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 News 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, December 9 to Thursday, December 15, 2016
Featured Event
Holiday Lantern Tours
Saturdays, December 3, 10, and 17; Fridays, December 9, 16, and 23; Sunday, December 18; Tuesday, December 20; Wednesday, December 21; and Thursday, December 22
Stroll by candlelight. Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the holiday season as celebrated in the 1800s Western Reserve. Afterwards, sample holiday treats. Fee: $20 adults,
$12 children ages 3 - 12, $15 WRHS members. Hale Farm & Village. Tours depart every 20 minutes beginning at 5:40 p.m. Reservations required. Call 330-666-3711 ext. 1720, or email
halereservations@wrhs.org
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Off the Beaten Path: Farmstead Footprints
Saturday, December 10, 9 to 11 a.m., NPS Headquarters
Off the Beaten Path takes you off trail to explore the park’s hidden gems. Join Ranger Rebecca Macko to explore the remnants of farms and learn their stories. Moderately strenuous 3.5-mile hike on and off trail. Be prepared to carpool.
Winter Warm-ups Hike
Sunday, December 11, 9 a.m. to noon, Kendall Lake Shelter
Winter Warm-ups is a fitness series on CVNP’s more difficult, hilly trails. Fast
pace. Challenge yourself on the unpaved, hilly terrain of the Salt Run, Cross Country, and Lake trails. Fast pace. 7 miles.
For the complete Cuyahoga Valley National Park events calendar click:
http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/events.htm
Ohio State Parks
Candlelight Holiday Tours: Malabar Farm
Saturday, December 10, 5 to 9 p.m., Malabar Farm State Park
Tour Louis Bromfield's Big House all decked out for the Holidays. Enjoy freshly baked cookies & hot cider. COST: $5/adults; $3/children.
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
Evergreens of Winter
Saturday, December 10, 1 to 3 p.m., Brecksville Reservation, Nature Center, 9000 Chippewa Creek Dr, Brecksville, OH 44141
The colors of autumn have muted, allowing evergreen plants and trees to pop out in the landscape. Hike among these beauties to enjoy and learn more about them with Naturalist Kathy Schmidt. Terrain Difficulty: hills, 2 miles. 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
Recycling at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m. to Noon (due to the weather, there may not be volunteers available to assist with unloading)
The Colonel Crawford Lions Club and The Friends of the Crawford Park District will have a RECYCLE DAY, from 9am to noon at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature center located at 2401 State Route 598.
We will have a RECYCLE DAY the second Saturday of each month through the year.
We will be accepting:
Cardboard
Clear/brown/green/blue glass (separate by color)
#1 (PETE) plastics
#2 (HDPE) plastics (colors do not have to be separated)
Newspaper/magazines/office paper/junk mail
Steel cans
Aluminum cans
Household batteries
Eyeglasses
CFL lightbulbs - from households only, no businesses please
Laptops, tablets & cell phones. No Electronics - No Computer Towers - No Computer Monitors -Or- Televisions. Any recyclables taken to the Crawford Park District, outside of the second Saturday of every month do not get credited to the Park District. If you would like the money generated from recycling to go to them, you must take your recyclables to the Park District during their monthly collections. 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.
Pinecone Wreaths
Sunday, December 11, 1 to 3p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
Come make a pinecone wreath! The Crawford Park District will provide the pinecones, a 12” wire form, ribbon, and miscellaneous items from nature. If you have other items you wish to add to your wreath, bring those with you. If you want to create a smaller pinecone project, you can create an owl with a pinecone and acorn cap. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 by December 8 to reserve your spot. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Project Feederwatch
Saturday, December 10, 1:30 to 2:30, East Sandusky Bay MetroPark, Eagle Point, 3819 Cleveland Rd, Sandusky.
Project FeederWatch is a winder-long survey of birds. The data collected helps scientists track movements of winter bird populations. We will take a short walk back to The Coop and do our very own data collection to submit! Registration required! Limit 10.
Full Moon Night Hike
Tuesday, December 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Hoffman Forest MetroPark, 8663 Huff Rd, Berlin Heights.
Let’s hike with the full moon lighting our way!
