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, July 22 to Thursday, July 28, 2016
Featured Event
Frostville Family Arts Festival: Olmsted Historical Society
Sunday, July 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rocky River Reservation, Frostville Museum, 24101 Cedar Point Rd. , North Olmsted, OH 44070
A great variety of local vendors will be featured at this outdoor music and art festival that is sure to be fun for the whole family. A farmers’ market, kids’ craft tent, and local food trucks will also be part of the day’s activities. www.olmstedhistoricalsociety.org Free.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad National Park Scenic Day Pass and Bike Aboard!
Saturday & Sunday, July 22 & 23.
View wildlife and scenery in the comfort of our climate-controlled train cars. Get on and off at any station. Spend a whole day exploring or just a few hours. Fee (coach): $18 adults, $13 children ages 3 - 12. Includes the Voices of the Valley audio tour. Or cycle the Towpath Trail in one direction and hop on the train to go back. Pay the one-way fee of $3.00, for ages 3 and over, when boarding. For tickets and train schedules visit www.cvsr.com or call 800-468-4070.
Beat the Heat Hike
Sunday, July 24, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Boston Store Visitor Center.
Hike 5.5 miles on the unpaved, hilly Towpath, Stanford, and Gorge trails. 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
Christmas in July Campout: Findley
Friday, July 22, Findley State Park
Join us in the campground for a variety of programs with a Christmas theme for the weekend. Call the park office at (440) 647-5749 ext., #100 or 102 for more information. Regular camp fees apply; make your reservations early (866) 644-6727.
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
West Creek Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, July 24, 1 to 4 p.m., West Creek Reservation, Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek, 2277 West Ridgewood Drive, Parma, OH 44134
Follow a map and embark on a quest to put your skills to the ultimate test. Plants and animals make up your list as riddles and clues give you the gist. All who attend depart here wise and the cleverest sleuths are awarded a wee prize. Free.
Monarch Walk
Sunday, July 24, 2 to 3 p.m., Acacia Reservation, 26899 Cedar Road (parking lot), Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Monarchs have returned and are being seen nectaring on many of our summer blooms. Search the fields and meadows with Naturalist Natalie Schroder in search of eggs and larvae of these magical orange and black flying insects. Please wear long pants to walk through high vegetation. Terrain Difficulty: paved, some 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 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
Viewing the Night Sky
Saturday, July 23, 9 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
Join Crawford Park District volunteers and members of the Lowe-Volk Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Sky targets for July: The glorious M-13, the Great Hercules Globular Cluster (a sight to behold); M-4, another more distant globular cluster; Arcturus, a star hundreds of times larger than our star. Bring your own telescope or allow the volunteers to assist you with those provided. It is a spectacular universe. 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..
Harvey School Prairie
Sunday, July 24, 2 p.m., Caldwell Rd. 1 Mile East of St. Rt. 4
Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley has spent several years building a tallgrass prairie at the Harvey One Room School and will be sharing the successes and analyzing the problems he has encountered during this project. Creating a prairie habitat is a long process that is fraught with unexpected challenges and complications. 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.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Walk With a Doc
Monday, July 25, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Andrew L. Fabens Memorial Park, Corner of Adams and Taylor Ave., Huron, OH
Walk with a Doc is an organization dedicated to encouraging healthy physical activity in people of all ages. Join a local doctor for a brief health chat followed by a walk every Monday! Snacks and water will be provided.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Bats at the Bridge Bike Ride
Friday, July 22, 8-10 p.m., Headwaters Park, TMHT Parking Lot
Bring your bike for a leisurely evening ride to the Tare Creek covered bridge. We will conduct a bat count survey at dusk.
Boy Scout Astronomy Merit Badge
Wednesday, July 27, 8 to 10:30 p.m., Observatory Park, Robert McCullough Science Center
For the first time ever, Geauga Park District is pleased to offer the BSA Astronomy Merit Badge at its world-famous International Dark Sky Park. Pre-work will be required for certain requirements; information will be emailed upon registration. A Merit Badge Counselor will be on site. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Ice Cream Weekends
July 23, 24, 30, 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month at Farmpark’s Ice Cream Weekends. Try your hand at making ice cream and meet the dairy cows that produce milk and cream. Find out where your favorite ice cream flavor comes from. Enjoy an ice cream sundae (additional charge applies) and participate in old fashioned games, crafts, and more. Visit the hands-on Cow to Cone Indoor Play Area to discover how the ingredients in ice cream go from cow to cone; play area open July 2
through September 4, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Regular Farmpark admission applies.
Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center Open House
Sunday, July 24, Noon to 4 p.m., Penitentiary Glen Reservation/Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center. Free to all; all ages welcome.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Summer Wildlife Hike
Sunday, July 24, 2 to 4 p.m., French Creek Reservation, Pine Tree Picnic Area, at the trailhead nearest Shelter #1
On & off-tail hiking survey of wild things. Meet at the trailhead nearest Shelter #1. Moderate hike. Free.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Cicada Mania Weekend
Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24, 12 to 5 p.m., Susan Hambley Nature Center
Did you ever wonder what insect makes a loud buzzing sound that can be heard up to a half mile away? Join us this weekend to learn about the 17 year and annual cicada. There will be crafts, games, and other activities during this weekend of family fun. All ages welcome. No registration required. Free.
Healthy Strides
Saturday, July 23, 9 to 10 a.m., Princess Ledges Nature Preserve
Healthy Strides combines a brief, informative talk by a Cleveland Clinic physician and caregiver and a casual one to three-mile walk. Topics change each week based on the leader's specialty and suggestions from participants. All members of the community are welcome. Ages 10 to adult. No registration required. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
Portage Park District Info Session & Hike at the Portage County District Library
Wednesday, July 27 6 to 7:30 p.m., Portage County District Library 10482 South St. Garrettsville, OH 44231
Learn about the Park District Master Plan and how to Exercise Your Mind through hiking and reading.
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Summer Splash!
Friday, July 22, 4 to 8 p.m. & Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walborn Reservoir & Marina
Experience a fun, free day at Walborn Reservoir! Take a pontoon ride, enjoy canoeing and kayaking, go fishing, explore hiking trails, play games, meet live animals from our Wildlife Conservation Center, and see our exciting demonstration! Join us Friday evening for the K-9 demonstrations. Join us Saturday at 11 a.m. for a fish shocking demonstration with the Division of Wildlife. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Attracting Moths to Black Lights
Friday, July 22, 9 to 11 p.m., Liberty Park, Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg
Join naturalists while they are attracting moths to black lights, and observe the insects' amazingly beautiful colors, shapes and patterns up close. Bring a flashlight and camera. For information, call 330-865-8065.
What's Under That Rock?
Saturday, July 23, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Bike & Hike Trail, SR 91 lot, 130 N. Main St., Munroe Falls
Ever hear of crayfish, clams, dragonflies, water beetles or mayflies? Come and look for them under rocks in the Cuyahoga River. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Fern Walk
Saturday, July 23, 1 to 3 p.m.
Cascade Valley Metro Park, Oxbow Area, 1061 Cuyahoga St., Akron
Join a naturalist to learn about some of Ohio's native ferns, and discover how to identify them by their structure and habitat. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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