Arrowhead - January/February 2023

• Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation 913 North Lake St., Amherst, Ohio 44001

• Amherst HealthPlex 47160 Hollstein Dr., Amherst, OH 44001 (440) 984-3470

• Black River Reservation (440) 324-5481

Bur Oak: 6150 Ford Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035

Days Dam: 2720 E. 31st St., Lorain, Ohio 44055

High Meadows: 1750 Ford Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035

• Caley Reservation 18207 West Rd., Wellington, Ohio 44090

• Carlisle Reservation (440) 458-5121

Carlisle Visitor Center: 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, Ohio 44050

Duck Pond Picnic Area: 12550 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, Ohio 44050

Park Updates

Equestrian Center/ Nielsen Observatory: 13630 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, Ohio 44050

• Cascade Park 387 Furnace St., Elyria, Ohio 44035 (440) 458-5121

• Cassell Reservation 815 High Bridge Rd., Vermilion, Ohio 44089

Charlemont Reservation 48600 New London Eastern Rd., New London, Ohio 44851

• Columbia Reservation 25145 Royalton Rd., Columbia Station, Ohio 44028 (440) 236-3254

Briarwood Lodge: 25250 Briarwood Dr., Columbia Station, Ohio 44028

• Forest Hills Golf Course 41971 Oberlin-Elyria Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 (440) 323-2632

• French Creek Reservation Burrell Homestead: 2792 E. River, Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054

French Creek Nature Center: 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054 (440) 949-5200

Pine Tree Picnic Area: 4951 French Creek Rd., Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054

• Indian Hollow Reservation 38744 Parsons Rd., Grafton, Ohio 44044

Royal Oaks: 1057 Parson Rd., Grafton, Ohio 44044

• Kopf Family Golf Course at Cherry Ridge 1211 West River Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 (440) 324-3713

• Kopf Family Reservation 32649 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 (440) 387-8107

• Kipton Reservation St. Route 511, Oberlin, Ohio 44074

• Lakeview Park 1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, Ohio 44052

• Miller Nature Preserve 2739 Center Rd., Avon OH 44011 (440) 937-0764

North Coast Inland Trail

Butternut Ridge Trailhead: 44342 Butternut Ridge Rd., Oberlin, OH 44074

Gateway Trailhead: 6275 Gateway Blvd., Elyria, OH 44035

• The North Star Preserve/Henry’s Barn: 46223 U.S. Rt. 20, Oberlin, Ohio 44074

• Sandy Ridge Reservation 6195 Otten Rd., N. Ridgeville, Ohio 44039 (440) 327-3626

• Schoepfle Garden 11106 Market St., Birmingham, Ohio 44889 (440) 965-7237

• Splash Zone 95 W. Hamilton, Oberlin, Ohio 44074 (440) 774-5059

• Vermilion River Reservation 51211 N. Ridge Rd., Vermilion, Ohio 44089 (440) 967-7310

• Wellington Reservation 535 Jones Rd., Wellington, Ohio 44090 (440) 647-2509

JANUARY

FRIENDS OF METRO PARKS GARAGE SALE

Sat., Jan. 28 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 29 | 10 a.m.-Noon - (Fill a Bag for $5) Henry's Barn, Oberlin

The Friends of the Metro Parks is back at it again with amazing deals at their Annual Garage Sale. New this year, the event will be held at the beautiful Henry’s Barn at the North Star Preserve in Oberlin. Join the Friends, find a rare item, favorite new toy, or needed houseware.

The following items are not accepted for this event: clothing, shoes, electronics, large furniture, artificial Christmas trees, or broken items.

The Friends of the Metro Parks is the volunteer arm of the Lorain County Metro Parks. The Friends support the parks through volunteering and financial grant support. Proceeds are donated back to the parks for a variety of initiatives, including education, conservation, and special programming.

