The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department’s educational series, Programs in the Parks, will wrap up this weekend with an event focusing on bears.
On Saturday, May 27, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., visitors at Scott Springs Park (2825 SW 24th Avenue in Ocala) will learn about Florida black bears. These bears eat berries, fruit, sedges, insects, fish, honeycomb, human food, and garbage, and they are known to prey on young elk or deer in the spring.
According to the recreation and parks department, adult male black bears typically weigh between 130 and 600 pounds, and adult females weigh between 90 and 180 pounds. They are also able to run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
During this Saturday’s event, attendees will learn additional facts about black bears, and they will also solve the recreation and parks department’s “Bear Mystery Box.”
Each event in the “Programs in the Parks” educational series is free to attend, and the weekly program takes participants through Tuscawilla Park (800 NE Sanchez Avenue), the Heritage Nature Conservancy (2005 NE 3rd Street), Scott Springs Park (2825 SW 24th Avenue), and the Fort King National Historic Landmark (3925 E Fort King Street) on tours of some of the various features.
All programs are available to children and adults of all ages.
For more information, visit the Ocala Recreation and Parks Department website or call 352-368-5517.