Arrowhead - January/February 2022

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

January-February 2022 Volume 62, Number 1

FIRE & ICE WALK Ice carvers, fire pits, Frozen characters, food vendors, and more! Don't miss the winter fun at Mill Hollow! | Pg. 6

WINTER NIGHT HIKES Got cabin fever? Check out our extensive list of guided winter night hikes to learn about nocturnal animals, see the full moon, and more! | Pg. 4

GIVE THE GIFT OF GIVING Interested in becoming a volunteer with the Metro Parks? There are a variety of opportunities throughout the park district! Find more information on how to join on the back cover! | Pg. 12 Pictured: An ice carver perfecting his masterpiece at the 2021 Fire & Ice Walk.

LORAINCOUNTYMETROPARKS.COM

INSIDE Park Updates 2 Honor Roll 3 Recreation 4 Winter Outdoor Fun 5 Winter Major Events 6-7 Yours to Explore 8-9 Kids & Family 10 - 11 Volunteers 12

James E. Ziemnik Director, Lorain County Metro Parks 2022 BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS: Joseph E. Hribar • Chairman Kenneth M. Lieux • Vice Chairman Sherrill M. “Cookie” McLoda • Commissioner James Walther • Probate Court Judge LORAINCOUNTYMETROPARKS.COM

Park Updates As a new year begins to unfold, our world continues to morph into a new reality. We here at the parks continue to be ever watchful. We maintain a cautious but hopeful outlook for public programs and spaces.

As the pandemic continues, the Lorain County Metro Parks will also continue to abide by recommendations from the Lorain County Public Health Department.

We were happy to see the reopening of our facilities and the return of in-person programming. However, we still proceed with caution and a greater appreciation for the planning required to remain flexible in an ever-changing environment.

As many of our large events underwent changes and adaptations, we appreciate the understanding of our park patrons. We thank our visitors for their continued support and our shared passion for the natural wonders of Lorain County. We look forward to another year of serving our residents and welcoming visitors from outside our county to enjoy all the beauty of nature nearby!

(440) 458-5121 L O R A I N C O U N T Y M E T R O PA R K S L O C AT I O N S & F A C I L I T I E S : • Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation

913 North Lake St., Amherst, Ohio 44001

• Amherst HealthPlex

Equestrian Center/ Nielsen Observatory:

French Creek Nature Center:

4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054 (440) 949-5200

• North Coast Inland Trail Butternut Ridge Trailhead:

13630 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, Ohio 44050 44342 Butternut Ridge Rd., 47160 Hollstein Dr., Amherst, OH 44001 • Cascade Park Oberlin, OH 44074 (440) 984-3470 Pine Tree Picnic Area: 387 Furnace St., Elyria, Ohio 44035 Gateway Trailhead: 4951 French Creek Rd., • Black River Reservation (440) 458-5121 6275 Gateway Blvd., Elyria, OH 44035 Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054 (440) 324-5481 • Charlemont Reservation • The North Star Preserve/Henry’s Barn: • Indian Hollow Reservation Bur Oak: 48600 New London Eastern Rd., 46223 U.S. Rt. 20, Oberlin, Ohio 44074 38744 Parsons Rd., Grafton, Ohio 44044 • Sandy Ridge Reservation 6150 Ford Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 New London, Ohio 44851 Royal Oaks: Days Dam: • Columbia Reservation 6195 Otten Rd., N. Ridgeville, Ohio 44039 2720 E. 31st St., Lorain, Ohio 44055 25145 Royalton Rd., Columbia Station, 1057 Parson Rd., Grafton, Ohio 44044 (440) 327-3626 Ohio 44028 High Meadows: • Kopf Family Reservation • Schoepfle Garden (440) 236-3254 1750 Ford Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 32649 Electric Blvd., 11106 Market St., Birmingham, Ohio 44889 Briarwood Lodge: Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 (440) 965-7237 • Caley Reservation 25250 Briarwood Dr., Columbia Station, (440) 387-8107 18207 West Rd., Wellington, Ohio 44090 • Splash Zone Ohio 44028 • Kipton Reservation 95 W. Hamilton, Oberlin, Ohio 44074 • Carlisle Reservation • F orest Hills Golf Course St. Route 511, Oberlin, Ohio 44074 (440) 774-5059 (440) 458-5121 41971 Oberlin-Elyria Rd., • L akeview Park • V ermilion River Reservation Carlisle Visitor Center: Elyria, Ohio 44035 1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, Ohio 44052 51211 N. Ridge Rd., Vermilion, Ohio 44089 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, Ohio 44050 (440) 323-2632 (440) 967-7310 • Miller Nature Preserve Duck Pond Picnic Area: • F rench Creek Reservation 2739 Center Rd., Avon OH 44011 • Wellington Reservation 12550 Diagonal Rd., Burrell Homestead: (440) 937-0764 535 Jones Rd., Wellington, Ohio 44090 LaGrange, Ohio 44050 (440) 647-2509 2792 E. River, Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054

