Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District

Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District A system of natural areas designed to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Allen County, OH

09/20/2026

🍂 Building your fall bucket list? Start here.

There are certain things that just feel like fall in Allen County.

A crisp walk outside.
The first changing leaves.
Sweatshirt weather.
Time with family.

And, of course...🍎 Apple Festival weekend!

The Apple Festival returns October 3–4, and we're getting ready for another weekend of celebrating the season together.

If you've never been, make this the year you add it to your list.
If you've been coming for years? You already know.

What's one thing that HAS to happen before you consider your fall complete?

09/19/2026

UPDATE! 🚨
Due to low visibility, tonight’s Observe the Moon Night is canceled. Stay tuned for more events!

📷 Know a young photographer who sees things a little differently?This contest is for them, too.The Nature Photography Co...
09/18/2026

📷 Know a young photographer who sees things a little differently?
This contest is for them, too.

The Nature Photography Contest includes an entire Youth Division for photographers age 17 and under, with the same five categories and award opportunities as the Adult Division.

That makes this a great fall project for:
📱 Teens who are always taking photos
🌿 Young nature lovers
🎓 Photography or art students
👨‍👩‍👧 Families looking for an outdoor activity together
📸 Kids interested in trying something new

And here's the best part: you don't need a professional camera to start paying attention to the world around you.

Take a walk. Look for wildlife. Notice the details. Photograph the places that make Allen County feel like home.

Youth photographers may enter up to 10 photos total, with no more than two in each category.

Entries are due October 18 at 11:59 PM.

Tag a young photographer who should give it a try.

🔗 jampd.com/nature-photography-contest

Marie, Lindsey, and Haley are clearly ready for fall... and more importantly, they’re ready for another Walking Thru Aut...
09/18/2026

Marie, Lindsey, and Haley are clearly ready for fall... and more importantly, they’re ready for another Walking Thru Autumn adventure tomorrow morning!

🥾 Saturday, September 19 at Heritage Park| 9 AM

Join us as we continue celebrating 20 YEARS of Walking Thru Autumn with a guided hike through your parks. We've been gathering each week to explore the trails, enjoy the changing season, and make a few memories along the way. 🍁

And if Marie, Lindsey, and Haley have you thinking your fall wardrobe could use an upgrade…we can help with that, too. 😉

Our limited-edition 20th Anniversary Walking Thru Autumn gear is available now, with T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies featuring this year's commemorative design.

🛍️ Shop the anniversary collection: walkingthruautumn2026.itemorder.com
*Orders must be placed by September 30 to ensure delivery before our final hike at Kendrick Woods on October 31!

🍂 Still haven't joined Walking Thru Autumn? There's time! September 26 is the final registration date, with six hikes remaining to complete the six required hikes and earn the special 20th Anniversary hiking stick medallion.

Register for Walking Thru Autumn >> reservations.jampd.com/programs/1156

So grab your hiking shoes, pick out your anniversary gear, and come spend Saturday morning with us!

But first: who wins the Walking Thru Autumn modeling competition - Marie, Lindsey, or Haley? 😂

09/17/2026

Now THAT is quite a journey!

Marie was out exploring Kendrick Woods when this beautiful Painted Lady butterfly stopped by for a visit. 🌿

They may look delicate, but Painted Ladies are capable of some pretty incredible journeys, including migrations that can take multiple generations to complete! 🤯

Listen in as Marie introduces us to this colorful visitor and shares some fascinating facts about its migration and what makes the Painted Lady so remarkable.

It’s another reminder that sometimes the most amazing wildlife encounters come in very small packages.

And you never know what might flutter your way when you GET OUTSIDE! 🦋

Have you spotted a Painted Lady this year?

It may grow from the ground, live in the woods, and look right at home among the plants…but one of these isn't actually ...
09/16/2026

It may grow from the ground, live in the woods, and look right at home among the plants…but one of these isn't actually a plant at all!

