Geauga Park District October 2019 Quarterly Events Calendar

Find your adventure in Geauga Park District this fall – from free horse-drawn wagon rides and Jump Into Fall Days to fun with scat (yes, you read that right), wildlife detective bingo and the Geuaga Park District’s winter solstice traditions!

Here are the offerings for October, 2019. You may also view these programs and events published on their new website, www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, and in their quarterly Park Explorer newsletter, which will be mailed before October to every Geauga County household and available from all in-county libraries.

• Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, October 1^st from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve – Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 1/2 miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2126.

• Timbertots: Tree Treasures! (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Saturday, October 5^th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and Tuesday, October 8^th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Orchard Hills Park, Lodge – Go on a treasure hunt with Nora the Explorer as we look for all of the amazing things trees give us. Outdoor program. Dress for the weather. Registration required.

• Jump into Fall Days – Saturday, October 5^th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 6^th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation – Celebrate autumn with hands-on activities for all ages: free horse-drawn wagon rides, a “Homespun Market” featuring handmade items (Saturday only), kayaking, fishing, face painting and balloon creations, a food truck, seasonal treats and much more. Wagon rides are first come, first served 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Geauga Skywatchers Club: Sundials, Latitude & Time – Monday, October 7^th from  6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Geauga County Public Library, Bainbridge Branch – Our second monthly meeting of our new astronomy club! Learn how to tell time without a watch, and about sundials, latitude, longitude, time zones, the equation of time, and a bit of the history of time-telling. Then use a compass and ruler to draw and build your own working sundial! Led by Dr. George Trimble, president of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society.  Registration required on Geauga County Public Library’s website. Prospective members may login to Meetup.com to find the dates and times of future lectures and activities. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Timbertots: Tree Treasures! (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Tuesday, October 8^th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Orchard Hills Park Lodge – See October 5^th description. Registration required.

• Friends & Wine Card-Making Workshop – Friday, October 11^th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Fee: $14 county residents, $17 out-of-county residents. – “Make up with your make-up” by resurrecting your blue eyeshadow and forgotten lipsticks to utilize them as paints, creating Nature-themed greeting cards with artisan Angela Giaimo. Bring outdated/unused cosmetics or use some new stock provided. Complete with snacks and wine! Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Meet the Artists: Cindy Ceroky & Rosemary Skocdopole – Friday, October 11^th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Meet artists Cindy Ceroky and Rosemary Skocdopole and explore the beauty of Nature through their images rendered in paintings. Refreshments served. Show runs through January 22nd. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Ancient American Skywatchers – Friday, October 11^th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Observatory Park – Learn about the ancient astronomers of North America, from the builders of Ohio’s vast earthworks to the creators of the great medicine wheels. Followed by night-sky viewing with park telescopes until 11:00 p.m., weather permitting. Also, October 25th. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Horse-drawn Wagon Rides – Saturday, October 12^th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge – Enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of fall with a horse-drawn wagon ride! Free passes ensure first-come, first-served boarding. Rides last about a half hour and are cancelled by bad weather. No pets. Last ride leaves at 4:30 p.m. Also, October 13th, 19th & 20th. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.

• Fall Color Canoe Float – Saturday, October 12^th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve – Paddle along the peaceful shores of this ancient glacial lake and enjoy the autumn color and wildlife of Lake Kelso. Participants should have canoeing ability/experience. Rain or shine, except in thunderstorm, so dress for weather. Ages 10+; must be 12+ to paddle. Registration required by phone beginning October 4th.

• Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, October 12^th from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station – Observe the wonders of the night sky using this facility’s giant research-grade telescope! If weather prevents sky viewing, join us for a planetarium presentation in the McCullough Science Center instead. Also, October 26th. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Horse-drawn Wagon Rides – Sunday, October 13^th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge Shelter – Enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of fall with a horse-drawn wagon ride! Free passes ensure first-come, first-served boarding. Rides last about a half hour and are cancelled by bad weather. No pets. Last ride leaves at 4:30 p.m. Also. October 19th & 20th. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.

• Earthquake Van Trip – Sunday, October 13^th from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Meyer Center – Take a tour of earthquake-related sites in Northeast Ohio. Be prepared to take a short walk at each stop. Bring along a snack for the road. Registration required.

• Headwaters Horseback Ride – Sunday, October 13^th from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Route 608 Main Parking Lot – Bring your own horse for this leisurely ride on the Buckeye and Maple Bridle Trails, enjoying autumn color, views of the reservoir and Nature lore. Expect gravel, bridge crossing, possibly bikes and/or Amish buggies. Helmets encouraged. Please bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. Registration required.

• Full Moon Horseback Ride – Sunday, October 13^th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Rt. 608 Main Parking Lot – Bring your own horse for this leisurely ride on the Buckeye and Maple Bridle Trails, experiencing the sights and sounds of autumn as the sun sets and the full moon rises over the East Branch Reservoir. Hills, gravel, bridge and stream crossings should be anticipated on this four-mile ride. Helmets encouraged. Please bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. Registration required.

• Full Moon: The Buck Moon – Sunday, October 13^th from 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. at Observatory Park – October’s full moon is named after old hunting traditions. Learn some moon legends, then watch the full moon rise using park telescopes, weather permitting. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, October 15^th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Route 608 Main Parking Lot – Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 1/2 miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2126.