Parks and Recreation

October 15, 2015 by Staff Report

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

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

Howwwwl’oween

The park district is offering three unique naturalist-led experiences to observe Halloween. Registration required.

Nature Explorers: Spooky Nature

Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to noon

West Woods Nature Center

Youth ages 6-7 and 8-11 can wear a nature-related costume for a Halloween-themed program to learn about some of nature’s creepy, crawly critters and their diabolical adaptations. Drop-off program.

Geauga Cemeteries: History Written in Stone

Oct. 31, 1-3:30 p.m.

Welton Cemetery

Explore the historic cemetery on Goodwin Avenue in Burton, which is also a history museum, wildlife refuge, botanical garden and art gallery. Participants will also venture to Burton’s Memorial Cemetery, where some of Geauga’s earliest settlers are buried.

Howl’oween Hound Hike

Oct. 31, 1-3 p.m.

Chickagami Park, Pine Grove Shelter

Parade through the park with one’s favorite pooch costumes (dog or human) are optional, but encouraged. Bring dog towels, a water bowl, poop scoop and bags for cleanup. One dog per handler must remain on leash no longer than eight feet and be non-aggressive to people and other dogs.

Gulls 101

Oct. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.

The West Woods Nature Center

The Lake Erie waterfront is a major haven for thousands of wintering gulls of many species. Recognizing gulls by a plethora of species that exhibit a variety of age-related plumages is perhaps the greatest identification challenge birders have in our region. As birders prepare for the annual blizzards of gulls along Lake Erie, noted Cleveland area birder and photographer Chuck Slusarczyk Jr., of the Kirtland Bird Club, highlights defining field marks and tips to help with gull identification in an expertly illustrated and enthusiastic presentation. Program is presented in collaboration with Blackbrook Audubon Society.

Registration is not required.

A Day With Ice Age Ohioans

Oct. 18

In celebration of Ohio Archaeology Month, the park district will offer with three opportunities at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township, to learn about Ohio’s earliest known human inhabitants: the Paleoindians who pioneered our region with the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the Ice Age.

From 1 to 4 p.m., families are invited to Ice Age Ohio’s Paleo People for a series of hands-on activities to introduce families of school-aged children, teens and adults to Paleoindian skills: try out a spear-thrower, chip a flint scraper, play caribou hunt and bartering games and conduct a simulated archaeological dig.

From 3 to 4 p.m., sit down with Archaeological Society of Ohio member Mike Fath as he presents Tool Time: Stone Age Handyman’s Special, his remarkable collection of genuine Paleoindian flint artifacts. Geared for older children to adults, participants are welcome to bring in their Indian artifacts for identification.

And finally, from 4 to 5 p.m., join Dr. Brian Redmond, Cleveland Museum of Natural History archaeologist, for Living in the Ice Age: Ohio’s Earliest People, an overview of Paleoindian lifestyle describing some key Ohio archaeological discoveries, rare artifact finds and that have revealed ancient artifacts and evidence of animal butchering present on well preserved bones of Ice Age animals.

Two more Ice Age-themed programs will also be hosted this fall: Ice Age Authentic or Mammoth Malarky on Nov. 29, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., held in a fun game show format, and Family Ice Age Escapades on Dec. 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., revisiting popular activities from this year’s Ice Age programs.

Return to the Ice Age, a special exhibit featuring real Ice Age-era bones found in Geauga County, remains up at The West Woods Nature Center through year’s end.

Registration is not required for any of these free programs.