Fun for the Littlest Ones – Connect Ages 1-5 to Nature with Toddler Time or Timbertots
Let’s see, hear, touch and smell all that autumn brings with Geauga County’s youngest Nature buffs!
With a 1-year-old or 2-year-old, make a date to check out Toddler Time at Frohring Meadows on Tuesday, October 18th, at 10:00 a.m. Bring a stroller or backpack for this 0.7-mile exploration of all fall brings to Frohring so that those little legs don’t get worn out.
What goes gobble gobble and struts around the park? Why, preschoolers having fun learning about turkeys, of course! For ages 3 to 5, Naturalist Nora “the Explorer” Sindelar will present Timbertots: Turkey Time on Sunday, November 13th, at 2:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, as well as Friday, November 18th, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Big Creek Park.
Also on deck – decking the halls – is Timbertots: Evergreen Artists on Sunday, December 4th, at 2:00 p.m. and Monday, December 5th, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., both at The West Woods Nature Center. This time the kiddos will discover evergreen trees and make their very own greens centerpiece to take home – a great accomplishment at any age!
Registration is required, but free, for all these programs at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516.
This Hike Rocks – Get up close to the historic names etched into Ansel’s Cave
You’ve seen photos of this incredible Sharon conglomerate rock outcropping on Instagram or Facebook. Now register for an opportunity to walk right up to the restricted areas near Ansel’s Cave and discover aged signatures etched on the walls of the rock face.
What: Ansel’s Cave: History Written in Rock Hike
When: Saturday, October 22nd – 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: The West Woods, Turkey Ridge Shelter, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87), Russell Twp.
Our hike to the site is roughly two miles. Registration is required at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516, which you can also call with questions.
Fall at Observatory Park – Among offerings: Astronomy in mound building, a back-country hike and cloud-spotting!
For casual visitors, Observatory Park is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at 10610 Clay Street in Montville Township. For those wanting a more guided experience, however, Naturalist (“Astro-Nat”) Chris Mentrek is eager to show you around this International Dark Sky Park. Park buildings are open for night sky viewing with Park District telescopes on select Saturdays 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. and on select Sunday afternoons for The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show. Visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org for specific dates and times.
Special programs to study the season’s full moons are scheduled for Sunday, October 16th, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 p.m. (The Hunter’s Moon); Monday, November 14th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. (The Beaver Moon); and Tuesday, December 13th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. (The Cold Moon).
A great off-trail or back-country hike to explore Observatory Park’s ledges, history and tiny beginnings of the Cuyahoga River will be led by a naturalist on Saturday, December 10th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Registration is required for this strenuous, off-trail hike at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516. Be sure to dress for the weather and prepare to get your feet wet!
In October we observe Ohio Archaeology Month by showcasing the astronomy of Ohio’s prehistoric residents. That’s right, the people of the Adena, Hopewell and Fort Ancient Cultures left mounds and earthworks of staggering size and geometric intricacy, and many feature alignments to astronomical sights. Stop by Astronomy of the Mound Builders on Friday, October 21st, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., followed by night sky viewing using park telescopes till 11:00 p.m. We’ll explore the clues that led modern researchers to these astronomical connections, and try some hands-on construction techniques ourselves!
In November, learn about the northern lights and when they have been seen from Ohio at The Aurora on Friday, November 4th and 18th, from 7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m., followed by night sky viewing till 11:00 p.m.
In December, learn the basics of cloud-spotting from the official guide of the Cloud Appreciation Society at Cloud-spotting on Friday, December 9th, from 7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m., also followed by night sky viewing till 11:00 p.m.
And finally, active seniors are invited to enjoy a Geauga Walkers hike with a naturalist on Tuesday, November 1st, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Please note that Observatory Park will be closed November 19th, 20th, 28th and 29th, December 3rd and January 7th and 8th for controlled hunting of White-tailed Deer.
Learn more about Observatory Park at . And for details on more Geauga Park District programming this fall, just visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org and click Find a Program.
Geauga Park District is online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
