parkrun (spelled with a small p) is the world’s largest organized running activity, in which more than 1 million people participated last month alone. The weekly, free 5K run/jog/walk came to Heritage Harbor, in Ottawa on June 10th, 2017.  In the U.S., parkrun is spreading to the midwest, with arriving in Ottawa after opening earlier this year in the communities of Mansfield, Ohio and Eagan, Minnesota.

parkrun is uniquely inclusive – a free, weekly, volunteer-led event welcoming walkers, joggers, dogs on leashes, families with strollers and people with special needs.   In Ottawa at Heritage Harbor it is being created by local resident volunteers led Pierre Alexander and Tammy Barry.

Every Saturday in 15 countries around the world (and nine locations in the U.S.), 200,000 people or more gather in their local parks, typically at 9 am, rain or shine, for a 5 kilometer parkrun. Participants receive an email with their time results an hour or two afterwards.

The first parkrun was started in a London park by Paul Sinton-Hewitt, CBE, an IT expert and amateur runner, who has received an Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurship and was granted a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth honoring his parkrun achievements.  For Sinton-Hewitt, parkrun is as much about building communities as running. 

As of 2017, 3.5 million people have signed up for parkrun, with more than 10,000 new participants weekly. In the US, parkruns began in 2012 in Livonia, Michigan. By the end of June, there will be 12 parkruns in the U.S., including Heritage Harbor.  

The American Cancer Society is partnering with parkrun US to promote healthy lifestyles. According to the Society, some of the most important things you can do to help reduce your cancer risk include being physically active on a regular basis and getting to and staying at a healthy weight throughout life.  Physical activity is an important component of weight control.  Running has been associated with numerous health benefits, notably, the potential to extend life by seven years.  By removing obstacles that keep people from physical activity and contact with parks, parkrun is helping them live healthier, happier lives.  Therefore, the American Cancer Society has endorsed parkrun to help increase the number of participants and events across the US.

We will be making a butterfly garland using pink cupcake liners and clothespins.
Registration is required as spots are limited due to the availability of supplies.
To reserve a spot for this class, please call the library or stop by the Circulation Desk.

Learn to knit or crochet in a friendly environment with knowledgeable people.

Come to the library to meet up with other
homeschoolers and learn about various artists and artistic styles.

Teens, come on in and try one of our DIY projects. This month we will
be making various things with paracord.

The Golden Spoon: A Novel by Jessa Maxwell will be discussed on AM 1430.

Join us for a fun story time featuring music,
movement activities, sing-a-longs, literacy games, crafts, and stories.
This event is for children ages 3-6 years.

Bring your friends for a fun afternoon of gaming!

Sing, dance, craft, and create priceless
memories at this fun interactive
story time planned especially for
the younger crowd. This event is for
children ages 9-36 months.

LEARN, HUNT, BUY…MOREL MUSHROOMS during Ottawa’s Annual Midwest Morel Fest.  This unique festival offers ‘everything mushrooms’ from the morel enthusiast to the curious observer!  All events take place at Jordon Block Park (Main & Rt 23/71N).  This year enjoy a Morel Market, a large Botanical Market. And don’t forget  MOREL UNIVERSITY where you can learn to identify morels then take off for a guided hunt.  We have set aside land JUST FOR YOU!

Educational hunt has limited availability.

13+ presale $30 until April1, $35 April 2 to April 27, after April 27 at the door price $50.

12 under presale $15 until April 1, April 2 to April 27, $20 after April 27 at door prices of $35.

NO REFUNDS! Rain or Shine

Contact us for more information. Registration is now only at the door – first come first served.

SCHEDULE

730am Hunt & Morel Market sign-in (Must register and check in to go on hunt or to sell mushrooms)

8-830am Morel University (Learn how to hunt morels)

845am Busses depart for guided hunt

9am-4pm Morel Market – morel mushrooms only

8am – 4pm Vendor Market

10am Mother’s Day Craft(free while supplies last)

9-1130am Guided Hunt

12pm-3pm Kaedon Cronkright performs 

1230pm Awards

Morel Market MORELS & HALF-FREE MORELS ONLY No elephant ears, red ear, beefsteak, etc.

Got morels??? Sell them at the Morel Market.

• Package morels by half pound weight in plastic zipper bags. (Don’t seal the bags…whew!) • Bring them in your own cooler • Our certified experts will inspect all mushrooms prior to sale. No inspections between 8:30a – 12p. (Washed and soaked mushrooms will be rejected for health reasons) • Due to public health restrictions, all mushrooms must be sold through the festival market. Anyone discovered selling unregistered, uninspected product will be escorted from the festival. • Tables will be supplied (6 tables/12 vendors) A charge will be determined.