Parks & Recreation

April 2, 2015 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

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

Spring At Observatory Park

For casual visitors, Observatory Park is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 10610 Clay Street in Montville Township. For those wanting a more guided experience, however, astronomy 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 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. Planetarium shows fall on April 12 and 26, May 10 and 24, and June 14 and 28.

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

Biweekly Friday programs include Navigating By the Stars on April 10 and 24 from 7-9 p.m.; The Human Orrery on May 8 and 22 from 7-8 p.m.; and The New Horizons Space Probe on June 12 and 26 from 7-8 p.m.

Special programs to study the season’s full moons are scheduled for April 4(The Frog Moon), from 8-9 p.m. ; May 3 (The Flower Moon), from 8-9 p.m. ; and June 2 (The Strawberry Moon), from 9-10 p.m. .

Visit Observatory Park on April 25 from 1-3 p.m. for Earth Day Dump Clean-Up to dig through one used by a household 50 to 100 years ago. Registration is required. Bring along gloves, a small hand trowel and sturdy footwear for wet off-trail conditions.

There was a decline in the number of fireflies last year. Drop in to Firefly Watch Before It’s Too Late on June 13, any time from 8-9:30 p.m. to assist with this citizen science project.

On June 21, from 6-9:30 p.m., the annual Solar Day & Solstice Sunset program includes fun activities like solar cooking, solar-powered toy car racing, light-sensitive bead testing and safe sun viewing before the latest sunset of the year.

Kids can now start reading “The Extraordinary Education Of Nicholas Benedict” by Trenton Lee Stewart. Register to take part in the park district’s debut Books Alive program on June 24, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Summer day camps also include stops at Observatory Park, with one $30 X-TREME Day on June 29, focusing entirely on an Air and Space Challenge for teens entering grades 8-10. For information and registration, visit http://bit.ly/gpdcamps.

Other than the dump cleanup, Books Alive and summer camps, all Observatory Park programs are free to attend without registration.

Grandparents In The Park

Grandparents in the Park: Spring Break is April 6 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Big Creek Park, Donald W. Meyer Center, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon Township.

The program will deliver refreshments, crafts and nature games indoors, as well as fun with Nora the Explorer in the Great Outdoors.

Registration is required. Participants are asked to bring a snack to share with the group. Activities will be held rain or shine.

Nature Adventures

Twilight Snipe Hunt & Woodcock Watch

April 10, 7-8:30 p.m.

Frohring Meadows Park, Bainbridge Twp.

Join us for an evening of wildlife activity: leopard frogs, toads, killdeer, woodcocks and maybe even a snipe. Collaboration with Blackbrook Audubon Society.

Spring Peeper Canoe

April 11, 7-8:30 p.m.

Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve,

Burton Township

Enjoy the sounds of spring peepers and other spring wildlife while afloat on beautiful Lake Kelso. Phone registration required beginning April 4. Ages 10 and older with an adult. Basic canoe proficiency required.

Vernal Poolooza

April 12, 2-3:30 p.m.

Sunnybrook Preserve, Lodge, Chester Twp.

Learn about vernals pools followed by a walk to discover their importance as critical habitat for many creatures in this Nature’s Not to Be Missed program.

April Evening Adventure

April 17, 7-9 p.m.

Eldon Russell Park, Horwath’s Shelter

A woodcock air show accompanied by a chorus full of spring peepers piping, barred owl bantering, beaver tail-slapping and heron flapping, culminating in a memorable spring evening hike for families.

Woodcocks & Waterfowl

April 18, 7-8:30 p.m.

Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve, Back Parking Lot

A look on the lake for migratory waterfowl will be the opening act for the American woodcock’s amazing aerial ballet in this Nature’s Not to Be Missed program.