Centred Outdoors: Rhoneymeade Brims with Outdoor Awe for All

 ClearWater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors program continues its free weekly outdoor adventure series this Sunday, July 3, and Wednesday, July 6, at Rhoneymeade Arboretum and Sculpture Garden in Centre Hall. Guides will offer tours of the 150-acre site that showcases an inspiring trifecta of regional history, artistic excellence and natural beauty.

The land where Rhoneymeade is situated was settled in 1794 by Michael Rhone and has been continuously farmed for more than 200 years. Rhone’s grandson, Leonard Rhone, known as the founder of the Centre County Grange Fair, is one of the homestead’s notable former residents. In 1985, the Leonard Rhone house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Rhoneymeade also carries historical significance related to the natural world because it is the first property that was permanently conserved with an easement by Clear-Water Conservancy in 1986. Richard Morgan, a retired Penn State professor, purchased the property in 1984 and worked continuously on the property’s landscaping and efforts to steward its open space.

Though Morgan passed away in 2015, his vision to protect and conserve the open space and natural beauty is still growing today. Visitors to Rhoneymeade can experience this for themselves by walking through the sculpture garden, the many native and pollinator-friendly plants and admiring more than 25 varieties of trees in the arboretum.

On Sunday July 3, and Wednesday July 6, the public is invited to explore the grounds of this distinct and memorable gem in the community.

A Rhoneymeade expert will guide visitors around the 150-acre working farm that includes a public hiking trail through the wooded Labyrinth Loop, and also share information about the six-acre garden area surrounding the house that features outdoor sculptures and the arboretum.

Guided hikes begin at 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Stephanie Koller also will lead Qi-Yoga at 1 and 3 p.m., and other, self-guided activities will include a nature weaving project, leaf rubbings and a community nature mandala.

On Wednesday, a shorter, half-mile walking tour of the 6-acre public gardens will begin at 6 p.m.

Visit centredoutdoors.org to view full event details, safety tips including tick bite prevention, and the entire 2022 schedule.

Centred Outdoors is a program of ClearWater Conservancy, and all events are free, and open to the public.

Address to use for your GPS:

•177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall

Dates:

• Sunday, July 3, with guided hikes at 1 and 3 p.m., and Wednesday, July 6, at 6 p.m. Visit centredoutdoors.org for details and difficulty level.

Parking:

• Ample parking is available on site.

Pets:

• Please leave pets at home for this adventure.

What to bring:

• A refillable water bottle;

• Sun protection including a hat and sunscreen;

• Comfortable walking shoes;

• Long pants and high socks for tick and insect bite prevention;

• A light snack or picnic, especially if you plan to come early or stay after the hike;

• Child carrier/backpack is recommended for very young children;

• Binoculars for bird and wildlife watchers; and

• Writing journal or sketchbook.