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 8 to Thursday, April 14, 2016
Featured Event
A Centennial Celebration: Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Powered by PechaKucha
Friday, April 8, 7 p.m., Happy Days Lodge,
Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial with Powered by PechaKucha, featuring a variety of speakers who will give presentations on the history, wildlife, and geography of CVNP. Free admission. Conservancy Canteen food and beverages available for purchase. To register, visit conservancyforcvnp.org/events.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Spring Training Hike
Saturday, April 9, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Kendall Lake Shelter
Hike 3.3 miles on the unpaved, hilly Cross Country and Lake trails. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Heron Watch
Sunday, April 10, 1 to 3 p.m., Bath Road Heronry
Celebrate the return of the great blue herons while viewing them through spotting scopes. For more information, call 330-865-8065 or visit summitmetroparks.org.
For the complete Cuyahoga Valley National Park events calendar click:
http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/events.htm
Ohio State Parks
Helping Hands Clean-up Day - Mosquito Lake
Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mosquito Lake State Park
The Friends of Mosquito Lake State Park 4th Annual Clean up day is on April 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration begins at 9 am at the Main Park Office. A "thank you" lunch will be provided at 2 pm at the main park office. Any person or group participating can also get one free night of camping on either Friday, April 8 or Saturday, April 9. We will be raking leaves, picking up limbs & sticks, filling in ruts, picking up litter, etc. Wear old boots or shoes, bring gloves (wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels etc., if you have them). Your help is needed and greatly appreciated! Call Renee (330) 979-8764 or John & Vickie (330) 360-1862 to preregister, for volunteer forms, and for more information.
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
Extreme Hiking
Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Brecksville Reservation, Ottawa Point Reserved Picnic Area is located off Meadows Drive in Brecksville Reservation, between Valley Parkway and Parkview Road in Brecksville.
It may be a little early for spring wildflowers, it’s not too early for a good hike. Join Naturalist Pam Taylor as we hit the trails this morning. Bring water and wear appropriate footwear. Terrain Difficulty: hills, creek crossings, 7 - 9 miles. Free.
Biohike: Mammals
Saturday, April 9, 10 to 11 a.m., Bradley Woods Reservation, Codrington Picnic Area, 5259 Bradley Road, Westlake, OH 44145
Can we spot any young mammals in exploration of their new surroundings? Join Naturalist Marty Calabrese to survey the curious mammals of the wet woods. Terrain: moderate, muddy, 1 mile. Call 440-734-6660 for more information. Free.
Cherry Blossom Stroll
Sunday, April 10, 11a.m. to noon, Brookside Reservation, Brookside Valley Event Site.
Stroll down “blossom lane” to see Japanese cherry trees blooming. Come for one or all three walks on April 10, 17 and 24. Learn the cultural history of the trees as we track their beauty from bud to bloom through Project Budburst. Terrain Difficulty: Easy, 1mile.
Phone: 440-887-1968. Free
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
Spring Turkey Lottery
Saturday, April 9, 3 to 6p.m., 1930 Co Rd 1035, Ashland, OH, United States (Ashland County Conservation League)
The Ashland County Park District will hold its annual spring turkey lottery for the 2016 hunting season. Parks included in this year’s lottery are Black Fork Bottoms, Cooke Family Park, Cool Springs, Esbenshade Wetlands, Gilliom-Cherp, and Sprinkle’s Serenity. This year’s lottery will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the Ashland County Conservation League 1930 Co. Rd. 1035 in conjunction with the Conservation League annual fish fry. For a $10.00 fee, you can put your name in the lottery. Winning lottery hunters will be able to pick the park and day they want to hunt and will be allowed one hunting partner each day. You must be present at the lottery to secure your hunting dates. Youth lottery drawing ONLY. A youth turkey season lottery will also be held at no charge. If you are the parent or guardian of a youth that is unable to attend the lottery, the parent or guardian may enter the youth in the youth lottery ONLY. The parent or guardian needs to bring proof of youth's hunting license (hunting license or copy) No exceptions. If the youth wants to be entered in the general lottery they must be present. Maps and park regulations will be available and also posted on kiosks at each of the parks. Any questions concerning the lottery please call Tim McMillen at 567-215-3548 or E-Mail at tmcmillen@zoominternet.netCheck us out on the web.
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Arrowhead/Artifact Hunt
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m., Meet at Lowe-Volk Park
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 cul-tures who inhabited Craw-ford County. Be the first human to touch an arrow-head since it was used thou-sands of years ago! Don’t miss this popular annual event. Bring the whole fam-ily, 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.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Metropark Clean Up
Saturday, April 9, 1 to 3 p.m., Pelton Park, 800 Pelton Park Dr, Sandusky.
Are you in need of some volunteer hours? Or do you just like
helping out the environment? Join us for a hike through the MetroPark to pick up trash along the way.
Bald Eagle Watch
Sunday, April 10, 1 to 3 p.m., Osborn MetroPark, Frost Center, Erie Room, 3910 Perkins Ave, Huron.
American Bald Eagle’s nests can weigh over 2,000 lbs! Follow along in a caravan as we visit several nests within the area. Bring a camera! Binoculars will be provided.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Spring Peeper Canoe
Saturday, April 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Enjoy the chorus of Spring Peepers while afloat on the beautiful waters of glacial Lake Kelso. Basic canoeing ability required. Phone registration required April 2-9.
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
Waterfowl Walk
Sunday, April 10, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Sandy Ridge
Tim Fairweather leads the walk. No registration required.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Sunset Hike
Saturday, April 9, 7:45 to 8:30 p.m., Hubbard Valley Park
We will look to the sky on this naturalist led hike around the lake during sunset. 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
High Mileage Hike
Saturday, April 9, 9 to noon, Sippo Valley Trail, meet at Lincoln Park, 17th Street NW, Massillon.
Lace up your hiking boots and get out with Stark Parks for this 7.0 mile hike along the Sippo Valley Trail from Lincoln Park on 17th Street NW in Massillon. Be prepared for a strenuous hike--wear walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring water. Moderate pace. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Trout Derby
Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron
Anglers 15 and younger each receive a $1 cash prize if they catch a golden trout. Bring fishing gear. A limited number of rods and reels will be available for use during the derby. Minnows cannot be used as bait; worms will be available for purchase. Adults are not permitted to fish. Sponsored by the Goodyear Hunting & Fishing Club and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Ledges Trail Throughout The Year
Saturday, April 9, 1 to 2 p.m., Liberty Park, Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg
We'll hike the 1.1-mile Ledges Trail each month this year, taking a photographic record of the seasonal changes that happen. In December we'll come in from the cold and review the year in pictures. You can take your own pictures or just enjoy the hikes. Trail not recommended for strollers. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Heron Watch
Sunday, April 10, 1 to 3 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park, Bath Road Heronry
Intersection of Bath and Riverview roads, Akron
Observe the nesting behaviors of the great blue heron through our spotting scopes. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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