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What's Up Down by the Old Mill Stream
July 2022
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See what's happening on our social media sites: | |
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A Prothonotary Warbler perches on the boardwalk railing.
Photo taken by volunteer Sam Ray.
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Park Opening and
Closing Times:
Park Grounds are open daily,
from 8 a.m. to Sunset.
The entrance gates close at
9:00 pm.
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Log Cabin Construction
During the months of April, May, June, and July, the park's log cabin will be undergoing construction to renovate and repair the structure.
Temporary trail closures are possible during this time; please check our Facebook page for updates regarding trail closures.
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What's going on behind the park center?
Renovations are continuing on the research wing of the park's Visitor Center. Our apologies for any inconvenience you may experience at the park related to this work.
As a result of a collaborative study directed by Wake County and including representatives from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT), US Fish & Wildlife Service, North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Yates Mill Associates, it was determined that Historic Yates Mill County Park and the associated millpond would be an appropriate location for an Aquatic Species Propagation Facility to meet NCDOT mitigation requirements for the I-540 highway project. When completed, the facility will raise a variety of native freshwater aquatic species to be released in their natural habitat. Construction should be completed in Fall 2022.
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JULY- NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH!
The theme for the 2022 National Park and Recreation month is “We Rise Up for Parks and Recreation.” Throughout July, we will highlight the ways our communities are stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient because of parks and recreation.
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Yates Mill Corn Meal For Sale!
GREAT NEWS - You can purchase Yates Mill corn meal in the park's Visitor Center.
Yates Mill corn meal is ground the old-fashioned way right here at Yates Mill, where the 12-foot tall waterwheel drives a set of quartzite millstones. Whole-kernel dried corn from local North Carolina farms is ground into corn meal using a slow and steady process that does not heat the meal, as in more modern processing plants, resulting in a delicious flavor and wonderful texture. All proceeds for sales go directly to our partner, Yates Mill Associates, the non-profit group that works to keep the mill in operation.
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DAILY PERMIT REQUIRED
FOR CLIENT-BASED PHOTOGRAPHY
Wake County's parks and preserves provide the perfect backdrop for your photos. To ensure that all park visitors have an enjoyable experience, registration is required for professional photo shoots.
There is a required registration process. All photographers conducting client-based photography must register online and obtain a permit reserving a date and time before starting their photoshoots. Registration is free.
REGISTER HERE
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We are excited to officially announce the return of our Historic Mill Tours!
Tours have now been reworked so that they can be provided in a safe way
for our volunteers and visitors.
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All proceeds for sales go directly to our partner, Yates Mill Associates, the non-profit group that works to keep the mill in operation.
Help keep the wheels turning by checking out the non-profit group Yates Mill Associates here.
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July Programs!
FREE. Registration is required for all participants (adults & children). Programs will take place outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
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Park Tales: Gingerbread for Liberty!
Tues., July 12; 10 am-11 am
Meet at the picnic area near the park amphitheater.
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Hike With A Naturalist
Fri., July 29; 10 am-11:30 am
Meet at the picnic area near the park amphitheater.
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In honor of National Gingersnap Day (celebrated on July 1), come to the park to hear Mara Rockliff's story of Christopher Ludwick, a German immigrant and gingerbread baker who became the Superintendent of Bakers for the American army during the Revolutionary War. Then pick up historic and modern gingerbread recipes and make a gingerbread-related craft to take home!
For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
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Join one of our naturalist staff members on an unstructured nature hike around Yates to see what we can find! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing close-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Meet at picnic area near the large field and bridge.
For all ages (recommended for ages 6 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
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Backyard Critters:
Raccoon Rascals
Sun., July 17; 2 pm-3 pm
Meet at the picnic area near the park amphitheater.
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Virtual Program: ecoEXPLORE:
Insect Record Holders
Fri., July 15; 4 pm-5 pm
A link will be sent to you prior
to start date.
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There is more to the ring-tailed bandit than meets the eye! Discover the mysteries behind this animal including what their favorite foods are and their unique adaptations. Make a mask of your own then go on a scavenger hunt.
For all ages (recommended for ages 6 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
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There are more types of insects than any other animal in the world. There are so many insects that there are bound to be some weird ones. Come learn about the crazy, strange, and mysterious insects you may have never heard about! This program is geared toward children in grades K-8 and their families, but all are welcome! You will learn about the ecoEXPLORE project during this virtual program.
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A Side of History:
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Wed., July 6; 11 am-Noon
Meet at the picnic area near the park amphitheater.
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Just two days after Independence Day, visit the park for a fun dose of history. Learn about the American Revolution through a whimsical story set to the popular tune of Yankee Doodle, where mice, rabbits, and other woodland creatures bring to life the era’s important events.
For all ages (best for ages 7 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
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Self-Guided Activities!
In-Person
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StoryWalks® at Yates Mill
Yates Mill is excited to offer you and your families a wonderful interactive StoryWalk® activity within the park!
Forest Bright, Forest Night
July 2 - 31
Read a children’s book while you enjoy a self-guided nature walk. Our July StoryWalk® is "Forest Bright, Forest Night" written by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Jamichael Henterly. Learn about the animals that make the forest their home by day and at night. This creative approach of looking at animal habitats in the forest puts readers close up to deer, bear, quail, crickets, mice, foxes, and more. Join us for this fun self-guided activity, which will start at the parking lot kiosk near the Visitor Center and end near the mill.
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New to the StoryWalk® concept? Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
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Have some feedback or suggestions for our StoryWalks? Scan the QR code and take a brief survey to tell us your thoughts! We'd love to hear your suggestions, and titles of books you'd like to see at Yates Mill.
