Arrowhead - May/June 2023

Pictured: Ranger Acosta shows young boy the inside of his vehicle at Trucks, Tractors, & Trains

• Cascade Park

NATIVE PLANT SALE

Saturday, May 20 | 8 am–2 pm

French Creek Nature Center

The Citizens Committee for Lorain County Metro Parks will host a Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 20, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at French Creek Nature Center. Help wildlife by planting native plants in your garden! These are host plants for local bees, butterflies, and birds, nurturing and sustaining our native populations. Various plant species will be available such as swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, coneflowers, goldenrods, asters, and sunflowers but come early for the best selection (while supplies last, the selection is subject to change). The plants will be sold in gallon pots (nursery trade).

Ohio 44050

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)

CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

AVAILABLE NOW REQUEST A LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARK SPEAKER

Invite the Lorain County Metro Parks to your club, organization or program! Have you ever wondered where in the county you can find your Lorain County Metro Parks? Are you curious about ways the parks impact our Lorain County communities? Speakers are available to join your group’s meetings or programs to share the mission and vision of LCMP and get you ready to get out and explore your Lorain County Metro Parks! We look forward to connecting with your group! Submit an online request by e-mailing Bev Walborn at:

bwalborn@loraincountymetroparks.com

Honor Roll

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Bloomfield, North Olmsted

Linda Leeson

Marjean Mitchell, Grafton

Riannon Ziegler

Akron Children's Hospital, Akron Community Foundation of Lorain County

Dex Imaging

PERI Chapter 83 Lorain County

United Way of Greater Lorain County

Weigel Farms, Grafton, OH

Adopt-A-Raptor

Steven A. Bridge, The Villages, FL (in Memory of Margaret A. Bridge)

PRESENTATION TOPICS:

• Yours to Explore – The Lorain County Metro Parks

• Backyard Birds

• Natural Ohio

• Predators of the Sky

• Maple Sugaring

• Glance at the Parks

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.

Kimberlie Fixx, Elyria (Gift to Stephen Fixx) Edward and Deborah Nesbitt, Avon Lake Stuart and Kathy Schiffman, Valley City

Donna Stevens, Punta Gorda, FL (Gift to Rich Stevens)

Donna Stevens, Punta Gorda, FL

Renate Swider, Parma Heights (Gift to Selena Gnall)

Gift was given in Honor of:

Gloria Versace by Kathy Potts, Lorain

Gift was given in Memory of:

James Bell by Larry and Lana Bell, Cool Ridge, WV

James Bell by Linda, Jerry, Rich and Nancy Bell, Elyria James Bell by Susan and Mike Godby

James Bell by Fred and Natalie Jacobi, Tuttle, OK James Bell by Tammy King

James Bell by Kircum Thompson, Dayton, TN

Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Bennett by Sherri Bennett, Lorain

Ellie Findley by The Freeman and Janas Families, Elyria

Chris Hunter by Joe and Cheryl Hribar, Vermilion

Kathy Joeright by Anonymous

Tony Konovalson by Barbara A. Wolfe, Avon

Tracy Howsare Mallory by Joe & Cheryl Hribar, Vermilion

Martha Milas by David and Debra Bright, Lorain

Martha Milas by Jeffrey and Diane Nowak, Elyria

Martha Milas by Steve, Lauren, Camille & Ian Samuelson, Mt. Horeb, WI

Janet Sima by Margo Hirth

Outdoor Recreation

Summer Guided Paddling

Registration for all paddling programs opens on Thursday, April 20. Registration for all paddling programs include a kayak, paddle, life jacket, and whistle. Suggested items to bring include Water, snack, a dry bag for your phone and car keys, sandals/water shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, appropriate clothing for the weather

BEGINNER KAYAKING

Wednesdays, June 7, 14, and 21 | 5:30–7 pm

Wellington Reservation

$15 per participant

Join us on a beginner kayaking experience at Wellington Reservation. Learn the basics of paddling and water safety as we paddle around the reservoir. We will have tandem and single kayaks available. Tandem kayaks will be available for those registering with children ages 8 and up who will need assistance with paddling. Children requiring a tandem kayak will be required to register with a parent or adult.

