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, October 2 to Thursday, October 8, 2015
Featured Event
Fall Hayrides
October 3 to 31, 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation, Chalet, 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, OH
In addition to a hayride, Saturday night entertainment includes line and square dancing for all ages, face painting, balloon twisting, kid’s crafts, games and a scavenger hunt. For Questions, Group Reservations and Details, please call 440-572-9990. Cost: Adults: $9.00, Children (ages 3 - 11): $7.00, Children (2 and under): Free - must sit on adult lap for the hayrides.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Bird Watching: On the Wing
Saturday, October 3, 8 to 10 a.m., Ira Trailhead
Search for migrating birds at Beaver Marsh. This 2-mile walk on the firm, flat Towpath Trail is
wheelchair accessible. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Rangers and Roots
Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m.to noon, Howe Meadow.
Join a ranger at the market to explore the history of common fruits and vegetables. For more information call 330-657-2752.
Explore Ledges
Sunday, October 4, 1 to 3 p.m. Ledges Shelter
Join a ranger for a hike along hilly, unpaved trails at a leisurely pace to view spectacular sandstone cliffs. 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
Fall Campout: Findley
Friday, October 2 & Saturday, October 3, Findley State Park
Join us in the campground for children's activities, crafts, leaf hike, hay rides, and Trick or Treat. Please 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.
Halloween Campout Weekend: Mosquito Lake
Friday, October 2 & Saturday, October 3, Mosquito Lake State Park
Join us for this fun camping weekend at Mosquito Lake State Park. Numerous activities to include decorating campsites, costume contest, fun & games and movie. Call the camp office for more info (330) 638-5700. Make your camping 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
Beginner Tree Identification
Saturday, October 3, 1 to 2 p.m., North Chagrin Reservation, Nature Center
Start learning the trees around you. Join Naturalist Min Keung to gain skills in basic tree identification. We will do an indoor portion and then an optional short outdoor walk to identify trees around the nature center. The hike is easy, flat, about 1 mile. Free.
For the complete Cleveland Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/index.asp
Ashland County Parks
2015 Fall Hiking Spree
Co-sponsored by Ashland County Park District, Ashland City Parks & Recreation, and the Ashland County Board of Developmental Disabilities Adult Services. We invite you and your family to hike with us! It’s fun, healthy, and free!Just complete six hikes between September 1 and November 30, 2015. Download and fill out form and mail back.
http://ashlandcountyparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2015-fall-hiking-spree.pdf
For the complete Ashland County Parks events calendar click:
http://ashlandcountyparks.com/news-and-updates/
Crawford County Parks
Leesville History: Dr. Thomas H. B. Clutter
Saturday, October 3, 3:15 p.m., Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
The Crawford Park District invites you to come and learn about Dr.
Clutter and bring any information you might have about him. Dr. Clutter began his medical practice in Leesville in 1867. His home still stands on the southeast side of Leesville Rd. According to the 1873 Atlas of Crawford County, the town spring was located at the bottom of the hillside on the south side of his property. He not only served the general population, he treated employees of the Leesville Quarries.
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.
Native Plant Seed Collection
Sunday, October 4, 2 p.m., Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd.
Help the Crawford Park District promote the use of native plants in our landscape by collecting native plant seed. Participants will be permitted to keep limited amounts of seed for their own gardens. Meet Parka District Naturalist, Warren Uxley at Unger Park. Unger Park is located just west of Bucyrus on Bucyrus-Nevada Road. 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
Erie MetroParks offers many program and events throughout the year. In spring, our naturalists present the “How Do You Know Its Spring?” program in numerous local schools. Summer offers Nature Camps as well as our Outdoor Programming. In the fall, thousands of visitor’s participate in our annual Harvest Happenings festival. During the winter months, our Programs’ staff offers special Challenge Hikes for those still wanting to explore the outdoors.
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://eriemetroparks.org/index.php/programs/programs/
Geauga County Parks
Camping
Sites are currently available in three different parks, each offering a variety of experiences. Tent pads are designed for you to pitch your own tent on a comfortable well-drained surface, and typically accommodate up to 4 people. Lean-tos with a fireplace are provided at some sites, which also accommodate up to five people. Group Sites at Chickagami Park are specifically designed for large group camping, and are great for a gathering of family, friends, and scout troops.
