Geauga Park District October 2019 Quarterly Events Calendar

• Beaded Spider Workshop – Wednesday, October 16^th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Affelder House – Fee: $33 county residents, $37 out-of-county residents. – Join jewelry artist Fran Rafiani to learn about the Ukrainian legend of the Christmas spider and create your own 2-inch beaded arachnid utilizing copper, silver and gold colored wire and choice of assorted glass beads. Ages 14+. Refreshments served. Registration required and very limited. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Elderberries: Fall Wagon Ride – Thursday, October 17^th from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge Shelter – Come along on a naturalist-led wagon ride to enjoy natural wonders unique to autumn! As part of this special seasonal event, the Geauga County Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center will also host a picnic lunch for you at 11:30 a.m. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.

• Astrotots: Meet Mars (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Friday, October 18^th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. & Saturday, October 19^th from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Observatory Park – Meet Mars, a planet that maybe once was home to living things! It’s a world much the same, but very different from our Earth. Discover its mountains, moons and many myths. Learn, laugh, sing, dance and make a mini Mars Rocket! Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Cross-county Fall Colors Van Trip – Saturday, October 19^th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods – Join a naturalist on this van trip to visit areas around the county with spectacular views of fall colors. We’ll begin at The West Woods and head northeast to Punderson State Park, Burton and Chardon. Bring a packed lunch. We’ll also stop at the Burton Log Cabin for maple treats. Registration required.

• Horse-drawn Wagon Rides – Saturday, October 19^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 20th. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.

• Nassau Astronomy Night with CVAS – Saturday, October 19^th from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station – Join members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society to take in the wonders of the night sky using our amazing 36-inch-mirrored telescope! Stop in to discover this amazing facility and all it has to offer. Cancelled if cloudy.

• Ansel’s Cave Hike: Autumn Exploration – Sunday, October 20^th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at The West Woods, Turkey Ridge Shelter – Join a naturalist for this two-mile hike exploring what autumn offers. Featuring a rare opportunity to go into the restricted area of Ansel’s Cave! Rain or shine. Registration required.

• Horse-drawn Wagon Rides – Sunday, October 20^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. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.

• Maple Town Tune Traders – Thursday, October 24^th from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as audience. Musicians of all levels, genres and instruments are welcome. Short performances followed by sharing of songs and tunes in the round. Snacks to share welcome. Inquiries to Dan Best 440-279-0883. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Meet the Director – Thursday, October 24^th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Orchard Hills Park, Lodge – What has Geauga Park District accomplished in these past 20 years, and what are its goals? Attend one of these presentations to find out from Executive Director John Oros himself. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Ancient American Skywatchers – Friday, October 25^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. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Scout Day: Junior Girl Scout Outdoor Skills Day – Saturday, October 26^th from 9:00 a.m. – Noon at Chickagami Park, Pine Grove Shelter – Junior Girl Scouts, let’s put our scouting skills to the test! Practice fire building, orienteering, outdoor cooking and knot tying as we work towards making a delicious campfire treat! Registration required.

• Fall Hike Around the Reservoir – Saturday, October 26^th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Route 608 Main Parking Lot – Join a naturalist for a seven-mile hike around the East Branch Reservoir in an area not normally open to the public. Wildlife sightings may include eagles and waterfowl. Pack a lunch and water bottle. Portion of the walk will be on Routes 608 and 322. Registration required.

• Scout Day: Webelos Outdoor Skills Day – Saturday, October 26^th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Chickagami Park, Pine Grove Shelter – Webelos, let’s put our scouting skills to the test! Practice fire building, orienteering, outdoor cooking and knot tying as we work towards making a delicious campfire treat! Webelos I & II welcome. Registration required.

• Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, October 26^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. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Hidden Gems Hike: Russell Uplands Preserve – Sunday, October 27^th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Russell Uplands Preserve – Hike two miles over hilly terrain and through a beautiful forest to discover the hidden gems found here during the fall season! Carpooling recommended, as parking is limited. No restrooms in this park. Rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Registration required.

• The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show – Sunday, October 27^th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Observatory Park – Join us for a planetarium presentation about what to watch for in the night sky this week. Building open house 1-4 PM. Weather permitting, also view the sun using our safe solar-viewing equipment. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, October 29^th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Beartown Lakes Reservation, North Point Shelter – Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 1/2 miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2126.