“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all
the other seasons.”
–
Jim Bishop, American journalist
Water Barks!
Most of our water parks are now closed to humans, but your pup can still doggy paddle at two water parks this month.
Broward County Parks’ Dogs-Only Days will occur at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach and T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park in Hollywood this month. These dog-centered water events are for canines ages 4 months and up. Admission is $5/per water session.
Barktoberfest will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 at Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters from 8 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. There will be 50-minute doggie splash sessions, adoptions, a Doggie Market Place, kiddie bounce houses, face painting, and a costume contest. Aside from admission, the rest of the activities are free. For details, call the park at 954-357-5100.
Woofing Waters Dog Park & Marina Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, October 12 at Quiet Waters Park at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony marks the opening of a two-acre water play area for dogs (with an area for small dogs and an area for larger dogs) that will be open seasonally. At the opening, there will be a Plaza Pawty, giveaways, refreshments, and off-leash fun. The park features a spray hydrant, shower nozzles, a water loop with sprays, obstacle courses, a grassy fenced area to run, and shaded tables and benches for the humans. To R.S.V.P. call 954-357-8153. (Dogs that attend must have proof of vaccinations and be on a leash no longer than six feet during the ceremony and at the Plaza Pawty.)
K9 Splash Days will be held on two consecutive weekends, October 13 and 14, and October 20 and 21 at Castaway Island at T.Y. Park in Hollywood. There will be 50-minute water-play sessions beginning every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a designated area for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less for all sessions. For more information, call the park at 954-357-8811.
The parks’ regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect.
Fall Into the Season at Tradewinds
Get the family together for some good old-fashioned fun at
Tradewinds Park & Stables’ annual
Fall Festival. The festivities start at 10 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 27. There will be autumn-themed games and activities to celebrate the change of season.
Tickets range from $1 per individual ticket to 25 tickets for $20. Tickets are required to participate in arts and crafts, hayrides, food trucks, bounce houses, train rides, farm tours, a car show, and pony rides at the festival.
The park’s regular weekend gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect. Other park activities will be priced normally. Profits from this event help fund the feeding and care of the retired horses at Tradewinds Park & Stables through the non-rofit Tradewinds Farm Hands. For more information, call the park at 954-357-8870. Tradewinds is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #34 and Coconut Creek North and South.
Ghastly Good Times for Kids
Halloween is a popular season in our parks, where children and families can pique their (black) cat-like curiosity.
Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center in Davie looks to be the “Halloweeniest” park of all, with activities going on all month long. The park’s programs are:
Nature Crafts for Kids - Fall & Halloween Crafts. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, and Sunday, October 7, bring the kids for some fall- and Halloween-inspired arts and crafts. Ages 3 to 10 are welcome with parental supervision. The fee is $5/child. No reservations are required. For more info, call the park at 954-357-8797.
Monsters of Nature. Children ages 3 to 10 can learn about bats, snakes, spiders, and toads through games, crafts, and storytelling. The program is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14. The fee is $5/child.
Things That Go Bump in the Night Hike. On Friday, October 19, from 7 to 8 p.m., enjoy a Halloween-themed night hike. The cost is $5. Call the park at 954-357-8797 to preregister.
Trick-or-Treat Through the Trees. On Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27, from 6 to 9 p.m., play games, make arts and crafts, and enjoy a naturalist-led trip out onto the trails with a few treats. The program is for children ages 3 to 10 with parental supervision. The fee is $5/child, and reservations are suggested but not required.
Elsewhere in our parks, Hallo-Green returns to Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood. It’s an eco-friendly celebration, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. The event, which costs $2/person, features games, arts and crafts, and other environmental-themed activities. For more information, call the park at 954-357-5161.
Fern Forest Nature Center is hosting Ghosts & Goblins Family Fun Night in Coconut Creek, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 26. The event, for ages 2 to 11, includes a costume parade, games and prizes, arts and crafts, and an age-appropriate storytime. Certain activities have an extra fee.
For additional information, call the park at 954-357-5198.
Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach will host A Creature’s Trick-or-Treat, on Sunday, October 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event, for ages 2 and up, will take participants out onto the trails to learn about the creatures they see while grabbing a treat or two along the way. The fee is $5/child. For more information, call 954-357-8884.
S’mores Galore
Spend your Friday night making s’mores with the family over
a blazing campfire at our Family Hayride & Campfire Series. S'mores are chocolatey, marshmallow, graham cracker treats that have become synonymous
with campfire fun, friends and family, and of course, second helpings.
At our Family Hayride & Campfire Series,
we're not only offering s'mores. You can also hop on a hayride for $3.50 per person for ages 3
and up. The campfire is free. The event will be happening on Fridays throughout the fall and winter seasons
at different parks from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased at
park offices. The schedule is as follows:
· Easterlin Park in Oakland Park (954-357-5190) - Oct. 12, Dec. 7, Feb. 1
· Quiet
Waters Park in Deerfield Beach (954-357-5100) - Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, Jan. 18
· Tradewinds
Park in Coconut Creek (954-357-8870) - Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 8
Parks Foundation
The Parks Foundation of Broward County is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2014 in support of Broward County Parks and Recreation Division. The foundation welcomes individual memberships and corporate partnerships at all levels to help promote our parks and programs, preserve our natural areas, and provide more green space for our community.
