Beginning Saturday, visitors to Hot Springs National Park can take part in activities celebrating National Park Week, which runs through April 29.
Following this year's theme, "Park Stars," the annual event will celebrate the remarkable resources of the park, such as the hot springs, significant artifacts and the park's volunteers -- all stars in their own right, a news release said.
Programming will also feature the stars of the night sky as part of the National Park Service's "Finding Your Park After Dark -- Starry Skies" series. All programs are free and open to the public, including daily tours of the Fordyce Bath House Visitor Center at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Outdoor programs may be canceled or relocated in the event of inclement weather.
Programs will be held at Fordyce Bath House, 369 Central Ave.; Lamar Bath House, 515 Central Ave.; Ozark Bath House, 425 Central Ave.; and Gulpha Gorge Campground, 305 Gorge Rd.
Park week schedule
• Saturday, 1-2 p.m. -- Meet a Tree. Identify trees using all the senses at Gulpha Gorge Campground Amphitheater.
• Sunday, 10-11 a.m. -- National Park Criminal Investigative Service presents "Critter Crime." Junior rangers will join a park ranger to follow clues and solve a mystery on the Arlington Lawn. Inclement weather location is Ozark Bath House.
• Monday, 1-2 p.m. -- How Hot? Participants will join a park ranger at the Arlington Lawn Thermal Water Cascade to test the temperature of the thermal water of the park, discover how hot it is, and learn about the natural process that heats the water. Inclement weather location is the Fordyce Bath House.
• Tuesday, 1-1:45 p.m. -- Behind the Scenes Tour. The park's curatorial staff will gather at the Lamar Bath House to present a rare glimpse of some of the park's hidden treasures, including everything from historic photos and maps to furniture that once graced bath houses that no longer exist.
• Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. -- National Park Units of Arkansas. A park ranger will tell the difference between a national memorial and a national historic site, and will introduce each of the national park units in Arkansas at the Fordyce Bath House Theater.
• Wednesday, 3-4:30 p.m. -- Research in the Park, Part One. Students from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts will present the findings of the research they completed in the park, from new information about beetles and spiders to genetic information about the thermophilic organisms that live in the hot springs. Event will take place at the Fordyce Bath House Theater.
• April 26, 1-2 p.m. -- The Science Behind the Springs, Fordyce Bath House Theater. A Geoscientists-in-the-Parks intern will speak about the thermal waters and how the NPS protects this unique resource.
• April 26, 7:30-8:30 p.m. -- Turn Out the Lights! A park ranger will speak at Gulpha Gorge Campground Amphitheater about how the NPS measures the impacts of light pollution and will present images of the night sky.
• April 27, 1-2 p.m. -- Parks and Recreation Areas: Get to Know the NPS. Take a trip with a Geoscientists-in-the-Parks intern at the Fordyce Bath House Theater to learn about the history of the national park system, remotely explore some of the hundreds of park units, and take part in NPS trivia.
April 27, 3-4:30 p.m. -- Research in the Park, Part Two. Join students from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts as they present the findings of the research they completed in the park, from new information about beetles and spiders to genetic information about the thermophilic organisms that live in the hot springs. Event will take place at the Fordyce Bath House Theater.
• April 28, 10 a.m. to noon -- Become a Volunteer for the Bees, at the Arlington Lawn Gazebo. Become a park VIP (volunteer-in-park) to beautify the park and help native bees by planting native flowers and gardens along Bathhouse Row. Grab a pair of gloves and contact Rachel at 501-620-6703 or [email protected] to sign up.
• April 29, 1-2 p.m. -- How Long Does it Last? Join a park ranger on the Arlington Lawn to learn how long it takes for a plastic bag to decompose and why it's important to practice Leave No Trace ethics when hiking and camping. Inclement weather location is the Ozark Bath House.
Local on 04/20/2018