Geauga Park District
Naturalist Renell Roebuck is offering walk-up nature crafts during three weekdays this summer, all from 1-3 p.m. at The West Woods’ Turkey Ridge Shelter in Russell Township...
For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Drop-In Nature Crafts
Naturalist Renell Roebuck is offering walk-up nature crafts during three weekdays this summer, all from 1-3 p.m. at The West Woods’ Turkey Ridge Shelter in Russell Township. No registration is required.
Mark the calendar for July 5 to create a wall hanging with natural materials, July 26 to design a yarn bird and Aug.4 to create a recycled paper mushroom with natural materials. All three sessions will also cover fun nature facts based on topics related to the craft.
Crafting will be available while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Summer At Observatory Park
Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. through Labor Day, then till 11 p.m., and naturalists, including “Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek, are eager to lead the way around the International Dark Sky Park.
Nights Out in the Park outdoor movie nights include “Jurassic Park” on July 23 and “Raya and the Last Dragon” on Aug. 13. Guests may arrive as early as 8:30 p.m., with films beginning at dusk. The August movie will also include free ice cream treats. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments.
Sign up to stay late or spend the night on Aug. 12 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. Cool moths will be attracted to the black light and mercury vapor lamps, so guests can help sample and survey nocturnal wildlife. Check the park district website for camping guidelines. A naturalist will be on hand from sunset to sunrise.
Guided night sky viewing is offered on Fridays and Saturdays, July 8, 9 and 22, Aug. 26 and 27, Sept. 9, 23 and 24, as well as July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17 at Nassau Astronomical Station with the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society.
Astronomy education on Friday evenings will be presented onsite July 8 in a program about measuring the sky’s darkness and how to fight back against light pollution; Aug. 26 in a program about superhero constellations that includes a planetarium presentation; and Sept. 9 in a program about how animals use the skies to help them navigate their migrations; while virtual Zoom programs will be presented July 22 “Measure Your Sky’s Darkness” and Sept. 23 “Migrations & the Sky.”
Naturalist-led hikes will be hosted on July 13 (Full Moon Hike: The Green Corn Moon); Aug. 10 (After-Work Walk); Aug. 11 (Full Moon Hike: The Sturgeon Moon); Aug. 24 (After-Work Walk); Sept. 10 (Full Moon Hike: The Pawpaw Moon); and Sept. 24 (Backcountry Hike).
Children ages 3 to 5 and their parents may sign up for Astrotots: Our Super Sun on Aug. 19 or 20; young people ages 6 to 11 and their parents may sign up for Astrotots XL: Daystar! on Aug. 19 or 20; and seniors can sign up for Elderberries: Astronomy Night on Sept. 15.
“Astro-Nat” Chris presents his The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows on Sundays, July 24, Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, during two time slots each day.
Registration is for the overnight event, education programs, Astrotots, Elderberries, naturalist-led hikes and planetarium shows.
Nature Fun For Seniors
Summertime offerings for seniors include bike rides, naturalist-led hikes and Elderberries experiences.
Seniors who enjoy a good bike ride may bring their bicycles to the Park Avenue trailhead parking area behind Marc’s in Chardon, with a helmet and water, and join escorted rides this summer along The Maple Highlands Trail. No registration is required. Geauga Cyclists head out at 3 p.m. every Wednesday through October for roughly an hour and a half. To receive notice when rides are cancelled, call Sandy McLeod at 440-279-2137 to be added to her cancellation call list.
Register to join a naturalist in a variety of parks throughout the season. Geauga Walkers hikes within Geauga Park District are scheduled from 1-2:30 p.m.: July 12 at Whitlam Woods, July 26 at Russell Uplands Preserve, Aug. 9 at Claridon Woodlands, Aug. 23 at Chickagami Park, Sept. 6 at Welton’s Gorge and Sept. 20 at Frohring Meadows. For a complete schedule, including walks outside of the parks, call the senior center at 440-279-2167.
Register to attend one or more Elderberries programs – all complete with free food courtesy of the Geauga County Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. Programs include:
Paddling & Peddling in the Park on July 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at Headwaters Park’s Boathouse; Elderberries at Camp on Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at Chickagami Park; and Astronomy Night on Sept. 15 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Observatory Park’s main campus.
Visit the park district website for program details.
