Montgomery Parks Announces Special Events and Programs at Meadowside Nature Center

Montgomery Parks has an impressive lineup of forthcoming events at Meadowside Nature Center including night hikes with tequila, raptor talks and Day of the Dead crafts. “We may be ‘under construction’ but we’re still offering fun and exciting programs for all ages throughout the renovation process,” said Carolina Giraldo, director of Meadowside Nature Center. “We have several great events lined up this month.” Meadowside Nature Center is located at 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, Md., 20855.

Upcoming events at Meadowside Nature Center include: 

Raptor Caretaker Chats ꟷ Wednesday Series | October 19 and 26 | 12 – 12:30 p.m.

What does it take to care for a raptor? A naturalist explains what raptors eat for lunch, do for fun, and how trainers build a relationship with these birds of prey. Registration required. Free.

Tequila Walk and Bat Talk | October 14 | 6 – 7:15 p.m.

Learn about the surprising ways bats bring some of our favorite foods–and poisons of choice–to the table at the Tequila Walk and Talk. After a Tequila Moonrise mixology demonstration and bat talk, attendees will take a short walk in the park, guided by Park staff, to locate bats using the bat echo meter touch mobile app. Spanish interpreter available. Registration required. Ages 21 and older. $15.

Adult Spooky Night Hike | October 27 | 7:30 – 9 p.m.                                                    

Come learn about the rumors that Meadowside is haunted. Stories of little William, who lived at the Pioneer Homestead and local urban legends, such as Goatman. The evening will begin with roasting marshmallows and telling creepy stories. Then, a guided one-mile hike to the Pioneer Homestead and covered bridge. Registration is required. $7.

 Bilingüe: Papel Picado Nature Craft | October 28 through 30 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with the ancient Mexican artform of papel picado. Attendees will learn about the origins of the artform and how to create a DIY papel picado with materials found in the outdoors. Program in Spanish and English. Registration required. $7.

Visit the Fall 2022 Montgomery Parks Program Guide or the Montgomery Parks event calendar to view a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.

About Meadowside Nature Center: Meadowside Nature Center is located within the 1800-acre Rock Creek Regional Park. It opened February 19, 1972, as the second nature center operated by Montgomery Parks. The nature center offers outdoor and environmental education programming for families, schools, and scouts. Spanish language and a combination of Spanish and English bilingual programs are offered. Visitors can hike eight miles of nature trails down to Lake Frank or walk around Muncaster Mill and learn where grains like wheat and corn were ground into flour. Visitors are able to see resident owls, hawks, and a bald eagle in the Raptor Walkway.

Outdoor park areas and trails are open from dawn to dusk daily. The nature center building is temporarily closed for renovations to incorporate new interactive and immersive exhibits.