Parks and Land Use Events
Explore Our Events
Scroll down to browse a selection of our upcoming events or visit the full calendar to see everything we have coming up!
Explore Our Events
Scroll down to browse a selection of our upcoming events or visit the full calendar to see everything we have coming up!
SCARECROW LANE
Explore the magic of autumn at Retzer Nature Center with our fan-favorite self-guided hike along Scarecrow Lane! Wander the Blue Trail and take in the fall colors while discovering a variety of creative, one-of-a-kind scarecrow displays. Note: There is a new route this year; please start at the trailhead near the Learning Center building.
Click here for a fun Scavenger Hunt activity sheet to help you find all the scarecrows along the trail!
DATES & TIME: Daily, from September 20 - October 31, 2025 • Sunrise - 10 p.m.
LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)
COST: Free (all ages)*
*September 20 only - $10 admission per car during Apple Harvest Festival.
REGISTRATION: No registration; walk-ins welcome.
NOTE: Expect woodchipped and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. The trail is not paved and is not lit after dark.
FALL STORY HIKE
Step into fall at Retzer Nature Center’s Story Hike! Stroll the Orange Trail as you read Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari, with illustrations by Diana Sudyka. This book celebrates the fabulous fungi all around us, brought to you by Retzer Nature Center and the Bridges Library System. Come hike, read, and enjoy the season!
DATES & TIME: Daily, from September 20 - October 31, 2025 • Sunrise - 10 p.m.
LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)
COST: Free (all ages)*
*September 20 only - $10 admission per car during Apple Harvest Festival.
REGISTRATION: No registration; walk-ins welcome.
NOTE: The Orange Trail is an approximately 0.75 mile trail. Expect woodchipped and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. The trail is not paved and is not lit after dark.
HABITAT RESTORATION WORKDAY
Join us for a fun day in nature! Help remove invasive species and restore rare oak ecosystems right here in Waukesha County. Make a real impact on habitats that matter!
DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS:
MAY 17, 2025 • 9 a.m. – noon • Muskego Park, Picnic Area 4
JUNE 14, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Fox River Park, Family Picnic Area
JULY 12, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Fox Brook Park, Beach House
AUGUST 9, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Minooka Park, Picnic Area 3
SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Naga-Waukee Park, Picnic Area 5
OCTOBER 11, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Mukwonago Park, Picnic Area 1
OCTOBER 25, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Muskego Park, Picnic Area 4
NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • 9 a.m. - noon • Nashotah Park, Picnic Area 1
COST: Free! This is a volunteer event; park entry is included with registration (ages 13+)
REGISTRATION: Register online by noon the day before; walk-ins are welcome!
NOTE: Dress for the weather, as work takes place outdoors. In poor weather, workday may be cancelled or rescheduled.
Close-toed shoes, long sleeves, long pants, gloves, safety glasses, loppers (optional), water, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended. Extra gloves and safety glasses will be available.
For any questions, please contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.
Grab your skates and hit the ice at Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena during Public Skate!
Ice skating is perfect for family fun, friend or group outings, staying active, or simply enjoying time on the ice. Public Skate Sessions are open to all ages and skating abilities.
We do not have skate aids or double runner skates. Sticks and pucks are NOT allowed on the ice during public skate sessions.
LOCATION: Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena (2699 Golf Road, Delafield WI 53018)
COST: $7.00 General Admission (Adult/Children); $6.00 Admission (Seniors & Active Military); $3.00/pair for Skate Rentals.
Pay at concessions stand or admissions register upon arrival!
Enjoy a relaxed skating experience just for adults and senior citizens.
These sessions are designated for ages 40 and older. Standard public skating rules apply.
LOCATION: Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena (2699 Golf Road, Delafield, WI 53018)
COST: $7.00 Admission (Adults); $6.00 Admission (Senior Citizens & Active Military); $3.00/pair for Skate Rentals.
Pay upon arrival at concession stand or admissions counter.
Public Ice Skating
Grab your skates and hit the ice at Eble Park Ice Arena during Public Skate!
Ice skating is perfect for family fun, friend or group outings, staying active, or simply enjoying time on the ice. Our Public Skate Sessions are open to all ages and skating abilities.
Adult / Senior Skate
Enjoy a relaxed public skating experience just for adults and seniors.
These designated sessions are open to skaters ages 18 and older, regardless of skill level. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just getting started, all are welcome! Standard public skating rules apply.
WISCONSIN SCIENCE FESTIVAL: SETTING THE STAGE FOR LIFE – OUR DEEP CONNECTION TO THE UNIVERSE
When you think about astronomy, you might imagine distant planets and stars that are beautiful and mysterious, but unrelated to daily life. In reality, everything we are – and everything we do – is deeply connected to the universe. The lives and deaths of stars set the stage of the formation of our world and even the building blocks of our DNA most likely came from space. Discover just how profound our connection to the cosmos really is in this fascinating presentation.
Presentation by Michelle Thaller, Waukesha native and former Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • 7-8 p.m.
LOCATION: Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)
COST: Free, as part of the Wisconsin Science Festival
REGISTRATION: Not required; seating limited to 90 people (first come, first served)
Make a full evening of it:
Arrive early and start your night with a Planetarium Show and Night Hike at Retzer Nature Center (6-7 p.m.). It's a great way to explore nature before diving into your cosmic origins! Registration required for this portion; $10/person. Details.
WISCONSIN SCIENCE FESTIVAL: PLANETARIUM SHOW AND NIGHT HIKE
Watch the Planetarium Show, “The Dark Side of Light” that will show us how humans impact the night sky. Then head outside to enjoy a naturalist-led Autumn Night Hike where we will use our senses and learn about how wildlife adapts to the dark compared to us! The hike route will be on uneven, wood-chipped and grass trails.
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • 6-7 p.m. (+optional presentation 7-8 p.m.)
LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)
COST: $10/person (ages 4+)
REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon the day before. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows; call ahead and arrive by 5:45 p.m.
You'll also want to check out:
Continue your evening at the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium (7–8 p.m.) for a free, fascinating presentation by Michelle Thaller (formerly of NASA) on how our very existence is connected to the stars! No registration required for presentation. Details.
FALL TREE PLANTING
Join us to plant native trees and shrubs along the Oconomowoc River and help restore our local ecosystem—one plant at a time!
DATE/TIME/LOCATION:
OCTOBER 24, 2025 • 9 a.m. – noon • Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park
COST: Free! This is a volunteer event (ages 13+)
REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon the day before. Sorry, no walk-ins. Registration full!
NOTE: Dress for the weather, as work takes place outdoors. In poor weather, workday may be cancelled or rescheduled.
Close-toed shoes, long sleeves, long pants, gloves, safety glasses, loppers (optional), water, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended. Extra gloves and safety glasses will be available.
For any questions, please contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.
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