Who better to educate us about the ecosystem in Hobbs State Park than the inhabitants of the forest themselves? At the "Living Forest" -- the park's family friendly educational event -- that's exactly what happens.
"The Master Naturalists work with us, and they dress up in animal costumes -- a bear, a turtle, a deer, for example -- and they place themselves at different locations all around the Ozark Plateau trail," says Steve Chyrchel, a park interpreter. After a short conversation with Mother Nature -- another employee of the park -- the group sets off. "It's a short trail, about a third of a mile. About every 20 or 30 minutes we take people in groups and lead them to each stop, and the animals talk about themselves a little bit."
FAQ
Living Forest
WHEN — 1-5 p.m. Oct. 27
WHERE — Hobbs State Park near Rogers
COST — Free
INFO — 789-5000
The entire trail takes around 40 minutes to traverse, and each session with a woodland creature is relatively short.
"We know little kids don't have long attention spans," says Chyrchel. "But it's a great way for the kids to learn about the animals."
Chyrchel says the path itself is a paved, six-foot wide trail, stroller- and wagon-friendly.
"And people won't be walking in grass -- so no need to worry about ticks," he adds.
The event's date -- Oct. 27 -- was selected for its potential to be a prime autumn leaves extravaganza.
"If Mother Nature plays along, it's the week that most often has the best color," says Chyrchel.
And if it rains -- as it has once in the past -- no worries: The 17,000-square-foot visitors' center and its educational taxidermy makes an ideal Plan B option.
"It's a family event and is especially for little kids, but the adults really get a kick out of it as well," says Chyrchel.
-- Lara Jo Hightower
NAN What's Up on 10/21/2018