SUNSET GLOW PADDLE

Wednesdays, June 7, 14, and 21 | 8–9:30 pm

Wellington Reservation

$15 per participant

Join us for a sunset glow paddling night at Wellington Reservation. We will be paddling as the sun sets and for a half hour after. Glowsticks and lanterns provided.

BIRDING BY KAYAK

Saturdays, June 3, 10, 17, and 24 | 8–10 am

French Creek Kayak Launch

(located on Old Colorado Ave., Sheffield near the Rt. 611 and Lake Breeze Rd. junction)

$15 per participant

Join us on a birding kayak from the French Creek Kayak Launch to the heronry. Your kayaking guides will take you downstream to the heronry and back upstream to the launch while helping you to identify birds and potentially other critters! This is an intermediate level paddle due to the moving water of the river, previous kayaking experience highly recommended.

RIVER KAYAKING

Saturdays, June 3, 10, 17, and 24 | Noon–2 pm

French Creek Kayak Launch

(located on Old Colorado Ave., Sheffield near the Rt. 611 and Lake Breeze Rd. junction)

$15 per participant

Join us on a paddle down the Black River. Exact route will be determined day of the paddle dependent on river conditions. This is an intermediate level paddle due to the moving water of the river, previous kayaking experience highly recommended.

Online registration is available and recommended as time blocks fill up quickly. Walk-up registration is also available, however it is not recommended due to limited availability and the opportunity for day-of online registration. Register online at:

FOREST HILLS GOLF COURSE

41971 Oberlin-Elyria Rd., Elyria | (440) 323-2632

Open daily at 7:00 am

Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just starting out, Forest Hills has something to offer. The Black River runs through the course and comes into play in six holes, and there are plenty of other ponds, bunkers and hills to keep things interesting.

RATES

Kids Fishing Derby Tournaments

KOPF FAMILY GOLF COURSE at CHERRY RIDGE

1211 West River Rd., Elyria | (440) 324-3713

Open daily at 7:00 am

This gorgeous 9-hole course, surrounded by the stunning Black River, is perfect for a quick round. Lorain County Metro Parks just assumed control of this wonderful course in 2021.

RATES

RIVER NATURE TOURS

$5 per child (adult chaperones are free) | All attendees must pre-register This tournament is a catch and release event intended for children 4-15. Bring your own pole and tackle or if you do not have one, poles will be provided on first come first serve basis. Registration required (adults must also register but are free). Space is limited. Prizes for different age categories. If the adult fishes they must possess a valid Ohio fishing license. Visit loraincountymetroparks.com/programs to register. Call (440) 327-3626 for more information.

SESSION 1

Wed., Jun. 7 | 9-11:30 am

Carlisle Reservation, Duck Pond Picnic Area

SESSION 2

Wed., Jun. 14 | 9-11:30 am

Carlisle Reservation, Duck Pond Picnic Area

SESSION 3

Wed., Jun. 21 | 9-11:30 am

Indian Hollow Reservation, Royal Oaks

Provided by the Lorain Port and Finance Authority in collaboration with the Lorain County Metro Parks

Sunday evenings*; May 28 - Sept. 10**

*Tour times vary depending on sunset time; check Port and Finance Authority's website for specific times

**Excluding June 25 and Aug. 6

Oasis Marinas at Port Lorain - Dock A 301 Lakeside Ave., Lorain, OH 44052

$20 per person

Cruise the shores of the beautiful Black River on an all-inclusive tour of Lorain’s waterfront areas. This twohour trip includes a tour of the river, harbor, and a pass by the historic Lorain Lighthouse. Lorain County Metro Parks Naturalists will be on board to provide some local nature knowledge as you sail down the river. Join us to learn about the wildlife that live in your backyard and maybe even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle!

| (440) 458-5121

Take a Hike!

