Get Rich Outdoors
Here you will find a weekly update on select events and activities happening in northern Ohio national, state and county parks, which are in the NewsChannel 5 viewing area. Programs sometimes change for weather and other unforeseen circumstances! Check the park web-site before traveling.
Pick of the Park's for Friday, August 26 to Thursday, September 1, 2016
Featured Event
Fall Hiking Spree Kickoff: Summit Metro Parks
Sunday, August 28, 12 to 3 p.m., Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls
Get a head start on the 53rd annual Fall Hiking Spree and meet a naturalist and mascots at Maple Beach Shelter. Hiking forms will be available and Fall Hiking Spree T-shirts will be for sale. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad National Park Scenic Day Pass and Bike Aboard!
Saturday, August 27 & Sunday, August 28.
View wildlife and scenery in the comfort of our climate-controlled train cars. Get on and off at any station. Spend a whole day exploring or just a few hours. Fee (coach): $18 adults, $13 children ages 3 - 12. Includes the Voices of the Valley audio tour. Or cycle the Towpath Trail in one direction and hop on the train to go back. Pay the one-way fee of $3.00, for ages 3 and over, when boarding. For tickets and train schedules visit www.cvsr.com or call 800-468-4070.
For the complete Cuyahoga Valley National Park events calendar click:
http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/events.htm
Ohio State Parks
Night Haunt: Malabar Farm
Saturday, August 27, 8 to 11:45 p.m., Malabar Farm State Park, Meet at the Visitor Center
Dare to explore the "normal to the paranormal" while exploring murders, cemeteries, and haunted houses. End the night with hot dogs, s'mores and stories around the campfire. $30/person. Pre- registration required. Call (419) 892-2784 or visit www.MalabarFarm.org for more information. Not recommended for children under 17.
For a complete list of Northern Ohio State Park events click:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/resources/events/tabid/487/Default.aspx
Cleveland Metroparks
Dusk to Dark: Rocky River Nature Center’s newest event!
August 27 at 7 to 10 p.m., Rocky River Reservation, Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH 44070
Join us at dusk for this NEW free family friendly event to celebrate everything nocturnal. We’ll be discovering nature at night by attracting moths at the mothing station, hiking the trail searching for nocturnal animals, viewing the night sky through telescopes with the members of the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association, sitting around the campfire eating s’mores, dressing up as a bat to practice flying, creating glow in the dark crafts and experiencing owl adaptations with live owls from North Chagrin Nature Center. Terrain: mostly flat 0.5 mile. Free.
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
The Ashland County Park District (ACPD) is currently composed of 16 parks—each has natural features that make it distinct—including old-growth forest, native grassland, restored wetlands and spring-fed ponds. There are also miles of hiking trails, playgrounds, fishing ponds, bird-observation decks, river access for canoeing, and even a vintage cider press stored in a historic barn, all of which make these parks truly part of Ashland County.
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Viewing the Night Sky
Saturday, August 27, 8:30 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598.
Join Crawford Park District volunteers and members of the Lowe-Volk Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Sky targets for August: The center of the Milky Way Galaxy, 26,000 light years away (& still local!); M-13, can't get enough of this beauty; M-57 Ring Nebula, a super Nova remnant; M-15, a galaxy. Bring your own telescope or allow the volunteers to assist you with those provided. It is a spectacular universe. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information contact the Crawford Park District office at 419-683-9000. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site.
Awesome Adaptations
Tuesday, August 30, 5 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
The Crawford Park District invites kids of all ages to learn about “Awsome Adaptations”! It’s a case of survival of the fittest! Animals have many different ways to increase their chance of survival other than being strong. Some have camouflage, others secrete smells; big or small, all animals have or do something to help them to survive. We’ll take a look at the live animals in the nature center and identify their adaptations. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information contact the Crawford Park District office at 419-683-9000. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site.
