A publication of
Geauga Park District
T
end to yourself this summer like you’d care for a garden — keep watered and fertilized, and soak up the sun!
Did you know we have free canoe programs for your family to enjoy? How about concerts in an outdoor amphitheater?
Dog walks? And ah, the ever-popular Nature Arts Festival in August and The Great Geauga County Fair in September...
You can earn your lunch by tallying species at the Burgers ‘n Butterflies, ‘Dogs ‘n Dragons program. Borrow an activity
bag to explore The West Woods. Attend our 50th birthday party (details on page 7). And the list continues.
Reaching out to Nature in Geauga County has never been easier. Tag a Monarch. Meet a turtle. Let these pages be your
guide. The sky’s the limit. Let’s make this a summer to remember.
Up close with Nature
Scopes - Page 3
A sneak
k peek
k inside
i id
d a
new exhibit - Page 6
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how we stay fi
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accountable to you - Page 8
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S U M M E R 2011
park hours
6 AM - 11 PM daily
Donald W. Meyer Center in Big Creek Park
is open 8 AM - 4:30 PM weekdays (year round)
and 10 AM - 5 PM weekends (May through October)
“We’re having a party ...
... and you’re invited. There’s no better way to turn 50 than to
surround myself with family and friends who know my history and
look forward to my future.
Remember when the vision of having
ving
a park district was a glimmer in
a few people’s eyes? ... when the
only park consisted of a picnic
table by a gravel driveway
on Woodin Road? ... when the
only programs were hosted by
volunteers at Punderson State Park?
ark?
We have a lot to celebrate these days,
with so many places to enjoy nature throughout the county and
naturalists reaching students in every school district.
to come and let your voice be heard. Please stop by at any
time during these upcoming Board of Park Commissioners
meetings and let us know how we are doing.
Park Board Meetings
Tuesday, July 12, 3:30 PM: Meyer Center, Big Creek Park
Tuesday, August 9, 3:30 PM: Meyer Center, Big Creek Park
Tuesday, September 13, 3:30 PM: Meyer Center, Big Creek Park
In memoriam
Judge Charles “Chip“ Henry · 1958-2011
It is with great sadness that our Park District family
mourns the loss of Judge Charles “Chip” Henry,
struck by a car May 23 while riding his bicycle.
Chip Henry was the Geauga County Juvenile/
Probate Court judge who, among many other
responsibilities and contributions to the community, has been responsible
2 VOICES OF NATURE • www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Tree Tops Nature Store at The West Woods
Nature Center is open 10 AM - 4 PM daily
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
is open 6 AM - 9 PM daily
The Maple Highlands Trail is open dawn to dusk
For more information on parks,
programs or events:
Phone: 440-286-9516
800-536-4006 (Geauga toll free)
Fax: 440-286-1285
Online: [email protected]
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Follow Geauga Park District on
So break out the balloons and confetti and let’s get this party
started! From birthday cake to fun and games, an evening concert
to a star party, we’ll have a grand ol’ time. Where’s the party?
Observatory Park, of course. See you August 20th!”
Geauga Park District invites and encourages you
The West Woods Nature Center
is open 10 AM - 5 PM daily
park mission
The mission of Geauga Park District is to
preserve, conserve and protect the natural
features of Geauga County and to provide
the opportunity for people to enjoy
and appreciate those resources.
Park Commissioners
John D. Leech • Jim Patterson
Mark Rzeszotarski
Executive Director • Thomas G. Curtin
Deputy Director • Keith McClintock
Editors • Sandy Klepach, Paige Hosier
Designer • Vicky Liptak
for the appointment of Park Board Commissioners since 1993.
Geauga Park District Executive Director Tom Curtin expressed
his admiration this way: “This is a huge loss to the whole
community and specifically for Geauga Park District. Judge
Henry has put so much care and thoughtfulness into his
appointments to the Park Board all these years. Because of
that, the Park District is what it is today. He has always been
very proud and pleased with Geauga Park District, its staff and
volunteers, and all the work that has been accomplished.”