Which organism looks like a plant but is NOT actually a plant?
A. Fern
B. Moss
C. Algae
D. Mushroom

Think you know which one is the impostor?

Drop your answer in the comments, and don’t peek at everyone else’s guesses first! We’ll be back with the answer and a little more about what makes this organism so fascinating.

🌿 Bonus points if you’ve spotted one while exploring the Parks lately!

🍎🍏 Save the date - one of our favorite fall weekends is coming back!The Apple Festival returns October 3-4!Cooler weathe...
09/15/2026

🍎🍏 Save the date - one of our favorite fall weekends is coming back!
The Apple Festival returns October 3-4!

Cooler weather. Fall traditions. Time outside. And a weekend to enjoy with family, friends, and the Allen County community.

Whether the Apple Festival is already part of your family's fall routine or this will be your first year joining us, go ahead and get these dates on the calendar.

For now, tell us: Who always comes to the Apple Festival with you?
Tag your Festival crew below! 🍎

What happens when we stop asking “What does nature provide for us?” and start asking “What is our place within nature?” ...
09/15/2026

What happens when we stop asking “What does nature provide for us?” and start asking “What is our place within nature?” 🌱

This week’s chapters of A Sand County Almanac gave our Naturalists plenty to think about.

Leopold explores how our attitudes toward wildlife have changed over time. Animals once viewed only as pests or threats can become species we value and work to protect. And perhaps conservation isn’t only about protecting wildlife, it’s also about changing the way we think about it.

Then there’s wilderness. 🌲

As wild places disappear and people become increasingly disconnected from them, Leopold reminds us of something spending time outdoors has a way of making very clear:

We aren’t separate from nature. We’re part of it.

The wilderness can shift our perspective, reminding us that we’re one small piece of a much larger, interconnected world, and that preserving wild places is about far more than simply preserving something beautiful.

Our Naturalist’s notes leave us with a question worth carrying beyond this week’s reading:

How do YOU think about wildlife and wild places, and has spending more time outside ever changed that perspective?

Take a look through this week’s notes, share your thoughts below, and maybe spend a little time experiencing that larger picture for yourself.

What does Allen County look like through YOUR lens?The 2026 Nature Photography Contest is officially open!Whether you sp...
09/14/2026

What does Allen County look like through YOUR lens?
The 2026 Nature Photography Contest is officially open!

Whether you spend your weekends photographing wildlife, always notice the perfect sunset, or simply love capturing the beauty around you, we want to see what catches your eye.

Entries are open in both Youth (17 & under) and Adult (18+) divisions across five categories:
🌿 Native Flora 🦉 Native Fauna 🌅 Landscape 🌳 Parks Potpourri 🇺🇸 America 250! - celebrating our history

You may submit up to 10 photographs total, with no more than two entries in any one category.
And yes, there are prizes! Best of Show earns $60, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards available in each category and division at the judges’ discretion.
Deadline: Sunday, October 18 at 11:59 PM
All photographs must have been taken in Allen County, Ohio, and entries must be submitted digitally through the official online form.

Start looking a little closer. Your winning shot might be waiting right outside.
🔗 jampd.com/nature-photography-contest

Looking for a different way to spend time together? Try giving some of it away.Volunteering is a chance to spend time ou...
09/14/2026

Looking for a different way to spend time together? Try giving some of it away.
Volunteering is a chance to spend time outdoors, meet people in your community, and leave a place a little better than you found it!

It's also a great opportunity for:
🌿 Families looking for meaningful time together
🤝 Community members ready to give back
🎓 Students searching for service-hour opportunities
🌳 Anyone who loves the parks and wants to help care for them

You don't have to be a nature expert. You just have to be willing to lend a hand.
Interested in upcoming volunteer opportunities? Reach out to us and let's find a way for you to get involved >> https://jampd.com/get-involved/volunteer/

Address

1682 Slabtown Road
Lima, OH
45801

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14192211232

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District:

Shortcuts

Share