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The September StoryWalk^® at Harris Lake County Park will feature The Glorious Forest that Fire Built - the story of how fire builds a forest! Forests are not forever, they have a lifecycle all their own: from ash to meadow, from seed to tree, and back again. Each stage in the life of the forest sings the same refrain, "I'm not here to stay. I'm a step on the way to the glorious forest that fire built." Controlled burns are crucial to this cycle and the survival of many forests, including the Longleaf Forest found right here at Harris Lake County Park! This StoryWalk^® will follow the paved trail through the Day Use area beginning at the traditional playground.

As part of our Longleaf Celebration this month, we will focus on the beauty of trees and what we can learn from them! Join us as we read Be a Tree by Maria Gianferrari. Get ready for some outdoor fun as we explore trees at the park and even become a tree! For ages 2-5 with accompanying adult. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. 

Join us for a free, family event as we honor all things Longleaf Pine!

• Visit with The Longleaf Alliance and play "Longleaf Jenga"
• See reptiles and amphibians up close and touch a snake with the N.C. Herpetological Society and N.C. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
• Learn about the life cycle of Longleaf critters with Dragonfly Nature Programs
• Chat with a Forest Ranger from Jordan Lake Educational State Forest and learn about the importance of prescribed fire through interactive activities
• Sit down with the Fuquay-Varina Community Library for a craft and special storytimes at 10:30 a.m. and noon
• Watch Pay Cheadle demonstrate the art of Longleaf pine needle weaving and pick up a special creation (be sure to bring cash!)
• Pick up a free Longleaf seedling, courtesy of Duke Energy (while supplies last)!
• Visit with the N.C. Forest Service and snap some photos with Smokey Bear!
• Enjoy Longleaf-themed games, crafts and even a scavenger hunt!
• Indulge in free Howling Cow ice cream and other frozen treats (while supplies last).
• Take a guided wagon tour to our beautiful Longleaf Restoration Area. Pre-registration is required for the wagon tours due to limited seating (register below).
   

Extend your fun by bringing a picnic lunch and spending your day at the park! It’s free for all ages! This event will take place at the Loblolly Shelter and on the open playfield.

On this WCPSS teacher workday, and as part of our 2025 Longleaf Celebration, we will take a look at the animals that live in the longleaf forest! Reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds of all kinds make their homes in the forest, and we will discover the ways they use this habitat's special features for food and shelter. See some of these animals up close with our taxidermy mounts and take home a Longleaf pinecone souvenir! For all ages. All participants (children and adults) must be registered. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. 

What if we told you there is a forest where giant squirrels patrol the underbrush, fire helps grow beautiful flowers, and trees drop pinecones as big as a child’s head? This is not a fairytale forest; this is the real-life magic of the Longleaf Forest! Join us as we explore the history and unique features of the forest that helped build our state. Learn about the critters that call the forest home, see how fire shapes the ecosystem, and handle some of the tools our staff use to manage this special forest! For ages 5 and up. All participants (children and adults) must be registered. Meet at the Cypress Shelter.  

Take a journey into the past through the eyes of Longneedle, a Longleaf Pine who sprouts in 1696. As Longneedle grows, she sees the extraordinary diversity of plants and animals that depend on her and her forest. Through the magical illustrations of Anne Runyon, learn about the history of North Carolina's Coastal Plain, from its landscape to its people.