Honor Roll

Laura Blake

Bob and Marilyn Fabritius, North Ridgeville

Danielle Frank, Elyria

Sandra Gerhan

Betty Lou Palmer, North Ridgeville

The Roth Family, Columbia Station

Donald J. Spencer, Oberlin

Kenneth and Cindy Spikowski, Bay Village Chet Ziniewicz, Spencer

Botson Face Painters

Patsie and Jenee Campana Foundation

Community Foundation of Lorain County

Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County

Garden Club of North Ridgeville

Leadership Lorain County

Loper Sisters, LLC

Lorain County Community College

Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperativ

Lorain Public Library System

Lowe's

Nordson Corporation

Parsons & Van de Voort Insurance Agency

PERI Chapter 83 Lorain County

Plum Creek Garden Club

Sherwin-Williams

WOBL Radio Inc.

New Location!

Henry's Barn, 46223 U.S. Rt. 20, Oberlin

Donations welcome!

To donate, drop off your unwanted items at Henry’s Barn on one of the following dates:

• Sun., Jan. 22 | 1-4 p.m.

• Mon., Jan. 23 | 1-7 p.m.

• Wed., Jan. 25 | 4-7 p.m.

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.

Adopt-A-Raptor

Diane Devereaux, Wellington (Gift to Ruth and Earl Devereaux)

James M. and Michele Ilcisko, Amherst Mark & Pam Johns, Amherst Stanley Wojdyla and Judy Wooley, Elyria (Gift to Judge Mark Betleski)

Gift was given in Honor of:

Earl and Ruth Devereaux's 50th Wedding Anniversary by Elizabeth Clingman, Brookpark

Earl and Ruth Devereaux's 50th Wedding Anniversary by Friends and Family of Ruth & Earl

Earl and Ruth Devereaux's 50th Wedding Anniversary by Patty Devereaux, Grafton

Earl and Ruth Devereaux's 50th Wedding Anniversary by Sean and Steve Devereaux, Long Beach, CA

Earl and Ruth Devereaux's 50th Wedding Anniversary by The Nisky Family, Oberlin

Earl and Ruth Devereaux's 50th Wedding Anniversary by Terry and Donna Overy

Elyria High School Class of 1957 by the Elyria High School Class of 1957

Mitchell Eugene King and Ronald Lieb by Joshua King, Lorain

Jim Smith by Friends of Cascade Park, Elyria Rick Stoffer by Friends of Cascade Park, Elyria

Gift was given in Memory of:

Lynnette DeSantis by Joe & Cheryl Hribar, Vermilion Paul J. Hruby, Sr. by Sherrill "Cookie" McLoda, Amherst William Hunady by Judith Gluvna, Amherst

Richard C. Ksenich by Richard C. Ksenich Trust Mason Parham by Family and Friends of Mason Parham Diane Perry by Dale Austin and Cindy Snyder, North Ridgeville

Diane Perry by Michael and Maria Grega, Elyria

Diane Perry by Scott and Cindy Snyder, Amherst Diane Perry by Paul and Jan Stellar, Creston

Bruce Perzel by Megan and Eric DeVries, Milwaukee, WI

Stanley Szanty by The Bednarik Family, Wakeman

Tom Wearsch by Theresa Babuder, Avon

Mark Wenger by Daniel and Gale Wenger, Lorain Maria Anne Wossilek by Friends & Coworkers of Shelley Wossilek

Rosemary Bors Ziniewicz by Chet Ziniewicz, Spencer

Outreach Opportunities

REQUESTED PROGRAMS

Lorain County Metro Parks offers unique parks to explore, but did you know that we also offer natural, cultural, and historical programs for your classroom and community group? Through our Requested Programs offering, our experienced naturalists lead fun-filled educational programs for your group. With a variety of facilities and programs to suit your needs, our programs can be tailored for different ages and abilities.

Programs are developed according to Ohio Academic Content Standards and incorporate age-appropriate, hands-on learning. All 34 programs have recently been updated to provide hands-on, discovery-based experiences for your group, including 18 new programs and multimedia presentations ready to engage your group. Check out all our new program offerings at loraincountymetroparks.com/requested-programs

METRO PARKS SENIOR BUS TOURS

The LCMP Senior Bus Tours are back! Lorain County Metro Parks offers FREE park tours to Lorain County residents 65 years and older. Our passenger bus can accommodate up to 24 passengers and includes wheelchair access. Tours will be 4 hours, including lunch breaks, as well as pick-up and drop-off at a location of your choice.

