Summer fun: Dan Nicholas Park

The shade and cool water of the Gem Mine at Dan Nicholas Park are draws to many people tring to find something fun to do. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

6800 Bringle Ferry Road. 704-216-7803.

www.dannicholas.net.

Weekend Trail Walks at Dan Nicholas Park, 10 a.m., May 24; 10:30 a.m., June 7 and 21, July 5 and 26, Aug. 9 and 23. Meet at the totem pole in front of the Nature Center

Wildlife Adventures: Bear feeding every Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.; Meet the Animals every Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.

June Student Fishing Tournament: June 16-20, for ages 5-18. Free. Register at the concession stand. Prizes will go to the student that catches the largest fish. It will be a whopping good time.

Dunns Mountain Trail Walk: 10:30 a.m., June 14, July 12 Aug. 2 and 30. Meet at restroom building at lower parking lot.

Teddy Bear Picnic: June 27 or July 18 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Shelter 5. Bring your favorite teddy bear or any stuffed animal and have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch. Meet Cosmo the Bear, hear some teddy bear stories and make crafts. Call 704-216-7803 to make reservations.

NEW!!! Night Prowl Nature Program at the Campground: June 21, July 19, Aug. 16. Meet at the Campground Shelter at 9 p.m.

Nature Day Camp: Rising third-sixth graders. June 23-27, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Pre registration required. $75.

Father's Day at the Gem Mine: Fathers get $2 off any bucket bought at the mine and 25 percent off all men's rings. June 14 and 15.

July 4th at the Gem Mine: Buy any bucket and get one of equal or lesser value at half price. Wear an Uncle Sam hat and get all patriotic jewelry at half price.

Naturalist Camp: July 21-25. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Must pre-register. $75.

Water Day: July 11, 11 a.m. Ages 5–12.

Come splish-splash over to Dan Nicholas Park for some water fun. Make sure to bring your bathing suit, towel and sunscreen as you enjoy lots of games. The Union and Liberty fire Departments will turn on the hoses. It will be a great way to cool off from the hot summer sun.

YMCA Triathlon: This will be the fifth year Dan Nicholas Park has been the host site for this event, sponsored by J. F. Hurley YMCA, July 19. Call the YMCA for details, 704-636-0111.

Student Fishing Tournament: July 21–27, 3 p.m. Ages: 5–18. Prize for the largest fish.

Trail Walk at Eagle Point Nature Preserve: July 19, 10:30 a.m. Meet at the parking lot.

2009 shelter reservations: We will begin taking shelter reservations for 2009 at 9 a.m. on Aug. 5.

Back to School Fishing Tournament; Celebrate the end of lazy days with our fishing tournament, Aug. 11-15, ages 5-18. Free

Gem Mine: August birthstone is peridot. All birthstone jewelry and jewelry with green stones is 25 percent off on Aug. 9 and 10.