In Greek mythology, Icarus attempted to escape from Crete by flying to the mainland, using wings that his father crafted by waxing feathers to Icarus’ arms. However, Icarus flew too close to the sun, the wax melted, and the feathers…
Got Milkweed?
As the name implies, milkweeds – a group of plants in the genus Asclepias – are weedy plants. They are characteristic of disturbed habitats like forest edges and open meadows, and though they are perennials, they also produce copious wind-borne…
Athletic Field Survey
The Centerville-Washington Park District maintains 20 soccer game fields, 18 baseball/softball diamonds, 2 football game fields, 2 lacrosse game fields, 5 acres of lacrosse practice area, 5.5 acres of football practice area and 20 acres of soccer practice fields! We…
Yankee Park Playground: Design Preference Survey
The Yankee Park playground is getting an upgrade! The Centerville-Washington Park District is interested in learning which of the proposed playground designs the community prefers. Goals previously identified for this project are: an ADA safety surface, an ADA specific element,…
Where Have All the Insects Gone?
It’s the middle of summer; mosquitoes are buzzing, the nighttime chorus of crickets and katydids is picking up volume, and we’re just coming down from an emergence of periodical cicadas. It might seem like an odd time to be asking:…
If You Build It, They Will Come
Birds’ nests serve a number of functions. One of those, of course, is to provide a secure place to lay and incubate eggs and, for many species, to raise young. In addition, the design and structure of nests may help…
Activity Center Park Sprayground Open
The sprayground opened for the season on Friday, May 28! The sprayground is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The water is motion-activated by a sensor. An all-access playground is adjacent to the sprayground. The…
Toads at a Cocktail Party
In some ways, frogs and toads (amphibians in the order Anura, meaning “no tail”) are visual creatures. Their eyes are finely attuned to movement, and they feed on insects that make the mistake of crossing their visual paths. But when…
Periodical Cicadas: What’s the Buzz?
Image: courtesy of Katja Schulz, Creative Commons I have lived in Dayton, OH, since 1986. This May and June, for just the third time in those 35 years, I look forward to the spectacle of Magicicada Brood X, the 17-year…
Shelter Reservations Resume
Perfect for birthday parties, graduation parties, family reunions and more, large group shelters are available in eight of the Centerville-Washington Park District community parks. Reservations for the 2021 calendar year may be made beginning at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, April 1.…