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B L A C K R I V E R C E L E B R AT I O N

PHOTO CONTEST The Black River connects communities, supplies clean drinking water, provides valuable wildlife habitats, contributes to the local economy, and delivers a vast array of recreational opportunities.

Share your best photograph, which depicts the theme “The Black River: A Resource Worth Celebrating” and you could win! Entries will be accepted from Feb. 18 until March 18. All photographs will be displayed at the Black River Celebration Exhibit, April 4-24, 2022 (closed April 17), 10 am-4 pm, at the French Creek Nature Center.

Honor Roll Annette Biehler and Aaron Treadway, Yellow Springs Ron and Jackie Caffo, North Olmsted Patsie and Jenee Campana Foundation Cleveland Clinic - Avon Hospital Community Foundation of Lorain County The Desich Sales Institute Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County Ray Gidich Heating and Air Conditioning Girl Scout Troop 50661 Maxine Houck, Oberlin Huron Garden Club K. E. McCartney & Assoc., Inc. Lorain County Community College Lorain County Kennel Club Lorain County Urban League Lorain High School Class of 1971 Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Co-op Lorain Public Library Sherrill "Cookie" McLoda, Amherst Nordson Corporation North Lake Missionary Baptist Church, Amherst Parsons Insurance Agency, Elyria PERI Chapter 83 Lorain County Cheryl Plank, Avon Don and Jean Swift, Amherst Laura Vilagi, Grafton WOBL Radio Inc.

Adopt-A-Raptor

Marianne Bontempo, Sheffield Lake Stan and Rhonda Boozer, North Ridgeville (Gift to Ari and Lucas Lastafka)

Three lucky winners will be selected based on public voting online and in-person! First prize includes • Photograph used as the cover of the July/ August 2022 Arrowhead • Individual (1) Annual Membership to Splash Zone Aquatics Center in Oberlin ($270 Value) • One (1) Free Shelter Rental at any LCMP location to be used in 2022 ($30 Value) • LCMP Gift Basket ($50 Value) Full details will be available by Jan. 18 at: loraincountymetroparks.com/black-river-celebration.

The Honor Roll is our way of publicly thanking individuals, families, organizations, & corporations for their donations to the Lorain County Metro Parks be it through volunteer services, monetary gifts, or other. If you would like information about making a donation, please contact the Public Information Office at (440) 458-5121.

Cathy Case, North Ridgeville (Gift to Richard Egy) Raymond and Linda Cosma, Lorain James M. and Michele Ilcisko, Amherst Joseph and Laurel Irwin, Lagrange Melinda Pazos and Ron Miller, Elyria (Gift to Alex Radachi) Lesley E. Shaffer, Amherst (Gift to Cooper Messer) Karen Smith, Oberlin Nicole Strick, Vermilion (in Memory of Roberta A. Schau) Carol Tarrier, Vermilion (Gift to Pattie Combs) Scott and Linda Walters, Bay Village (Gifts to Mikey and Clare Lovett) John Whitman, Oberlin (Gift to Robin Hodge) Linda Wilin, North Ridgeville Shannon Wyatt, Lorain

Gift was given in Memory of:

