In-Person Wednesday Wonders Resume August 18 at The Parklands
Beckley Creek Park, Turkey Run Park
Louisville, Ky. (August 17, 2021) — The Parklands weekly Wednesday Wonders program returns to in-person sessions on Wednesday, August 18. Wednesday Wonders are interactive programs designed to spark the curiosity of young children. In the hour-long program, children discover their place in the world through connection to their local landscape. Through storytelling, simple science experiments, sensory activities, play and art, participants utilize motor skills, communication skills and learn early natural history concepts through discovery of nature. Sponsored by PNC Grow Up Great, Wednesday Wonders is an all-outdoor program offered at two separate times and locations within The Parklands of Floyds Fork.
Wednesday Wonders (recommended ages 5-9)
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Ben Stout House, Turkey Run Park
Wee Wednesday Wonders (recommended ages 2-5)
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. at PNC Achievement Center, Beckley Creek Park
Masks are not required for participants when outdoors. In the event of severe weather, the program will be moved indoors at the respective location, and masks will be required for everyone age 2 and over. Topics are the same at both locations. Each week, these events are FREE to Parklands Members and $5 for non-members. Register at www.theparklands.org/events.
By remaining versatile and in-tune with ever-changing guidelines, educators at The Parklands continued to deliver free, fun and informative resources to the community throughout the pandemic. They launched the Virtual Classroom in April of 2020 to keep students, teachers and families learning and connected to The Parklands and the outdoors until they were able to return. There have been nearly 30,000 views of Virtual Classroom content from students and individuals across the region.
The virtual content also helped keep S.E.E.D. partner schools engaged and learning. Through the S.E.E.D. program, Title I partner schools are given access to scholarship funds that help supplement the cost of classes, labs and field experiences, making the Outdoor Classroom accessible to even more students throughout the Louisville area. Since resuming field trips over the summer, the S.E.E.D. program has served 1,284 scholarship students.
During the 2020-21 school year, The Parklands education team launched Forest Learning Lab to support families during non-traditional instruction. Throughout the summer months, they hosted eight weeks of summer camp, during which 60 students from underserved communities attended free of charge thanks to scholarship funding.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work our education team has done over the past year and a half,” said Curtis Carman, Director of Education & Programming. “Their passion, dedication, and tireless enthusiasm certainly helped many students and families cope with this difficult time.”
For more information on learning opportunities and upcoming events at The Parklands, visit www.theparklands.org. If you have questions about education programs at The Parklands, contact Curtis Carman at ccarman@21cparks.org or (502) 815-0274. To schedule an interview, contact Director of Communications & Marketing Anna Rosales-Crone at (502) 815-0267 or acrone@21cparks.org.
Discover The Parklands of Floyds Fork
The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a nearly 4,000-acre visitor-supported public park system in Louisville, Kentucky, stretching from Shelbyville Road to Bardstown Road. It consists of four major parks—Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Park, Turkey Run Park and Broad Run Park—linked by a world-class urban trail system and a remarkable water trail tracing Floyds Fork, a classic Kentucky stream. Serving more than 3 million visits each year, The Parklands offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a quiet place to discover nature, a dynamic learning experience through the Outdoor Classroom, a cruise on a scenic park drive, or a stream to paddle. The Parklands is free to enter, but does not receive tax dollars for annual upkeep or operations. Ongoing maintenance and operations are funded through private donations, program and event fees, and an endowment fund. Donate today to become a Parklands Member and support the parks you know and love. Learn more and plan your next visit at www.theparklands.org.
For regular updates on what’s happening in The Parklands, subscribe to our e-mail newsletter at www.theparklands.org, follow us on Facebook @theparklandsoffloydsfork, Twitter @TheParklands and Instagram @theparklandsoffloydsfork. Check out our YouTube channel – TheParklands1 – for trail previews and educational activities.