Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog 

Field Trip Offerings

If you are bringing a group to any of our parks for a trip, PLEASE notify us in advance.  

Field trips are available to any group with 10 or more participants, FREE!  

The Wade Bourne Nature Center offers Bus Transportation Support for schools needing assistance.  Please indicate your interest in this funding option in the comments section during the reservation process.  Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  Teachers may only apply ONCE in a calendar year. 

Spring Trips: March, April and May

Fall Trips: September, October and November

Click Here for a full list of activity options

Register for Field Trip programs here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog 

Volunteer Information

Whether you need service hours for an organization or want to serve your local park, we have many opportunities for you to get involved!  

Example positions include: Host Volunteer, Exhibit Interpreter, Trail Guide, Trail Monitor, Special Event Assistant, Field Trip Program Facilitator, Field Trip Support, Volunteer Coordinator, and Program Assistant

Please make an account on CivicRec and indicate what your interests are.  We will reach out for an orientation meeting to decide where you will be a good fit.  

Visit this link: Catalog - Montgomery County Parks & Recreation (rec1.com)