Parks and Recreation

February 25, 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.

Maple Sugaring in the Parks

Geauga Park District offers a rich collection of hands-on educational, inspirational and celebrational maple sugaring programming.

Sweet Melodies of Maple Sugaring Song Fest

March 4, 7-8:30 p.m.

The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge

Celebrate the maple sugaring season by the fireside, gathered with local songsters to hear songs both traditional and original gathered from the Great Lakes region. All ages.

Maple 101 Workshop

March 5, 9 a.m. to noon

Swine Creek Reservation

Beginners and experienced producers wishing to hone sugaring skills will learn everything they need to know including tree biology and identification, why sap flows, tapping, collecting methods, sugar bush management, producing the finished product, canning and packaging. School age and up. Registration required through Geauga County OSU Extension at 440-834-4656.

Timbertots: Maple Sugar Time

March 9, 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.

March 12, 1-2 p.m.

Swine Creek Reservation, Sugar House

Collecting sap with small buckets and visiting the sugar house are some of the fun things children 3 to 5 (with an adult only) will do to learn about how people get maple syrup. Entirely outdoors; snow boots encouraged. Registration required at http://bit.ly/gpdprograms.

Tree Tapper’s Ball

March 12, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Parkman Community House

Celebrate the maple season with an old-fashioned square dance, popular as ever after 25 years.

All dances are taught in fun fashion, with tunes provided by the Cordwood Cut-ups. Registration required; limit of eight per registering group.

Sap’s-a-Risin’

March 13 & 20, 12-4 p.m.

Swine Creek Reservation

Gather sap in the sugar bush with a horse-drawn sap sled at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; meet costumed interpreters; try tapping tools; experience gathering and boiling methods through the ages; visit the operating sugar house; get a sample of the sweet stuff; and warm up in the lodge with a toasty fireplace, live music and free maple treats. Free. More details at http://bit.ly/gpdspecial.

Swine Creek Reservation’s sugar house is also a featured stop on the statewide March Maple Madness Drive-It-Yourself Tour of local maple sugaring operations on March 13 and 20; visit www.ohiomapleproducers.com for a map.

LAKE METROPARKS

Maple Sugaring Weekends

Maple Sugaring Weekends run Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 27 through March 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lake Farmpark, 8800 Chardon Road in Kirtland.

See, and tap into activities that show how maple syrup is made from the sap of a maple tree. Pancakes will be served all day in the J & J Cafe.

The beauty of Quilts 2016 and Maple Sugaring Weekends are included in the regular Farmpark admission.

For more information, call 440-256-2122 or visit lakemetroparks.com.