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, June 3 to Thursday, June 9, 2016
Featured Event
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad National Park Scenic Day Pass and Bike Aboard!
Friday June 3, Saturday June 4 & Sunday June 5
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 cvsr.com or call 800-468-4070.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Bird Watching: Cozy Inhabitants
Saturday, June 4, 7:30 to 10 a.m., Station Road Bridge Trailhead.
Join Volunteer Naturalist Dwight Chasar on this walk along the firm, flat Towpath Trail to look for different nests and perhaps an inhabitant or two. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Day of Service: National Trails Day
Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Improve the park's trails by joining a trail maintenance project. Individuals and groups are welcome. For more information, locations, and to register call 330-657, 2299 or visit www.forcvnp.org/volunteer.
Explore Ledges
Sunday, June 5, 2 to 3 p.m., Ledges Shelter.
View stunning sandstone cliffs during a leisurely-paced hike on hilly, rocky 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
Youth Fishing Derby: Findley
Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. to noon, Findley State Park
Come to the Picnic Point Shelter and have your children join us for this fishing Derby. Sponsored by Black River Game Club. For more information call the Park office at (440) 647-5749. ext#100 or 102
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
Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m. to noon, Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store, 1 West Dr, Hinckley, OH 44233
Don't feel comfortable navigating the trails on your own? Join this monthly hike to explore the Emerald Necklace, get some exercise and enjoy each other’s company. Get your blood pumping as we hike through rugged Whipp’s Ledges.
Extreme Hiking
Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hinckley Reservation, Whipp's Ledges Picnic Area is located off State Road in Hinckley Reservation, between Bellus and Ledge roads in Hinckley Township,
There is no better way to celebrate National Trails Day than hiking. Plan to hike a variety of trail surfaces and bring a grocery bag to help clean-up the trails along the way. Terrain Difficulty: hills and creek crossings, 8 - 10 miles. Free.
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
River Walk Natural Area
This 11-acre park is nestled along the Jerome Fork of the Mohican River just south of Ashland and provides an opportunity to enjoy over 1500 feet of river access. Hiking, bird watching, spring wildflower viewing and canoeing (at your own risk) are all great activities to enjoy here.
Both the river and park are home to diverse communities of animal including turtles, river otters, wood ducks, herons, deer and an impressive number of insects. Towering buckeye and walnut trees stand silent watch over the flood plain and wait patiently for your visit.
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
https://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcoparks/
Crawford County Parks
Living History Days
Saturday, June 4 9 am to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 8 pm to 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 10 am to 4 p.m
Programs by Colonel Crawford’s Company
Various Vendors, Demonstrators, and Food Concessions
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Root Beer Canoe Float
Friday, June 3, 6 to 8p.m., The Coupling MetroPark, 11618 SR 13, Milan.
Join in our annual tradition of starting the summer with an evening paddle on the Huron River and having a root beer float after. Limit 20. Registration required.
Ice Cream Social
Saturday, June 4, 1 to 3 p.m., East Sandusky Bay MetroPark, Enchanted Cottage, 4011 Cleveland Rd, Sandusky.
As summer approaches let’s kick it off right! Stop by and make an ice cream sundae. Then adventure off on your own with a hike along the trails or visit our Window in Nature where you can see birds feeding up close!
Metropark Clean Up!
Sunday, June 5, 1 to 3 p.m., The Coupling MetroPark, 11618 SR 13, Milan.
Are you in need of volunteer hours? Come help clean up one of the MetroParks! Enjoy a hike while picking up trash along the way. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Wildlife Habitat by Design: Backyard Van Tour
Sunday, June 5, 1 to 4 p.m., The West Woods, Nature Center
Visit two Certified Wildlife Habitat backyards that have been transformed into wildlife sanctuaries, and get inspired to make your own backyard more wildlife friendly. Registration required.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Railroads in the Park
June 4 & 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
A day filled with operating model train exhibits! Both HO and N Scale modular layouts will be on display. Other featured exhibits include G Scale trains, Lionel O Scale trains, Lego train layout and displays on agriculture and the railroad. Children may build a wooden train for an additional $2 fee. The wooden train interactive play area allows the youngest railroad enthusiasts play engineer. Regular Farmpark admission applies.
