Five Rivers MetroParks’ Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience (OutdoorX) is the perfect occasion to introduce children to all the adventures they can have in the great outdoors at your MetroParks.
The Midwest’s premier outdoor adventure festival, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is Oct. 5 and 6 at Eastwood MetroPark and features more than 20 outdoor adventure activities for people of all ages to try.
Get on a bike: The Bike Village at OutdoorX offers opportunities to try a variety of demo bikes. Both youth and adults can visit the Batch Bicycles Try Cycling, Try Mountain Biking, the Mad River Mountain Pumptrack or the Tot Track to practice skills and get pointers from the pros.
Children and adults both will get a thrill watching the Dialed Action Sports Teams perform gravity-defying stunts at the BMX and Mountain Bike shows.
Photo Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks
Keep it going: Don’t hop off your bike after OutdoorX; instead, spend the rest of the year exploring the 340 miles of paved recreation trail — the nation’s largest paved trail network. You can connect to the bikeways via a variety of MetroParks and conservation areas. Additionally, MetroParks offers mountain biking trails for all ages at MetroParks Mountain Biking Area (MoMBA). Take the tot track or a beginner track for some all-terrain fun. Visit metroparks.org/bike to learn more about how to hit the cycling trails in the region.
Reach new heights and find some balance: An OutdoorX favorite, the climbing wall offers kids the chance to climb safely with help from experts. A fun balancing activity, slacklines will be available for kids to try. Slackline professionals will be performing exciting trickline shows and exhilarating highline shows, as well as offering clinics so you can learn from the pros.
Keep it going: Large muscle and balancing activities are important physically and developmentally for children, both of which can be experienced at nature play areas. Different from traditional playgrounds, nature play areas utilize natural elements to create playscapes where kids can climb, play, jump and imagine. Find nature play areas in Englewood, Hills & Dales, Possum Creek, Sugarcreek and Wesleyan MetroParks.
Photo Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks
Pick up a paddle: Get ready to paddle on the Eastwood Lagoon with help from HERO USA and American Kayaking expert instructors. Hop in a canoe, kayak or Bellyak prone kayak and get active on the water. The Mad River Run will feature pro surf shows and competitions throughout OutdoorX and is the perfect opportunity to watch exciting action on the white water.
Keep it going: Your family can explore 265 miles of water trails in the greater Dayton region, some of which can be accessed in your MetroParks. For a casual paddle, stick to the Eastwood Lagoon. For a longer, more exciting paddle, start at Eastwood MetroPark and travel the four miles to RiverScape MetroParks’ RiverScape River Run. Learn more about paddling opportunities and programs at metroparks.org/paddle.
Pet parents: People with pups consider them part of the family, and there are plenty of things for your furry family to do at OutdoorX. Let your pup run around, go for a swim and make new friends at the Pooch Island Off-Leash Dog Park. Dogs can visit the Best Breed Pooch Playground to enjoy treats during Yappy Hour at the Bone Bar, or “pawticipate” in a variety of pup activities and crafts offered by the Greater Dayton Humane Society.
For dogs who love to chase, fly and take a dip, consider entering them into the Subaru DockDog competition, or just stop by to watch the high-flying pro pups make a splash.
Those who wish to take a break, grab a bite or participate in an activity can drop their pup off with Wagtown volunteers in the Pooch Parking area.
Keep it going: Did you know most MetroParks are pet friendly? Before you bring your pet on an outdoor adventure, check metropark.org/places-to-go to double-check the pet policy. While at the park, your dog must always be leashed and under control for the safety and enjoyment of other park patrons and their animals.
OutdoorX will also have kid-friendly eats and music for the entire family to enjoy. MetroParks is proud of OutdoorX’s award-winning waste-free initiative, so it asks that families bring reusable water bottles to help keep waste out of the landfill.
Learn more about OutdoorX at metroparks.org/outdoorx.
Photo Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks
