Touch Tank

Let's Go Outside!

Head to Parker River Wildlife Refuge for a full day of FREE family fun that's focused on outdoor activity!

Join park staff from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a full day of FREE family fun that's focused on outdoor activity! Parker River NWR is excited to welcome community members back to our annual Let's Go Outside event, with an exciting new addition. This year we will celebrate Let's Go Outside as an Open Streets event. This means the refuge road will be temporarily transformed into a car-free zone for visitors to bike, walk, roll, and play! Parking will be provided at the refuge visitor center and Lot 1, and free shuttle service will be provided between key locations.

When:

Saturday, June 25, 2022 10am – 3pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus

Come celebrate Haverhill's River Front at the River Ruckus in Haverhill Massachusetts!

Team Haverhill's River Ruckus is an annual city-wide festival celebrating the natural resources and beauty of the Merrimack River and the economic and cultural revitalization of the City of Haverhill, MA. Presented by Team Haverhill, a community-based volunteer organization, the festival attracts over 5,000 visitors and residents for a day of family activities including a Classic Car show, live music produced by 92.5 The River, children's activities in the Kids Zone, food from local restaurants, an art exhibition, a crafts show, and spectacular fireworks over the mighty Merrimack River!

When:

Saturday, September 25, 2021 Noon-8:30pm

Location:

Riverfront Park Haverhill

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Feed the Beach Creatures - Rocky Shore Residents

You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank! Feeding time is a lot of fun!

It's time to feed our touch tank animals! You can help us with sea stars, sea urchins, and rock crabs from the rocky shore; moon snails, surf clams, and hermit crabs from the sandy beach; and minnows, mud whelks, and horseshoe crabs from the salt marsh. Assist our animal husbandry team in sorting, identifying, and then feeding all these creatures as you learn about their fascinating habits.

When:

Wednesdays, June 22-August 17, 2022 4-5:30pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Annual Endangered Species Day Celebration

Piping Plover isjust one of the endangered species you'll learn about at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge invites people of all ages to celebrate Endangered Species Day on Sunday May 19th from 12pm-3pm at the Refuge Visitor Center. Endangered Species Day was designated to educate the American public on the importance of protecting endangered species and highlight the everyday actions that individuals can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish, and plants.

When:

Sunday, May 19, 2019 Noon – 3pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Touch Tank Time

You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank!

Summer beach days are over, but our 110-gallon tide pool touch tank is still filled with marine life! Drop in for this free program at Joppa Flats and examine the critters you might have discovered on your own visits to the shore. Sea Urchiins, Moon Snails, Sand Dollars, hermits, Horseshoe Crabs, and more! This free programming for folks of all ages includes special features for little ones.

When:

Weekends September 8-23, 2018 12:30-3:30pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Celebrate the Coast Free-for-All!

Celebrate the Coast at Joppa Flats Education Center with your Family!

Let's celebrate our beaches, tide pools, and salt marshes with a full day of fun outdoor/indoor activities! Handle live tide pool animals from our 110-gallon touch tank, go on a guided salt marsh walk, and enjoy a virtual whale watch trip.

When:

Sunday, September 23, 2012 10am - 3pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Family Flyby: Boats Afloat!

Make your own boat, then see if it floats at Joppa Flats Education Center!

Free-flow learning at Joppa Flats is fun for the whole family. There's simple science fun with coloring pages, crafts, and toys for ages 2 to 6; science experiments and group challenges for ages 7 and up; and outdoor exploration, seasonal live animals, and scheduled family presentations for everyone. Fly by for an hour or stay all day for family time that suits your schedule. There's something different to see and do with every visit! This week, kids are encouraged to be a pirate for the day, learn the skills a sailor needs at sea, and learn about ocean conservation!

When:

Saturday, July 7, 2012 10am - 2pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Family Flyby: Return of the Touch Tank

Free-flow learning at Joppa Flats is fun for the whole family. There's simple science fun with coloring pages, crafts, and toys for ages 2 to 6; science experiments and group challenges for ages 7 and up; and outdoor exploration, seasonal live animals, and scheduled family presentations for everyone. Fly by for an hour or stay all day for family time that suits your schedule. There's something different to see and do with every visit! This week we're thrilled to have our touch tank back for the season. Come look AND touch the creature that live in our tank!

When:

Saturday, June 2, 2012 10am - 2pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center