Parks & Recreation

April 16, 2015 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

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

Run With The Caveman

Online, drop-off and mail-in registration is again open for Geauga Park District’s fifth annual Caveman Crawl 5K Trail Run on June 14 at The West Woods in Russell Township.

The course, just over 3.1 miles of hilly, well-graded dirt and gravel, includes portions of Ansel’s Cave Trail, known for its beautiful Sharon conglomerate rock outcropping, not to mention the forest views and wildlife just around the bend.

The fourth annual race drew a record-breaking 417 running and walking participants. Plus, wear prehistoric garb and stand to win handcrafted awards for best costumes in youth and adult categories.

Race winners, chip-timed by Greater Cleveland XC, will take home handcrafted awards in the top three places overall, as well as the top three places in nine different age groups in both male and female categories. Race time is 9 a.m.; registration is from 7-8:30 a.m. Costume judging begins at 8:30 a.m.; and free food and awards will follow.

All ages are welcome. Find the official registration form and online registration information at http://bit.ly/gpdcaveman.

Registration is $20 postmarked by June 8 or online, $25 on race day. A free 2015 race day T-shirt is guaranteed for the first 250 to register.

All proceeds benefit the Chip Henry Institute for Outdoor Adventure, which funds youth programming in the parks, including summer camps for youth entering grades 5 through 10.

Connect With Earth Day

Earth Day was first recognized in 1970 and is celebrated annually on April 22 to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Events worldwide demonstrate support for environmental protection. In the observance’s 45th year, please join Geauga Park District to celebrate.

Nature Explorers: Earth Day Adventure (Ages 6-8 & 9-11)

April 18, 2-4 p.m., The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge

A beautiful property purchased in the late 1960s to be turned into a golf course, The Rookery is now preserved by Geauga Park District. Explore the diverse habitats and wildlife here through a scavenger hunt, learn about the importance of conserving habitats for wildlife, then create milkweed seed balls to plant for future generations of monarch butterflies. Indoors and out. Drop-off program. Registration required.

Landscaping with Native Plants

April 19, 1-2 p.m., The West Woods, Nature Center

Learn the benefits of landscaping with native plants and get a free milkweed plant. Collaboration with the Native Plant Society of Northeast Ohio.

Birds, Blooms & Butterflies Earth Day Hike

April 19, 2:30-4 p.m., The West Woods, Nature Center

Enjoy migratory birds, early spring wildflowers and the possibility of early butterflies. Off-trail with rugged, muddy conditions, so please wear sturdy footwear.

Earth Day Dump Clean-up!

April 25, 1-3 p.m., Observatory Park

Let’s clean up and discover what’s in a 50- to 100-year-old household dump. Bring gloves and a small hand trowel. Off-trail with wet conditions. Registration required.

Earth Day, NRM-Style/Milkweed & Tree Giveaway

April 26, 12-4 p.m., Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge

Become a “citizen scientist” for a day to promote good stewardship, help biologists in the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Department with their research projects and get a free milkweed plant.

Noon: “NRM: What We Do” Presentation

1 p.m.: Tree Planting Demo/Giveaway

1:30 p.m.: How to Monitor Your Bluebird Box

2 p.m.: Survey: West Virginia White Butterfly or Swine Creek Stream

12-4 p.m.: Milkweed Giveaway.

In an effort to bolster the imperiled monarch butterfly population, the park district will also once again propagate native milkweed. Stop by any of the following dates/programs to pick up a free plant.

April 19: Landscaping with Native Plants (must attend program), 1 p.m., The West Woods

April 26: Earth Day, NRM-Style, 12-4 p.m., Swine Creek Reservation

April 27: Weekly Wildflower Hike (must attend program), 1 p.m., Big Creek Park

May 10: Mother’s Day Giveaway, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., The West Woods

June 21: Father’s Day Giveaway, 12-3 p.m., The West Woods

Springtime Evening Adventure

April Evening Adventure is April 17 from 7-9 p.m. at Eldon Russell Park, Horwath’s Shelter, 16315 Rapids Road, Troy Township.

Evenings are the perfect time to witness the thrilling springtime awakening of nature. Join the group as it searches for the male spring peeper a tiny tree frog that calls loudly from woodland breeding pools for a female and the dancing American woodcock a bird that has migrated back to Ohio this spring to breed and performs an unusual display to attract its mate.

Eldon Russell Park will also set the scene for active year-round residents, including barred owls, beavers and herons over the Cuyahoga River.

The adventure will take participants along the mile-long, sometimes muddy, Eldon Russell Nature Trail, so wear boots that can get muddy and bring binoculars. Registration is not required for the free hike.