Geauga Park District
Register for the park district’s Snowshoe Program Call List to receive texts for spontaneous naturalist-led snowshoe adventures when weather conditions are just right...
For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Snowshoeing Season
Register for the park district’s Snowshoe Program Call List to receive texts for spontaneous naturalist-led snowshoe adventures when weather conditions are just right. Upon being contacted, one will have the opportunity to sign up, with space limited by the number of snowshoes available. Borrow the park district’s snowshoes or bring your own.
Limited space is still available for Whatever-the-Weather programs requiring registration on Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon at Observatory Park, and March 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Veterans Legacy Woods.
For those not interested in attending a scheduled program, the park district offers a free snowshoe borrowing program at The West Woods whenever there are at least four inches of snow on the ground.
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.
Geauga Gems Trekking Series
Start 2024 strong by enrolling in the park district’s Geauga Gems Trekking Series and committing to all four seasons of outdoor exploration.
To complete the series, explore a minimum of four trails each season from a seasonal list created by park district naturalists. Attending a naturalist-led hike counts as one of the trails.
Hike a total of 16 trails by the end of the year to earn a trekking pole for first-time finishers and a commemorative amethyst sticker for the trekking pole.
Participants may also hike 60 self-guided miles to earn their rewards.
Registrants will receive a link to a printable card to keep track of their progress throughout the year to turn in for credit.
Be On Amphibian Alert
Register to be placed on the park district’s list to witness the natural phenomenon of spring breeding behavior of wood frogs, spring peepers and possible large salamanders as they move into The West Woods’ woodland pools on a warm, rainy night.
The notification should come sometime between early March through early April, a call sharing that the program will occur that very evening from 9:30 to 10:45 p.m. Participants should dress for the weather and bring flashlights.
Count The Birds
Become an official Citizen Scientist by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a worldwide count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. For more information, visit gbbc.birdcount.org.
Geauga Park District’s counting will be conducted at The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township Feb. 16-18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
