Annual Newt Day returns to Tualatin Hills Nature Park Nov. 3

Newt Day, an annual, family-friendly event offered at the Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center, is set for Saturday, Nov. 3, from noon to 4 p.m.

With exhibits and activities showcasing everything from newts and trees to mushrooms and woolly bears, Newt Day will help children and adults learn about the cycles that these forest inhabitants go through. Guests can also venture out into the park to find evidence of these plants and animals firsthand.

Admission to Newt Day is $2 per person; children 2 and under are free. The Nature Park Interpretive Center – part of the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District – is located at 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton.

“This is a great time to get outdoors and experience the changing seasons,” said Elisa Joy Payne, program coordinator at the Interpretive Center. “Don’t let the rain and the cold hold you back. The newts are out and much more visible this time of year. And the forest is alive with a variety plants and animals to explore.”

For more information, call the Interpretive Center at 503/629-6350.

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a 222-acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Beaverton, features evergreen and deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds, and meadows. The park is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and smaller creatures. Its five-mile trails network includes 1.5 miles of paved pathways plus 3.5 miles of well maintained, soft-surface trails.

The Nature Park Interpretive Center – operated by THPRD’s Natural Resources Department – features classrooms, a reference library, exhibit area, and nature store. Environmental education classes and activities for adults, children, and school groups are offered throughout the year.

Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving more than 220,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503/645-6433.