Parks and Recreation
Observatory Park is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township, and naturalist Chris Mentrek and his fellow naturalists are eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park during the following special programs all season long...
GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT
For more information, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org. No registration required unless otherwise noted. Check the website before coming out in case of changes or cancellations.
Winter At Observatory Park
Observatory Park is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township, and naturalist Chris Mentrek and his fellow naturalists are eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park during the following special programs all season long.
Guided night sky viewings on the park’s main campus are open for registration from 7-11 p.m. on Jan. 23, Feb. 13 and March 13 and 27. Members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society will also be on hand to host walk-up night sky viewing at Nassau Astronomical Station on Jan. 16, Feb. 20 and March 20 from 7-11 p.m.
Discover some of what makes this property so special by joining a naturalist on a 1.5-mile Hidden Gems Hike on March 14.
Register in advance for a virtual astronomy lesson on Jan 22 (Radio Astronomy), Feb. 12 and 26 (Mars Rover Perseverance) and March 12 and 26 (The Zodiac), all from 7-7:45 p.m. Registrants will receive a link to join the free software Webex.
The Geauga Skywatchers Club is also meeting virtually Registration is required through www.geaugalibrary.libcal.com for “UFOs in Geauga County” on Feb. 1 and “Weather or Not?” on March 1.
Kids ages 3-5 can sign up to enjoy Astrotots: Rovers & Robots on Feb. 5; Brownie Girl Scouts can become Space Science Adventurers on Jan. 30; Boy Scouts of America can work on the Astronomy Merit Badge on Feb. 19; and Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts can work on the Space Science Master and Expert Badge on Feb. 20.
And finally, “Astro-Nat” Chris will continue to open the Robert McCullough Science Center for his famous Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows on Sundays, Jan. 24, Feb. 28 and March 28.
Winter Scout Days
Dress for the weather and explore Geauga parks to earn scouting credit. Registration is open for all of them by phone only.
All attendees, including adults, must register due to group size restrictions, and face coverings are required indoors always and outdoors whenever social distancing is not possible.
Brownie Girl Scouts will complete the Space Science Adventurer
Jan. 30, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center.
Also at Observatory Park, Boy Scouts of America can attend the Astronomy Merit Badge workshop on Feb. 19, from 5-8 p.m. Pre-work will be required for certain requirements. An astronomy merit badge counselor will be on site. Information will be emailed upon registration.
On Feb. 20 from 5-7:30 p.m., Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts should dress for the weather to earn the Space Science badge at Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Dress for the weather to learn about careers in the space industry, telescopes, constellations and more.
Tiger Cub Scouts can earn their My Tiger Jungle badge on March 27, from 1-2:15 p.m. at The West Woods.
