Park offers hands-on activities for families

Randy Burns / The Item Poinsett State Park will host "Life in the Park Lake" Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Families will be able to learn more about the park's wildlife through hands-on activities and spend the day at the park.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

Officials at Poinsett State Park are offering families an opportunity to get acquainted with the park located in the High Hills of Santee, covering more than 1,000 acres of steep hills and bluffs, pine and hardwood forests and wetlands in Sumter County, some six miles south of Wedgefield.

Park Manager Zabo McCants invites families to register for "Life in the Park Lake" from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

There is no charge for the program, although donations to the park are always welcome, McCants said.

McCants has secured the services of Lee State Natural Area Park Interpreter Laura Kirk to serve as program leader.

"We invite you to join park rangers at Poinsett to learn about animals such as tadpoles and crayfish that live in the Old Levi Mill Lake," Kirk said. "Participants will help catch animals and then take a closer look at them using a video microscope."

Cants

The hands-on nature program is designed for children 7 and older, Kirk said. Adults must accompany youths.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To make a reservation, call or e-mail Kirk at (803) 428-4988 or lkirk@scprt.com.

"Having programs like Ms. Kirk's 'Life in the Park Lake' at Poinsett State Park help offer our community a chance to visit and learn something new; a new discovery, a new challenge or a new opportunity for fun," McCants said.

He said he hopes families will plan to spend the day at the park and learn what the park has to offer.

"Poinsett State Park is free to visit and is a short distance from Sumter and Columbia," he said. "We have nine miles of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian. We also have jon boat and canoe rentals, cabins and camping."

Special overnight rates are available for cabins from April through August, McCants said.

Visit the Web site at www.southcarolinaparks.com for more information.