Richard "Dick" Arnold by Barb Brown, Westlake Richard "Dick" Arnold by The Catawba Moorings, Port Clinton Richard "Dick" Arnold by Bob and Linda Dalrymple, Independence Richard "Dick" Arnold by Sally Fox, Vermilion Richard "Dick" Arnold by Great Circle Properties LLC, Vermilion Richard "Dick" Arnold by Edward and Marcella Turza, Rocky River Richard "Dick" Arnold by Debby Zanglin, Vermilion Richard "Dick" Arnold by Thomas and Sharon Zeck, Vermilion Richard "Dick" Arnold by David and Carrie Knecht, Avon Lake Richard "Dick" Arnold by The Satullo Family, Solon Rebecca Biehler by Robert Biehler, Lorain Earl Conrad, Jr. by Dave & Karen Ennes, Elyria Bill Davies by Pete and Kathi Donatucci, North Ridgeville Nancy Lee Henceroth by Charles and Michele Potts, Glen Burnie, MD Nancy Lee Henceroth by M.J. Griffith Paving, Inc., Sheffield Village Nancy Lee Henceroth by Darcy and Kaye Teets, Amherst

Jane Davidson Mearns and Louis Horkay Jr. by Children of Louis and Jane Horkay, Cleveland Heights Bob Imbrogno by Joe & Cheryl Hribar, Vermilion Judy and Denny Johns by The Becker Kids, Elyria Sue Kayle by Merle E. Koppenhafer, Vermilion William "Bill" Kretovics by Kent State HIED Program Faculty, Kent William "Bill" Kretovics by John and Nina Price, Dublin William "Bill" Kretovics by Kathleen Santarelli, Sheffield Walt Kruszewski by Joe & Cheryl Hribar, Vermilion Richard McGinnis by Kathryn French, Wellington Susan E. Moore by Phyllis Fravel, Lorain Susan E. Moore by David and Heidi Gedling, Lorain Susan E. Moore by Howard and Joyce Kirk, Canton Susan E. Moore by Margaret R. Ling, Amherst Susan E. Moore by Mary D. Ling, Amherst Susan E. Moore by John Rogers, Lorain Flossie Muller by Thomas J Hoover CPA & Company, Sheffield Village Pamela Savoy by Marilyn and Ed Falk Pamela Savoy by Joe and Maggie Savoy, Elyria John R. Sturgill by Bill Sturgill and Family, Lorain Roy and Joy Van Keuren by Mike and Kerry Van Keuren, Lagrange Albert Volak, Sr. by Judy Volak, North Ridgeville William "Willie" J. Wagner Jr. by The Association Office, Dayton William "Willie" J. Wagner Jr. by Randal and Ivy Cooper, Lorain William "Willie" J. Wagner Jr. by Mark and Jane Dabney, Avon Lake Christopher Walsh by Patricia Jackson, Avon Dottie Washington by Joe & Cheryl Hribar, Vermilion

Gift was given in Honor of:

Dave Wintrick and Georgia Porostovsky Wintrick by The Wintrick Family, Avon Lake

LORAINCOUNTYMETROPARKS.COM | (440) 458-5121

Recreation GET PHYSICAL WITH THE LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

Winter Night Hikes

Join a Naturalist for a winter adventure into nature. Learn more about nocturnal creatures, check out the moon, explore the stars, and enjoy an evening sensory experience! All Winter Nights Hikes are $3 per person and require preregistration. Find more info and pre-register at loraincountymetroparks.com/programs loraincountymetroparks.com/programs..

OWL PROWL

GLOW HIKE

Wed., Jan. 5 | 4:30-5:30 pm Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

NIGHTTIME SENSORY HIKE Wed., Jan. 12 | 6-7 pm French Creek Reservation, Nature Center

OWL PROWL

Mon., Jan. 17 | 5-6:30 pm Wellington Reservation

FULL MOON HIKE Wed., Feb. 16 | 6-7 pm Wellington Reservation

OWL PROWL

Thur., Jan. 13 | 4:30-5:30 pm Miller Nature Preserve, Avon

FULL MOON HIKE

Wed., Feb. 9 | 6:30-7:30 pm French Creek Reservation, Nature Center

HIKING LEVELS:

Thur., Feb. 17 | 5-6 pm Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

OWL PROWL Mon., Feb. 21 | 5-6 pm Miller Nature Preserve, Avon

= EASY

= MODERATE

= STRENUOUS

For the official definition of our hiking levels, please visit us online at www.LorainCountyMetroParks.com/trails

Indoor Paddling Programs & Classes OPEN PADDLE

KAYAK LEVEL ONE

Come practice kayak strokes and maneuvers at the Splash Zone!

Registration is $7 per person for a two-hour open paddle session. Instructors will be available for helpful tips and instruction. Personal boats are welcome as long as they are clean before entering the building.