Looking to lunch with us? Ask about including a visit to our Sunset Café at Lakeview Park in Lorain or Orchid Café at Miller Nature Preserve in Avon. Your trip can also include time for your group to enjoy their own picnic lunch at one of our pavilions.

Tours are offered Tuesdays through Fridays in April, May, August, September, and December. Due to demand, organizations/ groups are limited to two tours per calendar year. Bus transportation is free, but additional costs may be incurred for food, admissions, programs, or tickets. To request a tour, visit loraincountymetroparks.com/bus-tours

Kids & Family

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS' FAMILY- AND CHILD-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

HOMESCH EXPLORERS

ENGAGE IN NATURE, HISTORY, AND SCIENCE

Geared for children learning at home, this program series is offered throughout the park district to engage children in nature, science, history, the arts, and recreation! The programs focus on learning and exploring Ohio’s “wild” side. Children will learn thru educational biofacts, nature hikes, activities, games, crafts, or through a live animal demonstration!

Program fees are $3.00 per student. To accommodate as many students as possible only students within the age range listed in the program description will be permitted to attend, and participation waivers are required. Registration opens one month prior to the program date. For more information and to register online, visit: loraincountymetroparks.com/homeschool-explorers

ANIMAL HABITATS

Tue., Jan. 17 | 1:30-3 pm

Carlisle Visitor Center, LaGrange

MAKEUP CONCEPT DESIGN

Wed., Jan. 18 | 10-11:30 am

French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield

WINTER SURVIVAL

Wed., Feb. 8 | 1-2:30 pm

Wellington Reservation

MAMMALS

Wed., Feb. 15 | 10-11:30 am

French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield

INSULATION EXPLORATION

Wed., Feb. 22 | 10-11:30 am

Lakeview Park, Lorain

CLOUDS AND RAINBOWS

Fri., Mar. 17 | 10:30 am-Noon Cascade Park, Elyria

BIRDING

Tue., Apr. 25 | 10-11:30 am

Sandy Ridge Reservation, N. Ridgeville

TREES AND FLOWERS

Wed., May 10 | 10-11:30 am Black River Reservation

Homeschool Explorers programs are not offered during the summer but will return in September. Stay tuned for another fun and engaging series!

| (440) 458-5121

Winter Events

MAJOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK DISTRICT DURING THIS WINTER SEASON

schoepfle garden HEARTS A GLOW

Saturday, Feb. 11 | 6:00-8:00 pm

Schoepfle Garden, Birmingham

$5/person

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. We also have a special station where you can make a valentine to share. Arrival times are staggered to keep your wait time for beverages short and to allow for spacing along the trail. The walk is along our ½ mile paved trail that will be cleared of snow. Admission is $5 per person. Registration is required by Feb. 8 and can be completed online at loraincountymetroparks.com/programs.

miller nature preserve SWEETHEARTS’ WINE NIGHT

Friday, Feb. 10 | 6:30-8:30 pm

Miller Nature Preserve, Avon $38/person (MNP members); $45/person (non-members); $12/person (des. driver)

Treat your partner to a Sweethearts’ Wine Night at Miller Nature Preserve! Check out the highlights blooming among seasonal decorations in the Conservatory, then sample wines paired with light tapas and desserts while enjoying a live musical performance in the Orchid Room. A keepsake wine glass and admission into the Conservatory are included. Designated driver options (soft drinks and tapas) are also available; see pricing for details. Additional drink tickets are available for purchase onsite; adults 21 and over only. Register and pay by Feb. 3 at loraincountymetroparks.com/programs or by phone at (440) 937-0764.

mill hollow Fire & Ice Walk

Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Vermilion River Reservation (Mill Hollow) $4/person (children 3 and under: free)

With the beautiful Vermilion River valley as your backdrop, take a wintry walk through extraordinary ice sculptures and warm firepits. Enjoy ice carving demonstrations, roast s’mores (while supplies last), and visit with Siberian husky sled dogs and fun Frozen characters. Snowshoes will be available for hikes, weather permitting, on a first-come, first-served basis. Food vendors will be selling concessions, so come and enjoy lunch!

