Parks and Recreation

June 11, 2015 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

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

Run with the Caveman

June 14

The West Woods

Registration for Geauga Park District’s fifth annual Caveman Crawl 5K Trail Run is $20 if completed online at http://bit.ly/gpdcaveman, or $25 on race day. A free 2015 race day T-shirt is guaranteed for the first 250 to register.

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

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.

Prehistoric garb is encouraged, with a costume contest for youth and adult categories near the starting line. Judges score on a scale of 1-5 on originality, enthusiasm and authenticity. Awards are lovely handcrafted wood. Runners still in need of a costume just need to mention they’re participating in the contest to receive 15 percent off at Perfect Occasion Costumes in Middlefield.

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.

Summer Camp Fun

Summer camps are filling fast as a means of getting youth and teens into the coolest activities that Geauga Park District has to offer.

Opportunities remain for Adventure Day Camps for youth entering grades fifth through seventh the weeks of June 15, July 6 and July 27; Adventure Weeks for teens entering grades eighth through 10th the week of July 20; and more targeted activity X-Treme Days for teens entering grades eighth through 10th the week of June 29.

Visit http://bit.ly/gpdcamps for information, then call the park district to register and learn more about scholarship opportunities.

Biking with the Bats

June 18, 8-9:30 p.m.

Mountain Run Station

With its woodlands and wetlands, The Maple Highlands Trail corridor provides very nice bat habitat. Bring a bike and enjoy a leisurely 10-mile ride from Mountain Run Station, 12601 Chardon-Windsor Road in Hambden Township, to Stillwell Road and back, making stops at various locations where a bat detector device will be used to identify bat species in flight by amplifying the frequency of their echo-location signals.

Registration is not required. Activities will only be cancelled by rain.