Find your adventure in Geauga Park District this spring – from wildflower watching and birding van trips to our Earth Day Extravaganza and the year’s first Nights Out in the Parks!
Here are our offerings for April, 2018. You may also view these programs and events published on our new website,Geauga Park District, and in our quarterly Park Explorer newsletter, which is mailed to every Geauga County household and available from all in-county libraries.
Math in Nature – Monday, April 2nd, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – The West Woods, Nature Center
Drop in during listed hours for an afternoon of spring-break Nature math! School-aged visitors can try different activity stations exploring math in Nature: learn to crochet a hyperbolic plane, track an earthquake, or try out some space math. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Homeschool Days: Amphibian Awakening (Ages 5-7 & 8-12) – Friday, April 6th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – The West Woods, Nature Center
Join a naturalist to search for frogs and salamanders that have awakened from hibernation to greet the spring. Through indoor and outdoor discovery, we will uncover the habits, habitats, adaptations and life cycles of these captivating creatures. Adults may attend (need not register) or drop off child with waiver. Mostly outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
April Evening Adventure – Friday, April 6th, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Eldon Russell Park, Horwath’s Shelter
A woodcock air show accompanied by a chorus full of Spring Peeper piping, Barred Owl bantering, beaver tail-slapping and Great Blue Heron flapping culminate in a memorable spring evening hike for families. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Herons of Bath Road Van Trip – Saturday, April 7th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – The West Woods
Bring your binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras to search for birds and explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Beaver Marsh and Bath Road Heronry. Participants should bring a packed lunch for a picnic and be able to walk at least a mile on a flat, gravel surface. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Hidden Gems Hike: Claridon Woodlands – Sunday, April 8th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Claridon Woodlands
Discover the variety of wetlands, streams, uplands and forests within your newest park, Claridon Woodlands! Participants should be able to hike 2 miles over gently rolling terrain. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Warbler Warm-up – Sunday, April 8th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – The West Woods, Nature Center
Noted local birders Matt Valencic and Kelly Koslowski present techniques for identifying spring warblers using color patterns, habitat, behaviors and song for novice to intermediate birders with handouts provided. Walk follows to find early songbird migrants. Collaboration with the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Geauga Walkers (For Active Seniors) – Tuesday, April 10th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – The West Woods, Affelder House
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes in Geauga County and the surrounding area. Hikes are typically 1 to 1 1/2 miles long and held year-round. A naturalist leads hikes scheduled in Geauga Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137.
Volunteer Orientation – Thursday, April 12th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – The West Woods, Nature Center
Interested in learning more about Geauga Park District’s Volunteer Program? Join us for an orientation about the opportunities for volunteers, and begin the application process to become an official volunteer. Paperwork includes background check for ages 18 and up; youth under 14 must volunteer with an adult. Registration required.
Timbertots: What’s the Weather? (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Thursday, April 12th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Frohring Meadows, Katydid Shelter and Saturday, April 14th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Orchard Hills Park, Lodge
Explore the wonderful world of weather with hands-on activities and fun. Some outdoors, weather permitting, so please dress accordingly. Designed for a specified age group; older or younger siblings will not be considered registered participants. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Cloud Spotting – Friday, April 13th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Observatory Park
Learn all about clouds and what they can teach us about the hidden forces ruling our atmosphere. Weather permitting, program will be followed by night-sky viewing using Oberle Observatory telescopes until 11:00 p.m. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Bald Eagle Hike – Saturday, April 14th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Headwaters Park, Boathouse
Learn amazing facts about Bald Eagles and hike to an active nest, rain or shine, hopefully to observe eagle activity! Participants should be able to hike 2 miles over rolling terrain. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, April 14th, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Observatory Park
Join us at the Oberle Observatory to take in the wonders of the night sky using park telescopes. If it’s cloudy, we’ll be in the planetarium instead. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Annual Spring Bird Walk Series – Sunday, April 15th, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
See a variety of birds as they return to prime breeding habitat during spring migration. Experienced leaders will assist participants with observation and identification. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and bird guide. Also April 22nd, 29th, May 6th, 13th and 20th at different locations. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show – Sunday, April 15th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Observatory Park
Join us for a planetarium presentation about what to watch for in the night sky this week. Building open house 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Weather permitting, also view the sun using our safe solar-viewing equipment. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