This is a ticketed event; admission is $4.00 per person (children three and under free). Registration is required by Jan. 15 and can be completed online at loraincountymetroparks.com/programs or by phone. Questions? Contact the Mill Hollow Carriage Barn at (440) 967-7310.

Friday, French

$5/person Coyotes snow Center during dissection, Plus, the Mary Saturday, Cascade Free! Explore FREE! snow friends the fire Nature enter Snowshoeing (first-come, no snow—we everyone!

Nature at Night: wintertime

Friday, Feb. 17 | 6:00-8:00 pm

French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield Village $5/person

Coyotes howl, trees creak, owls call, ice cracks, and snow silently falls. Join us at the French Creek Nature Center for an evening dedicated to the mystery of nature during winter nights. Participate in night hikes, owl pellet dissection, crafts, stargazing, and s’mores by the fire. come and meet Larry, our Barn Owl puppet, during Mary and Larry Show! Pre-register by Feb. 15.

cascade park

Snow Day

Saturday, Feb. 18 | 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Cascade Park, Elyria

Free! ($2 for snowshoe rentals)

Explore winter with your family at Cascade Park for FREE! Enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, warm refreshments, snow painting, a Sasquatch hunt, and more! Join our friends from the Elyria Public Library for story time by fire from 11-12:30, followed by crafts from 1-3 in the Nature Center. Bring your own supplies and creativity to enter the Snowman Decorating Contest. Snowshoeing rentals will be $2 per person/per hour (first-come, first-served) CASH ONLY. Don’t worry if there’s snow—we will still have fun activities planned for everyone! Registration is required and will open on Jan. 9.

carlisle reservation Maple Sugaring

Tap. Tap. Tap. Do you hear that? The crisp days of early spring in Ohio tell us it is maple sugaring time. So, put some cakes on the griddle and get ready for that sweet taste of maple syrup. All trees have sap, but the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) has the sweetest sap of them all. The art of maple sugaring has been practiced for centuries. The first people to learn that maple sap could be turned into a sweet treat were the Native Americans. It is still a mystery as to how they learned to make syrup. Some think they cooked venison in sap. Other tales told are far more whimsical, like the Native American chief that threw his tomahawk at a sugar maple tree, releasing the sweet sap. His wife collected the sap and boiled it to make syrup and taffy.

Native Americans traded maple syrup for other goods, and soon, they shared this process with the early settlers. The early European settlers added their own ideas by introducing wood buckets and kettles. The first metal spile, a small peg to release the sap from a tree, was developed in 1860.

Sugaring shacks were built in the sugarbush to make boiling down the sap easier. Sugar Shacks house all the equipment needed to cook the sap into syrup, like the evaporator pans and buckets. Sap needs a lot of boiling as it is made up of 98% water. As the steam rises and the water evaporates, the end product is a thick syrup. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. Maple Syrup is 33% water and 67% sugar. That is why it tastes so good!

Here at Carlisle Visitor Center, we don’t want to get sappy, but the early spring brings it out. We can’t help but share the ancient process of maple sugaring. So, come visit us at the sugar shack this spring and learn about maple sugaring.

Sugar Shack Open House

Feb. 25-26 and Mar. 4-5 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm*

*Naturalist-led programs/hikes every 30 min from 12:30-2:30 pm

Carlisle Visitor Center, LaGrange

Late winter brings the sound of sap dripping into buckets in the Carlisle Reservation sugar bush. Join us for a 45-minute outdoor program that will engage you in the maple sugaring process. Visit the sugar bush, where you’ll discover the tools needed to tap trees and collect sap. Then stop by 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 step off every 30 minutes from 12:30-2:30 pm. The Sugar Shack will also be open for visitors who just want to drop in and watch the sap cooking from 10-noon both Saturdays and Sundays. No registration is required.

friends of the metro park’s Pancake Breakfasts

Feb. 26 & Mar. 5 | 9 am-1 pm*

Carlisle Visitor Center, LaGrange $8/person; $4/child (3-10 yrs.); 2 and under: Free!