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS’ GUIDED HIKES ELIGIBLE FOR THE HIKING STICK PROGRAM

HIKING LEVELS: = EASY = MODERATE = STRENUOUS

May & June hikes

WILDFLOWER HIKE

Wed., May 3 | 3-4 pm

Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation

WILDFLOWER HIKE

Fri., May 5 | 1-2 pm

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

MAY FULL MOON HIKE

Fri., May 5 | 8:30-10 pm

Wellington Reservation

BIRDING THE FRENCH CREEK HIKE

Sat., May 6 | 8-10 am

French Creek Reservation, Nature Center

MASTER THE TRAILS

Sat., May 6 | 9 am-1 pm

Columbia Reservation, Briarwood Lodge

SIGNS OF SPRING HIKE

Sat., May 6 | 2-3 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

SPRING TREE I.D. HIKE

Sun., May 7 | 1-2 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

SPRING WALK AND TALK

Tue., May 9 | 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Cascade Park (Elyria)

AMPHIBIAN HIKE

Tue., May 9 | 2-3 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

MILL HOLLOW WILDFLOWER HIKE

Tue., May 9 | 2-3 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow

RIVER RUNDOWN

Tue., May 9 | 3-4 pm

Cascade Park (Elyria)

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

All hikes listed below are Hiking Stick Program-eligible. Use the form on pg. 7 to track your progress!

WELLINGTON BIRDING HIKE

Wed., May 10 | 9-11 am

Wellington Reservation

MILLER HIKE

Thur., May 11 | 9-10 am

Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)

BIRDING THE BLACK RIVER HIKE

Sat., May 13 | 8-10 am

Black River Reservation, Day's Dam (Lorain)

MASTER THE TRAILS

Sat., May 13 | 9 am-1 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

DOG MOM PACK WALK

Sat., May 13 | 9-10 am

Wellington Reservation

WOODS HIKE

Sat., May 13 | 9-10:30 am

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

AMPHIBIAN HIKE

Sat., May 13 | 1:30-2:30 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

SPRING WILDFLOWER HIKE

Sun., May 14 | 1-2 pm

Indian Hollow Reservation, Sheldon Woods

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN TOUR

Wed., May 17 | 10-11 am

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

SOUTH LOOP/CEMETERY HIKE

Thur., May 18 | 1-3 pm

Charlemont Reservation (New London)

BIRDING THE FRENCH CREEK HIKE

Sat., May 20 | 8-10 am

French Creek Reservation, Nature Center

WILDFLOWER HIKE

Sat., May 20 | 11:30 am-12:30 pm

French Creek Reservation, Nature Center

BACON WOODS HIKE

Sat., May 20 | 2-3 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

WONDERFUL WETLANDS HIKE

Sat., May 20 | 2-3:30 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

FOREST BATHING

Sat., May 20 | 6-8 pm

Wellington Reservation

WILDFLOWER HIKE

Thur., May 25 | 3-4 pm

Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation

BACON WOODS HIKE

Sat., June 3 | 9-10 am

Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

WILDFLOWER HIKE

Sat., June 3 | 10-11 am

French Creek Reservation, Burrell Homestead

CELEBRATE TRAILS HIKE

Sat., June 3 | 1-2:45 pm

Black River Reservation, Bur Oak (Elyria)

JUNE FULL MOON HIKE

Sat., June 3 | 8:30-10 pm

Wellington Reservation

DRAGONFLY I.D. HIKE

Tue., June 6 | 1-3 pm

Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

CHARLEMONT WILDFLOWER HIKE

Fri., June 9 | 2-4 pm

Charlemont Reservation (New London)

May & June hikes

ANIMAL HOMES HIKE

Sat., June 10 | 2-3 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

TREE I.D. HIKE

Sun., June 11 | 1-2 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Equestrian Cntr. (LaGrange)

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN TOUR

Wed., June 14 | 10-11 am

Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY HIKE

Thur., June 15 | 7-9 am

Wellington Reservation

WILDFLOWER HIKE

Thur., June 15 | 9-10 am

Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation

WONDERFUL WETLANDS HIKE

Sat., June 17 | 2-3:30 pm

Carlisle Reservation, Visitor Center (LaGrange)

CRITTER CLUB: BUTTERFLIES

Tue., June 20 | 11:00-11:30 am & 2:00-2:30 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER HIKE

Wed., June 21 | 11 am-12 pm

Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)

All hikes listed below are Hiking Stick Program-eligible. Use the form on pg. 7 to track your progress!

