Geauga Park District
Go on an indoor/outdoor adventure to explore local wildlife and their eggs in this egg hunt with a nature twist at The West Woods in Russell Township...
For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
It’s An Egg-Stravaganza
April 18, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Go on an indoor/outdoor adventure to explore local wildlife and their eggs in this egg hunt with a nature twist at The West Woods in Russell Township. All participants ages 3 and up with an adult will be awarded fun prizes upon completion. Drop in anytime during program hours. Registration is required.
Spring Birding
Continuing a Greater Cleveland tradition since 1933, the annual Spring Bird Walk series returns – April 20 at Frohring Meadows; April 27 at The Rookery; May 4 at Eldon Russell Park; May 11 at Big Creek Park; and May 18 at Swine Creek Reservation. All are Sundays from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and among the naturalist staff’s Nature’s Not to Be Missed opportunities.
Join the Birding for Beginners series – May 2 at 9 a.m. at Veterans Legacy Woods; May 4 at 9 a.m. at Observatory Park; and May 7 at 6 p.m. at Eldon Russell Park. Experienced leaders will assist participants with observation and identification during these slow-paced bird walks, and binoculars will be available to borrow.
With more interest, May is also home to the Let’s Go Birding program on May 10 from 8-10 a.m. at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve and World Migratory Bird Day Bird Sit on May 17 from 6:30-11:30 a.m. at The Rookery.
Spring At Observatory Park
Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. now through Memorial Day, then 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. through Labor Day, and naturalists, including “Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek are eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park.
To kick off warmer weather, outdoor movie nights return to Observatory Park beginning with “Finding Nemo” on June 14, then “Men in Black” on July 26. Showtimes are earlier in the evening this year, so be in place by 7 p.m. with blankets, chairs and refreshments to start watching.
Walk-up guided night sky viewing will be held from dark until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 25 and 26, May 9, 10, 23 and 24 and June 13, 14, 27 and 28. If cloudy, enjoy a planetarium show instead.
Additionally, members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society will host walk-up night sky viewing at Nassau Astronomical Station (accessed by a different entrance to the park) April 19, May 17 and June 21 from dark until 11 p.m. Nassau nights are canceled by cloudy weather, though, so watch the website and social media before coming out.
Friday evening astronomy programs this season will be focused on the topics of Citizen Science Astronomy Projects virtually on April 25), The Zodiac on May 9 (or virtually May 23), and Navigate By the Stars on June 13 (or virtually June 27). Those interested in virtual versions of the programs must register to receive a link to join.
Springtime Full Moon Hikes will be held May 12 (The Whippoorwill Moon) and June 11 (The Strawberry Moon), no registration required.
Birding for Beginners will be held May 4, from 9-11 a.m., for anyone who wishes to learn the basics of bird identification along a slow-paced bird walk, no registration required. An experienced leader will assist participants with observation and identification, with binoculars available to borrow. Naturalist Renell will lead her quarterly Nature Journaling course on May 4; supply fees vary depending on experience with her series, with more details available at registration. Naturalist Karie will lead a Hound Hike for dogs and their humans on June 29; no registration required.
And finally, now on Saturday afternoons, “Astro-Nat” Chris presents his famous Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows in the Robert McCullough Science Center on April 26 at 2 p.m. and May 24 and June 28 at 3 p.m., no registration is required.
Agent of Discovery
Discover new and exciting facts about the natural world around The West Woods. While walking down the trails, participants will see eight total challenges appear on their Mission Map. Once close enough, tap them to play. Remember to create an account and play logged-in in order to keep track of challenges and win prizes. GPD-Spring Part 1: The West Woods Discovery runs April through mid-May.
Embark on a fun, exploratory-based learning experience using the free location-based app Agents of Discovery, with new “missions” available every month and a half. To get started, just download the app and create an account, then open it while standing in front of the nature center and search available missions to play. Anyone who finishes the new mission can then head to the nature center front desk to choose a treat from the 2025 Rewards Grab-Bag. Rewards include an exclusive button, zipper pull or pin to commemorate your special Agents of Discovery adventure, or a Geauga Park District frisbee, plastic cup or a flashlight whistle keychain. Every season completed earns another visit to the bag.
For a QR code to download the app, a getting-started video tutorial with Naturalist Trevor, and announcements about each new mission, visit the park district website.