We express our deepest sympathy to Judge Henry’s wife,
Linda, and children, Adam and Kim — and our gratitude for
sharing him with us so selflessly over the years.
“Kids need to
experience and
connect with
nature before they
can be expected to
preserve it...”
by Sandy Klepach, Editor
C
“
ory, give me a detailed color description,” one fifth-grade
scientist said to a classmate whose binoculars were leveled at a
bird.
sessions beginning in September and ending with the Binocular Blitz
field trip to The Rookery in May. Participating schools opt in at no
cost or, if they can spare it, a simple third of their school’s expenses.
“We think it’s the Eastern Kingbird,” a companion said aloud.
“Mr. Kostiha, we found an Eastern Kingbird. It’s sitting on that
twig.”
While meeting required curriculum, Nature Scopes has been
connecting Geauga County’s fifth-graders with nature by teaching
them to properly use binoculars: look, lock, lift. (And did you know
they can be used like a microscope?)
“I found it,” another said, “but I couldn’t identify it.”
These are the voices of Burton Elementary students participating in
the seventh annual Geauga Park District Nature Scopes binocular
program. This trio would go on to ID a Black Rat Snake, Grass
Pickerel (the smallest member of the pike family), beaver chew
and Cedar Waxwing — all in a fast 15 minutes.
Kids this age are mature enough to take these nature lessons
seriously, yet still young enough to tap into the wonder.
Since the 2003-04 school year and its first class of 180 students,
Geauga Park District has offered Geauga County schools the
Nature Scopes curriculum, aligned with Ohio Science Education
Content Standards. The course includes five interactive classroom
Geauga Park District Foundation actively raises funds designated
for Nature Scopes to make it possible for each student to use a
pair of Bushnell Falcon binoculars and two field guides during the
school year.
Then, in the end, a surprise. At a graduation ceremony concluding
each Binocular Blitz, students scream and cheer to learn they will
keep their binoculars and field guides for good!
This year, 452 students from nine area schools graduated from the
program. To date, 2,357 Geauga County students have completed it.
“This experience plants the seed that there’s a whole lot of cool stuff
to learn about the outdoors,” said Emilie Gottsegen, development
officer. “Here’s a tool and here are some observation skills you can
use for the rest of your life, whether you’re on a volcano in Hawaii
or in your backyard in Geauga County.”
Schools see results
Naturalist John Kolar, who leads the program’s team of seven
naturalists and 25 highly trained and dedicated volunteer instructors,
explains the goal of Nature Scopes this way.
“Kids need to experience and connect with nature before they can
be expected to value it, so we encourage them to explore their
immediate surroundings first, such as their school yards and their
own backyards.” The team also offers several evening programs
each year exclusively for Nature Scopes students and graduates.
Learning to use binoculars to simulate a microscope
(continued on page 4)
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org • VOICES OF NATURE 3
(from page 3)
At Binocular Blitzes, students liken the
layers of the forest to movie scenes and
return to their classrooms with long lists
of what they saw during tours of wetland,
pond and forest ecosystems.
Afterwards, they write thank-you letters to
donors and evaluate their own progress.
“The goal is to meet the science content
standards, and to get kids doing more
outside while appreciating nature,” John
said. “We know through pre- and post-tests
that the program is working.”
7/2 50 Years/50 Miles Hike
7/2 Forest Types
7/2 Humor Concert
7/5 Geauga Walkers
7/7 Teen Ravine Exploration
7/7 Camera Club
7/8 Cemeteries as Aviaries
7/9 Campfire & Night Hike!