Magical Monarchs
Wednesday, August 31, 5 p.m. Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
The Crawford Park District invites you to come to Lowe-Volk Park for a program on the Monarch Butterfly. Learn about the life cycle of the Monarch, its need for milkweed plants, and their amazing migration to Mexico. You will have an opportunity to help Kansas University with Monarch migration and population research by attempting to capture, tag and release a Monarch butterfly. Nets will be provided. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information contact the Crawford Park District office at 419-683-9000. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
History of Your MetroParks
Saturday, August 27, 4 to 6 p.m., Castalia Quarry MetroPark, 8404 SR 101, Castalia, OH
Ever wonder about the story behind Castalia Quarry? Come enjoy a hike around the quarry and learn about its history! Be prepared for a 2 mile hike.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://eriemetroparks.org/page/programs
Geauga Park District
What Katy Did and How She (or He) Did It
Sunday, August 28, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Sunnybrook Preserve, Lodge
Lisa Rainsong, a music theory professor and naturalist, provides this delightful introduction to the insect orchestra with its astounding variety of cricket and katydid musicians filling our summer evenings with song. Brief indoor presentation followed by outdoor search by ear and flashlight.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Fall Art Show: “The Way I See It” the nature art of Hap Howle
August 28 through October 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Penitentiary Glen Nature Center
From realism to whimsy, local artist Hap Howle interprets nature in unique and colorful ways. Enjoy the many creations in this one man show featuring paintings, sculpture, and more. Meet the artist at the free opening reception on Sunday, August 28 from noon to 4 pm. Enjoy demonstrations by the artist and light refreshments. Select artwork is available for sale. Proceeds from sales benefit Penitentiary Glen Nature Center. Admission is free.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Monarch Tagging
Monday, August 29, 1 to 3 p.m., Black River Reservation, Days Dam Trailhead
Learn about tagging monarchs and then find some to tag as we continue to help in this study of the monarch population. Wear long pants and close toed shoes as there will be off-trail hiking. Some nets provided. Hiking Level 3. Weather dependent. Free.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Healthy Strides
Saturday, August 27, 9 to 10 a.m., Letha House Park East, 5745 Richman Rd.
Healthy Strides combines a brief, informative talk by a Cleveland Clinic physician and caregiver and a casual one- to three-mile walk. Topics change each week based on the leader's specialty and suggestions from participants. All members of the community are welcome. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
Each park and trail has its own character and potential for use or protection. Portage Parks strives to balance conservation of our natural resources with public use and enjoyment. We provide opportunities for enjoying and learning about our natural areas through activities such as walking, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, geocaching, picnicking, camping, nature programs, races and special events. See individual park pages and the park activities chart for more information.
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Kayak the Tusc
Saturday, August 27, 9:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Craig Pittman Trailhead
Take a relaxing group trip 6.0 miles down the Tuscarawas River in a kayak! Participants must have previous kayaking experience. All equipment will be provided. Meet at the Craig Pittman Trailhead. Be sure to bring water and snacks to enjoy along the way. Be sure to download, complete and return the required Waiver by deadline stated. A link is provided in your receipt confirmation email. Free. Register here: https://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/index.shtml?rsrm_id=6357&sid=719964738.24555&pr=5&uid=&wl2_id=
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Nature at Night: Family Hike
Friday, August 26, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Munroe Falls Metro Park, Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge
Enjoy an evening hike in the meadow to discover the wildlife that is awake at night. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Whispers From Mother Nature
Sunday, August 28, 1 to 2:30 p.m., F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron
Ever wonder why flowers bloom each spring, mosquitoes suddenly appear, and birds migrate in the spring and fall? The answer is ... Phenology! For information, call 330-865-8065.
Behind-The-Scenes Hike
Sunday, August 28, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Liberty Park, Pond Brook Conservation Area, 3973 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg
Join Summit Metro Parks and the City of Twinsburg for an extended hike that will be both on and off trail as we explore the plants and animals found within Liberty Park. Please dress for possible wet and muddy conditions. Bring binoculars, a camera, water and a snack. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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