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, January 8 to Thursday, January 14, 2016
Featured Event
Winteriffic
Enjoy the great outdoors this winter season at Winteriffic on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Chalet Recreation Area in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville.
Winteriffic is a free event with an assortment of winter activities, including dog sled programs, winter survival skill demonstrations, ice fishing demonstrations, ice sculpting, snow bike demonstrations, winter crafts for kids, snowman building areas and other fun in the snow! You can also enjoy a ride along the trails around the Chalet in a horse-drawn wagon or you can rent snowshoes. Some activities are subject to proper winter conditions.
Plus, you can ride the Chalet Toboggan Chutes, the only public ice chutes in Ohio, now with a toboggan lift! The daily admission fee for tobogganing is ONLY $12 for adults and $10 for children, 11 and younger. One-time ride tickets are available for $6. Food and refreshments will be available for sale at the Chalet concession stand.
The Chalet Recreation Area is located at 16200 Valley Parkway in Mill Stream Run Reservation, between Routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville – just a short distance from I-71 and the Ohio Turnpike
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Bird Watching: Hardy Residents
Saturday, January 9, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Oak Hill Trailhead
Volunteer Naturalist Dwight Chasar leads the search for northern birds along the trails surrounding Oak Hill. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Snowshoe Hike
Saturday, January 9, 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 are available. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Explore Beaver Marsh
Sunday, January 10, 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: Mohican
Sunday, January 10, 10 a.m. to noon, Mohican State Park
Winter is an excellent season to see native wildlife, birds and majestic trees while hiking. The hike begins at the commissary, which is located at the park’s Class A campground, just outside Loudonville on State Route 3 in Ashland County. Two general hikes - a 5K and a longer 10K hike are planned. Trails run from moderate to difficult. Hikes, led by volunteers from the Mohican Trails Club, will begin and end at the commissary. Warm fire, hot soup, cookies and drinks will be provided after the hike.
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, January 9, 10 to noon, Garfield Park Reservation
Don't feel comfortable navigating the trails on your own? Join us for this monthly hike to explore the Emerald Necklace, get some exercise and enjoy each other’s company. Garfield Park Center. All purpose trail, dirt trails, 3.5 miles. Free.
Cold Outside - Warm Inside
January 10 at 1 to 4 p.m., Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, CanalWay Center, 4524 East 49th Street, Cuyahoga Heights
Build your own ice/snow castle and warm up while watching Frozen. We will have snow toys to help us build and hot chocolate to drink during the movie. Free.
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
Archery Deer Hunting
Saturday, January 9, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.,
Hunting parks will be closed from for all non-hunting uses, except as noted. One exception is that hunting parks will remain open for hunting, but will also open Sunday afternoons from 12:00 noon until closing for non-hunting activities such as hiking, except during gun deer hunting season. These Sundays will be posted at all hunting park entrances.
Parks Include:
Audubon Wetlands, Black Fork Bottoms, Carpenter Waterfowl Park, Cooke Family Park, Cool Springs, Esbenshade Wetlands, Gilliom-Cherp, Pine Hill Sauers Farm and Sprinkle Park.
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Wintry Wednesdays!
Wednesday, January 13, 10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
Don’t let cabin fever set in! The Crawford Park District invites you to come to the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center and enjoy an hour of nature exploration! Program topics will vary and may include a story, short hike, craft, or a visit from an animal. For school-aged children and their parents. Come dressed for the weather. Morning and afternoon programs will be similar, just pick the time that best fits your schedule. 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 at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our facebook page.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Erie MetroParks offers, for your enjoyment, a variety of reservable facilities! Many are available year-round. Picnic shelters, meeting rooms, overnight lodging, playing fields, terrace, a pergola, and public garden spaces are available for exclusive use through advanced reservation. Call 419-625-7783 ext. 221 for more information.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://eriemetroparks.org/index.php/programs/programs/
Geauga Park District
Winter Fun: Bird in the Hand Feeding Station
We know it can be hard to get out during a Northeast Ohio winter, but we've got you covered when it comes to motivation! There's no shortage of great activities to enjoy in your Geauga Park. Head to The West Woods and follow these steps for the magical experience of having wildlife trust you enough to eat from your hand! In optimal conditions, volunteers this year have already reported as many as 60 chickadees in a 20-minute span!
1) Time up your visit for daylight hours and dress warmly - extra layers, hat and gloves - since you will be standing still. If it's between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., stop into the nature center to collect some black oil sunflower seed; otherwise, use a little from the feeder already placed on site. Hand-feeding works best with just one or two people or a small group, like three or four.
2) Follow the Trout Lily Trail, then hang a right at the fork after the boardwalk across the wetlands, following the sign. Soon you'll come upon the feeding station marked by a feeder and a mannequin, "Parker," who keeps the birds familiar with a human presence. (Parker is pretty realistic; then again, birds are fairly easy to fool.)
3) Take down the feeder, hide it under the bucket that's there, extend your hand with some seed in your palm, then wait. Odds are good you'll have a taker if you're patient, enjoying the peace and quiet a handful of minutes or so.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Something for every season!
In addition to protecting watersheds and open space, Lake Metroparks annually provides over 2.6 million visitors with countless recreational and educational experiences. These activities can be done on your own or in a program led by staff.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/programs/events.shtml
Lorain County Parks
Campfire Hike
Saturday, January 9, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Sandy Ridge, JWC
Join us for a hike followed up by a campfire. Free.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: Ferocious Beasts
Saturday, January 9, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Lodge at Allardale
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
Enjoy Portage Parks all year round, on your own or with others at our educational programs and special events. 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.
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Winter Marshlands: Jackson Bog
Sunday, January 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Meet at Jackson Bog
Explore what is happening at our wetlands while discovering what wildlife is active during the winter months. Meet at Jackson Bog.
Winter Hike
Monday, January 11, 10 to 11 a.m., Iron Horse Trail
Don't let the cold and snow keep you inside! Join us for a 3 mile hike on the Iron Horse Trail. Meet at the First Christian Church trailhead located at 1141 W. Beech Street in Alliance. Dress for the weather.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Winter Hike
Friday, January 8, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Firestone Metro Park, Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron
Get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter. Join a naturalist for this leisurely hike to talk about adaptations that help plants and animals survive colder temperatures. Please dress for the weather. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Oxbow Hike
Saturday, January 9, 12 to 1:30 p.m., Cascade Valley Metro Park, Oxbow Area, 1061 Cuyahoga St., Akron
Got cabin fever? Join a naturalist to hike Oxbow Trail to enjoy the beauty of this chilly season! Please dress for the weather. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Wood Hollow in Winter
Sunday, January 10, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Wood Hollow Metro Park, 2121 Barlow Rd., Hudson
Join a naturalist to discover beauty and life in the Wood Hollow forest. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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