Make memories this Fall across the park system in Colorado Springs

Fall is a season to get outside, spend time together and experience something new. From historic harvest traditions and fossil discoveries to motorless recreation, glow pickleball and Halloween celebrations, the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department is offering more than a dozen ways to enjoy the season.

"One of the best parts of fall is seeing people come together across our park system," said Skyler Rorabaugh, PRCS director. "Whether families are returning to a favorite tradition or residents are discovering a new program close to home, these events show the many ways our parks, community centers and cultural sites help people connect with Colorado Springs and with one another."

Celebrate fall outdoors

• Harvest Festival: Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Spend a fall day enjoying wagon rides, old-time music, cider-making demonstrations, festival games, historic homes and pumpkins available for $6 each.

• Motorless Morning: Sunday, Oct. 4, from 5 a.m.-noon at Garden of the Gods Park. The park will close to motor vehicles, giving hikers, bicyclists, skateboarders, skaters and other visitors a special opportunity to enjoy the main roads without vehicle traffic.

• Fossil Day Celebration: Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. This free family event will bring natural history to life through fossils, dinosaurs, hands-on activities, giveaways and live animals from Nature's Educators.

• Fall Homeschool Day: Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Families can step back in time through hands-on activities exploring pioneer life, farming, ranching, railroads and blacksmithing. The program is designed for homeschool families, but everyone is welcome.

• Everything But the Oink: Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Experience the sights and traditions of a historic working ranch while learning how farming families used every part of a hog, from soap-making to sausage grinding.

Halloween fun for all ages

• Halloween Costume Exchange:Friday, Oct. 9, from 4-6pm at the Deerfield Hills Community Center. Join us from some Halloween fun with crafts, activities, games, light refreshments, and a free costume exchange! Registration is not required.

• Little Learners Monster Mash: Thursday, Oct. 22, from 10-11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Children ages 3-5 and their grown-ups can enjoy stories, dancing, cookie decorating and a search for mini monsters throughout the museum.

• Garden of the Gods Trunk-or-Treat: Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1-4 p.m. at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Dress up and enjoy free trick-or-treating, community partners and live "Animals of Halloween" programs from Nature's Educators.

• Whoooo's in the Park? Owls of Garden of the Gods: Monday, Oct. 26, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Garden of the Gods Park. Discover the hidden lives of local owls and dissect a real owl pellet during this indoor family program. No live animals will be present.

• Hillside's Halloween House Party: Friday, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m. at Hillside Community Center. Neighbors of all ages are invited to enjoy a free evening of trick-or-treating, dancing, music and games.

• Halloween History Detectives: Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Families can trick-or-treat for historical facts, explore exhibits, complete activities and collect passport stamps for a prize.

• Westside Community Center Trunk-or-Treat: Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. at Westside Community Center. The free celebration will feature decorated trunks, candy, contests, prizes, a spooky garden maze and a scavenger hunt. Registration is not required.

More ways to play and learn

• Fall Pickleball Nights: Evening Pickleball will be offered Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Glow Pickleball will be offered Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Westside Community Center. Participants are asked to donate candy for the center's Trunk-or-Treat to play.

• History Stroll: Seeing History In Place:This one-mile walking tour explores how we have marked time throughout the history of Colorado Springs. This tour invites visitors to consider different regional anniversaries through the build environment and reflect on their own memories and observations of important events and dates. Tours are available on Sat., Oct. 3 and 24 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. and Sat. Oct. 10 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.