7/10 Burgers ‘n Butterflies,
‘Dogs n’ Dragons
7/11 Muskrateers
july at a glance
7/12 Crinkleroots
7/12 Timbertots
7/13 Art Card Workshop
7/14 Timbertots
7/15 Full Moon Canoe
7/16 Karma Kings Concert
7/17 Timbertots
7/18 Hound Hike
7/19 Crinkleroots
7/19 Geauga Walkers
7/20 Muskrateers
7/23 Passport to Fishing Clinic
7/23 Dragonhunters Hike
7/24 Big Tree Search
7/28 Jam Session
7/30 LaDue Family Canoe
7/30 Three Miles Out Concert
7/31 50 Years/50 Miles Hike
Additionally, many individuals including Park Board
Commissioner John Leech and his wife Pat, a Foundation
trustee, have contributed to the success of the program.
Their contributions are rewarded by the kids’ letters
of thanks, and the knowledge that Geauga County’s
growing minds have gained a life-changing experience.
Last year’s graduates reported increased
knowledge of constellations (55 percent),
birds (25 percent), insects (16 percent), trees
(14 percent) and Geauga Park District parks
(40 percent).
One of the graduates of the first-ever Nature Scopes
class, Emily Puruczky, still writes thank-yous today.
“Science class as a fifth-grader wasn’t always the most
eventful — or exciting,” says Emily, who graduated
from West Geauga High School this June. “Binoculars
helped it to come alive. I still benefit from the use of my
binoculars. I now view nature with my heart and an open
mind, not just my eyes. Geauga Park District opened up
a new chapter of understanding for me. And it’s not one
that I’m ready to close.”
Eighty-five percent also said they’ll be more
likely to continue to explore outdoors, and 87
percent felt more connected with nature as a
result of their experiences in the program.
“That’s exactly what we hoped for,” Emilie
said.
Even though the experience wraps up with a
graduation, hands-on astronomy lessons will
rs at the
continue for these students as middle schoolers
noculars and, ooff
new Observatory Park through the lens of binoculars
course, telescopes.
Giving a future
Made possible through
private donations, Nature
Scopes currently costs
approximately $28 per
student for binoculars and
field guides. The goal is to
reach all Geauga County
fifth-graders by 2015-16,
which would nearly double
the budget.
A recent consolidation of three field guides to one saved 21 percent
per student, and cost-saving efforts continue.
Each year Nature Scopes has gone on because of visionaries like
the Blackbrook Audubon Society, North Face Explore Fund,
Burroughs Nature Club, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and
Dominion Educational Partnership.
Experience Nature Scopes side by side with Burton Elementary students on
our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/GeaugaParkDistrict1,
learn more at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/Naturescopes.shtml, then
consider contributing a tax-deductable gift by contacting Emilie at
440-279-0835 or [email protected].
Special thanks to West Geauga Schools’ Westwood and Lindsey Elementaries,
St. Helen’s Elementary, St. Mary’s Elementary, Notre Dame Elementary,
Newbury Elementary, Ledgemont Elementary, Burton Elementary and
Agape Christian Academy for their participation and support.
Advance Registration Required
(call 440-286-9516 or register online)
• If you or a member of your family has special needs, please call the
Park District regarding available accessibility accommodations.
Volunteers Needed
• American Sign Language interpreters can be arranged with 72 hours notice.
Fully Accessible
• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Advance registration is required for limited enrollment programs.
Nature Scopes
• In the event of severe weather or a “storm warning,” programs will be
cancelled.
International Year of
Forests Program
• Programs are generally free of charge; those with fees are noted.
Leave No Child Inside Program
Heart Healthy Program
• Payment of fees must be made at the time of registration with a credit/
debit card.
• Registration fees can be refunded up to five days prior to the event,
or if the Park District cancels the program.
4 VOICES OF NATURE • www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Remember that Geauga Park District
supports the “Leave No Child Inside”
initiative by providing naturecentered experiences designed to
instill wonder, engender curiosity
and benefit emotional and social
health. Join us in getting our
children outside by participating
in a program with the
child’s face symbol.
