Parks & Recreation

October 23, 2014 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

For more information, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Fall 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, naturalist Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around this International Dark Sky Park.

Park buildings are open the second and fourth weekends of each month: Friday and Saturday (except Dec. 5 and 6, when the park will be closed for controlled hunting) for self-guided night sky viewing with park district telescopes from 6-11 p.m., as well as Sunday from 1-4 p.m., including The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show at 2 p.m. illustrating “what’s up” in the night sky.

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

Biweekly Friday programs, all from 7-8 p.m., include Monsters In The Sky on Oct. 24; Cosmic Ray Cloud Chambers on Nov. 7 and 21; and Citizen Science in Astronomy on Dec. 12 and 26.

Special programs to study the season’s full moons are scheduled for Nov. 6 (The Beaver Moon), from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ; and Dec. 6 (The Cold Moon), from 5:30-7 p.m.

And finally, programming for youth is available for young and older this season with registration.

Timbertots: Wonderful Weather, for ages 3-5 with an adult, happens on Nov. 17 from 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. Curious tots will love joining Nora the Explorer to uncover all of the wonders of weather, with activities outside if the weather permits.

Also, Homeschool Days: Awesome Astronomy, for ages 5-8 and 9-12, hits the park on Oct. 24 from 10-11:30 a.m. Kids will discover constellations, planets and more with a fun planetarium show and planetary trail hike. Adults may attend, but need not register, or may drop off children with waivers.

With the exception of youth programming, all Observatory Park programs this season are free to attend without registration.

Badges, Belt Loops & Pins

two opportunities for scouts in November

Geauga Park District naturalists know all about Scouting and are eager to help Scout groups achieve their goals in November.

First, the park district will offer a Junior Girl Scout Geocacher Badge program Nov. 1 from 9:30-11 a.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Junior Girl Scouts who attend will work on requirements to earn their geocacher badges by going on a geocaching adventure, GPS unit in hand. Activities both indoors and outdoors will be partially wheelchair accessible.

Next, naturalists will host a Cub Scouts Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop & Pin program on Nov. 8 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at The West Woods Nature Center.

Cub Scouts there will cover most of the requirements for either a belt loop or a pin. The activity is mostly indoors, but Scouts may journey outside a little depending on the weather.

Registration is required for both programs.

Howl’oween Hound Hike

Devil or angel, pumpkin or scarecrow, human or canine, come enjoy this hike with one’s favorite four-legged friend. Nature lovers and good-natured dogs always look forward to Geauga Park District’s last Hound Hike of the season. Costumes for both dogs and humans make it all the more fun.

Howl’oween Hound Hike is Oct. 26 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Beartown Lakes Reservation, 18870 Quinn Road in Auburn Township.

From April through October, monthly Hound Hikes allow dog owners an opportunity to bond and enjoy a type of entertainment their canines can also enjoy. Registration is required to keep the numbers manageable.

One non-aggressive dog is allowed per handler, who must be able to fully control his or her dog at all times on a leash no longer than eight feet. Participants must also bring their own dog towels, water bowls, poop scoops and bags for cleanup. If altercations or incidents occur, problematic dogs will be asked to leave.