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, March 4 to Thursday, March 10, 2016
Featured Event
Volunteer Orientation: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. to noon.
Learn about CVNP’s mission, vision, and partners, as well as the park’s expectations and standards. For new and prospective volunteers.
There are many ways you can help care for your national parks, from one-time to reoccurring volunteer opportunities for youth, families, groups and individuals. To learn more about volunteering with the National Park Service and to get started, visit Volunteer.gov or Find a Park. Location provided upon registration. Register online at nps.gov/cuva under Volunteer/Training and Enrichment, or call 330-657-2299.
Are you ready for a challenge? The National Park Service's centennial year is here, and we want to encourage everyone to take part in the celebration! We invite people of all ages to find their park and discover the national parks in their community through volunteerism. Registered volunteers who contribute 201.6 hours of service between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 can earn a Centennial Volunteer Challenge Coin! Contact a national park near you to learn more.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Hiking the Hills
Sunday, March 6, 9 to 11:30 a.m., NPS Park Headquarters.
Hike 6.5 miles on the unpaved, hilly Buckeye and Valley 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
Maple Syrup Festival: Malabar Farm
Saturday & Sunday, March 5 & 6, Noon to 4 p.m., Malabar Farm State Park
Experience sugar camp with live historical demonstrations, horse drawn wagon rides music, food and maple products for sale. Free. Donations to horse group appreciated. For more info visit www.MalabarFarm.org or call (419) 892-2784.
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
History of Maple Sugaring
Saturday and Sundays March 5 to 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rocky River Nature Center, Maple Grove Picnic Area, North Olmsted, OH 44070
In late February and early March, Ohio's maple trees are typically ready to be tapped. Take a hike along the Sugarbush Trail and view sap collecting methods. Don't forget to visit the Sugarhouse where boiling sap transforms into tasty maple syrup! On weekends, visitors can walk through time along the Sugarbush trail from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see the sap-collecting methods and maple syrup-making processes used by Native Americans, pioneers and modern sugar farmers. The History of Maple Sugaring hikes will lead to the Sugarhouse, where guests can watch sap being boiled into delicious 100 percent pure maple syrup. Guided public hikes leave the Sugarhouse every 20 minutes (last hike leaves at 3:40 p.m.). Schools and groups can be accommodated for History of Maple Sugaring programs during weekdays by appointment only. For school groups and other groups, schedule (440) 734-6660. Maple Grove Picnic Area is located off Valley Parkway in Rocky River Reservation, between Cedar Point Road and Spafford Road in Brook Park, south of Rocky River Nature Center. Free.
Hop-a-long Hike
Saturday, March 5, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Big Creek Reservation, Eastland Road Trailhead
Explore marsh wetlands with Naturalist Mark Warman. We’ll learn frog calls and examine amphibian habitats along the Lake-to-Lake Trail. “Hop” to see you there!
Lake to Lake Trail, Free. Program Leader: Mark Warman. Terrain Difficulty: Easy, 1 Mile. Phone: 440-887-1968
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
Lowe-Volk Nature Center
The Lowe-Volk Nature Center opened in Dec. 2002. The building has an eco-friendly design, and contains a passive solar heat and light system, an above ground leach bed and parallam beams. It currently features 25 exhibits on various topics, including live wildlife.
As the "hub" of Park District activities, many school groups utilize the Nature Center and surrounding Lowe-Volk Park for field trips. There are also public environmental education programs and large events hosted here, such as Arrowhead Day (fourth Saturday in February) and Living History Day (first Saturday in June). Lowe-Volk Nature Center Hours: Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun: Closed
For the complete Crawford County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.crawfordparkdistrict.org/
Erie County Parks
Skunk Cabbage Stroll
Monday, March 7, 5 to 6 p.m., Castalia, Quarry MetroPark, 8404 SR 101, Castalia.
What is Skunk Cabbage? Why is it called Skunk Cabbage? Where is Skunk Cabbage? Find out this and more with a naturalist as you search for this unique plant!
Get Fit Club: Zumba
Tuesday, March 8, 6 to 7 p.m., Osborn MetroPark, Frost Center, Erie Room, 3910 Perkins Ave, Huron.
