Geauga Park District
Celebrate the longest night of the year while exploring the roots of modern holiday celebrations indoors and out 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.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Dec. 21, 7-10 p.m.
Celebrate the longest night of the year while exploring the roots of modern holiday celebrations indoors and out at the West Woods in Russell Township. Enjoy treats, hot beverages and festive music by the Pilgrim Brass Choir, while children make a free solstice luminary craft.
Then, outdoors, stroll the self-guided Solstice Traditions Trail, a magical, candlelit route through the forest, complete with a bonfire. Head over to the stage area to watch costumed interpreters as they highlight solstice traditions of past civilizations. Interactive skits will be performed every 10 minutes. No registration is required.
Free Snowshoe Borrowing
The park district’s free snowshoe borrowing program continues at The West Woods.
first-come, first-served snowshoe borrowing is still free for Geauga County residents at The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township. Borrowing can take place any time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and last up to two hours. One must be at least 18 years old to check out a pair; anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult. Youth sizes are available.
Snowshoes may not leave The West Woods except for registered programs.
Residents may also add their names to the park district’s call/email list for spontaneous naturalist-led snowshoe excursions and/or Learn to Snowshoe programs to be notified when weather conditions are just right. Programs may be any time day or evening at any park depending on weather conditions. Borrow the park district’s snowshoes or bring your own.
Geauga Gems Trekking Series
Registration opens Jan. 1 for the sixth annual Geauga Gems Trekking Series. Participants are encouraged to complete four hikes per season from a list curated by park district naturalists. Attendance at any naturalist-led hike can also be counted and one’s favorite trail can also be added to any season’s list.
Or participants can choose to hike 80 miles on any of the park district’s 92-plus miles of trails to complete their 2025 goal instead. To accomplish the goal of the program, participants simply need to hike roughly 20 miles each season to achieve the full effect.
Upon signing up, participants will receive a special 2025 Geauga Gems Trekking Card to track their progress. Those who complete the series and turn in their hiking cards by Dec. 31, 2025, will be rewarded with a collectable “year of the topaz” hiking sticker for everyone to add to their poles, plus a collapsible trekking pole for first-timers.
