Skunk Cabbage at Dix Park - photo credit Denny Reiser

March 5, 2026

The clock springs forward and spring officially arrives this month! March brings the earliest signs of new life to your Portage Parks like Spring Peepers calling, male Red-winged Blackbirds setting up territories, and Skunk Cabbage blooming.

Our Spring Program Guide is full of interesting programs and guided hikes for all ages. Please remember to register for programs so you can be contacted if there is a last-minute change or weather cancellation.

In the Parks

Share Your Memories

Towner's Woods Park is celebrating a big birthday! 50 years ago this year, it was dedicated as part of the county's bicentennial celebration. The park has a rich history and deep roots in the community. We plan to celebrate the park and share its history in upcoming newsletters and at programs throughout the year. If you have stories or memories from Towner's Woods Park, please share them with us!

Congratulations 2026 Awardees

The Portage Park District Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 Environmental Conservation Award recipients. These remarkable awardees will be recognized at the Annual Dinner on April 25 - tickets go on sale later this month. Mark your calendar and plan to celebrate them with us!

Lifetime Achievement: Stevie & Jay Byrne

Environmental Education: Lucy Chamberlain

Environmental Education: Max Swartout

Environmental Stewardship: Andrew Miller - Buckeye Pipeline Service

Environmental Stewardship: Davey Tree Expert Company SEED Campus

Green Building/Development: Ann Womer Benjamin - City of Aurora

Kent Environmental Council Edith Chase Award for Conservation: Nancy Adams

Volunteer of Distinction: Denny Reiser

Spring Bloom Report Returns

Beginning this month, our Natural Areas Department and our Education & Outreach Department will once again be providing weekly updates on the spring blooms emerging along the trails in your Portage Parks. Visit the park home page for weekly updates beginning next Friday, March 13. You can even share your own observations!

Upcoming Programs

Butterfly Monitoring Volunteer Training

Portage Park District has officially started monitoring butterfly populations at Trail Lake Park and we would love your help in this citizen science effort. Come learn how you can help!

All programs and events can be found on our Things to Do page. Our education programs require registration - this helps us keep an optimal staff to participant ratio. Join us to learn about the natural world around us. All ages and abilities are welcome! Please contact us directly to request an accommodation.

Upcoming Group Hikes:

Senior Hike - March 5

Hike with a Ranger - March 11

Senior Hike - March 19

Wild Hikes Wednesday - March 25

Jr. Ranger Hike - March 28

Senior Hike - April 2

Visit our YouTube channel

Try our self-guided hikes

Coffee Break with

Beavers

March 13 @ 8am

Bring a cup of your favorite breakfast brew and meet us at the beaver pond. We may get a glimpse of these ecosystem engineers!

Amphibian Amble

March 18 @ 6:30pm

You may not always see them, but we can hear the spring chorus of our early amphibians. Let’s walk, talk about and listen to some of our vernal pool inhabitants.

Stress Management Stroll

March 31 @ 5pm

Take some time for yourself by joining a walk with UH Nurse Educator Jodi Neu as she teaches us stress management and self-care.

Portage Park District Foundation

2026 Wild Hikes Challenge

It is the Year of the Bog! Portage County has some of the highest quality bog ecosystems in the state. These special wetlands were created by receding glaciers, are acidic and nutrient-poor, and support rare and interesting plants like tamarack (seedling pictured), sphagnum moss, leatherleaf, pitcher plants, and so many more. Earn your tamarack medallion to celebrate the opening of our newest park later this summer: Kame-Esker Bog! Download your WHC Form and complete 8 of the listed hikes!

Park Reminders

Join our park team or share our job openings with a great candidate!

Sometimes the work to improve Portage Park District means your favorite park or trail may be temporarily closed. The most current closures or alerts can be found by clicking the orange Alerts icon at the top of the park website. Please check before you leave for your park adventure. Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve your Portage Parks!

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