Parks & Recreation

January 8, 2015 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

For more information, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geauga

parkdistrict.org.

Stone Soup & Hot Chocolate

Connect with nature and community alike on Jan. 17.

Stoneflies & Stone Soup brings a brand new spin on experiencing winter in the parks. The event takes place Jan. 17 from 2-4 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Winter stoneflies use supercooling to survive and even mate during the coldest time of the year. The group will hike off trail along a ravine stream in search of moving dark specks on top of the snow. In the event there is deep snow, snowshoes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis or bring one’s own.

Then, after the hike, contribute a can of non-cream based soup to the pot, which will be combined with the other hikers’ soups, and warm up with a delicious “stone soup” concoction a much-loved winter Cub Scout and Boy Scout treat.

The day’s second adventure will be a Winter Campfire & Night Hike taking place from 6-7:30 p.m. at Orchard Hills Park, 11340 Caves Road in Chester Township. Start the evening around a blazing campfire and enjoy the company of the group, a few classic campfire stories and a cozy cup of hot chocolate.

Then, journey into the darkness, without flashlights, to explore the senses and how nocturnal animals have adapted theirs to survive and thrive at night. Upon ensuring the group can comfortably navigate in the dark, participants will head back to the campfire before saying goodnight.

Registration is not required for either program. Both programs are also Connect with Community-themed, including food drives to collect nonperishable items and help re-stock Geauga Hunger Task Force after the holidays. Please bring something to feel the connection!

Dress for the weather. Registration is not required.

Research In Our Parks

Based on its field work in recent years, critical to its care for park lands, Geauga Park District’s Natural Resource Management Department presents it first-ever Research in Our Parks series this winter.

The following presentations will be held at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

• Research in Our Parks: Burton Wetlands (Jan. 11, 3:30-4:15 p.m.) will be an overview of dragonfly and butterfly survey results from the 2014 field season.

• Research in Our Parks: Crickets, Katydids and Habitat Restoration (Jan. 31, 3-4 p.m.) welcomes Dr. Lisa Rainsong as she presents her findings from field work conducted 2008-12 at Frohring Meadows and Orchard Hills Park.

• Research in Our Parks: Shorebirds in Bainbridge? (Feb. 15, 2-3 p.m.) discusses which species were found in the 2013-14 shoebird/waterbird survey at Frohring Meadows.

• Research in Our Parks: Observatory Park (March 1, 3:30-4:15 p.m.) introduces the interesting discoveries and results from the 2014 field season at Observatory Park.

Armchair Adventures Return

The popular Armchair Adventures Travelogue Series return to The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Since the debut travelogue in 2006, an average crowd is 100 people, sometimes braving blizzard-like conditions to enjoy local photographers and travelers’ stories of adventure and discovery. In addition to a variety of photos and storytelling techniques, many presenters also bring maps, souvenirs or the backpacks right off their backs so people can see what is involved in taking such a trip. The items are set up in the back of the room for pre- and post-meeting examination and questions.

The following travelogues can be enjoyed on the following Sundays from 2-3 p.m.:

• Adventures in Botswana & Namibia – Jan. 11

Join Bill and Kathy Franz as they present photos and stories of their July 2014 adventures at the Chobe River and Makgadikgadi Salt Flats in Botswana and Sandwich Harbor in Namibia.

• Peru – From the Amazon Voyage to the Peaks of Machu Picchu – Jan. 25

Join Morris Pengilly and Joy Wyatt as they explore the lush, tropical rainforest of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve on an historic riverboat. Then, follow their visit to Cusco and the mysterious, sacred ruins of Machu Picchu.

• Egypt – A World of Mystery, Culture and History – Feb. 8, 2-3:30 p.m.

Leave the frigid cold grayness of snowy Northeast Ohio and join Shane Wohlken for an illustrated program highlighting his April 2014 trip to the hot sands of Egypt. Spend an afternoon wandering the temples, hiking over mountains, gliding down the Nile, meeting the people and basking under the warm Egyptian sun.

• A Journey to the Mississippi Headwaters – Feb. 22

A mighty Mississippi originates in northwestern Minnesota within the boundaries of large Lake Itaska State Park. Join Tom Sampliner, photographer and past Native Plant Society president, as he shares his travels to photograph flowers of the lake, state park and surrounding scenery as a scout for the native orchid conference. Learn a few river facts along the way. Presented in conjunction with the Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio.

Registration is not required for any of these free programs.