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 8 to Thursday, July 14, 2016
Featured Event
Music in the Valley: Folk & Wine Festival
Saturday & Sunday, July 9 & 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Hale Farm & Village.
Stop and listen to musicians as you tour the village grounds, sip wine from Ohio wineries, learn from experts about wine pairings, and savor food from local vendors. Museum exhibits and demonstrations are open until 5 p.m. Fee: $10 adults, $5 children 3 – 12, WRHS members and active military free. For details call 330-666-3711 or visit halefarm.org.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad National Park Scenic Day Pass and Bike Aboard!
Saturday & Sunday, July 9 & 10.
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 10, 8 to 11 a.m., Everett Covered Bridge.
Hike 7.5 miles on the unpaved, hilly Riding Run and Perkins 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
Dragons on the Lake Boat Festival: Portage Lakes
Saturday, July 9, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Portage Lakes State Park
Entertainment, Taiko drummers, face painting & contests. Vendor food and merchandise will be available to purchase. Take in the excitement as a spectator or register a team at www.dragondreamteam.org. Contact Lynn Fritz, 330-715-9738, to participate. The event is sponsored by the all breast cancer survivor Dragon Dream Team and benefits "Boatloads of Hope" community cancer outreach. Visit www.facebook.com/dragonsonthelake for more information
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
Firefly Frenzy
Saturday, July 9, 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., Huntington Beach Overflow Parking Lot
Lust, betrayal, violence – fireflies are not quite what they seem. Join Naturalist Valerie Fetzer for an adult look at your childhood favorite. An amazing light show is included. Cancelled if raining. Ages, adult, families with older children. 440-734-6660. Free.
Bedford History Hike
Sunday, July 10, 2 to 4 p.m., Bedford Reservation, Viaduct Park, Bedford, OH
View The Great Falls of Tinker’s Creek and explore Viaduct Park with Historical Interpreter Karen Lakus. Then walk to the Bedford Historical Society to find out more about the fascinating history of Bedford. You can drive between the locations if you prefer. Terrain Difficulty: paved, hilly, 2 miles. 216-206-1000. 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
Animal Extravaganza
Saturday, July 9, 12 to 3 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
Toledo Zoo w/ Animals 2 p.m.
Animal lovers are in for a treat when they come to this popular program offered by the Crawford Park District! Come to experience snakes, turtles, salamanders, and many more. At 2pm, the Toledo Zoo will have a few of their educational animals to see, touch, and learn about. They will also bring a table of animal skins, skulls, etc. Various pet owners will be on hand to answer your questions and to allow you to “hold and touch” when appropriate. Animals will be on display so that you can get “up close and personal.” A great family event! Food concessions will be available. 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.
Frog Jumping Contest
Sunday, July 10, 2 p.m., Registration begins at 1:30, Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
This event sponsored by the Crawford Park District, is open to kids up to age 16. Participants must provide their own frogs and the frogs should be returned to their habitat after the event. Only Ohio-native frog species are invited to attend. Frogs should be kept cool and moist prior to the event. Call the Nature Center or visit our website for event rules. 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
Walk With a Doc
Mon. July 11, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, 2715 Cleveland Rd., 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. No pets.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
High-Rise Homes: Osprey Van Tour
Saturday, July 9, 9 to 11:30 a.m., The West Woods, Nature Center
A van trip to view local osprey nests atop cell towers. Registration required.
Burgers-n-Butterflies, Dogs-n-Dragons
Sunday, July 10, Noon-3:30 p.m., Swine Creek Reservation, Lake Side Shelter
Grab a net and work for your lunch! Participants who catch a butterfly or dragonfly can collect a free hamburger or hot dog. Nets provided. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
FarmFest
Saturday, July 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Inaugural celebration of country and farming life! Event features music, fishing, farm-themed carnival games and crafts in addition to all of Farmpark's regular demonstrations and hands-on activities. Free admission for all; all ages welcome. Free admission for everyone!
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Summer Leaf ID Hike
Saturday, July 9, 10 to 11 a.m., Vermilion River, Carriage Barn
Learn how to ID leaves. Easy Hike. For more information call (440) 967-7310. Free.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Starry, Starry Nights at Letha House
Saturday, July 9, 9 to 11 p.m., Letha House Park West
Come see deep sky objects, planets, and the moon up close using the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association's telescopes. The observatory will be open for public viewing, and members will be available to answer your questions. Activities and/or displays will be set up inside the barn for further interest on cloudy nights. Cancellations will only be made in the case of severe thunderstorms.
Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: Creek Walk
Sunday, July 10, 3 to 4 p.m., Letha House Park East
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. Cool off on a warm summer day by dipping your toes into a tributary of the Black River while learning about the life that typically inhabits this creek. Help to search for the aquatic macroinvertebrates, frogs, and salamanders that live here. Wear sturdy shoes, and expect to get a little wet. 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 Trail Walkers Hike: Headwaters Trail
Saturday, July 9, 8:30 a.m., Meet at Buchert Park on High St. in Mantua.
Join the Portage Trail Walkers on a Hike from Buchert Park in Mantua to Asbury Rd. in Hiram Township. 6.7 mile round trip. Call Larry Thomas for Information: 330-673-6896
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Go Geocaching!
Sunday, July 10, 1 to 3 p.m., Quail Hollow Park, Nature Center
Drop in to the Nature Center and take a break from hiking. Meet the animals and learn about Geocaching! Learn what a geocache is, make a tradeable, and find some caches on your own! Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Family Hike & Campfire
Friday, July 8, 8 to 9:30 p.m., F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Campfire Area, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron
Look for nocturnal wildlife on a short hike, then gather around the campfire and roast marshmallows, while supplies last. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Ledges Trail Throughout The Year
Saturday, July 9, 1 to 2 p.m., Liberty Park, Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg
We'll hike Ledges Trail each month this year, taking a photographic record of the seasonal changes that happen. In December we'll come in from the cold and 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.
Fireflies: Nature's Night Lights
Saturday, July 9, 8:30 to 10 p.m., Goodyear Heights Metro Park, Pioneer Area, 550 Frazier Ave., Akron
Learn how these amazing "bugs" light up the summer sky. After a short presentation, we'll take a walk to look for fireflies and other creatures of the night. Bring a bug jar, flashlight and insect repellent. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Moth Night
Saturday, July 9, 9 to 11 p.m., Adell Durbin Park, 3300 Darrow Road, Stow
National Moth Week is later this month. Join a naturalist for a preview of the beautiful colors, shapes and patterns of these amazing creatures. Bring a flashlight and camera. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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