Parks & Recreation

January 29, 2015 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

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

Frozen Fest

Geauga Park District’s first-ever Frozen Fest takes place Feb. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Inside the nature center will be an opening reception for the Frozen Artistry community art show, Return to the Ice Age exhibit, face painting, a photo booth with winter props, guest appearances by “ice princesses,” live harp music, winter-themed crafts, hourly puppet shows, free snowman ice scrapers for adults, free refreshments and a nature store featuring winter-themed merchandise.

Activities outside the nature center include: Native American snowsnakes game, snowball “shooting gallery,” free snowshoe rental, hourly winter hikes, Bird in the Hand opportunity, meet-n-greet with sled dogs by Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland and ice sculptures demonstrations and finished sculpture displays.

In case it’s needed, a shuttle will also be present from noon to 4:30 p.m. to transport people from the outer lots and ASM to The West Woods Nature Center.

No registration is necessary and the events are all free.

Ladies Morning At West Woods

Geauga Park District offers its first winter retreat for women to reenergize, relax and connect with winter weather and wildlife.

Nature Break: Women’s Retreat is Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

The morning will begin with coffee and morning snacks followed by both indoor and outdoor retreat activities. Enjoy the winter backdrop by snowshoeing through the beautiful scenery. Equipment and instruction for snowshoeing will be provided. Women may also just take a walk. An opportunity for low impact aerobics will be available indoors, as well, with higher intensity options offered.

Next, learn Geauga County’s resident winter birds from the warmth of the nature center and create a birdseed feeder.

Finally, end the retreat with a soup and salad lunch where vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be made available.

Dress in layers with comfortable clothes for being both indoors and out, and consider bringing a change for aerobics.

Registration and a $6 fee are required.

Answer The Call

Dream of summer adventures in local rivers with stunning footage of Ohio waterways as the group enjoys the film “Call of the Scenic River, An Ohio Journey” and share experiences in the Upper Cuyahoga River.

Call of the Scenic River: An Ohio Journey takes place Feb. 7 from 1-3 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Kendra Becker of Camp Hi Canoe Livery will present the indoor program. Registration is not required.

Calling All Scouts

Scouts are invited to work toward their goals at three specialized Geauga Park District programs this winter. Registration is required for all of these programs.

Bear Cub Scouts: Sharing Your World with Wildlife is Jan. 31 from 9:30-11 a.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township.

Third-grade Bears work on requirements for the Sharing Your World with Wildlife Achievement by visiting a nature center, where they can view the new Return to the Ice Age exhibit; learning what a wildlife conservation officer does, as well as talking about an animal that has gone extinct and some animals on the endangered species list; and making a recycled bird feeder.

Bring a 2-liter pop bottle or milk jug for the project. Fee is $2 for out-of-county Scouts. Program is indoors.

Girl Scout Cadettes: Trees Badge is March 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge, 16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield Township.

Cadettes in grades 6-8 work on requirements for the Trees Badge: maple sugaring, tree anatomy and uses of wood. Sap gathering and other hiking activities will not be wheelchair accessible.

Webelo Cub Scouts: Naturalist Achievement Badge is March 28 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township. Fourth- and fifth-grade Webelos work on requirements for the Naturalist Achievement Badge by visiting a nature center; learning about bird flyaways; identifying poisonous plants in the area; watching six animals in the wild; identifying an animal found only in the local area of the country (snowshoe hare); and learning about area wetlands and their role in supporting wildlife and humans. Program is indoors and out; dress for the weather.