The Polk Township Community Walking Park was bustling with activities on Sunday — including corn pit play area for children, free apple cider samples, face painting, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, and representatives from many organizations answering questions — for the fourth annual Polk Township Environmental Day.

“We try to make it fun and educational. We have Pocono Trappers, who brought along many different pelts, Master Garders are here talking about sustainable gardening, the high school environmental group is showing their project on evasive plants and letting the kids make seed balls of wildflowers to throw along the creek edge and lots more,” said Nancy Wright, vice chairwoman of the Polk Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Recently, Wright raised butterflies, and they were on display at the event. Nearly a dozen were released Sunday afternoon in front of the crowd.

The purpose of the event is to connect the community with various local agencies, and share vital information about the environment and local agriculture.

“This is a beautiful day and a nice turnout,” said Polk Township supervisor Brian Ahner. “We are very appreciative of our park committee and the many Monroe County agencies gathered here today. It’s nice to see the event grow every year.”

About two dozen Monroe County organizations and a handful of Polk Township groups participated in the event. The park’s fall foliage, an unseasonably warm afternoon and music by DJ Dylan Keese enhanced the event’s atmosphere.

Apples, pumpkins, cornstalks, corn, soybeans and wheat were donated to the event by four local businesses: Borger Farms, Heckman Orchards, Smale’s Farm Store and Snyder’s Orchard. The Polk Township Lady’s Auxiliary sold hot dogs, beverages and baked goods.

Park committee members used a hand-crank cider press to make the apple cider, which attendees could sample for free. Each year, the committee borrows the press from Chestnuthill Township.

There was a free pumpkin patch where families could choose one pumpkin to take home.

Kids and adults could go inside the wire fencing of a petting zoo containing pigs, ducks, goats, sheep, bunnies, turtles and chickens from Party Animals Express in Green Lane.

Five-year-old Carter Baker was excited to check out the Pennsylvania State Police cruiser and meet Trooper Justin Magluilo, of the Lehighton barracks. The officer put a vest on the boy and let him sit inside the cruiser. He showed him the lights and the radio, while Baker pretended to drive.

Boy Scout Troop 102 of Saylorsburg and Astronomy in the Community had tables and canopies next to each other, because they have members in both groups.

“This is our second year at the event. We are selling chocolate bars and recruiting members. We currently have 15 scouts,” said Troop 102 Scoutmaster Jeremy Livingston. “This event shares many values of scouting, including community involvement, conservation and appreciating nature and wildlife.”

Russell “Rusty” Burger was there to demonstrate how beam work was done years ago with wooden pegs. He had a photo album of pictures of the last pegged barn built in Polk Township in 1995 by he and his late father.

This was the first year that the West End Fair Queen program had its own table, despite attending previously.

“I love it. I have been coming each year,” said Krista Wawryznski, coordinator of the program. “I wanted to gets hands on by handing out mystery bags filled with basil, thyme and dill for the kids to take home and plant.”

She had a tri-fold poster of recent fair queens and fair princesses on display.

At the Pocono Heritage Land Trust table, Chris Grape-Garvey was excited to announce the recent donation of a large amount of money by Joseph and Sara Bedrick for guided bird walks at local locations.

“The program is called ‘Welcome to the Flock’ and the first walk is Oct. 13. The funding will be used for bird walks at locations in the county, binoculars, pamphlets, two bird blinds and other supplies,” said Grape-Garvey, development director at the Land Trust. “You go behind bird blinds and watch birds without them being able to see you.”

Darryl and Jackie Speicher, educators involved in bird research, will lead the walks and the discussions.

“These bird walks are brand-new to us, so we are very excited,” said Grape-Garvey.

Across the way, children played on the blue and white playground equipment or basked in the sunlight.