Now hiring summer boat rental staff!

Lake Crabtree County Park is now hiring part-time boat rental park aides for the season running from late April through September. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. If you know anyone that might be interested, have them visit the Wake County Hiring Page.

Updated Park Hours

Beginning on Monday, April 15th, Lake Crabtree County Park will close at 8:30 p.m. Remember that the lake closes 30 minutes before the park gates close, so please be off the water by that time.

Volunteer to Cleanup our Lake Shore

Still time to sign up! Join us on Saturday, April 6th from 9 am - Noon to help clean up around Lake Crabtree. Individuals, families, and groups can register to participate in this event. Anyone under the age of 18 (including high school students) must be accompanied by an adult. Gloves and bags will be provided. This is a great help to your local park and a nice way to get some volunteer hours. For more information and to register go HERE!

Tell us why you love Wake County Parks!

April is I Heart Parks Month and we want to hear from you! ❤️

Please tell us what you ❤️ about your favorite Wake County park or preserve by filling out a quick survey!

Join us at the Pollinator Festival!

Lake Crabtree is excited to host the Pollinator Festival, in honor of National Pollinator Week on Saturday, June 29th from 10 am - 2 pm. This event is FREE and features games, crafts, and opportunities to learn from local environmental experts. Also there will be two tasty food trucks to enjoy while you learn and have fun. Show up any time during the window from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fun for all ages!

Crabtree Nature Crafts



Next time you bring the kids out to the park to enjoy the playgrounds and trails, be sure to stop by the Manager's Office for a free craft! Look for signs posted at the restrooms and playgrounds indicating that the craft is available that day (generally Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon). 

Each month we will feature a different craft and theme. This month's feature is are some beautiful flowers.

Have Fun Photographers!



Our Instagram contest is all new in 2024! When you’re out at our parks or preserves and take a fantastic photo, share it on Instagram and tag @WakeGovParks for your chance to win a custom water bottle! We’ll pick a new winner each month. In addition to the prize, we’ll also feature your photo on our socials.

Good luck, and happy snapping!

UPCOMING PARK PROGRAMS 

Come out to Lake Crabtree and discover more about the natural world while exploring the park. Click the links (program titles) for more details and to register. Spaces are limited, so register today! Full programs are not always listed in the newsletter, but we encourage you to join the waitlist. For the full listing of all programs visit our website. All public programs are FREE!

Lake Crabtree also offers group programs! If your group is interested in booking a program, fill out the group program request form HERE.

Storytime for Tots: Little Skink's Tail

Wednesday, April 3rd from 10-11 a.m.

Explore a young skink's imagination and her woodland animal friends through our Storytime for Tots program featuring Little Skink's Tail by Janet Halfmann. After losing her tail in a close encounter with a crow, Little Skink wonders what she would look like if she had a tail like some of her other animal friends. Together, we'll uncover this reptiles amazing survival adaptation and her journey to cherish her own, unique, aesthetic. Ages 18 months to 5 years old.

Birding with Vernon

Saturday, April 6th from 8:30-10 a.m.

Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Bring your own binoculars and field guides if you have them. Beginners and experienced birdwatchers are welcome! Ages 8 and up.

Homeschool/Track-Out: Nature's Clean Up Crew

Wednesday, April 10th from 1-3 p.m.

Join us for an engaging environmental education program to discover the vital role of vultures and decomposers as nature's clean-up crew! Through interactive activities and hands-on learning, young participants will explore the fascinating world of these often misunderstood creatures.

Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the program or drop-off. Ages 6 to 14 years old.

Introduction to Kayaking Session 1

Sunday, April 14th from 10 a.m. - Noon

Experience the thrill of kayaking – where you can effortlessly glide across the water's surface. Kayaking is an exciting water sport where you sit in a kayak and paddle your way through the water. Join our instructors as they introduce you to kayaking terminology, teach paddle techniques, and give you hands-on practice. Be prepared get wet and have a blast! Ages 14 and up.

Full Moon Paddle

Friday, April 19th from 8 - 10 p.m.

Paddle Lake Crabtree by moonlight. Enjoy views of the full moon from the lake, and this unique opportunity to be in the park after hours! Adults only. Space is still available in the solo kayak and Bring Your Own Boat signups.

Nature Nerds: Herping at 286 East

Friday, April 26th from 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Expand your knowledge of our local flora and fauna by exploring a different area of the park each month. Join park staff as they "nerd out" over a different group of animals, plants, fungi or other living things each month. Help collect data for our Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist while increasing your own identification skills.

This month we will be exploring the new part of our park at the 286 East property and looking for herpetological species like turtles, frogs, snakes, and salamanders! As part of the City Nature Challenge we will be taking pictures of anything else we find for iNaturalist. Ages 6 and up.

City Nature Challenge - Lake Crabtree Bio-Blitz

Friday, April 26th from 4 - 6 p.m.

The City Nature Challenge (April 26-29, 2024) is a great way to learn more about the natural world around you while you contribute photos and data to science. Each year, the Triangle area competes against other cities and geographic regions around the world to see who can collect the most observations. Find out more at: https://citynaturechallenge.org/participate/

Looking for a fun and easy way to participate? Stop by the Park Managers Office after school/work anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to get started with help from park staff and receive an Exploration Pack to assist you with finding and identifying species within Lake Crabtree County Park. Each pack contains ID sheets, a nature-based park map, and more to enhance your City Nature Challenge experience!

WILD SIDE: Fire as a Friend

In the cycle of renewal that defines North Carolina's landscapes, fire plays an important role, particularly through the practice of prescribed burns. These controlled fires, carefully managed by forest and conservation experts, mimic the natural disturbances that many ecosystems depend on for rejuvenation and the maintenance of biodiversity. As winter recedes, these intentional burns clear out dead underbrush, reduce disease-carrying pests, and open up the forest floor to sunlight, setting the stage for a spectacular display of spring growth. This process not only revitalizes the health of forests and meadows, ensures a more vibrant and diverse habitat for wildlife, and also reduces the severity and frequency of harmful wildfires.

The benefits of prescribed burns are multifaceted, extending far beyond the immediate aftermath of the fire. In the spring, the ash left behind by these burns enriches the soil with nutrients, fostering a lush undergrowth that serves as a vital food source for numerous animal species. The new growth attracts a variety of insects, which in turn serve as prey for birds and reptiles, illustrating a cascade of ecological benefits. Moreover, by eliminating invasive plant species that often choke out native vegetation, prescribed burns allow indigenous flowers and plants to thrive, preserving the unique character and ecological integrity of North Carolina's natural habitats.

Prescribed burns also play a crucial role in the life cycles of several species, some of which depend on post-fire environments to thrive. For instance, longleaf pine trees are fire-dependent species that need a clear canopy to grow. The open, sunny areas created by burns are ideal for the growth of young plants and trees, which provide habitat for a plethora of wildlife, from deer and turkey to butterflies and bees. By understanding and harnessing the regenerative power of fire, conservationists are able to support and enhance the dynamic web of life that flourishes in the wake of spring's renewal. Through these deliberate and skilled applications of fire, North Carolina's forests and meadows are transformed into rich, resilient ecosystems teeming with life and beauty.