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Parks & Rec – December 6, 2012
Thursday, December 06, 2012
GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT
For more information, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Decorate "Lots Of Socks" Tree
Tucked within the Meyer Center in Big Creek Park, the Lots of Socks for Tots tree has worn visitors� donated new socks, mittens and booties as ornaments since 2007.
This special tree will remain up and accepting donations weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 28 at Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon Township.
After that, all items will be donated to Geauga County Department of Jobs and Family Services for year-round distribution.
Campaign Goal: Accomplished
The Geauga Park District Foundation is pleased to announce it has exceeded its goal by raising $2,167,452 for the development of Observatory Park.
Geauga Park District used these private funds to construct a state-of-the-art facility on 1,100 acres of protected land.
In the past year, the addition to Geauga Park District's normal staff of two part-time astronomy educators has enabled the park to engage more than 1,500 people monthly in public programs. Another exciting outcome of Observatory Park's focus on science education is the fact that nine schools have already scheduled field trips aligned with Ohio's Science Education Content Standards - and requests keep coming in.
With the goal of establishing the park accomplished, the Geauga Park District Foundation will begin fundraising next year for the renovations needed at the contiguous Nassau Astronomical Observing Station, thus completing the vision for the Observatory Park.
Learn more about the Capital Campaign for Observatory Park on the park district's website.
Candlelight Walk Is Back
The Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk is Dec. 21 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.
Among the longest-running programs Geauga Park District hosts, in its 23rd year, this walk is well-established as a family tradition countywide.
Guests will begin the year's longest evening indoors with hot cider and cookies homemade by volunteers, ready for sing-along opportunities with the accomplished Pilgrim Brass Choir, which has contributed traditional holiday music all 23 years of the program.
Then, they'll head outdoors in volunteer-led groups of 40 to 50 to explore the roots of modern holiday celebrations, derived from ancient civilizations.
Expect to encounter five exciting stations to educate and entertain about the celebration of the longest night of the year, past and present. This program, held at Swine Creek Reservation for 14 years and The Rookery for seven, made its debut at The West Woods in 2010.
The last group will go out at 9 p.m. Due to limited parking, carpooling is highly recommended; overflow parking will be at ASM International, 9639 Kinsman Road, where a shuttle will offer prompt transport to the Nature Center.
The event is free for all ages. Registration is not required
