Winter Nature Walk

Can you find a Hibernation Station?

Hey! Have I got a day off of school idea for you and your
kiddos! On Monday, January 20 when there is no school, pull on your warm boots,
put on your heavy jacket, grab a hat and a warm pair of mittens and come on out
to the park at 10:00 a.m. Brooksvale Park is a great place to visit in the
warmer months but have you seen how beautiful it is in winter? If you’ve
hunkered down and been under a pile of blankets since that first snowstorm
before Christmas, maybe it’s time to stretch those legs a bit and take a walk.
Hide the remotes from the TV and the Xbox too and tell the kids you are taking
them on an adventure.

Master Wildlife Conservationist and Park Naturalist Kirsten
Walker, nature enthusiast and past Farm Camp Director Angela Lomanto and
smiling park staffer Ali Grabarcz will accompany you on this winter walk. Each
of these of these females (of the human species) has something to contribute in
the way of a fun morning in the park for all.

Maybe adventure is a bit of a stretch but how about trying
to find some Hibernation Stations on the walk and taking some time to just
enjoy the beauty of Brooksvale? Where DO the animals who call Brooksvale home
year round hunker down during the storms? We know the farm animals have an
awesome new barn but what about the little critters? And those not welcome in
the barn! Some hibernate deep and we won’t see them but others just slow down
and come out from time to time. Can we find their tracks and sign?

We’ll end our walk with marshmallows and stories by the
campfire. You bring a roasting stick and we’ll bring the marshmallows. (I’ll
bring triple this year!) Come to the park at 524 Brooksvale Avenue just 1 mile
off Route 10 (Whitney Ave.) in Northern Hamden. Drive slowly up past the big
red barn and park in the Veterans’ Memorial Building parking lot. Come around
back to the lower level into the Friends warming room where we’ll meet you
before we head out.

Inclement weather may cancel this program. You know a
blizzard or single digit temps, weather we rarely get in Connecticut! If you’re
unsure the morning of the program you can check the website brooksvale.org, the
Facebook page or call the park phone 203-287-2669 and listen for a message.

If it is only rain, just rain, not freezing rain, we will
offer a simple alternative indoor program from 10am-Noon. This may include a
Nature themed movie and popcorn, a Nature lesson, a Nature themed craft or all
of the above. Again, check the same sources for information. Please, no drop
offs! This program is presented by Hamden’s Department of Arts, Recreation
& Culture.

See you at the park! Tanta Kirsten