Geauga Park District
Continuing a Greater Cleveland tradition since 1933, the annual Spring Bird Walk Series returns for six walks – April 14 at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve, April 21 at Frohring Meadows, April 28 at The Rookery, May 5 at Eldon Russell Park, May 12 at Big Creek Park and May 19 at Swine Creek Reservation...
For more information and registration, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Spring Birding
Continuing a Greater Cleveland tradition since 1933, the annual Spring Bird Walk Series returns for six walks – April 14 at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve, April 21 at Frohring Meadows, April 28 at The Rookery, May 5 at Eldon Russell Park, May 12 at Big Creek Park and May 19 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.
Located where there is the best bet for birds at each particular stage in migration, the walks connect experienced bird watchers with novices of all ages for bird observation, identification and interpretation.
Participants are welcome to bring their own bird guide and binoculars. Registration is not required.
Summer Campers Unite
Registration is now open for Geauga Park District’s 12th annual week-long summer day camps for youth entering grades 3 through 10.
Activities kids love include biking, fishing, kayaking, archery and stream exploration. All camps will be held on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Claridon Woodlands on Monday and Tuesday, Headwaters Park on Wednesday, Observatory Park on Thursday, and Chickagami Park on Friday; the exception is Aug. 5-9 with Tuesday at Headwaters Park.
For more information, visit bit.ly/gpdcamps2024.
Spring At Observatory Park
Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 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 the warmer weather, free outdoor movie nights return beginning with Indiana Jones and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on June 15. Bring a blanket, lawn chair and refreshments. The movie will begin at dusk, moving indoors in case of inclement weather.
Walk-up guided night sky viewing will be held from dark to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 5, 6, 26 and 27, May 10, 11, 24 and 25, and June 7, 8, 21 and 22. If cloudy, enjoy a planetarium show instead.
Members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society will also host walk-up night sky viewing at Nassau Astronomical Station (accessed by a different entrance to the park) April 20, May 18 and June 15 from dark until 11 p.m. Nassau nights are canceled by clouds.
Full moon-themed naturalist-led hikes at Observatory Park are scheduled for April 23 (The Spring Peepers Moon), May 23 (Whippoorwill Moon) and June 21 (The Strawberry Moon). Registration is no longer required. Registration is no longer required for these Friday evening astronomy programs, followed by weather-dependent night sky viewings: Earthquakes in Ohio on May 10 (or virtually via Zoom on May 24) and Post-Eclipse Science on June 7 (or virtually on June 21). Registration is required to attend virtual programs.
To enjoy programs for exploring the moon, young people ages 3 to 5 with an adult can sign up for Astrotots on May 3 or 4, while young people ages 6 to 11 with an adult can sign up for Astrotots XL on May 4.
Those with horses may register to ride with a naturalist during a morning or afternoon Horseback Trail Ride on May 30.
“Astro-Nat” Chris presents his famous Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows inside the Robert McCullough Science Center Sundays, April 28, May 26 and June 23 at both 2 and 3 p.m. Register for a 45-minute time slot in advance.
