Parks and Recreation News
Come meet some of the tiniest of wild critters at The West Woods on May 13, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., wielding the power of field microscopes to unveil their fascinating figures.
GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT
For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Microscopic Monsters Search
Come meet some of the tiniest of wild critters at The West Woods on May 13, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., wielding the power of field microscopes to unveil their fascinating figures.
Participants can pop in anytime; a brief presentation at 1:30 p.m. will be followed by dip-netting in a vernal pool to examine waterfleas, cyclops, seed shrimp and other fascinating invertebrates.
Registration is not required.
Scout Days
Explore Geauga parks on May 13 to earn nature-related scouting credits.
Boy Scout Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badge is from 9-11:30 a.m. at Big Creek Park, and Junior Girl Scouts Flowers Badge is from 9:30-11 a.m. at The West Woods.
Registration is required. Details and covered requirements for these achievements are listed on the website. For completed merit badges, a certified merit badge counselor will be on site to sign off.
Frog Fest “Party Line”
Register one’s name on the call list of this Nature’s Not To Be Missed program to witness the natural phenomenon of spring breeding behavior of gray tree frogs and green frogs at The West Woods.
Once registered, expect a call sometime mid-May to mid-June the late afternoon on the day of the program, or possibly the day before, and choose appropriate clothing and flashlights for the visit. Program activities will be held 8-9:30 p.m. that night.
Expect short notice because the decision is based on the amount and timing of rain, temperature and more.
The decision to hold the program is based on the amount and timing of rain, temperature and more.
Equine Park Fun
Register to bring one’s own horse to join Geauga Park District for a naturalist-led Horseback Trail Ride.
Rides will be hosted May 7, starting from The West Woods’ Horse Trail Parking Lot for six to eight miles, and June 11, starting from Big Creek Park’s Woodin Road Horse Trailer Parking Lot for approximately six miles.
Each day has two options to be considered: a walk, trot and canter ride from 10 a.m. to noon, then a walk-only ride from 1-3:30 p.m. Participants may register for one or both rides with a lunch break between.
K-9 UPDATE
Nearing a year with Geauga Park District’s Ranger Department in June, K-9s Sniper and Rotar have become rather famous faces in the park and around Geauga County.
Both dogs love meeting and greeting their neighbors in the county in an effort to strengthen community relations between law enforcement and the public. They regularly visit schools and safety towns, pancake breakfasts and parades, festivals and science fairs, nursing homes and special events in and out of the parks.
“We have also been hard at work educating the public – adults and children – about dog safety,” said Ranger Denise Weisbarth, who works with K-9 Sniper. Those rules include asking permission to pet or approach a dog; correctly petting and approaching a dog; never taking a toy or bone away from a dog; leash laws; and picking up your dogs’ waste.
Both dogs have assisted law enforcement in the county with school and vehicle sniffs for narcotics with success, and even located lost hikers in the park. Both are trained in narcotics and obedience, state certified by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Association, and nationally certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association. K-9 Rotar is also certified in article search and tracking.
Geauga County residents may request the K-9s’ presence at special events or for informational talks or demos by contacting Lt. Ranger Dennis Sloan at 440-279-0819 or dsloan@geaugaparkdistrict.org.
To help maintain this unit, tax-deductible donations may be made by check or cash to the Geauga Park District K-9 Fund.
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