For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Park Closures
Observatory Park will be closed Nov. 18, 19, 27 and 28, Dec. 2, Jan. 6 and 7, and Big Creek Park will be closed Dec. 16 and 17 due to controlled hunting.
Rangers and/or signs will be posted at park entrances during these times as a reminder.
Controlled hunting has been used since the 2007-08 season to maintain healthy, balanced populations of plants and animals on park district properties. Time has proven it a viable management tool and a proactive approach to the Park District’s mission. Learn more about the program at http://bit.ly/gpdhunt.
For more information on holiday and snow-related park closures, visit the What’s New page online.
Sunday Afternoon Armchair Birding
Nov. 12, 2-3:30 p.m.
The West Woods, Russell Township
Some birds are residents in Geauga County while others just visit during the winter. Learn which are which and how to provide for them.
Afterwards, pull up a chair in The West Woods lobby and enjoy some hot chocolate and bird-watching with a naturalist.
The Bird in the Hand feeder is also available for those who would rather venture outside and invite a chickadee to take some seed from their hands.
Registration is not required.
Night Hike & Campfire
Nov. 17, 6-7:30 p.m.
Orchard Hills Park, Chester Township.
Gather around a campfire, warm up with some hot chocolate, journey into the darkness to experience the magical world of nature at night, and then return to the campfire for a sweet treat
Registration is not required.
Winter Wildflower Workshop
Nov. 18, 2-4 p.m.
The West Woods, Russell Township
Although the colorful petals are gone, many of the summer wildflowers are still identifiable by their unusual seedpods. Learn how to tell many of these plants using the Winter Weed Finder booklet, available at the gift shop before the program for $6. Indoor session will be followed by an outdoor walk in search of plants to identify. Registration is required for the park district’s joint program with Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio.
Call For Entries: Art Takes A Bough
Dec. 7, 4-5:30 p.m.
For the 11th and final year, Geauga Council for Arts & Culture is seeking regional artists of all ages to participate in its “Art Takes a Bough” community art project, a showcase for community handmade holiday ornaments.
Entries may be submitted at The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township.
Art Takes a Bough is a venue to display and sell your ornaments directly.
Ornaments must be priced at $5 increments. Artists may submit a maximum of 10 ornaments and each much fit inside a 6-inch square box, be lightweight, have an ornament hanger and be signed by the artist. Artists may also choose to provide a short, typed bio or business card to include with each ornament.
As in the past, 50 percent of sales will go directly to the artist; the remaining 50 percent will be split equally between the Geauga Council for Arts & Culture and Geauga Park District. All artists must be present at the reception that evening and will be paid on location for ornaments sold.
Once all ornaments are put on display, the pieces of art may be admired and purchased by the public at “buy It now” prices during an open house and reception from 6-9 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center.
Reception guests will have the opportunity purchase the handmade ornaments and enjoy holiday refreshments. Also, from 7-8 p.m., Bill Hixson, an accomplished floral designer who has helped decorate The White House for the holidays for more than 30 years, will share humorous stories centered on decorating various rooms there, plus folklore about ornament designs and holiday traditions. Some of his ornaments will also be available for sale and signing at the event.
For more information, contact Teresa Runion, special events coordinator, at trunion@geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-279-0882.