It's in our Nature Information centered around observing and learning about all aspects of nature
Schoepfle Garden: A Garden getaway
There is lots to do at Schoepfle garden throughout the summer months. We offer rides on the historic carousel, garden tours by tram, shaded trails for hiking along the Vermilion River, and a number of programs for all ages. Visitors can find a number of blooms throughout the garden including daylilies, canna, roses, and hostas. Come find a number of annuals and perennials as well as butterflies and hummingbirds.
Upcoming programs also include: BEACH TEA PARTY PICNIC Sat., July 17 | 11 am Join us for a beach themed tea party picnic. Moana and Ariel will visit and share songs and fun! Each child will receive a takeaway pack that includes crafts, coloring, and snacks. Pre-register and pay $3 per child, $2 per adult. Registration closes July 14.
CHIDLREN’S GARDEN BIRTHDAY BASH Sat., Aug. 28 | 1-3 pm Join us as we celebrate the 14th birthday of the Children’s Garden. Our birthday bash activities will be in the Children’s Garden, and the event is FREE!
Visit loraincountymetroparks.com/programs to register for programs and for the latest list of what’s happening.
Enjoy a guided tour of the garden or visit Otto Schoepfle’s home to learn about his life and view his house full of antiques. Check our website for scheduled programs. Carousel Rides are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays 1-4 pm, through September. In the summer (July-August) rides are also offered on Fridays 10 am–1 pm. Garden Tram Tours are available on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 am–1 pm, first-come first-served.
Dragons & Damsels Known and admired for their beauty, acrobatic behavior, and whimsical nature, dragonflies and damselflies are commonly associated with the symbolic meaning of change and transformation. Worldwide, there are more than 5,000 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), with 450 species found in North America and 164 currently recorded in Ohio. Dragonflies are the strongest flyers of the insect world, flying in all directions and hovering in midair like a helicopter! This is due to the impressive
construction of their two sets of wings, enabling each wing to move independently of the other. In contrast, damselflies are not as aerial adept due to having weak wing muscles and beating their wings at different times. The immature stages of each of these species are aquatic and found near lakes, rivers, ponds, swamps, and canals. Their presence is an important indicator of water quality. Damselflies are slender, have widely separated compound eyes, and rest their four wings together over their abdomen when sitting. In contrast, dragonflies are larger, have eyes that touch near the top of their head, and usually hold their wings straight out while sitting. Depending on the species, Odonates’ coloration can vary in blues, greens, browns, yellows, and even reds. With their prehistoric appearance, it is not surprising to hear that they have been around for
Pictured: Common green darner about 300 million years. Although many Odonates are common, a number are listed as threatened or endangered. While hiking along or resting on one of the benches near our ponds and rivers, keep an eye out for these and other common Ohio species: common green darner, Eastern pondhawk, widow skimmer, blue dasher, common whitetail, Eastern forktail, ebony jewelwing, and the familiar bluet.
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