![Three pairs of rabbit ears above some grass](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2023/03/7313766/4633852/newsletter-images-2_crop.png) Easter Trail by Jackson's Café
Jackson's Café is inviting children of all ages to come and find the animals 'hiding' in California Country Park.
From 3 to 9 April (Monday to Sunday), you can get a map for your children at the café for £2, and then go out with them to find all the animals dotted along the 'Easter Trail' - the main path around the lake in the country park.
A prize will be given out to those who return to the café with their mission completed.
Also, from 3 April (Monday), the café will be serving food from 9am to 4pm, with the kitchen closing at 5pm.
See Jackson's Café Facebook page for updates or more information.
![A compass on a map](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2023/03/7314038/4633853/newsletter-images-3_crop.png) Free activity: Orienteering at Dinton Pastures
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Players often enjoy the fun of navigating between control points and finding the best way to go.
At Dintion Pasture Country Park, we have a full orienteering course with 30 control points built together with British Orienteering Federation. It spreads across the country park, taking you around the lakes, across meadows and grassland and on a grand tour of our beautiful 400-acre site.
You can also take a shorter route with the last ten control points, which keeps you on the Lea Heath in the country park.
If you're coming with young children, you can take the All Access Trail, a short loop with easy access from the main car park, continuing around the play park and along the lake before returning to the starting point. This trail is also wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
Before going on an exploration, visit the Dinton Activity Centre website to find out more and download your free orienteering maps.
![A photo showing the back of two people kayaking](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2023/03/7314166/4633854/newsletter-images-4_crop.png) Boat hire resumes from April
You can soon hire a boat and venture out on the lake again at Dinton Pastures Country Park.
From 1 April (Saturday), we'll resume our boat hire service on weekends and bank holidays, with a range of boats for you to choose from including pedalos, paddleboards, giant paddleboards, canoes and double kayaks.
Children aged two or above can go on a boat with an adult. You can also bring your dog, but remember to put it on a lead to prevent any unwanted wobbling of the boat.
A standard boat hire slot is 30 minutes and costs from £8. Back to back slots can be booked for pedalos and paddleboards (weekends only).
To find out more or book a slot, visit the Dinton Activity Centre website.
![On the left is an archery target and on the right is the climbing wall inside Dinton Activity Centre](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2023/03/7321042/4633855/countryside-newsletter-8-nov-22_crop.png) Family fun on weekends
Archery
Due to popular demand, we've made archery a regular feature at Dinton Pastures on weekends in the coming months starting 1 April (Saturday).
No previous experience is needed. Any one aged six or above can join to learn the basics of archery in a safe and relaxed environment. We will provide you with all the equipment and a full safety briefing will be given before you start shooting.
Each one-hour archery session costs £10 per person. Booking can be made online now.
Indoor Climbing
Indoor climbing at Dinton Activity Centre is suitable for everyone, from beginner to intermediate, and even those with no previous experience.
Our wall is seven metres high and equipped with 11 automatic belays. It captures the beautiful lake and woodland scenes of Dinton Pastures Country Park. As you climb the walls, you will see all the flora and fauna of Dinton coming to life.
The activity is available on weekends and bank holidays from 26 March (Sunday). Each session is one hour long and costs £10 per person. Book a session for yourself and your children online!
![A woodland area in California Country Park](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2023/03/7313642/4633865/newsletter-images-1_crop.png) Commemorative woodland to honour Covid losses
We’re set to plant a commemorative woodland at Rooks Nest Farm in Finchampstead, honouring those who lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic. The work is hopefully starting in September to finish in early 2024.
The 7.7-hectare plot at the site’s south-eastern corner would become an extension of California Country Park to the south. It would be planted with about 6,600 native trees, plus additional wildflower seeding.
A sculpture or other memorial would be installed with two benches and footpaths, and the site would be within easy reach as our traffic-free greenway from Arborfield Green to Finchampstead runs along the southern edge.
It will offer a richer habitat for local wildlife, improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and reduce the flood risk by soaking up surface water. Find out more about our countryside sites, including our country parks and nature parks.
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