Through March 2022 we will have two open paddle sessions per month. Watch for program updates on social media and our website.

This Introduction to Kayaking course is designed as a short program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry level individuals in public, private, and commercial settings. The use of spray skirts is not appropriate for Level 1 courses. Highlights: kayak nomenclature, basic strokes, safety and demonstration of rescues. We will run this class in January and March, watch for program updates on social media and our website for dates and times. See Paddling Waiver for eligibility. Ages 16 and up (under 18 with participating adult). $50 per paddler.

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KAYAK LEVEL TWO

Follow up class to Kayak Level 1.

Focuses on perfecting basic strokes, learning advance strokes, learning and practicing different rescues. We will run this class in February and April, watch for program updates on social media and our website. See Paddling Waiver for eligibility. Ages 16 and up (under 18 with participating adult). $50 per paddler.

LUNCH & LEARN SERIES Thur., Jan. 6 | 11:15 a.m.

Thur., Feb. 3 | 11:15 a.m.

Splash Zone, Oberlin Please join us at the Splash Zone for our Lunch and Learn Series on the first Thursday of each month at 11:15 am.

You will be provided a free lunch and will learn about an interesting topic presented by a local professional.

Pre-registration is required. Visit loraincountymetroparks.com/programs.

Winter Outdoor Fun OUTDOOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK DISTRICT DURING THIS WINTER SEASON

Snowshoeing Guided hikes and Traveling rentals

This winter, Lorain County Metro Parks will be providing snowshoeing opportunities as pop-up programs throughout the park district and rentals at our NEW snowshoe rental room at the French Creek Nature Center! If we have adequate snow cover (at least 4 inches), we will offer rentals at French Creek, a guided snowshoe hike, or rentals available at different parks throughout the district. The rentals will be $2 per person/per hour (first come, first served) cash only. The guided hikes will also be $2 per person. Guided hikes will require pre-registration. Watch for information on our Facebook page and at loraincountymetroparks.com. Contact Jason at jmatyac@loraincountymetroparks.com for questions!

g n i d d e Sl Hills

When the snow flies get out the sleds and hit the local hills! Within our parks we’ve got two great options – Cascade Park and Bacon Woods. Both hills are open from 8am-Sunset.

CASCADE PARK 387 Furnace St., Elyria VERMILION RIVER RESERVATION - BACON WOODS 51211 N. Ridge Rd., Vermilion

LORAINCOUNTYMETROPARKS.COM | (440) 458-5121

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Winter Events OUTDOOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK DISTRICT DURING THIS WINTER SEASON

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY MONDAY, JANUARY 17

BE THE CHANGE! Sat.-Mon., Jan. 15-17 | 10 am-4 pm French Creek Reservation, Nature Center FREE event! | No registration required In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., we will rejoice this year by recalling his vision. Martin Luther King Jr. worked diligently to bring greater equality to America and ensure civil rights for everyone, regardless of race. French Creek Nature Center will be hosting “BE THE CHANGE!” a free event for all to enjoy.

We will be collecting new or gently used items to donate to local resource organizations. If you bring a donation, you will receive an MLK badge of service in return! Be the change you want to see in the world!

Pre-registration is not required for this program.

(Check the LCMP “What’s Happening” page to see a listing of the items to be collected or email: outreach@loraincountymetroparks.com).

FIR &IC

LORAIN COUNTY

FIRE & ICE WALK Sat., Jan 22 | Noon-4 pm Vermilion River Reservation $7/person | Children 3 & under: FREE

WA

Walk through the river valley filled with ice carving demos a along the way! This year enjoy additional features including dogs, DJ music, Little Green Choo rides, and more.

The Carriage Barn will offer an additional indoor warming spa displays. Various food options will be available including gou

Pre-registration is required for all attendees. The cost is $7 are free. Registration opens on 12/17. The Fire and Ice Wa Mill Hollow side with parking available on the Bacon Woods will be available at Mill Hollow. Receipts will be checked u Please contact the Carriage Barn at (440) 967-7310 with any www.loraincountymetroparks.com/programs.