For the complete Geauga County Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Fall Harvest Weekends: Music & Fiber
October 3 & 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
October 10 & 11, 17 & 18: Corn & Pumpkins
Lake Metroparks presents four weekends of fall harvest fun. Each weekend features an aspect of farming and harvest. These weekends provide visitors opportunities to enjoy the many family-friendly hands-on activities that are part of Farmpark’s harvest traditions. On all five weekends, little farmers can pedal their way on mini tractors through the farm maze in the Visitors Center Exhibit Hall. Outside, they can navigate the hay maze and play in the kid’s areas, while out in the field the whole family can explore the three-acre corn maze. Visitors can taste apple cider and apple butter on certain weekends and help grind apples and press cider.
Admission $6; ages 60+, $5; Youth 2 to 11, $4; younger than 2, Free; Farmpark members, Free
Halloween Hayrides
October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24, Ride times: 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Ages 2 and older, $6
Halloween Hayrides feature a narrated hayride along a trail filled with family-oriented thrills, chills, and adventures. Encounter upside down skeletons, falling spiders, and a lagoon with a mysterious creature! Many “fright” sites will leave you with goose bumps or giggles! After riding on the wagon, visitors continue their journey with a walk along a haunted trail. The ‘Evolution of Dance’ featuring the glow stick dancers is back again by popular demand! Dress for the weather – rides go rain, snow or shine! Family-oriented fun. Rated PG-5 on the “scare meter.” Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets on sale now for Lake County residents and Farmpark members (joined on/before August 25, 2015). Farmpark members living outside Lake County who joined on/before August 25, 2015 MUST enter their membership ID to order tickets online or call 440-256-2122 x3158 to order by phone prior to September 8.
Ticket hotline: 440-256-2122 x2 Out-of-county customers and Farmpark members who joined August 26 or after may order tickets beginning 8 am Tuesday, September 8.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/programs/events.shtml
Lorain County Parks
Fall Hay Wagon Rides & Corn Maze
Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 12:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Carlisle Reservation.
Celebrate the onset of fall with an old-fashioned hay wagon ride! Horse-drawn wagons leave about every fifteen minutes; short waits are common. The last wagon departs at 3:45. Also try your navigation skills through our large 6 acre corn maze! Cost is one dollar for each activity per person, children 3 and under free! Weather permitting; please call ahead. For more information call (440) 458-5121 Ext. 232. Tickets for each activity - $1.00.
For the complete Lorain County Metroparks events calendar click:
http://reservations.metroparks.cc/programs/
Medina County Parks
Hiking for the Health of it
Saturday, October 3, 9 to 11 a.m., Allardale West, parking lot.
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 with a limited amount being off trail. Please dress for the weather, and be sure to have appropriate footwear. Ages 10 to adult. No registration required. Free.
Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: Rocks and Fossils of Medina County
Sunday, October 4, 3 to 4 p.m., Princess Ledges Nature Preserve
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. From an ancient sea to massive glaciers, Ohio's geologic past is quite fascinating. It's hard to imagine that sea creatures, giant dragonflies, dinosaurs, and wooly mammoths all lived here at one time. At this program, we will talk about the geology of the area as well as the prehistoric animals that once lived here. Ages 7 to adult. No registration required. Free.
For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.medinacountyparks.com/
Portage County Parks
Enjoy the beauty of nature in Portage Parks while getting fit! The Portage Park District is presenting the 2015 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 2015 brass tag, this year commemorating the "Year of Soils". Hike on your own or come along on the guided hikes led by Park District staff. Download he Wild Hikes Challenge verification form here.file:///C:/Users/102019/Downloads/2015-Wild-Hikes-Form.pdf
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.portageparkdistrict.org/index.html
Stark Parks
Cardio Hike (brisk pace)
Saturday, October 3, 8 to 9 a.m., Middle Branch Trail, Schneider Park
Time to get moving with this brisk paced hike and low impact exercise program. Low impact means there won't be any pounding or major stress placed on your lower body. All of the exercise moves will be demonstrated by the staff member and can easily be modified according to ability. All fitness levels welcome! Please wear tennis shoes and bring water. Free
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Fall Woodland Hike
Friday, October 2, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sand Run Metro Park, Treaty Line Area, 995 Treaty Line Rd., Akron
Autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy what nature has to offer. Join a naturalist on a challenging hike to look and listen to the different sights and sounds of the forest. Good for spree credit. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Fall Family Outing
Saturday, October 3, 6 to 9 p.m., Goodyear Heights Metro Park, Main Entrance
2077 Newton St., Akron
Fall into autumn fun with free hayrides, bonfires, naturalist activities, live music, apple cider, cookies and more. A wheelchair-accessible hay wagon is available. For information, call 330-865-8065.
Hike the Glens
Wednesday, October 7, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls
Join a naturalist for this easy hike to discover some of the nature and history of the Gorge. Good for spree credit. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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