Birmingham Park came alive Friday night with approximately 150 people hiking, learning, and enjoying oozing s’mores under the stars.

The City’s first Night Hike and Campfire – part of Milton’s ever-growing Outdoor Recreation programs and activities – provided the community with a unique, communal, interactive way to experience the beloved 200-acre nature park.

Beginning after the sun had gone down, attendees lined up for scheduled guided hikes following glowstick-lit trails from the parking area to the Old Bullpen Road meadow.  That’s where people picked up marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers that transformed into s’mores thanks to the campfire burning nearby.

They didn’t just fill their bellies; they also filled their minds with outdoorsy knowledge compliments of Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Jen Young. “Ranger Jen” shared nighttime-themed wildlife insights on topics like the importance and prevalence of bats. (Did you know that there are bat boxes in Birmingham Park? Or that bats eat insects, with a single one potentially devouring 1,000 mosquitoes in just an hour?)

Families had plenty of fun, too, while Milton Parks and Recreation Department team members made sure everything ran smoothly. Even Mother Nature stepped up by a providing a not-too-hot and not-too-cold night to take it all in.

Thank you to everyone who came out Friday for the Night Hike and Campfire! And to learn more about Milton’s Outdoor Recreation offerings – past, present, and hopefully in the future – check out https://www.miltonga.gov/government/parks-rec/outdoor-recreation/.