Calendar

Looking for a unique gift idea? Support Portage park wildlife with the Adopt-A-Critter program. The adoption package costs $35 and includes a plush critter, an adoption certificate, a carrying case, and a trading card. These critters make the PERFECT gift for those close to your heart. The proceeds go towards supporting park nature programs that advance Portage's role as A Natural Place to Move! For more information or to adopt, call Portage Parks & Recreation at (269) 329-4522 or visit the office at 320 Library Lane.

Rotating exhibitions that focus on local arts and history are in the lobby at Portage City Hall throughout the year. The exhibitions are FREE to the public and are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM. To celebrate Black History Month, discover some memorable moments and courageous stories in history with this exhibit featuring interesting lesser known events and people in American Black History.

Ping pong is a great low impact sport suitable for any athlete. Meet new friends in the recreational ping pong league. Two 10-week sessions are offered.

Enjoy a relaxing evening painting your own unique wine glass in preparation for Valentine’s Day with instructors from Colors & Cocktails. The registration fee includes all of your supplies to create a beautiful masterpiece to take home with you that night. Register by February 8. No on-site registration.

Transform your idea into reality by participating in business development programs and services at Portage IdeaWorx. IdeaWorx classes focus on food, arts, and science ideas and help turn your dream into a new business venture. Classrooms and a rentable commercial kitchen (coming soon) will offer a variety of programs in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Western Michigan University and MSU Extension. IdeaWorx offers a variety of topics to help launch your new business or grow an existing small business. Topics offered this fall and winter are listed below. Register today to start a new path as class sizes are limited.

Explore the secret life of Magellanic penguins, our amazing, feathered engineers! John Ball Zoo animal experts will provide a hands-on experience building penguin habitats. Learn what Magellanic penguins need in their habitat to survive and how penguins play an important role in creating their own habitats. Pretend to be a penguin, create a nesting habitat, and see how your penguin habitat holds up against environmental challenges. Explore how penguins behave in the wild by becoming one! Space is limited and fills up quickly, so don't wait to register. Please note, Penguineering has a STEM focus and does not offer live animal interactions.

Shake off the winter blues by putting on your hiking boots. Winter is a wonderful time to explore our natural world. Learn from rangers in the field how to enjoy the great outdoors during the coldest months of the year. Keep an eye out for animal activity and learn tips for identifying animal tracks during the winter.

Ping pong is a great low impact sport suitable for any athlete. Meet new friends in the recreational ping pong league. Two 10-week sessions are offered.

The Junior Ranger Club is an activity-based program that helps aspiring park rangers learn how to be wildlife stewards. Junior Rangers are usually between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages may participate. This program provides families with the opportunity to explore the Portage Park system. Program activities are available online, year-round. There are eight different badges that can be earned by completing specific activities: arts, endurance, health, history, nature, science, service, and survival. Check out portagemi.gov/725/Junior-Ranger-Club to get started. Once a month, Portage Parks & Recreation offers Earn-A-Badge workshops for anyone wishing to work on badges. During Earn-A-Badge workshops, a Junior Ranger may bring an adult and together, work on badge-themed activities. These programs are free, include supplies and are led by Parks & Recreation staff.

All team managers (or other team representatives) should attend this meeting to gather information on the registration process, rule highlights, updates, and more. New teams are welcome! Summer League team registration will be from February 24 – March 24. Late registration deadline for teams is March 31, with a $50 late fee.

All team managers (or other team representatives) should attend this meeting to gather information on the registration process, rule highlights, updates, and more. New teams are welcome! Summer League team registration will be from February 24 – March 24. Late registration deadline for teams is March 31, with a $50 late fee.

Ping pong is a great low impact sport suitable for any athlete. Meet new friends in the recreational ping pong league. Two 10-week sessions are offered.

The 11th Annual Winter Blast Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, presented in partnership by Kalamazoo Area Runners, Susan G. Komen, and the City of Portage will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Runners and spectators are invited to join in this extraordinary community celebration of health and wellness. The courses highlight the Portage trail system and include a mix of paved bike trails and roads.

Transform your idea into reality by participating in business development programs and services at Portage IdeaWorx. IdeaWorx classes focus on food, arts, and science ideas and help turn your dream into a new business venture. Classrooms and a rentable commercial kitchen (coming soon) will offer a variety of programs in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Western Michigan University and MSU Extension. IdeaWorx offers a variety of topics to help launch your new business or grow an existing small business. Topics offered this fall and winter are listed below. Register today to start a new path as class sizes are limited.