January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 56

Park Bench
Participants search for tree frogs by
spotlight after following their calls to
a tree during a guided night hike.
Nighttime Nature Programs
Night brings with it an air of mystery and wonder. A tree that is just a tree in daylight becomes a giant looming in the dark, watching
as you pass by. The buzzing and chirping of animals are mere background noises as you walk to the park on a sunny afternoon,
but at night, those same sounds evoke active imagination and storytelling within your mind. Was that just a bird call or was something
signaling, whistling in the woods?
Outdoor recreation programming at Pearland (Texas) Parks and Recreation seeks to capitalize on that innate nocturnal curiosity
and guide participants into a better understanding and appreciation of nature by offering a host of night-based programs. Programs
like camping, guided night hikes and sunset paddles all encourage community members to experience the darker side of Pearland
- in a good way.
Participants often are shocked to learn that coyotes, bobcats and even fireflies are still living in Pearland and have been seen
during night programs. The excitement of that experience opens doors for staff to educate the community about the value and the
vitality of the local natural environment. With kids, night programs offer many " first-time " encounters. Positive interactions and
encouraged curiosity during those teachable moments can set the tone for how those children will view and engage with nature for
the rest of their lives.
In a single camping program, Alijah, age 6, experienced a nighttime nature walk where he had the chance to observe nocturnal
wildlife like bats and harvestmen, cook s'mores over a campfire, and spend the night in a tent, falling asleep to the sounds of nature
- all for the first time, all in a city park. Lounging in a camp chair while observing the fire, he was asked what he liked most about
the program. His response is everything Pearland Parks and Recreation strives to offer in its outdoor programs: " You can come be
with nature. And be peaceful. "
- August Vandiver, Outdoor Recreation Specialist, Pearland Parks and Recreation
56 Parks & Recreation |
J ANUAR Y 2 0 2 5 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITTANY LAU, CITY OF PEARLAND (TEXAS)

January 2025 – Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2025 – Parks & Recreation

January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Intro
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover1
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover2
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 1
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 2
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 3
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 4
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January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 56
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover3
January 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover4
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2025
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https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2024
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https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2024
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https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2023
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https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2023
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https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2022
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