It’s almost that sweet time once again for one of Geauga County’s long-standing traditions — maple sugaring.
It’s almost that sweet time once again for one of Geauga County’s long-standing traditions — maple sugaring.
“By exploring Geauga County’s maple heritage, Geauga Park District’s ‘Sap’s-a-Risin’ (program) is the celebration of the end of a long winter and the welcoming of spring,” GPD Naturalist and program coordinator Karie Wheaton said. “There is an air of excitement and togetherness that goes hand-in-hand with maple sugaring and I look forward to it every year.”
The popular, free program kicks off on Sundays, Feb. 23, March 2, March 9 from noon to 4 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, 16004 Hayes Road in Middlefield Township.
Wheaton said the first event was held in 1986 and the program has been held every year since, except in 2021 due to COVID and gathering restrictions.
Once part of a hunting preserve, the picturesque 412-acre park is situated in the heart of the countryside amidst Amish farms. Its active sugar bush draws thousands of visitors each year to learn about the park’s historic maple sugaring operation, according to GPD.
Various kinds of trees cover the park, with 32 acres managed as an operating sugar bush. There was an operating sugarbush on the land prior to 1977, when the park acquired the property, according to GPD.
The current sugarhouse at Swine Creek was built in 1982 using native hardwood trees and opened for its first season in 1983, where it was open to the public on days maple sap was being boiled, Wheaton said.
On March 11, 2007, the sugarhouse was dedicated as the “Mark Sperry Memorial Sugarhouse,” named after the former Geauga Park District commissioner and longtime Geauga County maple syrup producer, according to Sperry’s obituary.
Sperry, a World War II veteran from Hambden Township, who, following the war, served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ran a sugar bush in Parkman Township on property owned by the family since 1874. He was also a member of the Geauga County Syrup Makers Hall of Fame, according to his obituary.
Learning the ways trees were tapped historically and seeing how sap is gathered from them today can help to expand public knowledge of Geauga County’s beloved cultural traditions through this annual educational program, Wheaton said.
Last year, GPD produced 69 gallons of syrup from 500 taps, primarily collected by tubing, according to GPD.
The Saps-a-Risin’ program portrays methods used during the Native American (pre-1800s), pioneer (early 1800s), Civil War to early 1900s, and mid-1900s to modern day time periods.
“Park staff and volunteers, local musicians and draft horses come together to present a fun and interactive event focused on this rite of spring—maple sugaring,” Wheaton said. “Folks can help gather sap in the sugarbush alongside a horse-drawn sap sled, experience the tapping, gathering and boiling methods used in the past and today, see sap boiling in the sugar house and taste some maple syrup. I hope visitors take away an appreciation for the history of maple sugaring, the hard work that goes into creating maple syrup and the natural processes that make this sweet treat so special.”
In the Swine Creek Lodge, there will be live music on Feb. 23 with Racoon County Ramblers, March 2 with Mr. Haney String Band and March 9 with The Real Deal String Band.
“We hope everyone will come visit Geauga Park District’s sugar house, sugarbush and lodge for a sweet taste of how maple sugaring methods have evolved throughout history,” Wheaton said. “You are truly submerged into something sweet and special at Sap’s-a-Risin’ — from the friendly Percherons to the live music and maple treats, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Our visitors are always happy to be out and with the break in the weather and with the sweet sap coming from the trees. There is a lot to celebrate.”
She added, “I hope visitors take away an appreciation for the history of maple sugaring, the hard work that goes into creating maple syrup and the natural processes that make this sweet treat so special. Please join us for our 2025 maple sugaring season—you won’t regret it.”
The park district is also part of the Ohio-wide Maple Madness Tour and the Maple Producers of NE Ohio’s “How Sweet it Is” driving tour. You can find information on the Ohio Maple Madness tour at ohiomaple.org and information about the Maple Producers of NE Ohio’s tour at mpneoh.com/maple-tour.
