Geauga Park District
Learn about the amazing river otter and other weasels through illustrations, videos, pelts, games and other hands-on activities, and then watch the infamous "Otter Man" come to life and return to the wild...
For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Otter Man Returns
Jan. 25, 2-3:30 p.m.
West Woods, Nature Center
Learn about the amazing river otter and other weasels through illustrations, videos, pelts, games and other hands-on activities, and then watch the infamous “Otter Man” come to life and return to the wild.
Native Plants, Animals & Adventures
Jan. 26
West Woods, Nature Center
From 1-2 p.m., join Eddie Lagucki, lead horticulturalist at Lantern Court Estate at Red Oak Camp, for “Landscaping with Resilient Native Plants in a Changing Ecosystem and Climate,” presented in collaboration with The Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio. Learn how local ecosystems have changed over time due to climate change and the cultivation of invasive plant species as well as which tough native plant species can improve ecosystem health and withstand a continually warmer, less predicable Northeast Ohio climate.
Then, from 3-4 p.m., bring the whole family out to the park district’s first-ever “Animal Ambassador Meet & Greet.” During the live animal program, learn about and meet up-close the nature center’s complete animal ambassador team.
Nature Fun For Seniors
No registration is required to join fellow Geauga Walkers and explore parks by foot Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m.: Jan. 28 at Bessie Benner Betzenbaum Park, Feb. 11 at Big Creek Park, Feb. 25 at Swine Creek Reservation, March 11 at The West Woods and March 25 at Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve. For a complete schedule, including walks outside of the parks, call the Geauga Senior Center at 440-279-2167.
Grandparents and their grandchildren are invited to register for Grandparents in the Park: Spring Celebration at The West Woods Nature Center on March 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Join a naturalist for hands-on activities celebrating the animals and plants of the season, indoors and outdoors, with beverages provided; everyone is also asked to bring a snack to share.
Snowshoe Call Lists
Sign up on the park district website to receive alerts for naturalist-led Learn to Snowshoe or snowshoe outings. Programs may be any time day or evening at any park depending on weather conditions. Borrow the park district’s snowshoes or bring your own.
For those not interested in attending a scheduled program, the park district offers a free snowshoe borrowing program at The West Woods for up to two hours whenever there are at least four inches of snow on the ground. Come to the lobby of the nature center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Snowshoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Borrowing can take place any time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and last up to two hours, with all snowshoes returned by 4 p.m. One must be at least 18 years old to check out a pair; anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Spring Turkey Hunt
Geauga Park District is offering a turkey hunting opportunity again this spring within its Longo and Farley properties.
For the option to participate, applicants must complete the form located on the park district’s website and email it to permits@geaugaparkdistrict.org or drop it in the mail.
Applications are due March 10 for the youth hunt taking place April 12 and 13, and are due April 1 for the regular hunt taking place May 3 through June 1.
Hunters will be selected by random drawing and notified via email of their acceptance and hunt location. Permits will be sent electronically and include hunt and location information. Details about submitting an application can be found on the form. ODNR rules and regulations apply to all hunting conducted on park property.
Winter At Observatory Park
Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. now through Memorial Day, and then 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. through Labor Day, and naturalists, including “Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek, are eager to lead the way around the International Dark Sky Park.
Experience a total eclipse of the moon on March 13, from 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. and watch as Earth’s shadow creeps in to cover the moon during the rare event beginning just before midnight, with the maximum eclipse early Friday morning around 2:25 a.m.
Drop-in programs this season include: bring in your telescope to learn the basics of setting it up and using it on Jan. 26 from 4-5 p.m. and enjoy a history-centric tour of the Nassau Astronomical Station on March 30 from 4-6 p.m.
Walk-up guided night sky viewing is scheduled Fridays and Saturdays.: Jan. 24 and 25, Feb. 7, 8, 21 and 22, and March 28 and 29. Friday viewings are from 8-11 p.m. with Saturday viewings from 7-11 p.m. If cloudy, enjoy a planetarium show instead.
Members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society will also host their quarterly walk-up night sky viewing at Nassau Astronomical Station on Feb. 15 from 7-11 p.m. at 10350 Clay St. Nassau nights are canceled by clouds.
A naturalist-led hike during the full Crow Moon is scheduled for Feb. 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and Friday evening astronomy programs are Jan. 24 (Radio Astronomy held virtually, so register to receive the link), Feb. 7 (How to Spot a Meteorite held in person, followed by weather-dependent night sky viewing) and March 28 (Ice Moons held virtually, so register to receive the link).
To explore constellations, young people ages 3 to 5 with an adult can sign up for Astrotots on March 21 and 22. Scout Days will also be held in the park for Tiger Cub Scouts on Feb. 4 (Sky is the Limit Adventure), and Cadette Girl Scouts on Feb. 6 (Night Owl Badge).
“Astro-Nat” Chris presents his famous Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows inside the Robert McCullough Science Center on Jan. 26 and March 30 at 2 p.m., as well as March 25 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Try Archery Or Hone Skills
Rookery’s indoor archery range is offering sessions for adults, families and kids 9 and older and homeschoolers to learn and practice target archery.
Space is limited; registration is required.
Introduction To Archery: Adults
Jan. 25, 3-4:30 p.m.; Feb. 21, 2-3:30 and 4-5:30 p.m.; March 15, 12:30-2 p.m.; and March 17, 2-3:30 p.m.
Introduction To Archery: Kids (Ages 9-16 with adult)
Jan. 26, 12:30-2 p.m.; and March 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
Introduction To Archery: Families
March 16, 1-2:30 p.m.
Introduction To Archery: Homeschool Families
Feb. 20, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Archery Games for Adults
Jan. 25, 1-2:30 p.m., Jan. 26, 2:30-4 p.m., Feb. 20, 1-2:30 p.m. and March 17, 7-8:30 p.m.
Archery Games for Kids
March 15, 10-11:30 p.m.
Archery Games for Families
Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m. to noon; Feb. 22, 6-7:30 p.m.; and March 16, 3:30-5 p.m.
To sign up, must have previously completed the Introduction to Archery session.
Archery Practice (Ages 9+)
Jan. 24, 2:30-3 p.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.; Jan. 26, 11:30 a.m. to noon and 4:30-5 p.m.; Feb. 20, 3-3:30 p.m.; Feb. 21, 6:30-7 p.m. and 7:30-8 p.m.; Feb. 22, 7:45-8:15 p.m.; and March 17, 10:30-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to noon.
To sign up, must have previously completed the Introduction to Archery session.
Please note that all participants must be 50 inches or taller and wear closed-toed shoes, and no children younger than 9 may attend. Completion of a waiver may also be required onsite. The Rookery’s Great Blue Heron Lodge is located at 10110 Cedar Road in Munson Township.
