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, April 15 to Thursday, April 21, 2016
Featured Event
Canalway Questing Begins
Friday, April 15
All ages can enjoy free, self-guided walks called Canalway Quests. Rhyming clues lead to more than 20 hidden boxes within CVNP – more at other partner sites. Questing continues through Tuesday, November 15. Visit ohioanderiecanalway.com for current information, clue sheets, and stamp-making opportunities.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Blessing of the Sheep
Saturday, April 16, noon to 2 p.m., The Spicy Lamb Farm
See the annual Blessing of the Sheep along with bagpipes, herding demonstrations, and wool spinning. Fee: $10 adults, $5 children. For details and directions, visit thespicylamb.com.
Hiking the Hills
Sunday, April 17, 9 a.m. to noon, Wetmore Trailhead
Challenge yourself to 7 miles on the unpaved, hilly Wetmore trail system. For more information call 330-657-2752.
For the complete Cuyahoga Valley National Park events calendar click:
http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/events.htm
Ohio State Parks
Spring Woodcock Walk: Maumee Bay
Saturday, April 16, 7:45 to 8:45 p.m., Maumee Bay State Park
Meet at the Campground office at 7:45pm.
Witness the spectacular courtship flight of the “Timberdoodle” as the American Woodcock is sometimes known.
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
Emerald Necklace Hikers
Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to noon, Brecksville Reservation, Plateau Picnic Area, Chippewa Creek Drive in Brecksville Reservation, west of Riverview Road in Brecksville,
Don't feel comfortable navigating the trails on your own? Join this monthly hike to explore the Emerald Necklace, get some exercise and enjoy each other’s company. We’ll hike the Buckeye Trail to the Towpath Trail to look for eagle activity. Terrain Difficulty: easy - moderate, 3.5 - 4 miles. Free.
Biohike: Wildflowers
Saturday, April 16, 2 to 3 p.m., Rocky River Reservation, Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH 4407
Did our El Niño alter the spring wildflower clock? Join Naturalist Marty Calabrese to survey the existing flora just before the colorful blooms of May. Terrain: flat, some stairs, 1 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 offers a unique experience and support a variety of recreational activities including hiking, bird-watching, canoeing, dog-walking and hunting.
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Earth Day Fair
Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park
The Crawford Park District is partnering with many local organizations to host the second Earth Day Fair, to be held at Lowe-Volk Park. The focus of this event is not only to get people thinking about the 3 R’s — Reduce, Reuse, Re-cycle — but also about sustainability, creating backyard habitat, and much more! There will be many “green” table displays and activities. While details are being finalized, we will have the following: Recycle Trailer and display from Crawford County Solid Waste District, display from Sandusky River Watershed Coalition, Recycled Projects from Lisa Smith’s 4th Grade CC class, Composting Demo from the Soil and Water Cons. Dist., Native Plant Sale, Re-cycled Nature Craft, Natural Pesticides display, and dis-plays from local businesses that demonstrate the focal points of this event. We will also be giving away trees to the first 100 visitors! Come and celebrate Earth Day with us!
Arrowhead: Artifact Hunt
Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
The Crawford Park District invites you to join members of the Johnny Appleseed Chapter 19 of the Archaeological Society of Ohio to walk nearby farm fields for flint and stone remnants of prehistoric cultures
who inhabited Crawford County. Be the first human to touch an arrowhead since it was used thousands of years ago! Don’t miss this popular annual event. Bring the whole family, dress for the weather and don’t
forget your boots if the ground is wet. Also, walking sticks and small digging tools can be helpful.
Spring Wildflowers
Sunday, April 17, 3 p.m., Sears Woods
Early spring brings with it an explosive growth within our woodlands. Spring blooming wildflowers must complete their life cycle before the trees leaf out and cut off the light necessary for photosynthesis. Meet Warren Uxley at the Sears Woods parking lot.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Froggy Friday
Friday, April 15, 7 to 8 p.m., Edison Woods MetroPark, 8111 Smokey Rd, Berlin Heights.
Be prepared to get wet and muddy as we go in search of salamanders and frogs! Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet! Nets will be provided. Registration required. Limit 15.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Wilson's Snipe “Hunt”
Saturday, April 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Frohring Meadows
Go on a "snipe hunt" to see and hear the Wilson’s Snipe’s aerial courtship dance as it returns to its wetland home during spring migration. Bring binoculars. Weather dependent. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Springtime on the Farm Indoor Play Area
April 2 through May 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, Lake Metroparks Farmpark.
April showers won’t put a damper on the fun your little sprouts will have playing in the spring-themed indoor playground at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. Watch newborn spring lambs, learn about plant life and (on weekends) make a spring craft. Regular Farmpark admission applies.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Bluebell Walk
Sunday, April 17, 2 to 3 p.m., Vermilion River, Bacon Woods Walking Center.
View the spectacular Bluebells that cover the Bacon Woods forest floor. Also hike in search of other native spring wildflowers. Easy Hike. Hiking Stick Program. For more information call (440) 967-7310. No registration required.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Hiking for the Health of It
Saturday, April 16, 9 to 11 a.m., Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Station Rd. Bridge Trailhead located at 13513 Station Rd. in Brecksville
This is a hiking club for those adults who can hike four to five miles at a brisk pace. Walking trails can be mildly strenuous. Please dress for the weather, and be sure to have appropriate footwear. Ages 10 to adult. No registration required. Free.
Chorusing Frogs Hike
Sunday, April 17, 2 to 3 p.m.,Letha House Park East
Tucked away in the wetlands of Letha House Park, little four legged musicians can be heard calling in even the earliest weeks of spring. More often than not, the chorus is heard, but the animal, a frog, remains unseen. Join us for a hike to learn about these hopping musicians and, hopefully, hear and maybe even see a few along the way. The trail may be muddy so dress accordingly. All ages welcome. No registration required. 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
Cardio Hike
Saturday, April 16, 9 to 10 a.m., Quail Hollow Park
Time to get moving with this brisk paced hike and low impact exercise program. Low impact means there won't be any pounding or major stress placed on your lower body. All of the exercise moves will be demonstrated by the staff member and can easily be modified according to ability. All fitness levels welcome! Please wear tennis shoes and bring water. Meet at Quail Hollow Park, turn left when you reach the fork in the road and meet in that parking lot.
The Magnificent Bald Eagle! Our National Symbol
Sunday, April 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Walborn Reservoir Eagle Observation Area
Branch out and travel to the wildlife observation area off Marlboro Ave. at Walborn Reservoir to discover a Bald Eagle nest in eastern Stark County. A table and scope will be set up to provide drop-in educational opportunities about these magnificent birds. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Big Bird Night
Friday, April 15, 8 to 10 p.m., Liberty Park ,Pond Brook Conservation Area, 3973 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg
Discover the amazing woodcock and attempt to witness the male bird's spectacular courtship flight over nearby fields, and then hike to search for owls. Bring binoculars and flashlights. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Springfield Bog Hike
Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Springfield Bog Metro Park, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp.
Hike Prairie Trail to discover what is blooming, migrating and "dancing" in the bog. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Sunset Hike
Saturday, April 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wood Hollow Metro Park, 2121 Barlow Rd., Hudson
Hike along Downy Loop Trail to discover the sights and sounds of the wet woods and hopefully enjoy the sunset before finishing our hike. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Pond Brook South Hike
Sunday, April 17, 1 to 4 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 into the Pond Brook Conservation Area to explore plants and animals. Advance registration is required and begins 3/29. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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