Join the Friends of the Metro Parks for breakfast and enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes! This is a cash-only event. No registration is required. Breakfast will be offered from 9 am-1 pm on Feb. 26 and March 5. The meal will include 3 sausage links, 1 serving of eggs, and pancakes.

Winter Outdoor Fun

CLEARED TRAILS

For safety, LCMP snow removal efforts are first focused on parking lots and walkways. Trails (only those listed below) are cleared when staffing, equipment, and time is available. This list is provided as a courtesy but does not serve as a guarantee that trails are cleared at all times. Snow removal efforts do not include salting for ice. Wear appropriate footwear and cold weather gear when traveling outdoors in winter. Surfaces may be slippery.

AMHERST BEAVER CREEK RESERVATION

SLEDDING HILLS

SNOWSHOE PROGRAMS

Learn how to snowshoe with Lorain County Metro Parks this winter! Snowshoeing programs will be available at various park locations if there is adequate snow cover (at least 4 inches on the ground). Programs will be treated as pop-ups and will be added to our program catalog and promoted on our Facebook Page. Keep an eye on the weather and watch for these pop-up opportunities. Questions? Contact Rachel Kalizewski at rkalizewski@loraincountymetroparks.com or (440) 949-5200.

GUIDED SNOWSHOE WALKS

Park staff-led hike with snowshoes! Registration is required and costs $2 per person. If there is no snow, plan to still go on a winter hike, if weather permits.

SNOWSHOE RENTALS (VARIOUS PARKS)

Rentals will be $2 per person, per hour (firstcome, first-served), cash only.

RENTALS AT FRENCH CREEK

Rentals will also be available exclusively at the French Creek Nature Center. $2 per person, per hour (first-come, first-served), cash only.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page and programs page (loraincountymetroparks.com/programs) for specific dates!

Take a Hike!

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS’ JANUARY AND FEBRUARY GUIDED HIKES

HIKING LEVELS:

NEW YEAR CHEER HIKE

Tue., Jan. 3 | 11 am-12:00 pm

= EASY = MODERATE = STRENUOUS

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN TOUR

Wed., Jan. 18 | 10-11 am

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

Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow

MORNING MARSH WALK

Wed., Jan. 4 | 8:30-10:30 am

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

LUMINARY FULL MOON HIKE

Fri., Jan. 6 | 5-6:30 pm

Wellington Reservation

ONE BRISK HIKE

Sat., Jan. 7 | 2-3:30 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

WINTER WELLNESS WALK

Sun., Jan. 8 | 10:30-11:30 am

Kopf Family Reservation, Library Trailhead

ANIMAL SIGNS HIKE

Sun., Jan. 8 | 1-2 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center

WINTER TRACKING HIKE

Sun., Jan. 8 | 1-2 pm

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

WINTER'S WONDERS

Sun., Jan. 8 | 3:30-4:30 pm

Kopf Family Reservation, Library Trailhead

EVERGREENS 101

Sat., Jan. 14 | 1-2 pm

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

CAMPFIRE HIKE

Sat., Jan. 14 | 1-2:30 pm

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

WINTER WELLNESS WALK

Mon., Jan. 16 | 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Columbia Reservation (Columbia Station)

WINTER'S WONDERS

Mon., Jan. 16 | 3:30-4:30 pm

Columbia Reservation (Columbia Station)

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

DEEP FREEZE PACK WALK

Wed., Jan. 18 | 5-6 pm

Wellington Reservation

SUNDAY STROLL

Sun., Jan. 22 | 11 am-12 pm

Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)

WINTER BIRDING HIKE

Wed., Jan. 25 | 1-2 pm

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

OWL PROWL

Wed., Jan. 25 | 4:30-5:30 pm

French Creek Reservation, Pine Tree Picnic Area

NAT'L HOT CHOCOLATE DAY HIKE

Tue., Jan. 31 | 9-10 am

Wellington Reservation

MORNING MARSH WALK

Wed., Feb. 1 | 8:30-10:30 am

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

WINTER TREE I.D. HIKE

Sun., Feb. 5 | 1-2 pm

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

WINTER TREE I.D. HIKE

Sun., Feb. 5 | 2-3 pm

Indian Hollow Reservation, Sheldon Woods

FULL MOON HIKE

Sun., Feb. 5 | 5:30-7 pm

Wellington Reservation

I HEART NATURE HIKE

Fri., Feb. 10 | 2-3 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow

WINTER TREE I.D. HIKE

Sat., Feb. 11 | 2-3 pm

Black River Reservation, Bur Oak (Elyria)