SUMMER'S SOUNDTRACK STROLL

Wed., June 21 | 2-3 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

SPRING WALK AND TALK

Wed., June 21 | 3-4 pm

Cascade Park (Elyria)

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER PACK WALK

Wed., June 21 | 8-9 pm

Wellington Reservation

INVASIVE SPECIES HIKE

Sun., June 25 | 1-2 pm

Caley Reservation (Wellington)

"HAPPY SUMMER!" HOUR HIKE

Thur., June 29 | 5:30-6:30 pm

Vermilion River Reservation, Bacon Woods

PROCRASTINATOR HIKE

Fri., June 30 | 3-4 pm

Kipton Reservation (Oberlin)

200 Miles for 200 Years

Bicentennial Hiking Program

April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2024

Celebrate the Lorain County Bicentennial by trekking through some of the county's most captivating natural landscapes. The 200 Miles for 200 Years hiking program allows participants to earn a commemorative metal badge for hiking 200 miles through Lorain County Metro Parks.

Participation Requirements:

• Hike, bike, or run 200 miles within the Lorain County Metro Parks from April 1, 2023-April 1, 2024

• Submit a completed tracking log to the Carlisle Visitor Center (12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange 44050) by April 1, 2024, and pick up your commemorative metal badge

• Encourage others to participate and share snapshots of your journey on social media with the hashtag #LorainCounty200

• All ages are welcome to participate. Lorain County residency is not required. Miles accumulated through the LCMP 2023 Hiking Stick Program can also be counted! For more information, visit: loraincountymetroparks.com/trails or call (440) 458-5121.

FRIENDS OF THE METRO PARKS HIKING STICK PROGRAM FORM | APRIL 1 - JUNE 30, 2023

Hike: Location: Date:

Name:

Address: City: State:

Phone: E-Mail:

Please check here if you have received a hiking stick in the past and only need a year pin.

Participants must participate in 10 hikes in 6 different reservations. Participants may choose from naturalist-‐led hikes, self-‐guided, or a combination of both, therefore staff signatures are no longer required. Please return your completed form no later than July 7, 2023 to:

Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050

(You can pick up your hiking stick/pin at Carlisle Visitor Center from Aug. 1-31. Pins will NO longer be mailed. Due to the overwhelming response to this program, we will not accept late entries.)

Kids & Family

Sat., June 3 | 10 am-1 pm*

*10-10:30 am: Sensory-friendly time

Carlisle Visitor Center

Free!

TRUCKS TRACTORS AND TRAINS

EXPLORE lots of large vehicles! RIDE The Little Green Choo Train! DIG with buckets and shovels! MEET local heroes! CREATE arts and crafts! PLAY games! HAVE FUN with your family! Join the staff and vehicles of Lorain County Metro Parks as well as local agencies in this FREE, fun, familyfriendly event! See emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and more! Ride The Little Green Choo, meet first responders, and get up-close looks at their vehicles. A sensory-friendly version of this event will be held from 10-10:30 a.m. with no vehicle horns or lights. Refreshments will be available from the Friends of the Metro Parks!

BLACK RIVER RESERVATION

Every Wed.; Jun. - Sept. | 10 am - 12 pm

Departs from Day's Dam shelter.

CASCADE PARK

Every Tue.; Jun. - Sept. | 10 am - 12 pm

KOPF FAMILY RESERVATION

1st & 3rd Mon. of the month (no rides on Labor Day)

5:30 - 7 pm

Departs from Avon Lake Public Library.

SANDY RIDGE RESERVATION

Every Sun.; Jun. - Sept. | 1-4:00 pm

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN

Jun. - Sept.

Every Sun. | 1 - 4 pm

Every Thur. | 10 am - 1 pm

Departs from out front of visitor center.

Sun., June 11 | 1-3 pm

Vermilion River Reservation

Celebrate Benjamin Bacon's 234 birthday with Lorain County Metro Parks! Enjoy a historical home tour, pioneer kids games and activities, hand cranked ice cream, and more!*In 1817, Benjamin Bacon arrived and settled in Brownhelm Township looking to make a new way for his family. In 1824, Benjamin was selected as one of the first commissioners for Lorain County. He would build a home along the Vermilion River in 1845, which his family would later donate to the Lorain County Metro Parks in 1958, creating the organization’s first public park.

