Friedrich Park offers 5-1/2 miles of hiking trails, some of which are paved and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act specifications. Upper trails are more rugged. A family event is planned for Saturday. Photo by David Basarich

School is out for most students, but two weekend events will ensure that learning doesn’t take a vacation over the summer.

In fact, a national movement is set for Saturday, where Americans will go outside and visit nature’s entertainment center — parks and trails.

National Trails Day, in its 16th year of inception, invites nature enthusiasts from across the country to come outside, take a hike or pitch in on beautification efforts.

Friedrich Wilderness Park

Friends of Friedrich Park have planned a full slate of activities for families 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Friedrich Wilderness is a 240-acre natural area just west of Interstate 10 at 21305 Milsa Drive, across the interstate from the Dominion. There is a small sign on the access road to guide visitors to the park.

Friends membership chairwoman Kathleen Ward said enthusiasts want to reach out to children interested in learning more about nature.

“For the past year, we have had special nature interest tables with members who are very knowledgeable about a special subject, such as birds, native plants or geology,” she said.

“This year we will have a special table for teachers, with the Texas Education Knowledge and Skills learned by children in Friedrich Wilderness Park, Crownridge Canyon Natural Area and Eisenhower parks, posted.”

Nature exhibits will be featured, including a “natural curiosities” table with hands-on activities for children, a “Birds of Friedrich Park” table to help identify birds in the park, and exhibits on geology of the park and native plants.

Kelly Irvin, public relations manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, said Friedrich is a special park.

“This is the one I think hikers are probably most familiar with. It’s always been described as the crown jewel of natural area parks. It is home for rare birds, terrestrial orchids, steep hills and deep canyons. It is internationally known for bird watching,” she said.

To view a map of the area, visit the Web site: www.fofriedrichpark.org/map

Friedrich Park was dedicated in 1978 in memory of Emilie and Albert Friedrich.

It is open from 7:30 a.m. to sunset daily and has a combined 5-1/2 miles of paved and unpaved trails for hiking and offers signage throughout to educate hikers. The lower trails are paved and ADA-approved.

The phone number is (210) 698-1057.

Boerne Adventure Fest

Also on Saturday, Stanbio Laboratory is sponsoring Boerne Adventure Fest at the new Joshua Springs Park and Preserve north of Boerne. Admission is free.

Adventure Fest will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. An adult/child fishing tournament is on the agenda, with registration required by Friday. Each team will consist of an adult and a child under age 18.

There also will be demonstrations by Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy. Snakes, lizards and other unusual creatures brought by South Texas Herpetology will be on display.

Scheduled programs include “Zoology Rocks” by author and songwriter Lucas Miller and science experiments for children.

There will be live music all day, including folk rock, flamenco and Afro-beat.

To register for the fishing tournament, call Tori Bellos at Boerne Parks and Recreation, (830) 249-9511, ext. 1181 or visit the parks office, 1017 Adler Road. There will be no registration on Saturday.

For complete information, visit the Web sites, www.visitboerne.org or www.myspace.com/boerneadventurefest.  

Staff Writer Sarah Snyder contributed to this report.