Discover the beauty of the winter season by joining an LCMP Naturalist on a guided hike while exploring Lorain County Metro Parks! Our naturalists have planned many opportunities to get outside this winter, take in some fresh air, and explore the many trails of Lorain County Metro Parks. So, bundle up, lace up your boots and come out to your favorite park to discover nature’s frozen winter wonderland!

The Annual Lorain County Metro Parks Hiking Stick Program will kick off again this year on April 1. Watch for news on this in upcoming Arrowheads and through our social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

CALEY WINTER HIKE

Sun., Feb. 12 | 1-2 pm

Caley Reservation (Wellington)

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN TOUR

Wed., Feb. 15 | 10-11 am

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

WINTER WELLNESS WALK Wed., Feb. 15 | 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Cascade Park (Elyria)

WINTER TRACKING HIKE Wed., Feb. 15 | 1-2 pm

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

WINTER'S WONDERS

Wed., Feb. 15 | 3:30-4:30 pm

Cascade Park (Elyria)

VALENTINE'S PACK WALK

Thur., Feb. 16 | 5:30-6:30 pm

Wellington Reservation

A WINTRY WOODS WALK

Sat., Feb. 18 | 11 am-12 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

NIGHT SCIENCE HIKE Wed., Feb. 22 | 6:15-7:15 pm

French Creek Reservation, Nature Center

A Healthy Lorain County

VARIOUS CLASSES AND PROGRAMS TO ENRICH YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

ARTS & CRAFTS CLASSES

Looking for new ways to be creative? Explore the arts through a variety of programming at locations throughout LCMP! There are tons of options for all ages, from youth to adult. From “Make & Take” kids’ crafts, “Quirkshops,” workshops, to step-by-step instructor-led drawing and watercolor classes.

DRAWING 101 with CLELA NEALE

Mondays from Jan. 16-Feb. 27 | 10-11:30 am

Miller Nature Preserve, Avon

MAKE & TAKE CRAFTS

"The More you Snow!" - Sun., Jan. 8 | 1-2 pm

"Victorian Valentines" - Sun., Feb. 5 | 2-3 pm

Vermilion River Reservation - Carriage Barn

Listed above are just a few of our arts and crafts offerings, but a complete list can be found on our online programs catalog at: loraincountymetroparks.com/programs.

COOKING CLASSES

Expand your culinary knowledge with instructor-led cooking classes at Miller Nature Preserve! Join Chef Sandy for weekly lessons in the Orchid Room demonstration kitchen and sample delicious Italian cuisine, including entrees, sides, and desserts. Afternoon and evening options are available. Registration is required, and space is limited. Register online at loraincountymetroparks.com/programs or by phone at (440) 937-0764.

COOKING CLASSES

Miller Nature Preserve, Avon

Tue., Jan. 3 | 2-4 pm

Wed., Jan. 4 | 6-8 pm

Tue., Jan. 10 | 2-4 pm

Tue., Jan. 24 | 2-4 pm

Tue., Jan. 31 | 2-4 pm

Thur., Feb. 2 | 2-4 pm

Tue., Feb. 7 | 2-4 pm

Tue., Feb. 14 | 2-4 pm

Tue., Feb. 21 | 2-4 pm

Tue., Feb. 28 | 2-4 pm

FITNESS CLASSES

LCMP offers a wide range of fitness classes for people of all ability levels at both of our recreation facilities—Splash Zone in Oberlin and the Amherst HealthPlex (addresses on pg. 2). Both facilities offer land and water classes that can be adapted to anyone’s fitness level.

Splash Zone’s class offerings include land classes such as kickboxing, spinning, Tabata, bootcamp, and TBG. Tabata is a high-intensity interval class that is great for individuals training for performance activities. TBG (which stands for thighs, butt, and gut) is a 45-minute toning workout that incorporates small bursts of cardiovascular activity. Splash Zone also offers water aerobics in both our shallow and deep pools, as well as aqua arthritis. Class times range from 6 am to 5 pm.

