More than 40 people net frogs, turtles in parks program

Poema Gonzales, 3, looks at a small fron her mom, Alex, is holding during the Frog Catching program on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave.

Poema Gonzales netted a variety of treasures on her first visit to Farview Nature Park on Monday, June 16, 2025.

The 3-year-old collected insects, frogs and, best of all, a turtle.

“This is our first time here and we’re very excited,” said her mom Alex as she helped scan the small pond for other aquatic catches.

More than 40 people joined the free Frog Catching event at 6257 138^th Ave. led by the Outdoor Discovery Center and sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Mary Field, right, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, shows one of the turtles caught during the Frog Catching program on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave.

Mary Field, naturalist with the Outdoor Discovery Center, explained to the children and adults how to scoop the water’s surface – the “wetland wiggle,” as she called it — with the nets provided and get the contents safely into a plastic tub where they could be studied, shared with the other participants then released back into the water.

None of the children were disappointed. Besides dragonflies, spiders and water bugs, swarms of tiny Blanchard’s cricket frogs moved like waves along the muddy edges of the pond. Some children discarded their nets and scooped the tiny amphibians with their hands.

“You got two frogs!” Alex said as Poema swept the pond with her net.

“Oh! You got four frogs,” she said as she sifted through the leaves and sticks in the net. “Oh,” she said again as the count continued to climb.

The participants also collected young snapping turtles and a small painted turtle.

Participants compare the turtles they caught during the Frog Catching program on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave.

Up next

The next program is Little Explorers for children up to 6 years old on Monday, June 23, at 10 a.m. at Wolters Woods, 6281 147^th Ave.

Explore the nature trails as only a preschooler can. Find colors, shapes, and textures on the easily accessible trails of Wolters Woods. All materials will be provided. At the conclusion of the program, feel free to make time to play on the playground.

Suggested age range: Up to 6 years old. Guardians stay with the class.

Registration is not required but appreciated. Resister by clicking here.