The following is a list of the Geauga Park District’s upcoming events in January:
John Muir: Come Home to Nature!
Sunday, January 10, 3:30-4:30 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Travel back in time to meet the famous naturalist John Muir as he recalls some of his more memorable “hands-on” experiences with Nature! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Volunteer Orientation
Monday, January 11, 4 PM & 7 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Review Geauga Park District volunteer opportunities and start paperwork to become an ‘official’ volunteer! All volunteers age 18+ must complete a background check. Orientation registration requested, but walk-ins are welcome.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, January 12, 1-2:30 PM, The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes typically 1 ½ miles long. A naturalist leads hikes held in Geauga Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
Nature Forensics: Owl Pellet Investigation
Wednesday, January 13, 7-8:30 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Discover what the owls eat and feed their young by dissecting an owl pellet, then head outside to see if any owls answer our call. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Meet the Artists: Shutterbugs Camera Club
Friday, January 15, 7-9 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
View the Shutterbugs beautiful Nature photography exhibition. Refreshments served. Photographs on display until March 28. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Winter Hawk Watch Backroad Bus Trip
Saturday, January 16, 10 AM-Noon & 1-3 PM, Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge
Take a van trip into Amish farmland to view raptors and other winter birds of open country. Registration required.
Sweet Maple: How to Make Maple Confections
Saturday, January 16, 2-4 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Join the award-winning maker of maple products, James Miller, as he demonstrates sweet ways to use Geauga County maple syrup. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Sew Your Own Gaiters Workshop
Saturday, January 16, 1-3 PM, Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Sew your own pair of waterproof gaiters. We’ll provide the materials; participants can bring their own sewing machine, or borrow one of ours for the afternoon. Fee: $20. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Geauga’s Forgotten Frontier Fauna
Sunday, January 17, 2-3 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
While some of Geauga’s wilderness wildlife have made remarkable comebacks, others are gone for good. The demise of wolves, cougar, elk, rattlesnakes and passenger pigeons is chronicled using historical accounts from Geauga County pioneers. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
X-treme Winter Fun Day
Monday, January 18, 1-4 PM, Orchard Hills Park, Lodge
Have some X-treme fun snowshoeing, bring your sled for a downhill, learn about winter wildlife and warm up by a fire with hot cocoa and s’mores. This is a drop-off program. Registration required.
Timbertots: Wonderful Woodpeckers (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Thursday, January 21, 10-11 AM & 1-2 PM, Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Explore indoors and out to discover all the wonderful things about woodpeckers! Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Winter’s Night Fireside Songs & Stories
Friday, January 22, 7-8:30 PM, The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Gather at the hearth with tea and hot chocolate for winter-themed stories and songs for all ages. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Living On Mars
Friday, January 22, 7-8 PM, Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
What would it take for humans to live on Mars? Learn more about plans for colonizing the red planet. Followed by night-sky viewing using the Observatory Park telescopes if weather permits. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Timbertots: Wonderful Woodpeckers (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Saturday, January 23, 10-11 AM, The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Explore indoors and out to discover all the wonderful things about woodpeckers! Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Full Moon: The Wolf Moon
Saturday, January 23, 6-7 PM Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
January is a “wolf moon,” so we’ll explore the fascinating lives of wolves and learn to “speak wolf,” then watch the full moon rise over Observatory Park. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Full Moon Ski
Saturday, January 23, 6:30-8:30 PM, Headwaters Park, Boathouse Route 608 Parking Lot
Ski The Maple Highlands Trail by the light of the full “wolf moon.” Warm up in the new lodge overlooking the reservoir before heading home. Becomes a hike if there is no snow. Ski rental available in advance from Geiger’s 440-247-4900.
Night Sky Viewing
Saturday, January 23, 7-11 PM, Observatory Park
Take in the wonders of the universe using the Observatory Park telescopes! If weather conditions are cloudy, join us for an indoor planetarium presentation instead. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Travelogue: Manitoba and the Great White Bears
Sunday, January 24, 2-3 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Join Sue and Bill Berger as they share their recent trip from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Churchill, the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show
Sunday, January 24, 2-3 PM, 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 1-4 PM. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Wetland Creation at Frohring Meadows
Sunday, January 24, 3:30-4:15 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
An overview of the wetland creation/restoration/management project at Frohring as well as the interesting assortment of wildlife which has made use of these new managed areas. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
“Otter” Things Winter Walk
Sunday, January 24, 3:30-4:30 PM, Eldon Russell Park
We’ll walk along the river searching for tracks, scat and other signs of river otters and other winter wonders. Registration required.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, January 26, 1-2:30 PM, Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes typically 1 ½ miles long. A naturalist leads hikes held in Geauga Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
Maple Town Tune Traders
Thursday, January 28, 7-10 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Informal performances followed by jam session. All genres, instruments and skill levels welcome. Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as audience. Snacks to share welcome. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Nature Break: Women’s Retreat
Saturday, January 30, 9 AM-12:30 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Retreat to the park to reenergize and relax with snowshoeing, aerobics, backyard birding and a soup and salad lunch. Fee: $6. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Bigfoot in Ohio?
Sunday, January 31, 2-3:30 PM, The West Woods, Nature Center
Is Bigfoot real? If so, does it exist in Ohio? Judge for yourself. Join in an open forum about Bigfoot research in Ohio led by The Southeastern Ohio Society for Bigfoot Investigations. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
For more information, call 440-286-9516 or visit the Geauga Park District website. Also be sure to “LIKE” them on Facebook.
