Find your adventure in Geauga Park District this fall – from horse-drawn wagon rides and van trips to “ho ho ho hiking” and ways to help winter wildlife!
Here are our offerings for October 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.
- Geauga Park District Volunteer Orientation – Wednesday, October 3rd 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Interested in learning more about Geauga Park District’s Volunteer Program? Join us for an orientation about opportunities for volunteers, and begin the application process to become an official volunteer. Registration required.
- Jump into Fall Days – Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th 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, kayaking, fishing, face painting and balloon creations, food truck, seasonal treats and much more. Wagon rides are first come, first served 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A bounce house with a slide exit will also be present on Sunday.
- Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, October 9th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Join other active seniors on weekly hikes of 1-1 ½ miles long in Geauga County and the surrounding area. A naturalist leads hikes scheduled in Geauga Park District parks. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2137. Held year round.
- Timbertots: Give a Hoot! (Ages 3-5 w/adult) Friday, October 12th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Sunnybrook Preserve, Lodge
Come ready to hoot and howl just like an owl! Make and take a craft, hike a trail and assist with a special surprise seasonal activity. Indoors and outdoors. Program is for the stated age group; older and younger siblings will not be considered participants. Registration required.
- Ohio’s Ancient Sky-Watchers – Friday, October 12th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Explore the fascinating connections between Ohio’s prehistoric people and the sky before constructing a model of the ancient Newark Earthworks using 2,000-year-old Hopewellian geometry. If weather permits, this program will be followed by night sky viewing using park telescopes until 11:00 p.m.
- Conservation Seed Collection – Saturday, October 13th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Frohring Meadows, Katydid Shelter
Join Natural Resource Management and learn about the established meadows at this park. Local researchers will also explain how vegetation monitoring and research can help track restoration and diversity of meadows. Then help collect seed from native wildflowers and grasses. Seed will be used for future meadow establishment and pollinator plantings in the parks. Participants will be able to take a sampling of seed home. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
- Nature Trek Fitness Hike – Saturday, October 13th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Tupelo Pond Parking Lot
Let’s move it, people! Burn off those calories on this fitness hike along the beautiful Creek Trail and learn some cool nature facts along the way! Participants should have the ability to hike at least 3 miles over hilly terrain rain or shine, so dress accordingly and bring water.
- Timbertots: Give a Hoot! (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Saturday, October 13th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Sunnybrook Preserve, Lodge
See description for October 12th. Registration required.
- Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, October 13th 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.
- Hound Hike: Fall Frolic with Fido – Sunday, October 14th from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Sunnybrook Preserve
Bring your dog and hike through a mature forest while taking in the sights and scents of autumn. Dogs must be on a leash (8 ft. max) at all times and must be well behaved with people and other dogs. Please bring water and clean-up bags for your dog. Dogs that are aggressive or those with excessive barking will be asked not to participate.
- The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show: Special “The Planets” Edition – Sunday, October 14th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Join us for a special planetarium presentation with a musical theme to mark the 100th anniversary of composer Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” and learn what to watch for in the night sky this week. Building open house 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Weather permitting, also view the sun using our safe solar-viewing equipment. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
- Fascinating Feathered Features – Tuesday, October 16th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Blackbrook Audubon Society presents three short presentations: Coffee and Bird Conservation, Behind the Scenes in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Ornithology Department, and a Saw-whet Owl banding update. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