Northcoast Senior Games
June 4 through 11, Various locations in Lake County and Northeast Ohio
Competitive events include track & field, bowling, swimming, softball, bocce ball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, table tennis, billiards, archery, basketball, tennis, and cycling. That’s not all: There are also a variety of fun games that are entertaining and enjoyed by all! Track & field events held Saturday at Perry High School. For detailed information or for a registration form, call 800-669-9226.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Tree Walk N' Talk
Saturday, June 4, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Vermilion River Reservation, Walking Center
Meet at the Walking Center to hike and learn about local trees. Easy Hike. Hiking Stick Program. 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
Cicada Crawl
Saturday, June 4, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Wolf Creek Environmental Center
Celebrate the arrival of the 17-year cicadas with this unique and quirky fun run/walk at Wolf Creek Environmental Center. Great for all abilities and ages, the course will be approximately one mile in length. Participants will have two hours to complete the course as many times as they like. Each time you cross the finish line, you will earn a raffle ticket to put in the coffer for cool prizes. The drawing will be held at 11:15 a.m. After the race, venture into the center to learn more about the fleeting but fascinating insects at our Cicada Mania event! All ages welcome. No registration required. There is a $5 fee per person to participate. A Fun Run for Everyone!
Hiking for the Health of It
Saturday, June 4, 9 to 11 a.m., Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Salt Run Trailhead, 5465 Quick Rd. in Peninsula.
This is a hiking club for those adults who can hike four to five miles at a brisk pace. Walking trails can be mildly strenuous.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.medinacountyparks.com/programs/
Portage County Parks
2016 Wild Hikes Challenge
Enjoy the beauty of nature in Portage Parks while getting fit! The Portage Park District is presenting the 2016 Wild Hikes Challenge at its local parks and hike & bike trails. Just walk 8 of the designated trails before December 31st to earn a locally made hiking stick and 2016 brass medallion, this year commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Portage Park District. Hike on your own or come along on the guided hikes led by Park District staff and volunteers. (You can join the hikes whether or not you take the Challenge).
Your 4-legged hiking buddies can earn a dog tag for completing the Challenge with you. Most of the designated trails are rated as easy, with length ranging from 1-3 miles. If hikers can’t make all of the listed trails, they are able to substitute up to 2 of the trails with ones of their own choosing within the Park District system. Suggested donations to help cover program costs are $5/medallion and $10/hiking staff. Our Foundation makes it possible to provide the hiking staffs and annual medallions.
Hiking staffs are hand hewn by Hiram Farm workers in Hiram Township, Portage County OH.
This year we have 2 types of medallions to choose from: Hiking Staff medallion & Dog Tag medallion
To make a donation for a hiking staff and/or medallion, please make Checks out to:
Portage Park District Foundation
705 Oakwood St. Suite G-4
Ravenna, OH 44266
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Walk About the Farm
Friday, June 3, 6 to 7 p.m., Fasnacht Farm Park
Discover Perry Township's Fasnacht Farm Park and explore its beautiful rolling landscape. Be prepared for natural surface trails and slight hills. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Campfire Stories
Friday, June 3, 8 to 9:30 p.m., Firestone Metro Park, Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron
Enjoy an evening of nature stories around a toasty campfire. Marshmallows will be available, while supplies last. Meet at the fire ring. Program will be moved to the shelter if it rains. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Ledges Trail Throughout The Year
Saturday, June 4, 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.
Constellations of the Summer Sky
Saturday, June 4, 9 to 11 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park, Top O' the World, 1285 Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls
Learn why the constellations got their names and why they have been important symbols throughout the ages. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Who's Nesting
Sunday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Liberty Park, Pond Brook Conservation Area, 3973 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg
Walk this moderate trail while searching the shrubs and trees for colorful songbirds and their nests. Some binoculars will be provided. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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