There is something for everyone in Geauga Park District this spring – from after-work wildflower walks and Sunday morning birding, to a natural history presentation on Black Bears, to the Caveman Crawl 5K Trail Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk, to the start of our Nights Out in the Parks outdoor movies and live music series. Here are our offerings for April, 2017.
April 2017
Twilight Hike & Campfire
Saturday, April 1st, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Chickagami Park, Overlook Shelter
Explore the woods as the day winds down, then head to a campfire for a sweet treat!
Backcountry Hike
Sunday, April 2nd, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge Shelter
Naturalist-led off-trail adventure exploring seldom-visited portions of this park through rugged terrain. If you’d like, bring a lunch at 12:30 PM to enjoy with other hikers. Registration required.
Backcountry Hike
Saturday, April 8th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center Parking Lot
Naturalist-led off-trail hike in search of wildlife and history into hidden ravines and rock ledges. Registration required.
Warbler Warm-up
Sunday, April 9th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Noted local birders Matt Valencic and Kelly Koslowski present techniques for ID’ing spring warblers using color patterns, habitat, behaviors and song. For novice to intermediate birders with handouts provided. Walk follows to find early songbird migrants. A collaboration with the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Timbertots: Spring Things (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Sunday, April 9th, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Join Nora the Explorer on an adventure to discover the wonderful nature that awakens in the spring. Program indoors and outdoors. Also April 10. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Timbertots: Spring Things (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Monday, April 10th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Join Nora the Explorer on an adventure to discover the wonderful nature that awakens in the spring. Program indoors and outdoors. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, April 11th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Big Creek Park, Deep Woods Shelter
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes 1 1/2 miles long. A naturalist leads hikes scheduled in Geauga Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
The Full Frog Moon
Tuesday, April 11th, 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Learn what makes a full moon, meet a few frogs, and observe the rising “Frog Moon” using park telescopes! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Fire in the Parks “Hotline” Call List
Wednesday, April 12th, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Frohring Meadows, Katydid Shelter
Sign up to attend an actual controlled burn, weather permitting, and learn about fire ecology and values of this management tool for the park district, wildlife and plants. This program is scheduled for April 12th but may occur any time that week when the weather conditions are best. Participants will be called to advise them of the actual date closer to the program. Registration required.
“Hidden Figures” Space Math
Friday, April 14th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Get a taste of the math of orbit calculations as shown in the film “Hidden Figures”! If weather conditions allow, this program will be followed by night-sky viewing using the park telescopes until 11:00 p.m.. Also April 28th. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Artifact and Meteorite Hunt
Saturday, April 15th, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Observatory Park
Drop in anytime to search a plowed-up soybean field for traces of historical artifacts and even meteorites.
Night Sky Viewing
Saturday, April 15th, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Observatory Park
Take in the wonders of the night sky using park telescopes! Planetarium program if weather won’t allow night sky viewing. Also April 29th. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Annual Spring Bird Walk Series
Sunday, April 16th, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
See a variety of birds during spring migration as they return home to prime breeding habitat. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and bird guide. Also April 23rd & 30th. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
After Work Wildflower Walk
Wednesday, April 19th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Eldon Russell Park
Enjoy the diversity of colorful spring wildflowers along the Cuyahoga River and discover some fascinating folklore associated with them. In collaboration with Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Homeschool Days: Weather Wizards (Ages 5-7 & 8-12)
Friday, April 21st, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Observatory Park, Cygnus Shelter
Join a naturalist for fun activities and amazing facts about the weather around us! Adults may attend (need not register) or drop off child with waiver. Program is outdoors. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
April Evening Adventure
Friday, April 21st, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Eldon Russell Park, Horwath’s Shelter
A woodcock air show accompanied by a chorus full of spring peepers piping, Barred Owl bantering, beaver tails slapping and herons flapping, culminating in a memorable spring evening hike for families. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Earth Day Extravaganza
Saturday, April 22nd, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Headwaters Park, Boathouse & Crystal Lake Shelter
Celebrate Earth Day locally through this interactive event with expert speakers on current conservation issues, fishing and instruction, native plant gardening, a live animal reptile and amphibian show-and-tell, and informational displays. Education will be focused on two primary goals: 1) what wildlife/environmental issues does Geauga County currently have and why? and 2) what citizens can do to locally make a difference for the Earth. Plus, a children’s Nature craft!
Annual Spring Bird Walk Series
Sunday, April 23rd, 7:30 a.m – 9:30 a.m.
Frohring Meadows
See a variety of birds during spring migration as they return home to prime breeding habitat. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and bird guide. Also April 30th. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Spring Discovery Hike
Sunday, April 23rd, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Join us for a walk along the Discovery Trail as we take in the sights and sounds of springtime! Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Magee Marsh Birding Van Trip
Monday, April 24th, 6:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center Parking Lot
Join us for a trip to one of the best bird watching spots in the country to witness the spring spectacle of bird migration along the shores of Lake Erie. Bring a pair of binoculars, bird guide, water and a sack lunch. Registration required. Fee: $10.00 in-county, $25.00 out-of-county. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, April 25th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Rookery
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes 1 1/2 miles long. A naturalist leads hikes scheduled in Geauga Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
Senior Day: Birdwatching
Thursday, April 27th, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
April is prime birdwatching season! We’ll cover birdwatching basics for all skill levels during a walk, then join the Geauga County Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for a pancake breakfast in the lodge. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Maple Town Tune Traders
Thursday, April 27th, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as audience. All musical genres, instruments and musicianship levels welcome. Snacks to share welcome. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
“Hidden Figures” Space Math
Friday, April 28th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Get a taste of the math of orbit calculations as shown in the film “Hidden Figures”! If weather conditions allow, this program will be followed by night-sky viewing using the park telescopes until 11:00 p.m. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Backcountry Hike
Saturday, April 29th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunnybrook Preserve
Naturalist-lead off-trail adventure exploring seldom-visited portions of this park through rugged terrain. Registration required.
Night Sky Viewing
Saturday, April 29th, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Observatory Park
Take in the wonders of the night sky using park telescopes! Planetarium program if weather won’t allow night sky viewing. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Annual Spring Bird Walk Series
Sunday, April 30th, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
The Rookery
See a variety of birds during spring migration as they return home to prime breeding habitat. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and bird guide. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Reptile & Amphibian Photo Safari
Sunday, April 30th, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Rookery
Join a naturalist on a photographic expedition to “capture” turtles, snakes, frogs, etc. on camera. Bring your own camera. We’ll hold a program at a future date with a PowerPoint presentation showing some of our photographs. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show
Sunday, April 30th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Join us for a planetarium presentation about what to watch for in the night sky each week. Building open house 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. If the weather permits, also get a chance to view the sun using our safe, solar-viewing equipment. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