July
ARTS IN NATURE
Humor Under the Stars: Dan
& Bobbi Ritz and Tim Wallace
Saturday, July 2, 7-8:30 PM
Big Creek Park, Amphitheater
Twice the chuckles with a double
billing of fun! First half showcases
humorists Dan & Bobbi Ritz with
a lively “Name That Tune” game
featuring commercials, TV programs
and standard songs. Door prizes
awarded. Then welcome Tim Wallace
from the Smokin’ Fez Monkies as he
performs a selection of humorous
e
originals. Held indoors if inclement
weather. Refreshments served.
Shutterbugs Camera Club
Thursday, July 7, 7-9 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Learn tips and tricks to better your
photographic skills at monthly
session consisting of an instructional
program and assignments for
friendly critiques. See “Things to
Do” on the website for details. All
levels welcome.
Iris Folding Art Card
Workshop (Ages 15+)
Wednesday, July 13, 6:30-8:30 PM
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Join artisan Phyllis Knapp to create 3
nature-motif cards (maple leaf, fish &
topiary tree) using a technique from
Europe that utilizes multi-colored
& folded paper strips to form spiral
designs. Fee: $12 for materials and
instruction.
programs in detail
Highlighting . . . trees!
Recognizing Geauga’s Forest Types
Saturday, July 2, 2-4 PM Big Creek Park, Aspen Grove
ve
Explore three types of forests with a focus
on their plant and animal communities.
EXPLORE THE
OUTDOORS
50 Years / 50 Miles
Saturday, July 2, 9 AM-Noon
Big Creek Park, Woodin Road Horse
Parking
Approximately 5.8 miles: Creek
Trail & Highline Trail with stream
crossings
Sunday, July 31, 2-4 PM
The West Woods, Nature Center
Parking
Approximately 4.1 miles: Pioneer
Bridle Trail and Music Street Link
Maple Town Tune Traders
Jam Session
Thursday, July 28, 7-9 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Singers and musicians: Share songs
and tunes in all genres each 4th
Thursday. Acoustic and gently
amplified instruments and vvocals.
Snacks to share welcome.
Three Miles Out in Concert
Saturday, July 30, 7-8:30 PM
Big Creek Park, Amphitheater
With a modern alternative sound
that includes amazing harmonies,
this four-piece band will deliver
crowd-pleasing rock-n-roll. TMO has
opened for a number of national
acts including Peter Frampton,
Nelson, Boston, Styx, Three Doors
Down and Seether, and performed
as the featured artist at MGM Grand
Las Vegas. Refreshments served.
Burgers ‘n Butterflies,
‘Dogs n’ Dragons
Sunday, July 10, Noon-3:30 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Lake Side
Grab a net and work for your lunch!
Join Ohio Lepidopterist member Mark
Rzeszotarski and naturalists for this
annual census. Learn identification,
habits and food sources of these
amazing insects. Catching a butterfly or
dragonfly earns you a free hamburger
or hotdog. Nets provided. Wear
sunscreen and long pants.
Bat & Frog Full Moon Canoe
(Ages 10+ w/adult, 12+to paddle,
only one 10-12 in middle)
Big Creek Park, Deep Woods
Take a stroll off trail to
discover the diversity of trees
and the giants of this older
forest community.
KIDS CORNER
Timbertots: Amazing Ants
(Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Tuesday, July 12, 10-11 AM
Sunday, July 17, 2-3 PM
Big Creek Park, Cherry Room
Thursday, July 14,
10-11 AM or 1-2 PM
The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
Join Nora the Explorer on an
adventure to discover
v the wonderful
world of ants.
Crinkleroots (Ages 6-8)
Search for Streamlife
Eldon Russell Park, Horwath’s Landing
Tuesday, July 12, 9:30-11:30 AM
Enjoy bats, frogs and other nightlife
Friday, July 15, 8:30-10 PM
Recognizing Geauga
County’s Forest Types
(See Highlighting... above for details)
Geauga Walkers
Tuesdays, 1-2:30 PM
July 5: Whitlam Woods
July 19: Swine Creek, Valley Shelter
Join other active seniors on
weekly hikes, 1-1½ miles.
