Geauga Park District
Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. through Labor Day, then until 11 p.m. the rest of the year, and naturalists, including “Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek, are eager to lead the way around the International Dark Sky Park...
For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Summer At Observatory Park
Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. through Labor Day, then until 11 p.m. the rest of the year, and naturalists, including “Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek, are eager to lead the way around the International Dark Sky Park.
Registration is required for the summer’s overnight event, education programs, Astrotots, Elderberries, naturalist-led hikes and planetarium shows.
Nights Out in the Park outdoor movie nights include Disney’s “Encanto” on July 22 and “Singin’ in the Rain” on Aug. 12. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments. Films begin at dusk.
Stay up late or spend the night on Aug. 11 to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower during the Meteors & Moths Overnight Event – the one night when tent camping is allowed at Observatory Park, with peak meteor time between 1-3 a.m. Moths will be attracted to the black light and mercury vapor lamps, so visitors can help sample and survey nocturnal wildlife. A naturalist will be on hand from sunset to sunrise.
Guided night sky viewing is scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays: July 14, 15, 28 and 29, Aug. 25 and 26, and Sept. 8, 9, 22 and 23 (naturalist-led), as well as July 22, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16 at Nassau Astronomical Station (Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society volunteer-led).
Astronomy education on Friday evenings will be offered onsite July 14 on Amazing Exoplanets and Sept. 8 on Cleveland’s Cosmic Connections, while similar virtual programs will be presented via Zoom on the following July 28 on Amazing Exoplanets, Aug. 25 on Finding Black Holes and Sept. 22 on Cleveland’s Cosmic Connections.
Naturalist hikes here are scheduled Aug. 1 (The Sturgeon Moon), Aug. 5 (Hound Hike), Aug. 30 (Full Moon Hike: The Blue Moon) and Sept. 29 (China’s Moon Festival).
Area scouts have special opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the park during Scout Days: Boy Scouts’ Astronomy Merit Badge Workshop on July 25, Bear Scouts’ Fur, Feathers & Ferns Adventure on Aug. 5, Brownies’ Bugs Badge on Aug. 5 and Junior Girl Scouts’ Flowers Badge on Sept. 23.
Children ages 3 to 5 with an adult can sign up for Astrotots on Aug. 25 or 26, and young people ages 6 to 11 with an adult can sign up for Astrotots XL on Aug. 26. Also, teens entering grades 8 through 10 can partake in an X-TREME Evening Adventure on August 2, and seniors can sign up to attend a special Elderberries: Astronomy Night on Sept. 21.
“Astro-Nat” Chris presents his The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows on July 30, Aug. 27 and Sept. 24, during two time slots each day.
Family Afternoon in the Park
July 16, 2-4 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of family fun with outdoor games and nature activities at Veterans Legacy Woods. No registration is required. Then pack a picnic and stay for the concert at 4 p.m., which will be held indoors if inclement weather.
Exploring – Inclusively
July 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Space is still available, but limited, for adults in the developmental disability community who might like to visit The Rookery for some close-up experience with this park’s wetlands and the reptiles that call them home.
During Inclusive Experience: Wetlands & Reptiles, a naturalist will introduce some animals to view, then lead the group on a walk along the wetlands to discover some more. Registration is required.
