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 29 to Thursday, August 4, 2016
Featured Event
American Solar Challenge 2016
Friday, July 29, noon to 4 p.m., Cuyahoga Valley Career Center.
To celebrate the NPS Centennial, the 1,200- to 1,800-mile-long cross-country road race this year runs through nine national parks, starting in Cuyahoga Valley. Today, see the solar cars up close, chat with the teams, and learn about new technology. Free., For more information call 330-657-2752.
Saturday, July 30, 9:30 a.m. the race begins. Station Road Bridge Trailhead,
To celebrate the NPS Centennial, the 1,200- to 1,800-mile-long cross-country road race this year runs through nine national parks, starting in Cuyahoga Valley. Today, watch as the race gets under way. Free. Visit nps.gov/cuva for route and viewing spots.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad National Park Scenic Day Pass and Bike Aboard!
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 129, 30 & 31.
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.
Explore Brandywine Falls
Saturday, July 30, 2 to 3 p.m., Brandywine Falls Trailhead.
Stroll at a leisurely pace to one of the region's most scenic views. Steep stairs are optional. 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
Paddle Ohio: Cowan Lake
Friday, July 29 & Saturday, July 30, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Cowan Lake State Park
Paddle on any designated water trail or scenic river or in one of the Paddle Ohio state park lakes and if you paddle 4 different Ohio locations and send us information on your trips, you can receive a Paddle Ohio pin at no charge. This is an opportunity to take part in a guided paddle on Cowan Lake. Equipment provided; please RSVP. Call (937) 382-1096 or find us on Facebook for more information: www.facebook.com/CowanLakeStatePark
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
Hemlock Hike
Saturday, July 30, 2 to 3 p.m., Bedford Reservation, Hemlock Creek Picnic Area
Join us for a hike through the Tinker's Creek floodplain. We’ll hike through the woods and along the creek looking for local flora and fauna. 216-206-1000. Terrain difficulty: dirt trail, 1 mile. 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
Family Tent Camping
Friday, July 29, 7 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
The Crawford Park District invites Families out to Lowe-Volk Park for fun-filled family evening. Come any time after 5pm to pitch your tent around the pond at Lowe-Volk Park. Registration will begin at 7pm, with programs starting at 7:30. Bring a treat or a dish to share with other campers. Yard games, fishing, nature scavenger hunt, campfire and woodland night hike using a black light are on the agenda. Please call the Nature Center (419-683-9000) to reserve your spot. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. 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.
Viewing the Night Sky
Saturday, July 30, 8:30 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park
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.
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Butterflies Through Binoculars
Sunday, July 31, 2 to 4 p.m., Castalia Quarry MetroPark, 8404 SR 101, Castalia, OH
Look for butterflies in a different way! Spot butterflies and see them up close through binoculars. Lois TerVeen, a local butterfly expert, will talk about local butterflies then we will go on a walk to look for them! Binoculars will be provided.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Animal Olympics!
Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., B Benner Metzenbaum Park, Wisteria Hill, Shelter
Celebrate the 2016 summer Olympics with a fun animal-style obstacle course! Free.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Ice Cream Weekends
July 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.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Dog Days Hike
Saturday, July 30, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Miller Nature Preserve: Shelter
Hike Level 1. Registration requested, walk-ins welcome.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers: ALL ABOARD!
Saturday, July 30, 4 to 8 p.m., Lester Rail
Bring your family and friends out to Lester Rail Trail for train rides around a miniature railroad and station house. Members of N.E.O.L.S., a miniature railroad group, will offer this free park program. Adults and children, alike, will delight in this unique experience! All ages welcome. No registration required. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
Are you looking to embrace the beauty of the outdoors? Portage Parks offers a variety of educational activities, outdoor adventures, races, and walks, plus a number of other exciting events and activities throughout each season. Read more for additional information!
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Dog Days of Summer Hike
Saturday, July 30, 1 to 3 p.m., Mahoning Valley Trail, Gaskill Road Trailhead
Summer is looong and hot! Take this opportunity to hike with your dogs while learning about nature. To ensure safety, all dogs must be leashed and friendly around other dogs and people. Proper footwear, and water is encouraged for both hikers and dogs. Maximum of 2 dogs per hiker please. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Metro Parks Pirate Adventure
Friday, July 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron
Avast, me hearties! Wear your pirate gear for a treasure hunt and good buccaneer fun! For information, call 330-865-8065.
Dragon Hunting 101
Saturday, July 30, 2 to 3:30 p.m., F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron
Discover why these ancient insects are so cool! Some nets will be available to brave hunters. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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