Find your adventure in Geauga Park District this winter – bird counting with coffee, cold-weather hiking, viewing the wintertime night sky, and a new year of our Geauga Gems Trekking Series, to name just a few!
Here are our offerings for March 2022. You may also view these programs and events published on www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, and in our quarterly Park Explorer Activity Guide, mailed to every Geauga County household and available in all county libraries.
Be sure to always check www.geaugaparkdistrict.org for your program or event before heading out, as all are subject to be changed or cancelled. We look forward to seeing you in Geauga Park District this season!
March
Weave a Swing Handle Basket
Friday, March 4, 12:30-5 PM
Saturday, March 5, 12:30-5 PM
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Fee: $25 Geauga residents, $28 out-of-county residents
Learn the basic art of basket weaving! You will use rattan reed and twisted paper cord to create your own basket with swing handle. Great for beginners. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Welton’s Gorge Backcountry Ravine Exploration
Saturday, March 5, 9-11:30 AM & 1-3:30 PM
Welton’s Gorge
Geauga Gems Trekking Series
Venture off-trail into the rocky woodland ravine to discover deep rock ledges, cool streams, salamanders and other stream life. Must be able to walk without assistance on rugged off-trail terrain including slippery stream bottoms, steep grades and obstacles like downed trees. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes with good traction that can also get wet. Long pants recommended. Held rain or shine. Registration required.
Whatever-the-Weather Venture
Saturday, March 5, 9:30-11:30 AM
The Rookery
It may be a bit optimistic, but we’re hoping for snow for this one. If conditions are just right for snowshoeing, that is what we’ll do. If not, we’ll take a cold-weather hike. Whatever the weather, let’s get outside! Borrow a pair of our snowshoes or bring your own. Ages 8+. Registration required.
Weave a Swing Handle Basket
Saturday, March 5, 12:30-5 PM
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Fee: $25 Geauga residents, $28 out-of-county residents
Learn the basic art of basket weaving! You will use rattan reed and twisted paper cord to create your own basket with swing handle. Great for beginners. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Sap’s-a-Risin’!
Sunday, March 6, Noon-4 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
Visit Geauga Park District’s sugar house and sugarbush for a sweet taste of how maple sugaring methods have evolved from the Native American tradition to modern methods! Help gather sap in the sugarbush with a horse-drawn sap sled, experience the tapping, gathering and boiling methods used throughout history, see sap boiling in the sugar house, and try a taste of pure maple syrup! Also March 13 and 20.
Geauga Skywatchers: Make a Star Pointer
Monday, March 7, 6:30-7:30 PM
Geauga County Public Library, Branch TBD
“Star pointers” were the Steam-Age equivalent of smartphone astronomy apps. In this make-and-take program, you’ll create your own star-finding tool. These programs are designed for grades 6-12 but anyone can join. Registration required at https://geaugalibrary.libcal.com/event/8380072. Presented in cooperation with the Geauga County Public Library. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, March 8, 1-2:30 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 ½ miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule: 440-279-2167. Registration required.
Hidden Gems Hike: Affelder Exploration
Thursday, March 10, 1-2:30 PM
The West Woods, Affelder House
Join a naturalist exploring the trails of this beautiful park, discovering forest and stream. Entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather and wet terrain. Registration required.
Maple Syrup Jug Lamp
Thursday, March 10, 6-8 PM
The West Woods, Nature Center
Fee: $35 Geauga resident, $38 out-of-county resident
Join our crafty naturalist and create a fun accent lamp out of a maple syrup jug. Ages 14+ with adult. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Homeschool Days: Maple Sugaring (Ages 5-8 & 9-12)
Friday, March 11, 1-2:30 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
Homeschoolers, explore the history of maple sugaring in Geauga County, including a chance to gather sap and learn how it’s boiled to make syrup. Adults may attend or drop off children with waivers. Entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Registration required for all attending including adults and siblings.
Find Your Way By The Stars
Friday, March 11, 7-8 PM
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Learn the basics of using the sky to find your position on Earth, and the fascinating history behind surveying and navigation! Weather permitting, we’ll finish with night-sky viewing using park telescopes until 11 PM. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Night Sky Viewing
Friday, March 11, 8-11 PM
Observatory Park
If skies are clear, observe the night sky through the Oberle telescope and other telescopes spaced out around the plaza. Planetarium presentation if cloudy. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Scout Day: Bear Cub Scouts – Fur, Feathers & Ferns
Saturday, March 12, 9:30-11:30 AM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
Bear Cub Scouts, join us to work on your Fur, Feathers & Ferns Adventure. We’ll work on requirements 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 to fully complete it. Registration required by phone only. Max 4 scouts per registration. Please register only participating scouts.
Scout Day: Cadette Girl Scouts – Trees Badge
Saturday, March 12, 1-3 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
Join us in the sugarbush to learn about trees as part of the Trees Legacy Badge. We’ll cover requirements 1, 2, 4 & 5. Registration required by phone only.
Hidden Gems Hike: Affelder Exploration
Saturday, March 12, 1-2:30 PM
The West Woods, Affelder House
Join a naturalist exploring the trails of this beautiful park, discovering forest and stream. Entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather and wet terrain. Registration required.
Night Sky Viewing
Saturday, March 12, 7-11 PM
Observatory Park
If skies are clear, observe the night sky through the Oberle telescope and other telescopes spaced out around the plaza. Planetarium presentation if cloudy. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Sap’s-a-Risin’!
