Parks and Recreation

June 30, 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.

Controlled Hunting

Applications for Geauga Park District’s 2016-17 Controlled Hunting Program for white-tailed deer are now available at http://bit.ly/gpdhunting, The West Woods Nature Center and Big Creek Park’s Meyer Center, as well as Great Lakes Outdoor Supply in Middlefield, and will be accepted through July 31.

Lottery drawings will be performed for archery on Aug. 3 and all gun on Aug. 10. Winners will be notified Aug. 17 and hunters must then complete qualifications in August and September.

Controlled hunting has been used since the 2007-08 season to maintain healthy, balanced populations of plants and animals on Park District properties. Time has proven it a viable management tool and a proactive approach to the park district’s mission.

Register For Summer Camp

Geauga Park District’s day camp offerings include exploring, biking, kayaking, fishing, sending rockets and kites high into the sky and more.

Spots are still open in camps for youth entering grades five through seven the weeks of July 18, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8. For teens entering grades eight through 10, one-day X-TREME Days are available on July 5, 7 and 8.

Camp attendance costs $150 for full weeks and $30 for X-Treme Days. Financial assistance is available. New this year, before and after care options are available for campers registered the weeks of July 25 and Aug.1 at an additional fee.

Camp information is available online. Call for more information about financial assistance and extra care options.

Summer At Observatory Park

For casual visitors, Observatory Park is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 10610 Clay St. in Montville Township. For those wanting a more guided experience, however, astronomy naturalist Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park.

Park buildings are open the second and fourth Saturdays monthly for night sky viewing with park district telescopes from 7-11 p.m., with safe sun viewing before it gets dark. Buildings are also open the following Sundays from 1-4 p.m., including The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show at 2 p.m. to show visitors “what’s up” in the night sky. Planetarium shows are on July 10 and 24, Aug. 14 and 28,?and Sept. 11 and 25.

More structured programming is also available for visitors of all ages and interest groups.

It will be a huge night at Observatory Park on Aug. 12 with activities beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting all through the night. First, the Geauga W.O.R.K. Out Celebration will celebrate Geauga County Public Library’s W.O.R.K. Out program with activities including a planetarium program, the Bookmobile, refreshments and a free concert by the Chardon Polka Band. Bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the show. Then, at 9 p.m., take in the annual Perseid Meteor Shower during the Meteors and Moths Overnight Event, with prime meteor viewing from 1-3 a.m.

Biweekly Friday programs include: The Michelson-Morley Laser Experiment on July 8 and 22 from 7-8 p.m.; Meet Henrietta Leavitt: Astronomy Pioneer on Aug. 26 from 7-8 p.m.; and How the Stars Got Their Names on Sept. 9 and 23 from 7-8 p.m.

Special programs to study the season’s full moons are scheduled for July 19 from 8-9:30 p.m. (The Thunder Moon); Aug. 18, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. (The Sturgeon Moon); and Sept. 16, from 8-9 p.m. (The Harvest Moon).

All Observatory Park programs are free to attend without registration.

Get On Board For A Day Trip

Visit locations outside of our parks with a Geauga Park District naturalist as the guide. Meet at the West Woods Nature Center for all trips. Registration is required.

High Rise Homes: Osprey Van Tour

July 9, 9-11:30 a.m.

View local osprey nests atop cell towers.

Habitats Revisited Van Trip: Hyde Property

July 16, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit Geauga Park District’s preserved Hyde property to see its summer wardrobe in this third of four 2016 trips.

Interurban Van Trip: North Line

July 17, 1-4:30 p.m.

Enjoy a 45-minute video in the air conditioning, followed by a tour of the routes of the Interurban Railroad through Geauga with a few short stops to walk the line and compare pictures from the 1800s.

Flea Market in West Woods

July 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Geauga County Chapter of Ohio Horseman’s Council (OHC) will host its 11th annual flea market at The West Woods picnic area, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township.

All proceeds from the event, including application fees for vendor spaces, will benefit Geauga Park District’s Bridle Trail Fund.

Dozens of vendors will sell treasures such as antiques, collectibles, birdhouses, jewelry (new and old), tools, toys, furniture, rugs, plants, handmade materials, soaps, general household items and other bargains galore.

For more information about Geauga County OHC benefit flea market, visit www.geaugacountyohc.com or call Jennifer at 216-406-7639.