WELLINGTON RESERVATION

Apr.-Sept. on varying dates and times

Departs from out front of visitor center.

• May: Every Mon. | 6 - 8 pm

• Jun.: Every Sat. | 6 - 8 pm

• Jul.: Every Wed. | 10 am - 12 pm

• Aug.: Every Tue. | 9 - 11 am

• Sept.: Every Sun. | 2 - 4 pm

Kids & Family

CELEBRATE

Mothers in May

MOTHER’S DAY TEA

Sun., May 14 | 1–2:30 pm

Miller Nature Preserve

$5 per participant

Celebrate Mother's Day with a cup of tea, a light snack, and a make and take craft! Pre-register by May 10.

MILLER NATURE PRESERVE CONSERVATORY—MOM GETS IN FREE!

Sun., May 14 | 10 am-5 pm

Miller Nature Preserve Conservatory

Bring mom to enjoy the sweet smell of flowers at the Miller Nature Preserve Conservatory on Mother’s Day. All mom’s get in free for Mother’s Day! All others pay just $2 admission.

MOTHER’S DAY SCHOEPFLE TRAM RIDE

Sun., May 14 | 1–4 pm

Schoepfle Garden, Birmingham

Bring mom for a loop around the garden on her special day. Free! No pre-registration required (First-Come, First-Served)

NATIONAL DOG MOM’S DAY PACK WALK

Sat., May 13 | 9-10 am

Wellington Reservation

Celebrating National Dog Mom's Day, please join us with your leashed dog as we walk the paved Lakeside Loop trail. This is a great opportunity to exercise and socialize for both you and your pup! This is an easy, level one hike.

Opening for the season!

Butterfly House

at Miller Nature Preserve

Open Daily 11 am-3:30 pm | Father’s Day to Labor Day FREE admission

More than 12,500 visitors stop by the Butterfly House at Miller Nature Preserve each year. This free attraction has allowed guests to get close to these spectacular pollinators for 11 years. We invite you to come see these temporary residents flitting around, sunning themselves, feeding on a flower, or chasing another around playfully.

Visitors can see butterfly species from within the United States including: buckeye, cabbage white, monarch, painted lady, red admiral, swallowtails (pipevine, queen, spicebush, tiger), and viceroy. However, some tropical species can also be found including: great southern white, julia, queen, white peacock, and zebra longwing. In recent years the house has also seen unique residents like the malachite butterfly, a light pastel green species, and the atala, a hairstreak butterfly in bright red and iridescent blue.

BUTTERFLY BUDDIES DONATION PROGRAM FOR THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE

Miller Nature Preserve is fluttering with excitement! Not only are we getting a new butterfly house, but there is an excellent opportunity for you to get involved. Becoming a “Butterfly Buddy” gets you some cool stuff AND recognizes you as a donor helper for the butterflies in the year 2021. For a $10 donation, donors will receive a wooden ornament to decorate, a “Butterfly Buddy” button, stickers, butterfly gardening information, a ticket to redeem for feeding the butterflies, crafts, activities, plus more! Your ornament will join those of other donors to hang in the entryway of the all-new Butterfly House. This ornament can be collected at the season’s end for you to keep.

SCHOEPFLE GARDEN CAROUSEL

Schoepfle Garden, Birmingham

May-Sept.: Open Wed. & Sat. | 1-4 pm

The Carousel also runs on Fridays (10 am-12 pm) in June-August.

Free rides on the carousel located inside the Children’s Garden!

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS’ FAMILY-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING

It's In Our Nature

INFORMATION CENTERED AROUND OBSERVING AND LEARNING ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF NATURE

MIGRATORY BIRDS SPOTLIGHT: WaRbLeRs

The magic of songbird spring migration is in full swing. Each spring, many songbirds, especially the warblers, are journeying from their winter homes in the southern US, Mexico, and South America to summer nesting grounds. Like the Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) and Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), some warblers find nesting habitat here in Lorain County, while others stop only to refuel before crossing Lake Erie to the boreal forests of Canada.

The Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata), with its black cap and white cheek, covers over 12,000 miles during their migrations in the spring and fall each year. Their northern migration route will take them from the Amazon River basin to the boreal forests of Canada. On their southern migration route in the fall, these amazing birds will fly from Canada to the Carolina coast, where they

will refuel for their three-day non-stop flight over the Atlantic Ocean to Peru and Brazil, an astonishing almost 2000 miles!

The Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) will undoubtedly catch your eye with its unique flaming orange throat patch. Sightings of this bird are rare as it prefers to glean insects from the leaves at the top of the forest canopy. Their spring migration journey takes them from the forests around the Andes Mountains in South America up to Canada’s boreal forests.

The Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) is unmistakable with its brilliant sky-blue feathers. If you listen closely for its buzzy trill of a song, you might hear this beautiful warbler before you can see him.

We invite you to join a hike as we listen and watch for these amazing, beautiful migrating songbirds – the warblers!

NocTuRNaL HapPY HouR

Most of us think of the dark hours as a quiet time to wind down and rest. However, many animals are awake only at night. Nocturnal animals use the shelter of the dark to remain hidden while they hunt for food or hide from predators. With owls, flying squirrels, bats, and more—it can be a busy place outdoors at night! Many animals have developed unique adaptations to help them navigate nocturnally. Owls have specialized eyes to see ell in the dark, seeing mostly in grayscale. Most owl species have goldcolored eyes, to help reflect any available light from the moon to help them see. A great-horned owl's eyes take up about half the room in their skull. On a human, those eyes proportionally would be the

size of softballs! Bats use their ears to see in the dark. Bats use echolocation, in which they emit a high-pitched sound to bounce off objects and identify the object's shape, direction, and distance. This ability helps them navigate the air without seeing and catch insects midflight.

While nocturnal animals are mostly active at night, there are a host of reasons they can be seen out and about during the day. Seeing a nocturnal animal during the day does not mean it is sick or injured. It is most likely hunting overtime to provide food for its growing family or has been flushed from a daytime hiding spot. If you come across an animal during the day, be sure to observe from a safe distance.

PICTURED: Yellow Warbler, courtesy of Gary A. Korzan

PICTURED: Great Horned Owl

Senior Bus Tours

SENIOR BUS TOURS

Lorain County Metro Parks offers FREE bus tours to senior groups of 10-22 individuals. Your group can enjoy a guided tour of up to three of our park locations. Or, replace a tour stop with a break at a café or bring your own lunch to enjoy at one of our picnic shelters. Due to the popularity of this program, groups are limited to two tours per year. Groups may choose from one of seven predetermined tour routes that include stops at our most popular parks, a few new ones, and some lesser-known locations as well. To begin scheduling a tour, submit your request online at loraincountymetroparks.com/bus-tours or call (440) 458-5121.

Available Tours Dates:

Tuesdays - Fridays | April, May, August, September, and December

Private Senior Bus Tour Options:

Submit your request online today at: loraincountymetroparks.com/bus-tours

BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, AND ORCHIDS TOUR

• Sandy Ridge Reservation (birding hotspot)

• Miller Nature Preserve (conservatory & butterfly house)

• Avon Wetlands (newest park location)

SUNSHINE, ROSES, AND THE STAGE TOUR

• Lakeview Park (historic rose garden)

• Century Park (beach)

• French Creek Reservation (theatre, nature center, and trails)

VERMILION RIVER TOUR

• Schoepfle Garden (botanical garden and natural woodland)

• Vermilion River Reservation (shale cliffs, Vermilion River, and trails)

• Cassell Reservation (natural trails)

RAPTORS, QUARRIES, AND WETLANDS TOUR

• Carlisle Reservation (live birds)

• Indian Hollow Reservation (natural trails along the Black River)

• Columbia Reservation (trails featuring many ponds and wetlands)

BLACK RIVER TOUR

• Cascade Park (scenic waterfalls)

• Black River Reservation - Bur Oak (trails along the Black River)

• Black River Reservation - Day's Dam (trails along the Steel Mill)

HISTORICAL HOMES TOUR

• Schoepfle Garden (Otto Schoepfle Home)

• Vermilion River Reservation (Benjamin Bacon Museum)

