December 2021 at Harris Lake County Park and the American Tobacco Trail

DECEMBER 2021

UPCOMING PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Programs are free of charge but

require pre-registration through our

online system.

Due to limited participant capacity to allow for social distancing, we cannot accept

walk-ups.

Programs at Harris Lake County Park

Night Tree and Wildlife Treat Creations

Saturday, Dec. 11; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*This program is full, but you may join the waiting list here.

Wagon Ride with Santa

Sunday, Dec. 12; 2 - 3:30 p.m.

*This program is full, but we encourage you to join the waiting list in case of cancellations!

Virtual Wild Wednesday:

Wildlife in Winter

Wednesday, Dec. 15; 2 - 2:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what happens to our wildlife in winter? They have a variety of adaptations to help them get through the cold months. Let's explore some of their techniques and discover the survival secrets of our winter residents! A Zoom program link will be sent to all registered participants in advance of the program.

History Hike at Harris

Sunday, Dec. 26; 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Long ago, many families lived and worked on what is now Harris Lake County Park. Harvesting crops, tending livestock, and carrying out daily chores were a major part of life in this bygone era. Through engaging tales gathered from interviews of past residents and our Story Map mobile tour, we will take a walk back in time on this one-mile hike. Meet in the disc golf gravel parking lot (first gravel lot on your left after entering the park) at the wooden informational kiosk.

Programs at the

American Tobacco Trail

Programs take place at the New Hill parking area (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.) unless otherwise stated.

Hoo-Hoo, Who's There?

Sunday, Dec. 5; 3 - 4 p.m.

* This program is full, but you may join the waiting list here in case of cancellations.

Winter Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday, Dec. 21; 2 - 3 p.m.

Today is the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year! Join us for an afternoon stroll along the Trail while enjoying the natural world. Hone your observation skills as you search for signs of wildlife and other winter wonders. Meet at the New Hill parking area at the picnic table at the bottom of the hill.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES

Harris Lake County Park and the New Hill parking area on the American Tobacco Trail will be closed on the

following days:

Friday, December 24

Saturday, December 25

Saturday, January 1, 2022

HUNTING SEASON

Hunting season is open.

Park visitors may want to wear bright colors while on the trails at both Harris Lake County Park and the American Tobacco Trail.

Hunting is allowed on nearby state-managed game lands at both parks and waterfowl hunting is permitted from the Shearon Harris Reservoir. Hunting is not allowed inside the park at Harris or from the trail on the ATT.

Contact the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to report wildlife violations at 919-707-0040.

WINTER TROUT STOCKING

Unfortunately, not enough trout are available for the popular Fall/Winter 2021 surplus trout stockings, otherwise known as ‘Winter Impoundments.’ This popular winter trout stocking program occurs annually at numerous small impoundments throughout central and western North Carolina, including the Fishing Pond at Harris Lake County Park. The program may resume in December 2022, pending fish availability.

Wake County's Natural Resources Inventory Database (NRID) compiles wildlife and plant observations recorded at Wake County parks and preserves. Accessible either from home or at the park, NRID has many features to explore: discover species that have been recorded in a specific park, print a checklist before your visit, view photos, and more! Click here

to go to the public site and start exploring!

StoryWalk® at Harris Lake

From December 9 - January 2, learn what it's like to go "owling" on a cold winter's night through the eyes of a child in Jane Yolen's Owl Moon. This charming picture book won the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's beautiful watercolor illustrations. This self-guided StoryWalk® will be located along the paved trail beginning at the traditional playground. At the bottom of each set of storybook pages, there is a question or interactive portion for further engagement as you make your way through the book.

Have You Visited our Educational Garden?

Located between the Cypress Shelter and the restroom building, the Educational Garden features several small native plant beds and a pollinator meadow connected by a mulched trail for easy viewing. Enjoy a quiet moment on a bench or picnic table.

Staff and volunteers have been working hard in the garden this year, adding more native plants, plant labels, and a lovely wooden sign at the garden entrance on the Cypress Shelter side! A NEW Story Map mobile tour is also now available here! See historical remnants of the family who lived where our Educational Garden now stands, and find new ways to enhance your garden for wildlife at home.

We hope you'll visit this garden to learn and observe, taking ideas back to create these habitats in your own yard!

Virtual Group Programs at

Harris Lake County Park

We offer engaging virtual field trip programs free of charge for schools and other groups.

The following virtual programs

for groups are available at

Harris Lake County Park:

Busy Beavers: Adaptations for Survival
Longleaf Legacy: In the Pines
History Mystery: What Happened at Harris Lake?
Snake Scales and Turtle Tails
Amphibians as Bioindicators

Visit our website to learn more about planning your virtual experience or contact us at joanne.stclair@wakegov.com or

919-387-4344.

Give your Christmas tree a second life after the holiday season!

From December 26, 2021 - January 23, 2022, you can drop off your live, undecorated Christmas tree at designated locations, including Harris Lake County Park. Your tree will be turned into mulch that will revitalize trails at Wake County parks all year long!

For a list of drop off locations, please visit wakegov.com/happy trails. Please note that park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset and our parks are closed on New Year's Day, January 1, 2022.

COVID-19 SERVICE UPDATE

The health and safety of our visitors and staff remain the top priorities for Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. As Wake County follows the state's phased approach to lift COVID-19 restrictions, we are also working to safely reopen park services.

People are encouraged to follow current masking and social distancing guidelines when visiting Wake County parks and preserves.

In an effort to slow the increasing spread of COVID-19, employees and visitors to county buildings are required to wear face masks, regardless of vaccination status. This means that you'll need to wear a mask in park centers, restrooms, and other buildings. Children's play areas inside the park centers at Historic Oak View and Historic Yates Mill county parks will remain closed.

The following restrictions will remain in place at Wake County parks and preserves:

Park programs will be held outdoors with limited participant capacity to allow social distancing and additional safety measures.

Please visit our website for the most

up-to-date information as we follow a phased reopening plan.

Harris Lake County Park

2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC 27562

(919) 387-4342

Email: harris.lake@wakegov.com

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