Nature Break: Women’s Retreat – Saturday, August 17th from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Claridon Woodlands, Judge Lester Taylor Lodge – Fee: $8 in-county, $10 out-of-county
Take a break and relax in the park! Choose from activities including yoga, our high ropes course, hiking and a session about pollinators highlighting bees and honey! A continental breakfast as well as a pizza and salad lunch will be provided. Bring a mat or beach towel for yoga, and dress in layers with comfortable clothes for being outside and for yoga. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
What the Ice Age Did to Geauga County – Saturday, August 17th from 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Learn how glaciers changed Geauga’s landscape with buried valleys, glacial lakes, soil, sand and gravel. This program will give you an eye-opening awareness of the glacial make-over of Geauga with changes wrought on the landscape and their effects on the local economy. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Glacial Geology Van Trip – Saturday, August 17th from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at The West Woods
This van trip highlights glacial features on the Geauga landscape with stops including glacial kames, kettle lakes and an esker, plus a visit to an active glacial outwash sand and gravel operation. Registration required.
Holbrook Hollows Discovery Hike – Saturday, August 17th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Holbrook Hollows
Hike with a naturalist along these beautiful trails, discovering the wonders of our natural world. Hike approximately 1.5 miles over hilly terrain. Held rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Registration required.
Nassau Astronomy Night with CVAS – Saturday, August 17th 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 newly restored telescope! Stop in to discover this amazing facility and all it has to offer. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Caterpillar Extravaganza – Sunday, August 18th from Noon – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods
Bigger and better than ever! Experience a spectacular display of live caterpillars that naturally occur in Northeast Ohio, plus related crafts, face painting and games. Bring a caterpillar for identification and receive a prize! Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Veterans Hike at Veterans Legacy Woods – Wednesday, August 21st from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Veterans Legacy Woods
Veterans, join us for a naturalist-led hike through this new property to discover Nature in central Geauga County. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Maple Town Tune Traders – Thursday, August 22nd from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at The West Woods
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.
Katydid Konzert Hike – Thursday, August 22nd from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
The insect orchestra is in full symphony at this time of year. Bring a flashlight and venture out along the trails at Burton Wetlands to search for and meet some of these vociferous musicians. Pants and sturdy shoes recommended in case of off-trail excursions.
Make a Spectroscope – Friday, August 23rd from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Make and keep your own spectroscope, and learn how these simple devices help scientists know what stars are made of and other astounding discoveries about the natural world and our place in the universe. Followed by night-sky viewing using park telescopes until 11 PM, weather permitting. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Sunrise Kayak: In Search of Wildlife (Ages 12+ w/adult) – Saturday, August 24th from 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. at Headwaters Park, Boathouse
Enjoy a beautiful sunrise on East Branch Reservoir as we search for all the wildlife we can see! Previous kayaking experience required. Dress for the weather. Program cancelled the day prior if bad weather is forecasted. Registration begins August 17. Registration required.
Trail Horse Nature Challenge – Saturday, August 24th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods
Sign up to challenge yourself and your horse on a 1-2 hour challenge course with natural trail obstacles and Nature questions along the trails. Awards and certificates given in youth and adult divisions. Helmets recommended. Trailer your horse to The West Woods. Participants will be assigned departure times in order of registration. Ride out individually or in pairs at a leisurely pace. Course can be completed in 1-2 hours and, once finished, you may ride other trails on your own. Expect hills, gravel, mud, streams, bicycles, hikers and other challenges. Bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. Registration required.
Dragon-Hunting Van Trip: Summit County – Saturday, August 24th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at The West Woods
Dragonflies and damselflies are still on the wing, so we’ll travel by van to explore various locations in the Metroparks Serving Summit County. Our species list will then be provided to the Ohio Odonata Society statewide survey. Dress for the weather. Bring a lunch, water bottle and snack. Registration required.
Nights Out in the Parks: Night Dawgs Concert – Saturday, August 24th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Big Creek Park
Enjoy your favorite danceable classic rock songs by a large variety of artists such as J. Geils, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and more. Held inside nature center if inclement weather. Refreshments served. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, August 24th from 9:00 p.m. – Midnight 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.
Cuyahoga Kayak – Sunday, August 25th from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Meet at Camp Hi Canoe Livery – Fee: $25
Join naturalists on this 10-mile adventure as we paddle our way on the wilds of the Upper Cuyahoga River, discovering a wondrous variety of wildlife and plants. Bring a lunch and water bottle in a waterproof bag, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent. Meet at Camp Hi Canoe Livery, 12274 Abbott Road, Hiram, and be transported to the launch site at Eldon Russell Park. Kayaks, life jackets and paddles provided by Camp Hi. Registration required.
IMAX Flight of the Butterflies – Sunday, August 25th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Originally produced for IMAX theaters, this amazing movie explores the unbelievable migration of the Monarch Butterfly and the man who discovered their overwintering site in Mexico in 1975. Live Monarchs will be on display as well as a tagging demonstration. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show – Sunday, August 25th 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, August 27th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Woodin Rd. Horse Trailer Parking Lot
Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 ½ miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule at 440-279-2126.
The Great Geauga County Fair – Thursday, August 29th – Monday, September 2nd from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Geauga County Fairgrounds, Natural Resources Area
Visit our building to meet the Monarch Butterfly and see what’s new with Geauga Park District! Daily Monarch taggings at 1:30 PM as butterflies are available. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