Amherst HealthPlex classes include Pilates, kickboxing, cycling, barre, and high-intensity interval (HIIT) classes. Pilates helps to strengthen your muscles with an emphasis on your abdominals. Barre classes incorporate a ballet bar as well as movement derived from the dance form. High-intensity interval classes combine intervals of low and high-activity movement, which is great for burning fat quickly! Classes at the Amherst HealthPlex are offered at a variety of dates and times for your convenience.

For more information on our fitness classes, visit loraincountymetroparks.com/programs.

YOGA CLASSES

Looking to add some fitness to your mornings? You don’t always need machines or weights to get active and healthy. Yoga is a great way to build muscle tone and strength as well as improve flexibility. If you’re a beginner, try our free Morning Yoga class held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-9:30 am at the French Creek Nature Center.

The goal is to be as comfortable and functional in our bodies as possible. Or, if you’re looking for a little more of a challenge, try Yoga with Tom every Sunday from 8-9 am at Century Park’s Harbor House. This class is a mix of traditional yoga practices suitable for both beginners and seasoned students.

Both Yoga programs are free, but registration is required. Register online at loraincountymetroparks.com/programs. Be sure to bring a yoga mat and a water bottle to either class you attend!

It's In Our Nature

INFORMATION CENTERED AROUND OBSERVING AND LEARNING ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF NATURE

Great Backyard Bird Count

With over 10,000 species of birds on our planet, monitoring bird populations on a global scale is no simple task. That’s where YOU come in!

On Feb. 17-20, the Great Backyard Bird Count will be taking place. We are asking that you take as little as 15 minutes to record the birds in your local communities. This could even be as close as your own backyard! In order to participate, you need to identify the birds in your area through sight or sound. If you are new to identifying birds, make sure to have a field guide handy or consider joining a naturalist-led program here at Lorain County Metro Parks.

National Bird Feeding MoNth

February is National Bird Feeding Month. Feeding birds can be a great way to learn about local species and draws a greater diversity to your backyard. Winter feeding not only provides entertainment for you but also supplies the birds with food that can be lacking in colder temperatures.

When it comes to what to feed the birds, it can seem daunting. But, no need to get overwhelmed by the many options. You can simplify your choices by determining what species you want to attract. In general, most

people use a typical blend of sunflower seeds with nuts and corn. That will attract birds like cardinals, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. For wanting to attract woodpeckers, a good option is suet. There are many suet options, from nut blends to fruit blends. One more option is unsalted peanuts shelled or unshelled; these are great for attracting blue jays, titmice, and chickadees.

Feeding birds can bring new enjoyment to your backyard. The ongoing surprises make this an exciting and relaxing hobby.

We have a variety of programs coming up, such as Coffee with the Birds at French Creek Nature Center on Feb. 19, from 9-10 am, and a Morning Marsh Walk at Sandy Ridge Reservation on Feb. 1, from 8:30–10:30 am. If this doesn’t fit your availability, check out loraincountymetroparks.com/programs for even more naturalist-led programs.

Once you’ve chosen your bird-watching location and recorded the birds you have found there, all that’s left to do is to enter your findings in an online database called eBird. You can access and submit the birds you’ve logged on to either the eBird mobile app or the eBird birdcount.org.

Knowing where and when to find birds is a super important part of helping us protect them. With your help, we can be better equipped to conserve bird populations all across the world for generations to come.

CRITTER CREW PUPPET SHOWS

French Creek Nature Center: Pijor Hall

Fun and entertaining for the whole family! The Critter Crew Puppet Show 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! Register and pay $5/person. Children 2 and under are free and do not need to register. Depending on space availability, visitors may register and pay at the French Creek Nature Center front desk prior to the show.

CRITTER CREW: PIRATE TREASURE

Jan. 7, 11-11:30 am

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

Join Harry and Bonnie on the open seas and help them find the pirate treasure!

CRITTER CREW: BROADWAY BOUND

Feb. 5, 11-11:30 am

Join Harry and Scarlet on their quest for fame!