Call Geauga Senior Center for full
schedule: 440-279-2137.
as we canoe under a full moon! Basic
canoeing proficiency required. Phone
Registration July 8 -July 15.
Hound Hike: Summer Strut
Monday, July 18, 7-8:30 PM
The Rookery
Enjoy a summer evening stroll with
your favorite pooch. One nonaggressive, leashed dog per handler.
Dragonhunters Hike
Saturday, July 23, 1:30-3 PM
Karma Kings in Concert
Saturday, July 16, 7-8:30 PM
Big Creek Park, Amphitheater
Enjoy some of the great folk, rock
& pop tunes of past decades and
popular hits of today. Held indoors
if inclement
e weather. Refreshments
served.
Big Tree Search
Sunday, July 24, 1-3 PM,
Teen Backcountry Ravine
Ravin
ine
e
Exploration
Thursday, July 7, 9 AM-Noon
Welton’s Gorge - Burton Township
Teens venture into the rocky
woodland ravines of a Park District
preserve to discover deep rock
ledges, cool streams, salamanders
and other stream life.
Birding Hallowed Ground:
Cemeteries as Aviaries
Friday, July 8, 7-9 PM
Burton Park - Rapids Rd, Burton Vlg
Where the dead find eternal rest,
birds come to nest. This avian
exploration surveys the sylvan
surroundings of Burton Memorial
Forest and Burton Township’s
Lower Cemetery.
Campfire & Night Hike!
Saturday, July 9, 8-10 PM
Headwaters Park, Boathouse
Enjoy s’mores around a campfire
with nature songs, skits and stories,
then journey into the darkness!
Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Big Creek Park, Deep Woods
Venture into a forested stream to
discover wildlife like crayfish, dusky
salamanders and stonefly larva!
Backcountry
Adventure Hike
Tuesday, July 19, 9-11 AM
The West Woods, Turkey Ridge
Armed with superior observation
skills, young explorers head off trail
and search the wilds of the West
Woods for some amazing signs of
the season!
The West Woods Nature Center
Enjoy an afternoon searching wetland Muskrateers (Ages 9-11)
habitat for those colorful aerial
Streamlife Safari
acrobatic insects – the dragonflies
Monday, July 11, 9 AM-Noon
and damselflies. With nets in hand,
Big Creek Park, Deep Woods
capture and get an up-close eyeballMuskrateers venture into a forested
to-compound-eyeball look at these
stream to discover wildlife like
amazing creatures. Nets provided or
crayfish, Dusky Salamanders and
bring your own.
stonefly larva!
Big Tree Search
(See Highlighting... above for details)
LaDue Family Canoe
(Ages 7+ w/adult, 12+ to paddle,
only one 7-12 in middle.)
Saturday, July 30, 3-4:30 PM
LaDue Reservoir - Rt. 44 Parking
Paddle among the coves of LaDue
Reservoir watchful for herons, eagles,
ospreys and other wildlife. Phone
registration July 23-30.
Hike into the Backcountry
Wednesday, July 20, 9-11 AM
The West Woods, Turkey Ridge
Armed with superior observation
skills, young explorers will head
off trail and search the wilds of
The West Woods for signs of the
season!
Kid’s Passport to Fishing
Clinic (Ages 8-12)
Saturday, July 23, 8:30 AM-1 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge
The Passport to Fishing program
helps young anglers “catch the
fishing bug” by participating in
four hands-on stations designed to
help them acquire skills, techniques
and information with a strong
n
conservation message.
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
www
geaugaparkdi
• VOICES OF NATURE 5
What’s So Special About Living in Geauga County?
We’re Snowbelted! And coming this November at The
West Woods Nature Center, you experience a deep
freeze packed with fun things to do and see.
To celebrate the season of snow, we’re
firing up the creative engines to present
Snowbelted: Winter’s a Blast! There’s no
argument that winter’s a challenge. But we
thrive, don’t we!
What else thrives? Why, all of our neighbors
in Nature. By visiting The West Woods
Nature Center between November and
February, you’ll meet the field/forest critters
who find winter’s blast an annual ordeal.
