Families looking for some kid-friendly fun in the new year should look no further than Fayetteville’s Historic and Natural Resources District.

This group of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation locations offers a huge mix of fun destinations and programming for the whole family.

The Fayetteville History Museum, at 325 Franklin St., is the hub for history in downtown Fayetteville. From the history enthusiast to families looking for fun, there is something for everyone. Staff operate the museum, museum annex, the Dr. E.E. Smith House and the Massey Hill Mill House. The museum is an educational resource for the Fayetteville-Cumberland County area community.

This winter the Fayetteville History Museum Scavenger Hunt, created in collaboration with the city’s park rangers is titled “Where do they go in the ice and snow?” Clues will be placed around the museum and an answer sheet can be collected from the museum front desk.

Starting Jan. 6th and continuing throughout the month, hunt through the main museum galleries for clues about animals and their winter habitats. This is a self-guided, family-friendly activity and is perfect for children who are eager to learn.

Prizes will be awarded for completed hunts while supplies last. Visit the museum during opening hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Jan. 6th until Jan. 31st. This event is free and open to all.

The fun does not end in Fayetteville’s Historic and Natural Resources District with the Fayetteville History Museum. Clark Park also has a selection of fun programs planned for January.

Clark Park and its Nature Center are part of the Cape Fear River Trail and Moses Mathis “Bicycle Man” playground/trailhead. The area remains a natural woodland and is dedicated to preserving the environment, educating the public on North Carolina’s plants and wildlife and provides the only camping in the area.

Together, these sites form a complex offering hours of enjoyment and education. The Clark Park Nature Center features displays and live animals.

Visitors can picnic overlooking the woods and the highest waterfall in the coastal plain. For those interested in walking or jogging, the park has its own set of unpaved trails, and serves as a trailhead for the paved CFRT.

The CFRT has dedicated mountain biking trails, accessed near the Rivercliff subdivision at the bottom of Eastwood Avenue. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on trails as long as pet owners clean up after them.
Towards the end of this month, Clark Park is offering three family-friendly programs.

The Bear Facts is a program that focuses on local bear populations. Many people new to the Fayetteville area are surprised to learn that black bears have always lived here. The community is invited to learn about these big, shy, furry neighbors.

Attendees will learn about their lives, their food, their habitat and what to do in case they ever come across a bear in the wild. This event will be held at the Clark Park Nature Center on Jan. 19 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is free. Visitors can also plan to attend a Birds of Prey program where they can learn about the different birds of prey that are found around the Fayetteville area.

This learning program will be presented through stories, games and displays. It is suitable for all ages and will take place on Jan. 25 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free. Lastly, Clark Park Nature Center is offering a program especially for National Draw a Dinosaur Day.

Attendees will learn about dinosaurs, play with dinosaurs and of course draw a dinosaur! All supplies provided will be courtesy of the park rangers. All that is needed is some creativity. The event is scheduled for Jan. 30 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free.

Lake Rim Park offers something for everyone, whether you want to take a stroll on the 1-mile border trail through the wetlands to Bones Creek, play a game of soccer with friends or have a family picnic. The facility boasts an assortment of outdoor amenities, including picnic areas, horseshoe pits, walking trails, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, athletic fields, natural areas and children’s playgrounds
for all to enjoy.

All facilities are open to the public on a first-come, first serve basis unless they are reserved. Like Clark Park, well-behaved, furry family members are welcome to enjoy a walk around the park, but they must be on a leash and under supervision at all times.

For additional information regarding the museum, you can contact local historians at 910-433-1457. For information about the parks and nature programing contact the city park rangers at 910-433-1579. Visitors can also refer to www.fcpr.us for additional Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation information.