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, February 26 to Thursday, March 3, 2016
Featured Event
Cleveland Metroparks Cross-Country Ski Program Interest Sign-up
Cost: varies by program offered
Ages: varies by program
Equipment Provided: cross-country skis, poles
Phone: 216-341-1704
Weather in Cleveland is ever-changing. While we hope to have at least 4" of snow for the scheduled snow programs, Mother Nature doesn't always like the dates we have picked. In hopes of taking full advantage of the snow this winter, we are encouraging those interested to register hereto be notified of impromptu cross-country ski programs. If snow and staff schedules align, we will schedule additional cross-country ski programs and notify you when and where they will be held. Registering once will ensure you receive an e-mail about additional cross-country ski programs this winter. There is no actual program on February 28th. You are just signing up to receive e-mails as we add impromptu programs as snow conditions allow. http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Free-Event-Registration.aspx?event=507f2f5b-f6e7-4ef2-ac5b-92a4d561d45c
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Become a Park Ambassador
Saturday, February 27, 10 a.m. to noon, Location given upon registration.
Learn what park ambassadors do. For more information and to register, call the volunteer office at 330-657-2299.
Snowshoe Hike
Saturday, February 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Kendall Lake Shelter.
Learn a new skill or just got out and enjoy the winter chill on snowshoes. If there is no snow, program will be a winter hike. Free. Trails vary. Rentals available. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Explore Beaver Marsh
Sunday, February 28, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ira Trailhead
Take a leisurely paced walk in search of winter wildlife. Wheelchair and stroller accessible when the ground is clear. 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
Winter Hike: Caesar Creek
Saturday, February 27, 10 a.m. to noon, Caesar Creek State Park.
Meet at the Wellman Meadows Boat Ramp for our annual Winter Hike. Enjoy a well-marked self-guided hike through scenic snowy landscapes. Walk 3 miles or the full 6 miles to see both waterfalls in our area. Warm up at the Nature Center (3 miles) for soup beans, corn bread, hot drinks and more ($5 for full meal benefits the Nature Center, offered by Nature Center Association of Caesar Creek). For more information call the Nature Center, 513-897-2437, or find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CaesarCreekStatePark.
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
Snow Snake Game Drop-By
Saturday, February 27, 1 to 3 p.m., West Creek Reservation, Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek, 2277 West Ridgewood Drive, Parma, OH 44134
Come learn about the traditional Seneca game of Snow Snake! We will discuss the life and history of the Seneca people as we learn to play this exciting game of skill, knowledge and luck. Dress warmly, as we will be outside! For all ages. Hill behind Watershed Stewardship Center (follow signs) Free.
Winter Exploration Hike
Saturday, February 27, Rocky River Reservation, Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH 44070
Check out the thawing landscape of Rocky River Reservation on this fast-paced hike. We’ll search for signs of spring and get some great views as we traverse hills and the river valley. Terrain: icy hills, moderate, 3 miles. Free.
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
Beginners Bird Walks
Saturday, February 27, 9 to 11a.m., Byers Woods, 675 Co Rd 1754, Ashland, OH 44805.
Led by Tim Leslie with the Greater Mohican Audubon Society
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Arrowhead Day
Saturday, February 27, 10 a.m. to 2p.m., Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center, 2401 State Route 598, Crestline
The Crawford Park District invites you to this annual program to learn about American
Indian Artifacts. Local collections, flint knapping demonstrations and more!!! Bring
your artifacts for identification. Fun for the family.
Nature Hike
Saturday, February 27, 3 p.m., Heckert Nature Preserve
By late February winter is starting to loosen its grip. Winter bird flocks are breaking up and the first courtship calls can be heard. Warm days can bring out over-wintering butterflies. Meet Warren Uxley at Heckert Nature Preserve to see what this year’s season of transition will bring.
Viewing the Night Sky
Saturday, February 27, 7 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park
Chances are this will be an indoor presentation. Hot chocolate will be a treat for tonight. Targets for this meeting will be: The Great Orion Nebula, Beehive Cluster, and the North Star, a Binary star. Please dress warmly as we may venture outside. If cloudy, indoor programs will be presented.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Hoppy Leap Year!
