SOUTH DAKOTA GFP NEWS FOR 8-5-09

State Parks offer a variety of activities at weekend events
PIERRE, S.D. – State parks across South Dakota will be holding a variety of special events Aug. 15. The activities give visitors the opportunity to be active and learn while enjoying the fresh air of the outdoors.

• Women in the Outdoors, 9 a.m. at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City. Spend a day learning about fun new topics like photography, GPS, tomahawk throwing, boating and more! The event costs $40 with lunch and park entrance included in the registration fee. To register, call (605) 448-5452.
  
  
• Fisherman’s Appreciation Evening, 6:30 p.m. at Indian Creek Recreation Area near Mobridge. Enjoy Dutch oven demonstrations, games for the kids, guest speakers, prizes and more! For more information, call (605) 845-7112.
  
  
• 4th Annual South Dakota Bat Festival, 6:30 p.m. at Custer State Park. In partnership with the South Dakota Bat Working Group, Custer State Park is hosting its 4th Annual Bat Festival. Several biologists will be on hand with activities and presentations to help visitors understand (and appreciate) the myths and facts associated with bats. For added excitement, late night participants will also be involved in a mist netting operation in order to capture live bats. For more information, call (605) 255-4515.
  
  
• 4th Annual Astronomy Night, 8:30 p.m. at Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs. Spend a relaxing evening under the stars in, perhaps, one of the best astronomy settings in the southern Black Hills. With very little light pollution, Angostura Recreation Area offers the right conditions for the beginning astronomer. Every participant will take a tour of the night sky and learn how to find some common constellations. Bring a pair of binoculars and prepare yourself for some fascinating stories of long ago. For more information, call (605) 745-6996.
  
  
• “Evening with the Owls” Walk in the Park, 8:30 p.m. at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Ft. Pierre. Park visitors are invited to see who is out and about in the trees. Join avid birder and wildlife photographer Doug Backlund to learn about the different types of owls located in the park and how to identify them by their appearance and sound. For more information, call (605) 223-7722.
  
  
• The Perseid Meteor Shower and Star Party, 9:30 p.m. at Palisades State Park near Garretson. Members of the Sioux Falls Astronomy Club will lead a tour of the summer night sky with telescopes set up for participants to view interesting stars or planets. This is the prime time for the Perseid meteor shower, with an average of 60 meteors per hour. A short hike is required to reach the view point, so be sure to wear walking shoes. The event should last about an hour, but the meteor shower will last all night! For more information, call (605) 594-3824.

There is no cost to participate in any of these programs, except the Women in the Outdoors event at Fort Sisseton. A park entrance license is required for all events. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent and dress for the weather.

The Walk in the Park programs are part of a series of educational, guided hikes held throughout the year in South Dakota State Parks, recreation areas and nature preserves. Park staff and volunteers lead the programs.

For more information on the South Dakota State Parks, the Walk in the Park program or for a full calendar of events, please visit www.sdparks.info or call (605) 773-3391. To learn about park programs in your area, contact your local state park office.

– GFP –