Meadowside Nature Center, Montgomery Parks

06/11/2026

This year Shakespeare in the Park is witty, romantic, and full of heart. As You Like It celebrates love in all its unexpected forms. Bring a lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the bard under the stars. Restrooms and water fountain will be available. This is a free program hosted at Meadowside Nature Center on June 20 at 6:30 pm.

Learn more: https://mocoparks.org/4uX3GVI

06/09/2026

On June 16, create a miniature boat using natural and upcycled materials, take a Naturalist led hike down to Meadowside’s bubbling creek, and watch your boat float its way downstream! Please register all children attending.

Learn more and register: https://mocoparks.org/4ur5FAA

06/05/2026

Meadowside’s aquatic habitats are bustling with life in the summer! Join us on a naturalist-led stroll around the pond to experience the chirps, quacks and buzzing of frogs, ducks, dragonflies and more! The morning will include activities just right for kiddos aged 2-4 years. Register children only.

Toddler Time: Pond Life
June 10 from 10 to 11 am
Free!

Learn more and register: https://mocoparks.org/4v18ER9

06/02/2026

On June 6th, celebrate National Donut Day with our birds of prey! At this lunchtime event, you’ll enjoy donuts and coffee on our raptor check while observing and learning about our owls, hawks, and vulture. Fee: $7, all ages.

Learn more and register: https://mocoparks.org/4afN2YN

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

On June 5th, grab a net because we are “crawling” the creek looking for macroinvertebrates. We will learn about these aquatic bugs before heading down to the creek to get our feet wet. As we collect our critters, a naturalist will enter them into a phone app that will help us learn about water quality.

Learn more and register: https://mocoparks.org/4u0Qz4g

05/27/2026

WE’RE ON TV!

Did you catch Meadowside Nature Center on FOX 5 DC’s Zip Trips last Friday? We had a blast sharing the screen with Mud Fest and Josiah Henson Jazz to talk about something incredibly exciting...

Trail Mix: An Adult Summer Camp!

Yes, you read that right. This is Montgomery Parks’ FIRST-EVER summer camp completely dedicated to adults (21+). Think campfire cooking, kayaking, stargazing, and no-stress camp vibes—minus the sticky floors and early lights-out rules.

Ready to trade your endless notifications for some outdoor play? Watch our featured news clip or click the link below to grab your spot before camp fills up!

Watch the clip: https://mocoparks.org/4e6hiaU

Learn more about camp and register today: https://mocoparks.org/4vc9Ctv

FOX 5 DC’s Zip Trip hits the road every Friday this summer, bringin...

05/21/2026

May is a great time to get your butterfly garden ready for summer. On May 27, find out what native plants attract the most butterflies, and what native plants attract specific species of butterflies. Then help us put these important plants in Meadowside gardens. Each participant will leave with a native plant to help continue their butterfly gardening journey.

Learn more and register: https://mocoparks.org/4sLiB35

05/19/2026

We all love a celebration, but did you know that released Mylar balloons can travel for miles before landing in our beautiful parks, forests, and waterways? While they may look festive in the sky, they become a deadly hazard once they hit the ground.

The long, synthetic ribbons attached to Mylar balloons are a major threat to birds of prey like Ospreys, Bald Eagles, and Red-tailed Hawks. These birds often collect the ribbons as nesting material, which can lead to life-threatening entanglements for both the parents and their chicks.

Small mammals and land turtles often mistake colorful balloon fragments for forage. Once ingested, the metallic Mylar material cannot be digested, leading to internal blockages and eventual starvation.

Looking for ways to celebrate sustainably?
-Try bubbles! Great for photos and zero cleanup.
-Celebrate with kites or pinwheels. They are reusable fun that stays in your hands!
-Plan a Balloon-Free Event. If you're looking for more ways to celebrate without the litter, visit https://mocoparks.org/48JuLme. They provide inspiration for litter-free ways to celebrate.