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://eriemetroparks.com
Geauga Park District
Observatory Park Backcountry Hike
Saturday, December 10, 1 to 3 p.m., Observatory Park
Take an off-trail hike to explore Observatory Park's ledges, history and tiny beginnings of the Cuyahoga River. This will be a strenuous, off-trail hike, so dress for the weather and prepare to get your feet wet. Registration required.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Candy Land Has Gone Wild!
November 19 to January 1, Noon to 5 p.m., Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year's Eve
On a life-sized game board, discover the many flavors that nature gives us as you play along and travel through the seasons in our indoor wonderland. Draw a card, move from space to space and explore nature through the year. In addition, enjoy a craft, activity pages and scavenger hunts — fun for the whole family! Snacks and beverages are also available. Enjoy holiday shopping at The Nature Store. Snowshoe rentals available, weather permitting. Special activities from 1 to 3 pm every Saturday afternoon during the exhibit. Free.
County Lights
November 25, to December 23, 4:45 to p.m., Farmpark
Tickets are required for all dates/times. Bring your tickets with you and dress for the weather — some activities are outside, whether rain, snow or shine! In the rare occurrence of extreme weather on your event date, follow Lake Metroparks on Facebook and Twitter for an event cancellation notice. A magical evening is in store at Farmpark! Live lighted trees deck the halls that lead to Santa's Workshop and the Little Elf Corner. Take a wagon ride through light displays to the Equine Center where you'll see operating model trains, meet farm animals and enjoy presentations in the arena by the Holiday Horses. Call 440-256-2122 or 800-366-FARM (3276) for more information.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Just A Hike
Saturday, December 10, 11 a.m. to Noon, Columbia
Join us and go for a nice hike through the park!PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail Hike with Portage Trail Walkers
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: A Pioneer Christmas
Sunday, December 11, 3 to 4 p.m., Green Leaf Park
Natural Discoveries is a series of free nature themed programs designed for ages seven to adult. Participants in the program who complete certain hike requirements are eligible to receive awards. See the Natural Discoveries link on our website for award details. On our hike, we will discover some of the items our early American ancestors used to decorate for the holidays and learn more about the origins of some of our traditional Christmas customs. Ages 7 to adult. No registration required. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail Hike with Portage Trail Walkers
Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m., PORTAGE Cleveland Rd. Trailhead 535 Cleveland Rd. Ravenna, OH 44266
Join the Portage Trail Walkers for a group hike on the PORTAGE. Meet at the Cleveland Rd. trailhead for a 5 mile hike.
Nature’s Store Art Show
Saturday, December 10 to 11, Downtown Gallery 141 East Main Street, Kent, OH 44240
The Portage Park District Foundation is sponsoring a juried art show at the Downtown Gallery in Kent featuring regional artists with nature-inspired art work. To submit artwork, go to https://fs23.formsite.com/haturner/PPDFoundation/index.html
An opening reception at the gallery will occur on Dec. 9, 3:00-7:00pm, open to the public.
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Christmas at the Hollow
Friday, December 9, 6 to 9 p.m., Quail Hollow Park
Join our partners, the Quail Hollow Volunteer Association (QHVA), for their annual holiday extravaganza, Christmas at the Hollow, December 8 to 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. Enjoy a self-guided tour through the decorated 40-room Manor House where you will also find cookies and hot wassail, live entertainment, and a visit with Santa (he’ll be making his rounds). Activities include a make-and-take ornament, wagon rides, and a warm fire. Reservations are not required. The event is cash only. Admission is $10 per car. Proceeds benefit the QHVA.
Towpath Trek #1 - High Mileage Hike
Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Clinton Trailhead
Have you ever wanted to hike the entire 25 mile portion of the Towpath Trail in Stark County? Now is your chance! Throughout winter, Stark Parks will be leading a series of 8 hikes to complete this challenge. Trek #1: Meet at the Clinton Trailhead, located at 2749 North St., Clinton, OH 44216, at 9 a.m. to begin this 8 mile hike.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Coffee With The Birds
Sunday, December 11, 12 to 2 p.m., F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron
Join us for a peaceful morning discussion at the wildlife viewing area, and find out why it's a favorite of our winged winter residents. Bring a mug. Coffee is provided. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Hike The Gorge
Sunday, December 11, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls
Join a naturalist on this hike to discover some of the natural and cultural history of the Gorge. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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