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Self-Guided Visitor Center Activities | |
Exploration Station: Super Snakes
Thursday-Tuesday, July 14 - 19; 8:30 am-5 pm
Slither on over to celebrate World Snake Day and learn all about these fascinating reptiles. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration not required. Stop by the park’s visitor center anytime between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.
Note: This is a SELF-GUIDED activity- it is NOT staff led. Participants are encouraged to view materials, pick up activity supplies, and then enjoy activities on the park trails.
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Everyone's Welcome Launch
Wake County Parks is happy to announce the launch of our "Everyone's Welcome" Initiative that aims to welcome all visitors and affirm our commitment to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone.
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Yates Mill on Video!
We are now offering videos all about wildlife and nature at Yates Mill, so you & your families can enjoy the park and learn from a distance.
Yates Mill's YouTube playlist
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Here are just a few of our video topics:
- All About Beavers!
- The Story of the American Elm
- All About Monarchs
- Spring is Here!
- Rainfall
- An Anniversary Slideshow
- Six Little Ducks
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Activities for Home!
Park staff have put together activities for you and your families to enjoy from the comfort and safety of your own home. Yates Mill from Home offers different activities such as downloadable crafts, scavenger hunts, podcasts, puzzles, videos and more! Be sure to check back often, as this page is updated with new activities and videos regularly.
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Family Fun Packet
Are you and your families looking for some fun, self-guided activities to do while in the park? Then, be sure to pick up our new Family Fun Booklet which can be found here to print out at home as well as in the park outside the front door of the Visitor Center. This guide includes fun scavenger hunts you can complete at the park as well as a coloring page, information about the gristmill, a recipe to try at home and more!
Download the booklet here.
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Park Picks:
Selfie Stations in the Park!
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Backyard Buddies:
Explore and Share
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We want to see YOU in our favorite park spots! Look for the #ParkPicks sign at Yates Mill, STOP and SNAP a selfie and SHARE it with us using the hashtag #ParkPicks. We can't wait to see your selfies!
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Use #MyBackyardBuddies on social media to share photos of what you see and check out what we're finding too.
Use the following apps to help you identify wildlife:
- SEEK by iNaturalist
- Merlin Bird ID (now able to do photo and sound ID!)
- iNaturalist
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eco-Explore: An initiative of the NC Arboretum | |
Wake County Parks and Preserves Mobile Tours | |
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Yates Mill Park is now an official ecoExplore hotspot! You can help scientists collect data, earn badges, and even prizes! This program is a wonderful and fun initiative of the NC Arboretum, that not only helps nature, but helps you become an expert naturalist!
On their website, you can search different hotspots and view challenges to participate in. You can find the program here:
www.ecoexplore.net
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Take a mobile tour and see our parks through a new lens. How does it work?
- Tap the icon below to pick your park. Other parks and preserves will be added soon, so be sure to check back.
- The tour will show you a map of the property and indicate significant features and interesting spots to see.
- When you get to each point, you'll have access to text, audio, photos and/or videos to help you learn more about and explore your surroundings.
Find the mobile tours here.
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Wake County Natural Resources
Inventory Database
Discover the park by researching our database. Find out when wildflowers are in bloom and what animals have been spotted!
Discover NRID here!
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Wake Parks Instagram Contest
Visit your favorite @WakeGovParks and tag your best photos with the month's corresponding theme!
Tag #WakeParks365 and you are entered. Good luck, everyone. We can't wait to see your photos!
#WakeParks365
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Park Surveys: We want to hear from you!
Have you enjoyed a day in the park recently; walked on our trails; enjoyed a family picnic; or simply have something you'd like us to know about? Please select the link below to fill out a short anonymous survey so we can know what you and our other park visitors are
thinking about!
Let us know about your visit.
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Help us keep our park beautiful!
Just a reminder that we have trash cans and recycling bins located throughout the park. If you ever see one that needs attention, please let us know. Thanks for helping to keep our park clean for everyone to enjoy!
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Are you interested in helping out
at Historic Yates Mill?
Call us or stop by the park to learn about the
exciting and important ways that you can lend a hand.
To learn more, call
(919) 856-6675
or send an
email to:
yatesmill@
wakegov.com.
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Jumping Spider!
Check out the eyes on this spider! This is a type of jumping spider which are characterized by their small size, unique colors, many eyes and amazing jumping abilities! A unique feature about these spiders is that they are excellent hunters. So excellent if fact that they do not live in webs but instead spend their days actively seeking prey out.
Having so many eyes allows them to have superb vision in order to scope out their surroundings for prey. Jumping spiders usually have eight eyes, with the two largest ones sitting at the front of their head. These are specifically meant for determining distance, while the other smaller eyes are used for monitoring movement.
Favorite snacks for these spiders consist of other small spiders and insects. In fact, they are incredibly beneficial for natural environments because they keep pest populations in check, and ensure that local ecosystems remain balanced.
These spiders do not cause harm to humans, so don’t be scared next time you see one! They are just jumping around living their best life!
Special thanks to Sam Ray for this photo.
PHOTO BY SAM RAY
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In-person Field Trips are Back! | |
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Group programs can be requested and scheduled for schools and other organized groups. You can learn more about the types of group programs and field trips offered by this park below. | | | |
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Although the park is offering in-person programs again, the staff of Historic Yates Mill County Park is excited to continue to offer engaging online programs and virtual field trips. Schools and other organized groups can get an interactive, educational experience from the safety and comfort of their own homes!
Our staff-led interactive sessions can be conducted using either Zoom or Google Meet. Students will need internet access and a computer, tablet, or phone to join the presentation.
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All virtual field trips must be scheduled in advance. Interested groups of 8 people or more are encouraged to contact us at yatesmill@wakegov.com or to call the park at 919-856-6675 with any questions and/or to schedule your virtual field trip.
Visit our Virtual Group Programs Page
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