HEARTS

a glow

Sat., Feb. 12 | 6-8:30 pm Schoepfle Garden, Birmingham $5/person | Pre-registration required by 2/10

Join us for an evening stroll through the garden with the one(s) you love. Romantic tunes will fill the cool night air as you walk by fire pits and luminaries that will warm and light your way, along with hot beverages and sweet treats for everyone. Arrival times are staggered to keep your wait time for beverages short and allow spacing along the trail. Pre-register and pay $5 per person

by Feb. 10. The walk is along our ½-mile paved trail that will be cleaned in case of snow.

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Explore winter with your family at Cascade Park for FREE! time by the fire, warm refreshments, music, and more! If person/per hour (first come, first served) CASH ONLY. Don activities planned for everyone! Pre-registration is require will open on Jan. 10.

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and several fire pits set up g Frozen characters, sled

MAPLE SUGARING

Feb. 26-27 & Mar. 5-6 Sugar Shack open house: 10 am-Noon Naturalist-led programs/hikes every 30 minutes: Noon-2:30 pm Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (Sugar Shack) Late winter brings the sound of sap dripping into buckets in the Carlisle Reservation sugar bush. Join us for a 45-minute outdoor program on the maple sugaring process. Enjoy a visit to the sugar bush, where you will discover how to identify maple trees.

Then explore the tools needed to tap trees, collect sap, and end with a visit to the Sugar Shack, where sap will be boiling in the evaporator pan. Discover the process of turning sap into syrup through this demonstration, then enjoy a taste of pure maple syrup. These guided naturalist-led hikes begin every 30 minutes from noon until 2:30. The Sugar Shack will also be open for visitors who want to drop in and watch the sap cooking in the evaporator pan from 10-noon on Saturdays and Sundays, Feb 26-27, and March 5-6. No registration is required for either program.

ace with nature and history urmet warm beverages.

per person, 3 and under alk will take place on the s side. Handicap parking upon entry into the event. questions. Pre-register at

SNOW DAY Sat., Feb 19 | 11 am-3 pm Cascade Park, Elyria FREE | Pre-registration is required

! At your leisure, enjoy crafts, snowshoeing, sledding, story you are interested in snowshoeing, rentals will be $2 per n’t worry, if there’s no snow, we will still have plenty of fun ed per participant; this program has no cost. Registration

KS.COM | (440) 458-5121

FRIENDS OF THE METRO PARKS’ PANCAKE BREAKFAST Sun., Feb. 27 | 9 am-1 pm Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center $7/person | Ages 10 & under: $5 Ages 2 & under: free Join the Friends of the Metro Parks on Sunday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Carlisle Visitor Center for a delicious pancake breakfast. The cost is just $7 per person, 10 and under are $5, 2 and under are free.

Admission is CASH ONLY.

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Yours to Explore INFORMATION CENTERED AROUND OBSERVING AND LEARNING ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF NATURE

Typically, the fuzzy, adorable animals get most of our love and adoration when it comes to animals. Majestic animals like raptors garner respect and admiration for their fierce hunting abilities. While fluffy or feathered animals can be charming, remember that there are so many more living creatures that deserve love and respect for their roles in nature.

The LCMP wildlife program ambassador snakes, turtles, toads, and even cockroaches, have a charm all their own.

Individuals have different personalities, likes, and dislikes, the same as any other living creature. For example, an Eastern Box Turtle at the Carlisle Visitor Center likes to eat superworms and blueberries—while the Ornate Box Turtle living at French Creek Nature Center will do anything for crickets. Most of our wildlife program ambassador snakes prefer to bask in warm, cozy, sunny areas of their habitats. Once you look past the scales, shells, and multiple legs, you start to realize that these living animals are just as endearing as any furry or feathered wildlife neighbor.

In February, we invite you to show your love and appreciation with a valentine for these under-appreciated creatures. Visit French Creek Nature Center (open 10 am-4:30 pm daily) or the Carlisle Visitor Center (open 8 am-4:30 pm daily). Both locations will have a station where you can make a valentine for your favorite not-so-cuddly wildlife program ambassador.

Help us spread the love this February!

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Carlisle Visitor Center's resident Gray Ratsnakes, Houdini & Chill

Carlisle Visitor Center's resident American Toad, Ted

L O R A I N

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Critter Carnival

Sat., Jan. 29 | 10:30 am French Creek Reservation, Nature Center $5/person | Pre-registration is required This January, the Critter Crew makes their inperson debut with a kickoff event, the Critter Carnival! Join the staff at French Creek Nature Center for an afternoon of fun celebrating critters of all kinds! For just $5, attendees will enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, games, a Critter Crew puppet show, and a live animal show.