See how they are adapted for survival
through a host of interactive exhibits. Kids
won’t want to miss the Otter Banks slide
and crawl-through vole tunnels ... just
beware of predators!
Most of us know how heavy snow can be
on your shovel — but did you know weight
changes with water content? Test your
strength and experience the difference.
Also discover the origins of winter storm
systems and lake effect snow, observe how
the earth’s revolution gives rise to
winter, and take a close look
at the formation of snowflakes.
We’ll help you remember winters
past with archived videos and
photos. You’ll experience how our
winter recreation has evolved from
wooden skis to the Nintendo Wii.
Response to
the spring newsletter’s
article about Snowbelted-related needs
was tremendous. Thank you to all who loaned
the Park District your antique winter memorabilia!
However, we still need of old photographs of winter
at its best and worst (big snows, winter struggles,
winter work, winter outdoor fun, etc.) and will scan
your old photos at The West Woods Nature Center by
arrangement while you wait. Please contact
Dan Best for details at 440-279-0883
or [email protected].
Cabin fever has always been stifling, so let’s
have fun playing games that have beat the winter
blues through the centuries.
Plus, anyone with a photographic flare may dig
the Wonders of Winter gallery, courtesy of
our very own, very talented Shutterbugs
Camera Club.
Sure, winter can be brutal, but it offers
something for all ages, and so does
Snowbelted. Stay cool till November!
Adventures in Geocaching
Geauga Park District celebrates its 50th anniversary
with a twist on geocaching that will take you to
every park over the course of the year. Instead of physical cache
containers, lettered cards will be posted at a representative
feature of each park. Four to five parks each quarter, grouped by
driving distance, will have small signs with letters to locate and
record as part of the game (so don’t forget to bring a writing
utensil). Visiting all the parks will give you all the letters needed
to build a secret phrase.
Use the geocache coordinates or location clues below to find
the posted card at each park. You may consult a park map for
guidance (or access a map on your mobile device using the QR
code on each park bulletin board). One park in the last quarter
will have a container with a template for compiling your letters
— submit your completed phrase for a drawing at a special
geocache program in the winter of 2012! Completed riddles
must be in to The West Woods Nature Center by January 31,
2012, or at a geocache event to be scheduled in February 2012.
This cache expires January 30, 2012. www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/geocaching.shtml
Bessie Benner
Metzenbaum Park
N 41° 30.601’
W 081° 21.633’
Observation Deck
Orchard
Hills Park
N 41° 33.764’
W 081° 21.815’
Sledding Sign
august at a glance
August A Toad-ally Newt Experience
8/2 Geauga Walkers
8/4 Camera Club
8/6 & 7 Nature Arts Festival
Bass Lake
Preserve
N 41° 33.011’
W 081° 13.688’
Brook Trout Sign
8/9 Grandparents Summer Picnic
8/11 Food & Farms
8/12 - 13 Meteor Shower Campout
8/13 50 Years/50 Miles
8/13 Fractured Fairytales
8/14 Forestry & Forest Restoration
8/14 Sunset/Moonrise Canoe
6 VOICES OF NATURE • www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Walter C. Best
Wildlife Preserve
N 41° 33.203’
W 081° 12.200’
Wildlife Blind
8/15 Hound Hike
8/16 Geauga Walkers
8/20 BIRTHDAY BLAST
8/21 50 Years/50 Miles Hike
8/21 LaDue Sunset Kayak
8/23 Timbertots
8/24 Timbertots
Sunnybrook
Preserve
N 41° 31.778’
W 081° 18.014’
Wetland Overlook Bench
8/25 Jam Session
8/26 Insect Orchestra
8/27 50 Years/50 Miles Ride
8/27 Singer’s & Songwriter’s Circle
8/28 Ansel Savage Cave Memories
8/28 Timbertots
8/30 Geauga Walkers
August
ARTS IN NATURE
Shutterbugs Camera Club
Thursday, August 4, 7-9 PM
Sunnybrook Preserve Lodge
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE
It’s picnic time for the Camera Club.