Dance the winter away with this upbeat workout! Get ready to sweat!
For the complete Erie County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/events/index.shtml
Geauga Park District
Backcountry Hike: Cabin Fever Cure
Sunday, March 6, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Swine Creek, Swine Creek Lodge
Join a naturalist for an on and off-trail adventure exploring seldom-visited portions of this park in search of signs of spring. Rugged terrain; must be physically capable of several miles of off-trail challenges with some steep hills. Participants should dress for the weather and wear boots or shoes with good traction that can get wet and muddy. Bring a lunch at Noon to enjoy in the lodge before the hike begins.
For the complete Geauga Park District events calendar click:
http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org/programs/index.shtml
Lake Metroparks
Maple Sugaring Weekends
Saturday & Sunday, March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Special maple activities for the whole family. Take a wagon ride to the sugarhouse to see how maple syrup and sugar are made. Sample maple syrup and candy, make a maple craft, help gather sap, learn how to tap trees and make maple syrup in your own backyard. Regular Farmpark admission applies. Farmpark members and children younger than 2 are FREE.
Pancake Breakfast: Pancakes served all day in J&J Café ($7 ages 12 and older; $4 ages 2 to 11). No registration necessary; regular Farmpark admission applies.
NOTE: Pancake breakfasts will not be available on March 19 & 20 due to Breakfast with the Easter Bunny program.
For the complete Lake Metroparks events calendar click:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/
Lorain County Parks
Campfire Hike
Saturday, March 5, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Sandy Ridge
Join us for a hike followed up by a campfire. Hiking level 2.
Paddling Sports Club: Movie Night
Thursday, March 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m., French Creek Nature and Arts Center
Enjoy a paddling themed movie on the big screen. Also learn more about upcoming paddling activities with the Club. 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
Hiking for the Health of It: Lester Rail Trail
Saturday, March 5, 9 to 11 a.m., Lester Rail Trail (meet at Lester Rd.)
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.
Nature Through the Seasons
Wednesday, March 9, 10 to 11 a.m., Chippewa Inlet Trail South located on Chippewa Road west of Lake Road.
The Nature Through the Seasons series consists of easy walks that explore our different parks while observing the unfolding of nature throughout the seasons. These hikes also count toward the Natural Discoveries program, an award based hiking series. See our website for details about that program. 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
Parks and Trails
Portage Parks invites you to experience the beautiful and diverse natural areas of Portage County. Portage Parks manages 1,300 acres and 14 miles of hike and bike trails, connecting communities across Portage County, and with other regional trail systems. Unfortunately, over 800 acres of parkland is not yet open to the public due to lack of funding. Visit our website to download a county map to print, with directions to parks and trails.
For the complete Portage County Parks events calendar click:
http://portageparkdistrict.org/programs/upcoming-events/
Stark Parks
Fit Friday (moderate pace)
Friday, March 4, 9 to 11 a.m., Sippo Valley Trail - meet at Lincoln Park, 17th Street NW, Massillon
Get out with Stark Parks for this bi-weekly, healthy walking series. Join park staff for a 3 mile walk on the Sippo Valley Trail. Free.
Wildlife After Work: Owl Prowl
Monday, March 7, 7 to 8 p.m., Wildlife Conservation Center
Come take a leisurely 1.5 mile hike along the trails of Sippo Lake Park as we search for our native, nocturnal birds of prey. Free.
For the complete Stark Parks events calendar click:
http://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/
Summit County Parks
Distance Hike
Friday, March 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Everett Road Covered Bridge, 2370 Everett Rd., Peninsula
Hike 7.7 miles at a continuous pace on trails that are difficult or primitive. There will be few, if any, rest stops. Please wear footwear appropriate for stream crossings. For information, call 330-865-8065.
In Search Of Spring
Sunday, March 6, 2 to 3:30 p.m., O'Neil Woods Metro Park, Trail Lot, 2550 Martin Rd., Bath
Search for signs of spring, including wildflowers and insects, along the difficult Deer Run Trail. For information, call 330-865-8065.
For the complete Summit County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.summitmetroparks.org
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