Concessions will be available for purchase (cash only). Registration is limited, so reserve your spot at the Critter Carnival today!

CRITTER CREW PUPPET SHOWS Feb. 26 & 27 | 10:30 am & 11:30 am French Creek Reservation, Nature Center $5/person | Pre-registration is required Following the event, the Critter Crew can be found twice a month at the French Creek Nature Center. Follow turtles Bonnie and Harry as well as snakes Blake and Scarlet on a new adventure every month! $5 tickets will be available on loraincountymetroparks.com/programs. Each show will be followed by a meet and greet/photo opportunity for audience members to meet the puppet characters! Come spend a Saturday or Sunday at French Creek, where you can see a show, hike the trails, and see the live animals which inspired our puppet characters!

Yours to Explore INFORMATION CENTERED AROUND OBSERVING AND LEARNING ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF NATURE

Luminaries Luminaries are thought to have been used as early as the 16th century in Spain to guide people to midnight mass. Today, luminaries are commonly used on Christmas Eve along sidewalks and driveways. The warm glow is a very inviting sight on a dark winter evening.

If you want to make your own luminary, it can be as simple as a paper lunch bag weighted with sand with a tea light or battery-operated light inside. You can also use plastic milk jugs, weighted with sand, with an opening cut into the side for the light.

If you want to get creative, recycle a metal can and use a nail and hammer to punch holes in the sides to create designs that glow when the candle is lit. Please use caution when working with hammers and nails and also lit candles.

WINTER NATURE AT NIGHT Fri., Feb. 18 | 6-8 p.m.

French Creek Reservation, Nature Center $3/person | Pre-registration required by Feb. 11 Coyotes howl, trees creak, owls call, ice cracks, and snow silently falls. Join us at the French Creek Nature Center to learn about the mystery of nature during winter nights. Participate in a night hike, owl pellet dissection, stargazing, and a live animal meet and greet! Learn about winter animal adaptations, enjoy smores by the fire, and more – fun for the whole family! Pre-register and pay $3 per person by Friday, February 11.

LORAINCOUNTYMETROPARKS.COM | (440) 458-5121

LO R A I N C O U N T Y M E T R O PA R K S

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Kids & Family LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS' FAMILY- AND CHILD-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING

2022 SUMMER CAMPS This summer Lorain County Metro Parks will be hosting a wide variety of summer camp opportunities. Camp 2022 offerings will be expanded to provide more opportunities and additional openings per camp.

Call-in registration will open for Lorain County residents only on Feb. 11, at 8 am.

Open registration will begin on Feb. 18. Call-in registration can be made by contacting one of the following:

Please check out our Summer Camps information at loraincountymetroparks.com/summer-camps to find dates, times, fees, locations, and registration information.

French Creek Nature Center: (440) 949-5200 Carlisle Visitor Center: (440) 458-5121 Vermilion River Reservation: (440) 967-7310

NATURE INVESTIGATORS: CRITTER CONNECTIONS FIELD TRIP Jan. 25-27 | Timeslots: 9:30, 10, 10:30, & 11 am French Creek Reservation, Nature Center $3/student (Adult chaperone: FREE) | Pre-registration is required We are announcing our new indoor interactive field trip opportunity for Kindergarten and 1st-grade students! By combining nature and arts programming, students will learn animals' characteristics, adaptations, and behaviors through a live animal program, interactive puppet show, art activity, and self-guided nature experiences. This field trip experience will last an hour and a half. The cost is just $3 per student (adult chaperone is free).

Registration is now open through Jan. 14. Limited timeslots are available.

Timeslots per classroom begin at 9:30 am, 10 am, 10:30 am, and 11 am.

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HOMESCHOOL NATURE INVESTIGATORS: CRITTER CONNECTIONS Wed., Jan. 26 | 10-11:30 a.m.

French Creek Reservation, Nature Center $3/student (Adult chaperone: FREE) | Pre-register by 1/19 required Learn about animal characteristics, adaptations, and behaviors during this field trip experience! For ages Kindergarten through 1st-grade.