Monday, February 29, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Osborn MetroPark, Frost Center, Erie Room, 3910 Perkins Ave, Huron.
Let’s celebrate t?e leap year! We will learn about animals that leap and hop & make a craft! Ages 3-8 with an accompanying adult. Registration required. Limit 15.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
A Tour of the Orion Nebula
Friday, February 26, 7 to 8 p.m., Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
Take an in-depth tour of this enormous wonder of the winter sky. If weather permits, we’ll do night-sky viewing using the Observatory Park telescopes. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Stoneflies & Stone Soup
Saturday, February 27, 1 to 3 p.m., The West Woods, Nature Center
Search of winter stoneflies, small insects that emerge as adults in winter! After we hike, we will warm up by eating stone soup. Please bring a can of non-cream-based soup to share. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Maple Sugaring Weekends
Weekends, February 27, 28, March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Visitors take a wagon ride to the Woodland Center to witness the entire maple process as sap is collected, boiled, and turned into maple syrup and other products. Discover how trees are tapped, sample maple syrup and candy, make a maple craft, help gather sap and learn how to make maple syrup in your own backyard! Farmpark’s own maple syrup and other maple items available for sale. Pancakes served all day in the J & J Café for an additional fee (except March 19 & 20); no reservations needed, but Farmpark admission is required. Regular Farmpark admission applies.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Lorain County Parks
Maple Sugaring
Saturday, February 27, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m., Carlisle, Carlisle Room
Learn about Maple Sugaring with lectures, hikes, and visiting the Sugar Shack. Choo rides are available. Sugaring Story Reading followed by Sugaring Video. Maple Sugaring Schedule of Events:
11:30-3:30 Sugar Shack Open House
11:30-3:30 Green Choo Rides through Sugar Bush
12:30 Maple Sugaring 101 Lecture
1:30 Sugar Bush and Sap Collection Hike
Free.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Winter Re Tweet
Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 12 to 5 p.m., Susan Hambley Nature Center What kinds of birds visit our feeders during the wintertime? What types of bird feeders and birdseed work the best? We'll answer these questions and more as we watch and enjoy these beautiful creatures visiting our bird feeding area. There will be bird crafts, games, and displays. All ages welcome. No registration required. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
Portage Parks manages 1,300 acres and 14 miles of hike and bike trails, connecting communities across Portage County, and with other regional trail systems. Unfortunately, over 800 acres of parkland is not yet open to the public due to lack of funding. 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.
The 2016 Wild Hikes Challenge is On!
Do you have a 2016 resolution to lose weight, start exercising or get fit? We have your solution, Start your year off right with the Wild Hikes Challenge, you can keep your resolutions while exploring Portage County and feeling good about yourself! If you finish the Challenge before the end of the year and want more, contact us and we will provide you with another challenge form with different hikes throughout the Portage Park District- Get your Hike On!
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Adventures in Birding
Monday, February 29, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Walborn Reservoir, meet at Reeder Ave. Trailhead
Come take a leisurely walk at Walborn Reservoir and search for birds. We may see migrating waterfowl, gulls, and overwintering birds. Birders of all levels of experience are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars. Meet at the Reeder Ave. Trailhead. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Ledges Trail throughout the Year
Saturday, February 27, 10 to 11 a.m., Liberty Park, Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg
We'll hike Ledges Trail each month, taking a photographic record of the seasons. In December, we'll review the year in pictures. You can take your own pictures or just enjoy the hikes. This trail is not recommended for strollers. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Crystal Palace Hike
Saturday, February 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls
Every year beautiful, colorful icicles form along the Cuyahoga River, creating a "Crystal Palace." Join a naturalist and discover first-hand the beauty of water in winter. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Winter Bird Hike
Saturday, February 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Springfield Bog Metro Park, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp.
Search for raptors, horned larks and other winter birds of the prairie. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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