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What's Up Down by the Old Mill Stream
April 2024
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When you visit the park, you may notice the lovely pink colors of the samaras on Red Maple trees. These samaras, or winged seeds, mature over the course of several months and will "helicopter" to the ground when they drop from the trees. The samaras are just one example of the many colors of spring you'll see at the park!
Special thanks to volunteer Sam Ray for this photo.
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Closing Time
Please note that the park's closing time will change from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15.
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Share What You Love about Wake County Parks During "I Heart Parks" Month
April and October are "I Heart Parks" months, and Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space would love to hear from you!
Please tell us why you love Wake County parks and preserves by filling out a quick survey here, or stop by one of Wake County's parks in person to leave a message about what you love about that park!
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division preserves open space, promotes stewardship, and provides equitable and inclusive education and outdoor recreation for a diverse and growing community.
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Yates Mill Corn Meal Temporarily Out of Stock
Due to popular demand, Yates Mill's corn meal is currently out of stock. However, Yates Mill Associates ground more corn during the March corn grinding weekend, and we hope to have bags of corn meal available for sale by mid-April.
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April Programs!
Registration is required for all participants (adults & children), and children must have adult accompaniment. Some programs will take place outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
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Hands-On History: Postcards
Friday, April 5, 1-3 p.m.
How did people live while Yates Mill was operating as a business from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s? Join us for a drop-in, hands-on activity to learn the history of postcards and make your own! This program will meet in the mill yard by Historic Yates Mill. For all ages; registration is not required.
Field School: A-maize-ing Grains
Friday, April 12, 11-11:45 a.m.
Where does our food come from? Put on your Grain Brain and investigate the grains in your favorite foods. Find out how Yates Mill grinds grain; thresh wheat; and test out your muscles on an old-fashioned mortar and pestle. Then make a “living necklace” to take home! Best for ages 7 & up; adult accompaniment required. FREE. Register here.
Yates by Night: Sunset Hike
Saturday, April 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Have you ever wanted a closer look at the life that is waking up in the evening? Spring is the perfect time to get outside and experience wildlife that we only get to see at that time of day! Join park staff on a guided nature hike around Yates Mill as the sun sets to see what we can find. This hike will last at least a mile and will be on fairly flat terrain. Suggested for ages 8 & up. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment. Register here.
Park Tales: Hooray for Birds!
Thursday, April 25, 10-10:45 a.m.
Join staff for a reading of this fun, rhyme-filled book that invites children to imagine themselves as colorful birds. Then take a short walk in the park to look and listen for birds, and make fun crafts to take home! For all ages (best for ages 6 & under); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Register here.
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City Nature Challenge
Sunday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon
The City Nature Challenge is a world-wide event, and we need your help to find as many species in our park as possible! Come learn about iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge, explore the park, and then explore the pond with a Pond Party activity! Bring a phone or camera and a full water bottle, and dress for a hike! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment. Register here. This program is part of the NC SciFest; for more information, visit ncsciencefestival.org.
Hike with a Naturalist
Monday, April 29, 9-10:30 a.m.
Enjoy a hike around the park with a naturalist 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. Suggested for ages 8 and up; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Register here.
Virtual ecoEXPLORE:
Botany Roundup!
Monday, April 29, 3-4 p.m.
Join this free, virtual program to see some of the coolest plant observations from this season, learn what new species have been found, and check out what plant species are still needed from ecoEXPLORE! Best for children in grades K-8. Registration is through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences; register here.
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Register for programs using the link below!
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Join us on weekend afternoons for fascinating glimpses inside the historic gristmill
Our Mill Heritage Tours are offered on Saturdays, April 6, 13, & 27 at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., & 3 p.m., and on Sundays, April 7, 14, & 28, at 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Discover Historic Yates Mill—a place of business, community, and exciting local history! Watch a brief video, then explore the inner workings of the mill itself.
You can also join our Corn Grinding Tours on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, April 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. Step back in time with our historic interpreters and watch the millstones at work grinding corn into meal. (Please note that no tours are offered between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday and that the last tour of the day starts at 3:40 p.m.)
Tickets for mill tours cost $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (age 60 and up), and $3 for children (ages 7-16); children ages 6 and under are free. All proceeds go to our partner, Yates Mill Associates, the nonprofit organization that maintains and operates the mill.
Register here.
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Self-Guided Activities!
In-Person
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Exploration Station:
Bats for Beginners
April 12-21, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bat Appreciation Day is on April 17, and there sure is a lot to appreciate about these mammals! Though bats are often viewed as scary or dirty, they are incredible animals that do so many important things around the world. Join us to learn more about the only flying mammal in the world, and how we can appreciate them more. This Exploration Station will be located inside the A.E. Finley Center between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Registration is not required.
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StoryWalk® at
Historic Yates Mill
Rabbits & Raindrops
April 2-30
Read a children’s book while you enjoy a self-guided nature walk. Our April StoryWalk® features Rabbits & Raindrops, written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky. It's the first day outside the nest for Mother rabbit's five babies, and all sorts of new creatures and adventures await them. But when a sudden rain shower sends the rabbits scurrying for shelter under the hedge, the other wild animals come to visit them!
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. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
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Volunteers Needed
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@wake.gov.
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Volunteer Interest Sessions
Do you have any questions you want to ask park staff before committing to being a volunteer? Do you want to learn more about the different ways you can volunteer? Join us at our drop-in Volunteer Interest Sessions! Meet our volunteer coordinator at our volunteer table, which will be set up outside of the A.E. Finley Center (or inside, depending on the weather).
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Thursday, April 11
1-3 p.m.
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Sunday, April 21
9-11 a.m.
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Group programs and tours 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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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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Are you a professional or amateur photographer interested in taking photos at Historic Yates Mill County Park? Wake County’s parks and preserves provide the perfect backdrop for your bridal, graduation, prom or family photos. To ensure that all park visitors have an enjoyable experience, registration is required for professional, client-based photo shoots.
Register Here.
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Join Our Junior Park Explorers
Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you!
Learn more here.
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