Sunday, March 13, Noon-4 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
Visit Geauga Park District’s sugar house and sugarbush for a sweet taste of how maple sugaring methods have evolved from the Native American tradition to modern methods! Help gather sap in the sugarbush with a horse-drawn sap sled, experience the tapping, gathering and boiling methods used throughout history, see sap boiling in the sugar house, and try a taste of pure maple syrup! Also March 20.
Geauga Gems Spring Morning Hike
Tuesday, March 15, 8-9 AM
Chickagami Park
Geauga Gems Trekking Series
Take a spring hike along the Hickory Trail to discover what this season has to offer. Registration required.
Timbertots: Maple Sugar Time! (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Wednesday, March 16, 10-11 AM & 1-2 PM
Saturday, March 19, 10-11 AM & 1-2 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge Parking Area
Explore outdoors and enjoy hands-on activities to discover where and how we get real maple syrup! Entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Snow boots are encouraged. Registration required for all attending including adults and siblings. Strollers may be hard to use in certain areas of the trail.
Elderberries: Maple Sugaring!
Thursday, March 17, 11:30 AM-2:30 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge
Seniors, discover the secrets of pure Geauga Gold…maple syrup! Join the Geauga County Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for lunch in the lodge, followed by a hands-on program in the sugarbush and sugar house learning about the maple sugaring process. Registration required.
Full Moon Hike: The Worm Moon
Friday, March 18, 7-8:30 PM
Observatory Park
Worms (and the birds that hunt them) are getting more active this month. Join us for a night hike searching for worms, woodcock and more. Then, weather permitting, observe the rising full moon using park telescopes. Registration required.
Timbertots: Maple Sugar Time! (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Saturday, March 19, 10-11 AM & 1-2 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge Parking Area
Explore outdoors and enjoy hands-on activities to discover where and how we get real maple syrup! Entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Snow boots are encouraged. Registration required for all attending including adults and siblings. Strollers may be hard to use in certain areas of the trail.
Sunset Nature Stroll
Saturday, March 19, 5:30-7 PM
Frohring Meadows
Geauga Gems Trekking Series
Celebrate the arrive of spring with a beautiful stroll through the park at sunset. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for wildlife as some are settling down for the night while others are just getting up. Registration required.
Nassau Astronomy Night with CVAS
Saturday, March 19, 8-11 PM
Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station
Stop in to discover this awesome facility and join members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society taking in the wonders of the night sky using our restored telescope! A limited number of people will be permitted inside the building at a time, which may result in a wait to enter. Cancelled if cloudy.
Sap’s-a-Risin’!
Sunday, March 20, Noon-4 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
Visit Geauga Park District’s sugar house and sugarbush for a sweet taste of how maple sugaring methods have evolved from the Native American tradition to modern methods! Help gather sap in the sugarbush with a horse-drawn sap sled, experience the tapping, gathering and boiling methods used throughout history, see sap boiling in the sugar house, and try a taste of pure maple syrup!
Nature Journaling: Vernal Pools
Sunday, March 20, 1-3:30 PM
Monday, March 21, 9:30 AM-Noon
The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Fee: $20 Geauga residents, $24 out-of-county residents
Attend this monthly series to learn basic journaling techniques and record your Nature observations. Our inspiration this month will be vernal pools and the critters in them. Partially outdoors. Taking photos is optional. A one-time registration fee includes a journal, pen and pencil. Registration required by phone only.
Hike The West Woods: Cabin Fever Cure
Sunday, March 20, 1-3 PM
The West Woods
Geauga Gems Trekking Series
Join a naturalist to explore The West Woods in search of early indicators that spring is on the way. Weather is variable and trails include hills, so please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes that can get wet. Registration required.
Nature Journaling: Vernal Pools
Monday, March 21, 9:30 AM-Noon
The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Fee: $20 Geauga residents, $24 out-of-county residents
Attend this monthly series to learn basic journaling techniques and record your Nature observations. Our inspiration this month will be vernal pools and the critters in them. Partially outdoors. Taking photos is optional. A one-time registration fee includes a journal, pen and pencil. Registration required by phone only.
Water Gardening 101
Monday, March 21, 7:30-8:30 PM
Virtual
Water – one of the most important natural resources. From birdbaths to ponds, find out how to use water to attract wildlife to your backyard habitat. We’ll discuss the basics behind building and maintaining a simple water garden, then enjoy the results. “If you build it, they will come!” This presentation is online via Zoom; register for the program and we will send you the link to join in. Registration required.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, March 22, 1-2:30 PM
The West Woods, Affelder House
Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 ½ miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule: 440-279-2167. Registration required.
Maple Town Tune Traders
Thursday, March 24, 7-9:30 PM
The West Woods, Nature Center
Singers and musicians, present short performances followed by a jam session. All musical genres, instruments and musicianship levels welcome. Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as audience. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Find Your Way By The Stars
Friday, March 25, 7-8 PM
Virtual
Learn the basics of using the sky to find your position on Earth, and the fascinating history behind surveying and navigation. This presentation is online via Zoom; register for the program and we will send you the link to join in. Registration required.
Night Sky Viewing
Friday, March 25, 8-11 PM
Observatory Park
If skies are clear, observe the night sky through the Oberle telescope and other telescopes spaced out around the plaza. Planetarium presentation if cloudy. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
