Parks and Recreation

February 4, 2016 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.

Home Sweet Habitat

The new Home Sweet Habitat: A Place for Wildlife to Survive and Thrive exhibit at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township, will explore Geauga County’s natural homes divided between forests, meadows and wetlands. Expect many animal mounts, interactive elements, robotic animals and hands-on displays, games and activities for the whole family.

The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. February through December and is one of the features of Frozen Fest on Feb. 7, from 12-4 p.m.

Great Bird Count

Feb. 12-15, noon to 4 p.m.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. Checklists are accepted from anywhere in the world, so come out to The West Woods and help produce a tally for Geauga County.

All ages are invited to join the count being held for some warm bird watching at The West Woods’ wildlife feeding window.

Attendees on Saturday, Feb. 13 only can also enjoy the Happy Bird Day activities including the armchair birding program from 1:30-2:15 p.m. and a make-n-take birdseed ornament from 1:30-4 p.m. Help count birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count from 12-4 p.m. and stroll out any time to the Bird in the Hand Feeding Station for an up-close encounter with chickadees.

Folks will also be able to view results as they come in on our computer and learn from Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists which types of seeds and feeders are the most successful.

Attendees will also be able to view results as they come in on the park district’s computer and learn from Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists which types of seeds and feeders are the most successful.

The West Woods Nature Center is located at 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Make Something

Pass the cold-weather blues by building, painting or learning to maple sugar on the following Saturdays.

Make a Bluebird House

Feb. 6, 1-3 p.m.

Big Creek Park, Meyer Center

Build and take home a house that any bluebird would be proud to call home. Pointers will be given on where and when to place a birdhouse to attract bluebirds and thwart rivals. Fee of $10 covers materials. Participants should register “by the birdhouse” rather than “by the person.”

Winter Wonderland & Wine

Feb. 27, 6-9 p.m.

The West Woods Nature Center

Adults 21 and older can join artist Carlene Exline to paint a beautiful winter landscape on an 8×10-inch board suitable for framing, while enjoying wine and cheese. The step-by-step instruction requires no painting experience. Fee of $24 covers materials and refreshments.

Maple 101 Workshop

March 5, 9 a.m. to noon

Swine Creek Reservation Lodge

Beginners and experienced producers will hone sugaring skills in the workshop covering tree biology and identification, why sap flows, tapping, collecting methods, sugar bush management, producing the finished product, canning and packaging, as well as some local sugaring history.

Register for the February workshops at http://bit.ly/gpdprograms or 440-286-9516; register for the maple workshop through Geauga County OSU Extension at 440-834-4656.