The NRV is kicking off April by reopening a dog park, telling family-friendly stories about teeth, and throwing an adults-only, in-the-dark Easter egg hunt for individuals of all abilities.
Tuesday: Sparky’s Run Dog Park in Radford reopens
The reopening and ribbon cutting of Sparky’s Run Dog Park in Radford will be held on at 2p.m. Tuesday, according to the city’s press release. In an email on Thursday, Charlie Goens, the city’s director of parks and recreation, wrote that the dog park was closed in October 2024 after Hurricane Helene “took out the shelter, some of the perimeter fencing, and other amenities at the park. Not to mention all the debris, trees and trash that were left once the water receded.”
The park opened in August 2012. Goens estimates that over 200 households use Sparky’s Run throughout the year.
Goens wrote, “While the reopening marks an important milestone, it’s only the beginning. We’re looking forward to future enhancements at Sparky’s Run, including the addition of a pavilion and new play equipment that will make the park even more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. Thank you to everyone who played a role in bringing this project back to life — we’re proud to see our community continue to grow and invest in spaces that bring people together.”
Dog park rules are posted online. All dogs must be current on vaccinations, wear an identification tag, be leashed when entering and exiting the park, be at least 4 months old, and must be removed at first sign of aggression.
Sparky’s Run is located at 102 Pulaski St. and will be open from sunrise to sunset after the ribbon-cutting.
Tuesday: Teeth-themed family storytime with dental hygiene goody bags at the Radford Public Library
From 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Radford Public Library is hosting SMILES Storytime, a family-friendly event about teeth. The event will include tooth-themed stories and free goody bags with toothbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrush covers, activity booklets, bookmarks and snacks. A dental hygienist from Opulent Dental will be present to answer questions and talk to families about dental health, including how to have a positive experience going to the dentist.
In an email on Friday, library director Elizabeth Sensabaugh wrote that she was inspired to organize a teeth-themed storytime by a Radford Youth-Adult Partnership meeting “during which a discussion was had about early dental care for children as a pivotal step in setting them on the right path for a healthy mouth/teeth.”
Sensabaugh partnered with America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation to provide the goody bags. “This partnership was incredibly simple. Visiting the website and completing a form requesting materials were the only necessary steps. America’s ToothFairy quickly shipped the dental materials at no cost to the library,” Sensabaugh wrote.
Youth services librarian Morgan Esterhuizen said in a phone interview that Tuesday’s storytime will be geared to “younger school-age kids.” Esterhuizen estimates that 30 to 50 children and parents attend the morning storytimes at the library, but doesn’t know how many people will turn out for SMILES Storytime.
Sensabaugh wrote, “We’re not experts in dental care, but as a public library we do excel at connecting families and individuals to existing resources. Also, we are fortunate to have fabulous Youth Librarians — Morgan Esterhuizen and Dave Banker.”
SMILES Storytime is free. No registration is required. The Radford Public Library is at 30 W. Main St. The library’s calendar of upcoming events, including a free children’s class on baking seed muffins for birds, is available online.
Friday: Adults-only Easter egg hunt in the dark, with specific hunts for older adults and individuals with disabilities
On Friday from 7-9 p.m., Christiansburg Parks and Recreation is throwing an Egg-Streme Easter Egg Party for adults ages 18 and older. The party features three in-the-dark egg hunts for different age groups and abilities:
- Ages 65-plus: 8:15 p.m.
- Individuals with disabilities: 8:15 p.m.
- Ages 40-64: 8:30 p.m.
- Ages 18-39: 8:45 p.m.
According to the event’s Facebook page, the party will include live music, concessions and yard games starting at 7 p.m.
Entry is free with the donation of a canned good or non-perishable food item. A flashlight is required for participation. Partygoers should wear athletic clothes and shoes, and bring their own basket for collecting eggs.
The party will be held at the Christiansburg Huckleberry Park at 300 Huckleberry Drive.