Parks and Recreation

May 5, 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.

See Mercury Go

May 9

Offering numerous ways to view it safely, Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park will be the place to see the rare mini-eclipse created when Mercury appears to cross the sun, called the Transit of Mercury.

The process will take more than six hours, so drop in for a view any time from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., those with limited mobility and their families may enjoy a ride around the Planetary Trail on our EZ Go Cart.

In addition, astronomy naturalist Chris Mentrek hosts Meet Mercury programs on May 13 and 27, from 7-8 p.m., followed by night sky viewing until 11 p.m. if weather permits.

Nature Scopes Program

Geauga Park District’s Nature Scope program is engaging every public and Catholic school fifth-grader in Geauga County, plus students at Agape Christian Academy, for the first time this year.

A total of 944 fifth-graders attending 16 schools participated in the program, which is continuously funded by the generous donations of park sponsors and donors, with primary support from the Foundation for Geauga Parks. Since 2003, Geauga Park District has educated 6,164 Geauga County students through Nature Scopes.

The yearlong program focuses on developing students’ interest in nature and natural creatures in the hopes of inspiring a new generation of conservationists. Each student receives a pair of Bushnell Falcon Binoculars and two field guides to use during the course of the year, and learns to use the binoculars as field scopes, microscopes and telescopes through a variety of hands-on experiences.

At a year-end “BinoBlitz” field trip at The Rookery in Munson Township, students learn the binoculars are theirs to keep. This year’s trips will be held May 5-25, allowing students to explore a number of different ecosystems and apply their binoculars in each exploration.

Frog Fest “Party Line”

Sometime May 10 to May 31, 8-9:30 p.m.

West Woods Nature Center

Register one’s name on the call list of this Nature’s Not To Be Missed program to witness the natural phenomenon of spring breeding behavior of gray tree frogs and green frogs. Once one signs up, expect a call in the late afternoon on the day of, or possibly the day before, the program, and set out appropriate clothing and flashlights for the visit. The decision to hold the program is based on the amount and timing of rain, temperature and more.