There is something for everyone in Geauga Park District this fall – from three weekends of horse-drawn wagon rides at Swine Creek Reservation, to a fishing introduction with Cleveland Indians perfect game pitcher Len Barker, to a boutique of holiday decor and gifts, to hiking with Santa and Buddy the Elf and a newly reformatted winter solstice celebration!
Here are our offerings for December 2017:
Wood Slices & Wine Ornament Workshop
Friday, December 1s, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The West Woods – Join instructor Angela Giaimo to create three unique ornaments from wood slices while enjoying wine, snacks and fun with friends! Fee: $18 covers materials and instruction. Please bring colored pencils. Ages 21+. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Holiday Greens Workshop
Saturday, December 2nd, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge – Decorate for the holidays by creating a beautiful arrangement from fresh evergreens. Select from four options: candle ring with metal hurricane, evergreen kissing ball, square door wreath, or large floor-sized arrangement with colored branches. Drawings will be viewable online closer to the program. Fee: $27.00 ($18.00 upon registration, $9.00 at program) covers materials and instruction. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Greens for Giving
Saturday, December 2nd, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The West Woods – Join Geauga Park District at this make-and-GIVE event to create more than 200 evergreen decorations for Geauga County Department on Aging’s home-delivered meals for seniors. All supplies provided. Brighten a senior’s holiday season with your thoughtful creation! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Coffee & Chocolate: The Benefits of Shade-Grown Products
Sunday, December 3rd, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
The West Woods – Enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate while learning about the important role these uniquely grown products play in saving neo-tropical migrant and local bird species, conserving forest habitat and more. Plus, discuss details of creating a local coffee club to purchase this coffee at a discount. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Timbertots: Evergreen Artists! (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Sunday, December 3rd, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday, December 4th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The West Woods – Discover evergreen trees with “Nora the Explorer” and make your very own greens centerpiece to take home! Bows and pine cones provided; please bring small hand pruners. You may also bring small decorations if you’d like. Indoor and outdoor program, so please dress accordingly. Supplies may not be available for older or younger siblings. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Full Moon: A Cold “Supermoon”
Sunday, December 3rd, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center – December’s full moon is the closest of the year, which makes it a “Supermoon.” Learn what makes it special, then watch the full moon rising using park telescopes, weather permitting. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Senior Day: Lifelong Learners
Wednesday, December 6th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The West Woods – Seniors, join us for a presentation called “Geauga’s Unsolved Mysteries of Nature.” Local legends still linger to taunt those with a curiosity for natural phenomenon. Naturalist Dan Best addresses what is known – and what remains to be revealed – about such topics as Swine Creek Diamonds, the Montville Mastodon and a passenger pigeon “flight to oblivion” witnessed years after their accepted extinction in the wild. Refreshments provided. A collaboration with Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Art Takes a Bough Ornament Reception & Bill Hixson Presentation (Final Year!)
Thursday, December 7th, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The West Woods – Presented for a 11th and final year with the Geauga Council for Arts & Culture, all are invited to enjoy and purchase handmade holiday ornaments created by regional artists through the Art Takes a Bough Community Art Project. This evening also features a presentation by Bill Hixson, accomplished floral designer who has assisted with holiday decorating at The White House for more than 30 years. Refreshments served. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Space Radio
Friday, December 8th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 29th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center – Whether it’s studying distant stars or communicating with spaceships, radio has a huge role in space. We’ll try out some DIY options for radio astronomy, followed by night sky viewing until 11:00 p.m. using park telescopes, weather permitting. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Ho Ho Ho Hiking with Santa and Buddy the Elf!
Saturday, December 9th, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The West Woods – Discover the wonders of the season on a magical hike with Santa Claus and Buddy the Elf – a great photo opportunity! Santa will also be available after the hike for photos and wish lists. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Nassau Night Sky Viewing
Saturday, December 9th, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 30th, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station – Observe the wonders of the night sky using the huge Nassau Astronomical Station telescope, weather permitting. If conditions aren’t favorable, join us for a planetarium show in the McCullough Science Center instead. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