For more details, contact Rachel at rkalizewski@loraincountymetroparks.com or (440) 949-5200, ext. 227.

Kids & Family LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS' FAMILY- AND CHILD-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

HOMESCH EXPLORERS E N G A G E

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Are your children learning at home? Homeschool Explorers is a program just for you! The program will travel around each month to a different park location to engage your children in nature, history and science. Explore topics such as Geology, Raptors, Spring Wildflowers, Wildlife in Winter and Maple Sugaring. Put on your running shoes for a Sports Day at Splash Zone and participate in the Black River Celebration field trip program at French Creek Nature Center.

To be able to accommodate as many students as possible, only students grades 1-6 will be permitted to attend and participation waivers are required. Registration opens 1 month prior to the program date. Please look for all our Homeschool programs at: loraincountymetroparks.com/whats-happening

HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS:

HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS:

Thur., Jan. 20 | 10-11:30 am Splash Zone, Oberlin $3/child | Pre-registration by Jan. 19 required The Splash Zone invites homeschoolers for a fun sports themed program where students will have a chance to try pickleball, volleyball, basketball and more! Join us for a fun filled morning filled with exercise and education. For children in grades 1-6.

Pre-register and pay $3/child by 1/19.

Thur., Feb. 10 | 10-11:30 am Wellington Reservation $3/child | Pre-registration by Feb. 9 required Explore all the ways wildlife survive the winter using their amazing adaptations, migration, hibernation and more! We will use snowshoes (if there is snow) to hike through the park looking for the different ways that wildlife spend their winter months. For children in grades 1-6. Pre-register and pay $3/child by 2/9.

SPORTS DAY

WILDLIFE IN WINTER

LORAINCOUNTYMETROPARKS.COM | (440) 458-5121

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Volunteering GET INVOLVED WITH THE LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

BECOME A FRIENDS VOLUNTEER! The Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County, Inc. is the volunteer branch of the Lorain County Metro Parks. Friends members work closely with park staff to assist with programs, plant care, special events, gift shops, and more. The park staff is dedicated to giving the citizens of Lorain County the finest park system possible and Friends support them in their endeavors. To become a member, you must first attend an orientation and have a background check completed. Orientations are held bi-monthly.

Schoepfle Garden Volunteers

The Friends organization accepts volunteers 16 years and older. Those under 18 require an accompanying volunteer adult. A minimal membership fee is required to cover organizational costs, including accidental insurance coverage. This annual fee is waived for members with more than 40 volunteer hours per year. Background checks are completed and membership fees are due at orientation (cash or check only).

Schoepfle Garden offers a wide range of opportunities to Friends’ volunteers. Our corps’ members help by running the carousel in the Children’s Garden, driving tram tours around the garden, help maintain the garden by weeding, pruning and more, supervising visitors and answer questions in the Schoepfle house and helping with programs throughout the year.

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN ANNUAL VOLUNTEER CORPS MEETING Sat., Feb. 19 | 9:30 am Schoepfle Garden, Birmingham Help us get the year started by attending the corps’ annual meeting February 19th at 9:30am in the Schoepfle Garden Visitor Center.

Please pre-register online or call Matt at 965-7237 for more details.

UPCOMING ORIENTATIONS Tue., Jan. 11 | 10 am & 7 pm French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield Village Tue., Mar. 8 | 10 am & 7 pm Carlisle Visitor Center, LaGrange FRIENDS OF THE LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

MEMBERSHIP FEES 16-64 years old: $10 65 and older: $5

FRIENDS OF

METRO

PARKS

GARAGE SALE LORAIN COUNTY

FRIENDS OF METRO PARKS ANNUAL GARAGE SALE Sat., Jan. 29 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center Consider donating your unwanted items to the Friends of Metro Parks Annual Garage Sale! We will not accept donations of clothing, shoes, electronics, large furniture, artificial Christmas trees, or broken items. Donations can be dropped off at the Carlisle Visitor Center on the following dates: • Sunday, Jan. 23 – 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

• Monday, Jan. 24 – 1 p.m.- 7 p.m.

• Thursday, Jan. 27 – 4 p.m.- 7 p.m.

G I N S A T 9 A M 26 E N D S A T 3 P M L O R A I NB E C OUNTYMETROPARKS.COM | (440) 458-5121

S AT U R D AY

JANUARY