Bats, Goats, Plants, Chores: In The Parks This Weekend

Here are some of the activities going on in Westchester parks this coming weekend.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12

Caretaker and Me: All About Goats – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Muscoot Farm, Route 100, Somers – (914) 864-7282. Four- to 5-year-olds and their caretakers will enjoy an hour-long session focusing on a specific farm animal each week. There will be a story, small walk and craft. Also 4/19.Fee $25; registration required at (914) 864-7286.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Morning Farm Chores – 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Muscoot Farm, Route 100, Somers – (914) 864-7282. Do you have what it takes to be a farmer? Help the staff do their daily chores and find out. Fee $6 per person or $20 for a family of four. Registration required at (914) 864-7286.

Citizen Science Open House – 12 noon – 3 p.m. Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Routes 35 and 121 South, Cross River -- (914) 864-7322. Ever wondered how you could help out at our local parks? Participating in citizen science research is both an educational and rewarding experience. Join us to learn more.

Spring Ecology and Plant Walk – 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Playland Park, Rye – (914) 967-8720. Find out what is going on in nature during this time of the year as you stroll the grounds of the sanctuary.

Volunteer Work Project: Spreading Gravel around the Picnic Areas – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Marshlands Conservancy, Boston Post Road, Rye – (914) 835-4466. Great for any type of service credit hours. Please bring work gloves. Hand tools will be provided.

Citizen Science Day: Batty for Bats – 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cranberry Lake Preserve, Old Orchard Street, North White Plains – (914) 428-1005. Bats are important in many ecosystems and play a key role in pollinating plants. Become a citizen scientist for the day by helping to build bat houses. Registration required by 4/2. Refreshments will be served.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Opening Reception for Annual Poetry Exhibit – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Marshlands Conservancy, Boston Post Road, Rye – (914) 835-4466. Stop by and enjoy poetry that was inspired by the preserve. .

African-American Burial Grounds of New Amsterdam – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Croton Point Nature Center, Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson -- (914) 862-5297. Archaeologist Eugene Boesch talks about the lost 17th and early 18th century African-American burial grounds discovered in 1991 in what is now lower Manhattan. Listen to the stories that these grounds tell about these people and their times. Sponsored by the New York State Archaeological Association/Lower Hudson Chapter program.

More info at parks.westchestergov.com.