A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Great Outdoor Weekend: Time to get up, get moving and get outdoors; all kinds of things to do and enjoy


Green Umbrella will present the 16th annual Great Outdoor Weekend on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 at over 40 locations in Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Indiana. Each year, Great Outdoor Weekend offers over 10,000 outdoor enthusiasts of all ages an opportunity to explore the best of our region’s outdoor recreation and nature awareness programming. This year, Cincinnati Parks will host the first-ever Great Outdoor Weekend kick off – Campfire on the Bluff – at California Woods on Friday, September 27.

Get outdoors — its the Great Outdoor Weekend.

Great Outdoor Weekend happens in conjunction with National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 28. The nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort, National Public Lands Day celebrates the connection between people and the great outdoors and promotes environmental stewardship. Great Outdoor Weekend attendees can learn about local environmental stewardship efforts by exploring Greenspace Gems, local protected greenspaces with unique natural qualities.

Some of this year’s activities include:

· A beach hike and sightseeing with Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society
· Boat building and butterfly banding or stargazing and night hiking
· Discovering our region’s ecologically significant areas at a Greenspace Gem
· Celebrating harvest with pumpkin painting, hayrides and live music
· Exploring the landscape through urban hikes, orienteering and scavenger hunts
· Primitive fire making and marshmallow roasting

These experiences and many more are offered free of charge to families and adults in nine counties across the tri-state. You can find details on all of the events at www.greatoutdoorweekend.org. This free event is made possible thanks to the generosity of Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Family Magazine, Metro, CET and others.

In Kenton County

Meet live owls and a hawk as Dr. Tom Sproat of BIOSE, Inc. showcases an assortment of raptors.

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see the birds up close and personal! Meet him and Kenton County Parks & Recreation (KCP&R) on Saturday, September 28 at 6 p.m. at Lincoln Ridge Park in Shelter House 2.

All ages are welcome. There is no cost to attend this event, however KCP&R collects donations of non-perishable food and personal care items for Be Concerned.

Lincoln Ridge Park is located at 420 Independence Station Rd., Independence.

Hike Doe Run Lake

Join Kenton County Parks & Recreation, the Kenton County Public Library and the City of Erlanger for a hike at Doe Run Lake on Sunday, September 29, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy the great outdoors with a hike at Doe Run Lake. This guided hike will cover hilly, wooded, possibly wet and muddy terrain. Pick up a Hike Bingo sheet at the start of the hike (one per family), and see if you can locate all the listed items on the trail. After we hike we will share snacks. Meet in the parking lot at the soccer fields. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Hikers younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult, and all hikers will be asked to sign a waiver.

Registration is required. Call Rhonda Ritzi from KCP&R at (859) 525-PLAY (7529) or call Jennifer Beach from Kenton County Public Library at 859-962-4143 to register.

These events are part of Great Outdoor Weekend through Green Umbrella – September 28 to 29. Check out other events happening at https://www.greatoutdoorweekend.org/. 

Doe Run Lake is located at 1501 Bullock Pen Road, Covington.

For more information,  contact Rhonda Ritzi at Rhonda.Ritzi@KentonCounty.org. For news of upcoming programs, activities, and events to be held in Kenton County’s parks, call the Parks & Recreation office at (859) 525-PLAY (7529), visit the website www.kentoncounty.org  or follow Kenton County Parks & Recreation at Facebook.com/KentonCountyParks. They are always in need of volunteers and funding sponsors for their programs! Call Kenton County Recreation at (859) 525-PLAY (7529) to see how you can help.


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