Historic Yates Mill County Park offers programs covering history, nature, agricultural and recreational topics. Public programs are open for registration to the general public.
We are happy to announce the launch of our virtual public programs! Find a few of them below!
Public Programs
Register for a Public Program
IN-PARK PUBLIC PROGRAMS
PARK TALES: For all ages (best for ages 6 and under); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Park Tales – Rabbit's Spring Adventure, Monday, March 13, 10–11 a.m.
Hop along with Rabbit as we read a children's book. Then explore the beauty of spring and do a fun, spring-related craft! Register here.
Park Tales – Turtle Splash!, Monday, April 10, 10–11 a.m.
As they are startled by the activities of other nearby creatures, the number of turtles on a log in a pond decreases from ten to one, in a splash-happy celebration of numbers and animals. Learn about North Carolina turtles and make a fun turtle craft to take home! Register here.
Backyard Critters: For all ages (recommended for ages 5 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet inside the Visitor Center. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Backyard Critters – Bird Watchers, Wednesday, March 1, 9–10 a.m.
It's spring! The birds are out singing and dancing and are ready to play! Discover Historic Yates Mill's birds with us and play Bird ID Bingo. Register here.
Field School: For all ages (recommended for ages 5 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.
Field School – Become a Citizen Scientist, Monday, April 24, 3–4 p.m.
How can YOU make observations that help scientists learn more about the world around us? Scientists need help knowing when birds migrate, when flowers bloom, or just how many squirrels are in your yard. Join this program to learn about many of the citizen science programs and get ready for the big City Nature Challenge! Register here.
A Side of History: For all ages (best for ages 7 & up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
A Side of History – National Birds: Monday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.–noon
Is it true that Wild Turkey and Bald Eagle once faced off to see who would be our national bird? Find out the answer and celebrate Presidents’ Day and the Great Backyard Bird Count in one fell swoop! Learn about the use of birds in national symbols; discover the history and meaning of America’s Great Seal, which uses the Bald Eagle; and make a related craft. Register here.
Hike with a Naturalist: For all ages (recommended for ages 8 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all participants.
Hike with a Naturalist: Friday, March 24,10–11:30 a.m.
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 closed-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Register here.
Hike with a Naturalist: City Nature Challenge Friday, April 28,10–11:30 a.m.
Join one of our naturalist staff members on an unstructured nature hike around Yates as we make observations for the City Nature Challenge! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing closed-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Register here.
Yates by Night: 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.
Yates by Night – Moth Party: Friday, March 31, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
On any given spring night, hundreds of moths are on the move in North Carolina. Learn about moths and their importance to the ecosystem, how they are a vital pollinator, and how you can attract them to your own backyard. Then do a fun, moth-related craft! Register here.
Yates by Night – Celebrating Earth Day: Friday, April 21, 6–7 p.m.
Join park staff on a guided hike around the park to learn about the history of Earth Day and to appreciate the nature around us. Learn about different ways to protect the Earth. The guided hike will be about 1 mile long along moderate terrain. Closed-toed shoes and water bottles are recommended. Best for ages 8 and up. Register here.
History Hike: For all ages (recommended 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.
More soon!
Register for a Virtual Program
Virtual Programs: Registration through NCMNS.
ecoEXPLORE: Plant Survival – Friday, March 10, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Since plants can't move to escape danger, they have many adaptations to protect themselves! From thorns, to poisons, to creative seed dispersal methods, there are many survival strategies that plants use to survive! Register here. Please note that registration is handled through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
ecoEXPLORE: World's Wildest Plants – Thursday, April 6, 6–7 p.m.
Across the world, plants can be tiny, giant, parasitic, carnivorous--some can even grow in snow or extreme heat. Join us online to learn about some of the wild plants that keep this planet green. Register here. Please note that registration is handled through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
Become a Junior Park Explorer!
Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you! Learn more here.
Take a Self-guided Mobile Tour
Check out the Historic Yates Mill Mobile Tour and learn about the history of the 200-year-old grist mill, as well as the lives of the people who lived and worked in the area.
Self-guided Activities for the Family!
Self-Guided Exploration Stations: For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: FREE. Registration not required. Stop by the visitor center anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Exploration Station –Magical Habitats
Thursday, Jan. 19–Tuesday, Jan. 24
Nature is full of magic! Learn what a habitat is and discover a few animals that call the park home. Discover different hiding places animals use and how to spot them yourselves when in nature!
Self-Guided StoryWalks®
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. This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature. New to 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.
StoryWalk®: "How Big is Love" – Thursday, Feb. 2–Tuesday, Feb. 28
StoryWalk®: "Tisha and the Blossoms" – Thursday, March 2–Thursday, March 30
Everyone's Welcome
Historic Yates Mill County Park welcomes all visitors and affirms its commitment to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone. We will make every effort to ensure that visitors of all abilities are fully included in all our programs and facilities. Check back regularly to see what new opportunities become available!
For questions about our accessibility resources or how we may best meet your needs in any of our programs, please contact the park at 919-856-6675 or yatesmill@wake.gov.