• French Creek Reservation (Burrell Homestead)

SOUTHERN LORAIN COUNTY TOUR

• Henry's Barn (renovated historical barn)

• Caley Reservation (natural trails and ponds)

• Wellington Reservation (trails and lake)

Public Senior Bus Tours:

Join us for a Senior Bus Tour and enjoy a guided visit to YOUR Lorain County Metro Parks! Learn more about what LCMP has to offer, and get a unique look at parks you might not previously be familiar with. Unlike the private tours, these public tours do not require an official request, however pre-registration is required, as availability is limited. These FREE bus tours are open to Lorain County residents aged 65 and older. Tours will begin promptly at the scheduled start time, and participants are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes prior. Each tour will include three park stops with an estimated duration of three hours.

BLACK RIVER TOUR

Thur., June 1 | 9 am–12 pm

Tour begins/ends at Black River Reservation, Day's Dam HISTORICAL HOMES TOUR

Fri., June 2 | Time: TBD

Tour begins/ends at French Creek Reservation

RAPTORS, QUARRIES, & WETLANDS TOUR

Thur., June 8 | Time: TBD

Tour begins/ends at Columbia Reservation

BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, & ORCHIDS TOUR

Thur., June 20 | 9 am–12 pm

Tour begins/ends at Sandy Ridge Reservation

TOUR YOUR LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS ON OUR NEW SENIOR BUS TOURS PROGRAM

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS

Cultural Arts

DISCOVER ARTS, THEATRE & HISTORY

VERMILION RIVER RESERVATION SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Sunday evenings | 6-7:30 pm (New time!)

Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow

June 11 | Backstreet Blues Band (houserockin' blues quartet)

June 18 | The Thor Platter Trio (Americana roots-rock)

June 25 | Follow the Sun (high-energy band playing all genres)

July 2 | The New Barleycorn (folk & Celtic songs)

July 9 | Tim Blake & Michele (country rock, Celtic fiddle, more)

July 16 | Summer of ’65 (tribute to the 1960s)

July 23 | Greg Moore & Friends (jazz, rhythm, & blues)

July 30 | Zero to Sixty (a cappella group)

Aug. 6* | Jesse Jukebox (special children's afternoon concert)

*This afternoon concert takes place from 4-5 pm

Aug. 13 | The RayBans (island & beach music w/ steel drum)

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

Sunday evenings | 6-8 pm

Lakeview Park, Lorain

Aug. 6 | Chloe and the Steel Strings (Americana)

Sept. 17 | To be determined

MUSIC ON THE PATIO

Thursday evenings | 6:30-8:30 pm

Miller Nature Preserve, Avon

June 15 | Humbuckers (rockabilly, roots)

June 29 | Scotty Kosmic and the Cool Cats (’50s-’70s Oldies Rock)

July 13 | Furious George Hartwig (acoustic covers of metal, rap, pop)

July 27 | Hip to That (jazz, blues, pop)

Aug. 10 | Front Porch Jammin' (country, rock, blues)

Aug. 24 | The Four Dads (50’s- 70’s/Motown, country)

LAKEVIEW SUNSET CONCERT SERIES

Fridays evenings in July | 6-8 pm

Lakeview Park, Lorain

July 7 | Wish Garden (indie rock)

July 14 | The RPJ Project (70's rock)

July 21 | Red Idle Rejects (rock and roll)

July 28 | Bethany Joy (indie soul/jazz)

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COLLABORATION WITH FRENCH CREEK THEATRE

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: BALLET

presented by North Pointe Ballet

Fri., May 12 | 7:00 pm

Lakeview Park, Lorain Free Show

North Pointe Ballet will premiere Janet Dziak’s new ballet interpretation of the story of Belle, the book-loving daughter of a merchant.

THE FRANK AND DEAN AND MORE SHOW

Sat., June 3 | Shows at 3:30 & 7:00 pm

French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield Village

$15 per person

Celebrate the fun, the jokes, and the music of The Rat Pack for an evening.

SOMETHING DADA

Fri., June 9 | 7:30 pm

French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield Village

$15 per person

Live Improvised Comedy Show - based entirely on the audience’s suggestions!