Geauga Park District
Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township, and naturalist Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around this International Dark Sky Park during special programming all season long.
For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Fall At Observatory Park
Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township, and naturalist Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around this International Dark Sky Park during special programming all season long.
In August, Observatory Park’s historic Nassau Astronomical Station at 10350 Clay St. was finally reopened for night sky viewing through one of the largest public telescopes in the state. The effort was also honored last month with a recognition from Gov. John R. Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.
This fall’s Nassau Night Sky Viewings will be held Saturdays, from 7-11 p.m., Oct. 14 and 21, Nov. 11, 18 and 25, and Dec. 9 and 30. If conditions aren’t favorable, enjoy a planetarium show instead at the Robert McCullough Science Center. Members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society participate on Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.
Nassau Astronomical Station is also the site of Geauga Park District’s International Observe the Moon Night celebration on Oct. 28 from 6-11 p.m. Drop in anytime to view the moon using park telescopes and learn more about Earth’s closest neighbor.
Back at the main campus at 10610 Clay St., enjoy Full Moon programs on Oct. 4 (The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival) from 7-8 p.m.; Nov. 4 (The Beaver Moon) from 7-8:30 p.m.; and Dec. 3 (A Cold “Supermoon”) from 6-7 p.m.
Experience hands-on learning during hour-long Friday programs from 7-8 p.m. on Oct. 13 and 27 (Make a Sundial); Nov. 10 (Visits to the Moon); and Dec. 8 and 29 (Space Radio), followed by night sky viewing if weather permits.
The park district has a new astronomy programming series for kids ages 3 to 5 called Astrotots. At Astrotots Rocket on Oct. 4 and 7, children and their parents will make rockets to take home, and safely assist and watch a model rocket launch. Registration is required.
Finally, the Robert McCullough Science Center and Oberle Observatory will both be open Sundays, Oct. 15 and 29, Nov. 12 and 26, and Dec. 10 and 31, from 1-4 p.m., all featuring The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows at 2 p.m.
Learn more about Observatory Park any time of day or night online at http://bit.ly/gpdop.
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