Geauga Park District

August 17, 2017 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Come Glimpse The Eclipse

Aug. 21, 12-4 p.m.

Observatory Park is the headwaters for safe daytime viewing of the partial solar eclipse. The next time anything close occurs, when a total eclipse crosses through Northeast Ohio, won’t be till April 8, 2024.

At the International Dark Sky Park in Montville Township guests will be able to get their eyes and hands on a variety of safe sun-viewing equipment including eclipse-viewing goggles, pinhole viewers, a mirror projecting an image of the sun into the darkened observatory, several telescopes for viewing magnified images of the eclipse, a binocular-projection station, a snapshot station to take photos of the eclipse and a radio telescope to listen to the sun.

Maximum eclipse effects will be visible about 2:30 p.m.

If the weather is cloudy, the above activities might seem rather unsatisfying, but Observatory Park will also offer the following activities including visits from NASA Glenn Research Center, a live view of the eclipse from a site in the path of totality, a craft activity, a history trail and tours of the newly restored Nassau Astronomical Station at Observatory Park.

Experience The Extravaganza

August is packing Geauga Park District with up-close-and-personal caterpillar, moth and butterfly experiences.

The Caterpillar Extravaganza on Aug. 20 from 12-4 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center will feature live, native caterpillars on their host plants in an open air display. Many will be available to touch, hold and photograph. Guests may also bring a caterpillar to the program to have it identified, or to add to the display and get a free field guide.

Guests may also have their face painted, make a caterpillar mask, tag a Monarch butterfly, look through microscopes, take home a souvenir cocoon and learn the basics of rearing caterpillars.

Join field naturalist Tami Gingrich on Aug. 27 from 1-3 p.m. for The Art of Rearing Caterpillars in The West Woods Nature Center. She will pack the presentation with unbelievable photos and helpful techniques for raising caterpillars, as well as some live specimens on display.

Plus, on Aug. 25, bring flashlights to Swine Creek Reservation from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for Moth Baiting & Black-Lighting to discover late summer moths drawn to black light and mercury vapor lights. Participants can also hike with a naturalist through the woods to visit trees that have been bated with a special concoction to lure in some of the most beautiful moths of the year, the underwings.

Registration is not required for any of these programs.

Introducing Astrotots

Observatory Park offers some new outer space-themed programming for kids ages 3 to 5 with an adult.

Register for one of three sessions of Astrotots: Aug. 23, from 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m., or Aug. 26, from 1-2 p.m.

Learn about the many animals that have been launched into outer space. Each hour-long Astrotots gathering will follow a fun and informative format including pre-flight folly, spacey songs, far-out facts, intergalactic games, cosmic crafts and re-entry reading, plus a short journey into outer space via Observatory Park’s amazing digital planetarium. A new astronomy theme will debut each quarter.

Nature Break: Women’s Retreat

Aug. 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Headquarters Park

The morning at Headwaters Park will begin with coffee and morning snacks. Retreat time includes kayaking (instruction and equipment provided), biking (borrow ours or bring your own), lakeside Pilates (beginner and intermediate options) and a do-it-yourself craft using recycled items.

Ladies may also choose to spend some of the time simply sitting near the lake and enjoying the view; binoculars will be provided. Zeppe’s of Chardon will provide lunch.

Dress in layers with comfortable clothes for being outside, as well as a change of clothes in case yours get wet while kayaking.

Registration and a fee of $6 for lunch are required. Only females school age and up, please. Some activities may be off trail.