Geauga Park District is pleased to announce its programming for October, again featuring CONNECT themes to help people find their connection to Geauga Park District and the Great Outdoors. We’re excited to help people connect with how good they’ll feel inside once they’re outside doing something they love.
Connect with Autumn in October. Programs marked CONNECT have to do with all the great color of Geauga or great traditions of Halloween.
Techno-Nature
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2-3 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Trying to identify something cool you just saw on the trail? Well, there’s an app for that. We’ll show you the apps our naturalists recommend. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Cuyahoga Color Kayak (Ages 12+ w/adult)
Sunday, October 4, Noon-2:30 p.m.
Eldon Russell Park
Enjoy fall foliage while paddling the quiet waters of the wildlife-rich Upper Cuyahoga River. Registration required, begins online September 24. CONNECT.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1-2:30 p.m.
Big Creek Park, Woodin Road Horse Trail Parking Lot
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes typically 1 1/2 miles long. Naturalist leads hikes held in Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
Homeschool Days: Habitat Hide and Seek (Ages 5-8 & 9-12)
Friday, Oct. 9, 2-3:30 p.m.
Big Creek Park, Aspen Grove Shelter
Search pond, forest and meadow for small critters that call these habitats home. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Tour the Nassau Astronomical Observing Station
Friday, Oct. 9, 7-9 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Take a “sneak peek” tour of the restoration efforts to re-open the Nassau Station! Meet at the McCullough Science Center to shuttle in small groups. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Fall Fest & Dedication of The Maple Highlands Trail
Saturday, Oct. 10, 3-7 p.m.
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge Shelter
Celebrate autumn with fun including horse-drawn wagon rides, kayaking, fishing, face-painting, balloon art, treats and much more. Trail dedication 3 p.m.; wagon rides 3:30-6:30 p.m.; night hike 7 p.m. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. CONNECT.
Observatory Park Funday & The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show
Sunday, Oct. 11, 1-4 p.m.
Observatory Park, Cygnus Shelter
Drop in anytime for fun weather- and astronomy-related activities including a scavenger hunt. Planetarium presentation about what to watch for in the night sky 2-3 p.m.. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Fall Color Canoe Float (Ages 12+ w/adult)
Sunday, Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m.
Bass Lake Preserve, Boat Launch
Paddle along the peaceful shores of this ancient glacial lake and enjoy the autumn color. Registration required by phone, begins Oct. 2. NATURE’S NOT TO BE MISSED. CONNECT.
Fall Color Hike Around the Reservoir
Saturday, Oct. 17, 1-4:30 p.m.
Headwaters Park, Route 608 Parking Lot
Enjoy the beautiful fall colors on this 7-mile hike around the scenic East Branch Reservoir. This is a special opportunity to see the preserve side of the reservoir not open to the public. Registration required. NATURE’S NOT TO BE MISSED. CONNECT.
Geauga’s Amazing Owl Call
Saturday, Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Learn amazing facts about these mysterious nocturnal predators, then head outdoors to try calling in our three local owls: Great Horned, Barred and Screech Owls. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
“A Day with Ice Age Ohioans”
Family Event: Ice Age Ohio’s Paleo People
Sunday, Oct. 18, 1-4 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Celebrate Ohio Archaeology Month, Paleoindian-style, with indoor and outdoor activities: try out a spear-thrower, chip a flint scraper, play caribou hunt and bartering games, and conduct a simulated archaeological dig. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Tool Time: Stone Age Handyman’s Special
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3-4 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Archaeological Society of Ohio member Mike Fath introduces his remarkable collection of specialized Paleoindian flint tools. Bring in your Indian artifacts for identification. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Living in the Ice Age: Ohio’s Earliest People
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4-5 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Cleveland Museum of Natural History Archaeologist Dr. Brian Redmond provides an overview of Paleoindian lifestyle describing key Ohio archaeological discoveries, including rare artifact finds and amazingly preserved fossil remains of butchered animals. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1-2:30 p.m.
Mountain Run Station
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes typically 1 1/2 miles long. Naturalist leads hikes held in Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
Gulls 101
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
As birders prepare for the annual blizzards of gulls along Lake Erie, noted Cleveland area birder and photographer Chuck Slusarczyk, Jr., highlights defining field marks and tips to help with gull identification. In cooperation with Blackbrook Audubon Society. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Maple Town Tune Traders
Thursday, Oct. 22, 7-10 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Come to play, sing or just listen and enjoy. Informal performances followed by jam session. All musical genres and instruments welcome. Snacks to share welcome. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Meet the Artists: Berea Fine Arts Club
Friday, Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Meet the artists and view their diverse collection of Nature-inspired artwork. Refreshments provided. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Tour the Nassau Astronomical Observing Station
Friday, Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Take a “sneak peek” tour of the restoration efforts to re-open the Nassau Station! Meet at the McCullough Science Center to shuttle in small groups. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Nature Explorers: Spooky Nature (Ages 6-7 & 8-11)
Saturday, Oct. 24, 10-12 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Wear a Nature-related costume for this Halloween-themed program to learn about some of Nature’s creepy, crawly critters and their diabolical adaptations. Drop-off program. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required. CONNECT.
Winter Wildflower Workshop
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Learn how to identify many summer wildflowers by their unusual seed pods using the Winter Weed Finder booklet, available in the Nature Store for $5, followed by an exploration in search of plants to identify. In cooperation with the Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2-3 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 1-4 p.m. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Horseback Maple Highlands Ride
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2:30-5 p.m.
Headwaters Park, Crystal Lake Picnic Area
Bring your own horse for this leisurely 6- to 7-mile autumn Amish-country ride on the new Maple Highlands Trail-South. Registration required. CONNECT.
Horseback Moonlight Ride
Sunday, Oct. 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Headwaters Park, Crystal Lake Picnic Area
Bring your own horse for this leisurely 4-mile ride to experience the sights and sounds of autumn as the sun sets and the moon rises over the East Branch Reservoir. Registration required. CONNECT.
Timbertots: Squirrel Adventure (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Sunday, Oct. 25, 3-4 p.m.
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Follow Nora the Explorer and a map to discover fun facts about our furry friends the squirrels!
Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Timbertots: Squirrel Adventure (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.
The West Woods, Nature Center
Follow Nora the Explorer and a map to discover fun facts about our furry friends the squirrels!
Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Full Moon: The Hunter’s Moon
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7-8:30 p.m.
Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Learn about the legends of the full Hunter’s Moon, then watch it rise through park telescopes. If cloudy, view from the planetarium instead. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Geauga Cemeteries: History Written in Stone
Saturday, Oct. 31, 1-3:30 p.m.
Welton Cemetery, Goodwin Ave., Burton, Ohio
Explore this historic cemetery and discover that a cemetery is a history museum, wildlife refuge, botanical garden and art gallery. If time allows, venture to Burton’s Memorial Cemetery, where some of Geauga’s earliest settlers are buried. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required. CONNECT.
Howl’oween Hound Hike
Saturday, Oct. 31, 1-3 p.m.
Chickagami Park, Pine Grove Shelter
Parade through the park with your favorite pooch by your side. Costumes (dog or human) optional. Bring dog towels, a water bowl, poop scoop and bags for dog clean-up. Dog must be kept on leash (8ft max). One dog per handler. Dogs must be non-aggressive to people and other dogs. Registration required. CONNECT.
For more information, call 440-286-9516 or visit the Geauga Park District Website.
This article is brought to you by Geauga Park District
