Geauga Park District
Geauga Park District offers “Elderberries: Seniors Ripe for Adventure,”featuring wildflowers, songbirds and exploration of the brand new Claridon Woodlands.
For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Just For Seniors
Geauga Park District offers “Elderberries: Seniors Ripe for Adventure,”featuring wildflowers, songbirds and exploration of the brand new Claridon Woodlands. Registration is required for Elderberries programming, all co-presented by Geauga Park District, the Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center.
- Wild About Wildflowers
April 26, 9-11:30 a.m.
The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Enjoy breakfast in the lodge and then take a stroll to reveal secrets of pollination, seed dispersal strategies and wildflower lore and legend.
- From Jungles to Geauga, Songbirds of Spring
May 17, 9-11:30 a.m.
Big Creek Park, Aspen Grove Shelter
Enjoy breakfast in the lodge and then look for colorfully plumaged birds from the Tropics of Central and South America. Bring binoculars or try a pair of ours.
- Seniors at Claridon Woodlands
June 21, 9-11:30 a.m.
Claridon Woodlands, Judge Lester Taylor Lodge
Enjoy breakfast at 9 a.m. and then explore the ropes course, hiking trails and wildlife and fishing areas.
Geauga Walkers hikes are from 1-2:30 p.m. on April 10 at The West Woods’ Affelder House; April 24 at The Rookery; May 8 at Headwaters Park’s Route 322 Parking Lot; May 22 at Swine Creek Reservation’s lodge; and June 19 at Frohring Meadows. A Geauga Walkers Summer Picnic will also take place on June 5, beginning with a hike at noon followed by a potluck picnic at 1 p.m. Bring a dish to share.
Exploring For Treasures
Geauga Park District’s Hidden Gems Hike series returns this spring with the following hikes: Claridon Woodlands on April 8, 1-2:30 p.m.; Observatory Park on May 5, 10-11:30 a.m.; and Swine Creek Reservation on June 3, 1-2:30 p.m. No advance registration is required.
Spring At Observatory Park
Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township.
The following outdoor movie nights are scheduled for Saturday nights: “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” on June 23,“Peter Rabbit” on July 14, and a fan’s choice film on Aug. 11. Preshow activities begin at 8 p.m., with each movie starting at dark and including free popcorn and lemonade.
Enjoy full moon programs from 8:30-9:30 p.m. April 29 (The Frog Moon), May 27 (The Corn-Planting Moon), and June 28 (The Strawberry Moon).
Hikers can enjoy a two and one-half mile Hidden Gems Hike on May 5 from 10-11:30 a.m. along a fairly new trail through woodland and wetland, or register to kick off summer with a two-mile Solstice Sunset Hike on June 21 from 8-9 p.m.
Naturalist-led night sky viewing will be offered at Oberle Observatory using park telescopes from 7-11 p.m. April 14 and 28, May 12 and 26, and June 9 and 23.
Hands-on astronomy education will be presented from 7-8 p.m. on April 13 and 27 (Cloud Spotting), May 11 and 25 (The Seneca Anomaly) and June 8 and 22 (Exoplanets & How to Find Them), followed by night sky until 11 p.m., if weather permits.
“Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek will open the Robert McCullough Science Center and Oberle Observatory from 1-4 p.m. April 15 and 29, May 13 and 27 and June 10 and 24. All feature The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows at 2 p.m.
Cloudy skies will cancel some programs; to check in before coming, please call the Observatory Park hotline the day of the program at 440-279-0820.
Nature’s Not To Be Missed
Each season, Geauga Park District’s naturalists highlight programs that they consider opportunities to experience nature in a way that happens only this particular time of year and well worth one’s time to witness. April programs include:
- April Evening Adventure
April 6, 7:30-9 p.m.
Eldon Russell Park, Horwath’s Shelter
- Herons of Bath Road Van Trip
April 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Starts from The West Woods.
Registration required.
- Bald Eagle Hike
April 14, 10 a.m. to noon
Headwaters Park, Boathouse
- Spring Bird Walk Series
April 15, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
April 22, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Frohring Meadows
April 29, 7:30-9:30 a.m., The Rookery
- After Work Wildflower Walk
April 25, 6:30-8 p.m.
The West Woods, Affelder House
The Gift Of Your Time
April 12
Geauga Park District is a great place to volunteer for a good cause. Volunteers are an important part of just about every aspect of daily operations. Volunteering can also build a resume or fulfill high school requirements.
Volunteers choose how much time they give, when, where and to what programs or projects.
Learn more during volunteer orientations on April 12 at The West Woods Nature Center. Registration is required for one of two hour-long orientations, at either 2 or 7 p.m.
At orientation, outreach coordinator Holly Sauder will provide an overview of opportunities available through the parks, then begin the official paperwork, including a background check for ages 18 and up.
Youth volunteers are welcome to register, but those under 14 must volunteer with a background-checked adult.
Opportunities to volunteer include photography of people enjoying the parks; programs with youth and in schools; public programs with hiking, astronomy, wildlife and exploration; special events such as the Nature Arts Festival and Jump Into Fall Days; patrolling The Maple Highlands Trail by bike; and important natural resource management work.
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