Nature is like a perfectly composed symphony. The breeze blowing through the trees, rustling the branches, and stirring the leaves in the air and on the ground mix softly with the birds calling, and the crickets chirping if you catch them at the right time of night. There is nothing that can replace the serene sanity that I gather from a brisk walk in the woods. There is nothing more beautiful and quite like a sunrise over the lake, or a sunset that splinters through the trees and dances onto my face.
I love every moment that I get to spend in nature, and I cherish the peace and happiness that it brings me. One of the best things about living in Geauga County is that we have so many beautiful parks. One of our very talented team members here at Geauga News, Stacey, has been writing about the parks over the past year and today I wanted to share with you three of my favorite parks in case you haven’t been able to check them out recently.
I’m sure that in just a few short steps you’ll fall in love again, just like I do every single time I get there:
1. Swine Creek
If you went to school in Geauga County, you probably went on a field trip to Swine Creek Reservation to net Monarch butterflies in the fall. That was the only time I had ever visited the park until recently.
Swine Creek Reservation was once part of a 1200-acre hunting preserve typically used for fox hunting. The hunting preserve belonged to Mesopotamia resident Windsor Ford, who sold a portion of his land to Geauga Park District in 1977. The 268 acres that were sold contained a sugar bush, a pond and a lodge. Additional acres were added along Swine Creek and the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad corridor bringing the park’s total acreage to 412. Located in the heart of Amish country, Swine Creek is one of the most popular parks in the county.
2. The Rookery
The Rookery is the next local park featured in my series. By definition, rookery means a breeding place of gregarious birds; in this case, great blue herons. This 603-acre park is home to over 150 active nests, which are built mostly of sticks. The nesting ground is only accessible by hikes that are led by naturalists of the Park District. These guided hikes generally take place in November when the nests are inactive. Disturbing this area during their breeding season (March – June) can cause the nest and any eggs/babies to be abandoned. This particular rookery has been active for over 60 years.
3. Chickagami Park
Chickagami is a Native American word meaning “camp by the lake.” This park sure has seen a lot of campers over the years. Camp Chickagami was dedicated as a year-round camping facility for the scouts by the Western Reserve Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1941. If you have been to Chickagami Park, then you know that there isn’t a lake in or near the park. So why would they give this park that name? Let me tell you.
Years ago, a branch of the Grand River that ran through this property was dammed, creating Lake Estabrook. Small cabins and lean-tos dotted the shoreline of this lake. Scout groups would come to Camp Chickagami for week-long camping in the summer and short weekend trips in the winter. Additional lodges, a dining hall, and other facilities were added to accommodate them.
So if you haven’t been to one of these great parks recently, get out there! You’ll be glad that you did, and you’ll get to enjoy one of our great Geauga County treasures!
What’s your favorite park? Share your stories in the comments below.