Bring a passing dish and join us. See
“Things to Do” on the website for
this month’s photo assignment.
Nature Arts Festival
(See Highlighting... below for details)
Fractured Fairytales
Saturday, August 13, 7-8 PM
Big Creek Park, Amphitheater
Join Geauga Lyric Theater Guild
for a sampling of “not-so-typical”
fairytales during a night of fun and
fantasy. Held indoors if inclement
weather. Refreshments served.
Maple Town Tune Traders
Jam Session
Thursday, August 25, 7-9 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Singers and musicians: Share songs
and tunes in all genres each 4th
Thursday. Acoustic and gently
amplified instruments and vvocals.
Snacks to share welcome.
Sundown Singer’s &
Songwriter’s Circle
Saturday, August 27, 7-9 PM
Big Creek Park, Amphitheater
Dan Best hosts this venue featuring
local songwriters, song stylists and
instrumentalists sharing their talents
in a musically magic evening under
the stars. Held indoors if inclement
e
weather. Refreshments served.
programs in detail
50 Years/50 Miles
Saturday, August 13,
2-4 PM
Whitlam Woods
Approximately 1.4 miles: All trails,
with stairs
Sunday, August 21, 2-3 PM
Eldon Russell Park
Approximately 1 mile: All trails
Sustainable Forestry and
Forest Restoration
Sunday, August 14, 1-3:30 PM
(Ages 10+ w/adult, 12+ to paddle,
only one 10-12 in middle)
Sunday, August 14, 8-9:30 PM
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Enjoy the nightlife that awakens as
the sun sets over this glacial lake.
Watch the full sturgeon moon
emerge over the horizon. Basic
canoeing proficiency required. Phone
registration August 8-13.
Hound Hike
Monday, August 15, 7-8:30 PM
Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve,
Rt. 44 Parking
Tails will be wagging for this summer’s
evening stroll. One non-aggressive,
leashed dog per handler.
EXPLORE THE
OUTDOORS
A Toad-ally Newt Experience
August, 1-5 PM
Insect Orchestra: Nature’s
Musicians
Friday, August 26, 7:30-9 PM
August 2: Big Creek Park, Deep Woods
August 16: Sunnybrook Preserve
August 30: The West Woods,
Affelder House
Join other active seniors on weekly
hikes, 1-1½ miles. Call Geauga Senior
Center for full schedule: 440-279-2137.
Beartown Lakes Reservation
Wednesday, August 24, 10-11 AM
Sunday, August 28, 3-4 PM
Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve
Discover the wonderful world of
webbed feet as we explore around a
pond.
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Enjoy an evening insect concert as
cricket/katydid specialist and musician
Dr. Lisa Rainsong introduces us to
members of the Burton Wetlands
insect orchestra.
50 Years/50 Miles on
Horseback
Saturday, August 27, 10 AM-1 PM
Beartown Lakes Reservation
Bring your own horse for this
naturalist-led trail ride on the
Whitetail Trail for 1.5 miles under
saddle while working on your 50
miles to celebrate the Park District’s
50th anniversary. Helmets required.
Food: What Do Farms
Have to Do With It?
Thursday, August 11, 6:30-8:30 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Join Mary Lou and John Wolfram
of Burton’s North Corner Farm,
producing farm fresh vegetables
and Christmas trees in season, for
a discussion of local sustainable
agriculture. Sharing of local food is
welcome.
Meteor Shower Campout
Friday, August 12, 8:15 PM Saturday, August 13, 9 AM
Chickagami Park
Bring your tent and sleeping bag for
a night under the shooting stars with
“Music & Meteors” from 9 PM to
midnight, and extended sky viewing
into the peak after-midnight hours.
Fee: $5 in-county, $8 out-of-county,
y
includes a pancake breakfast.
BIRTHDAY BLAST:
Observatory Park Dedication
& 50th Birthday Celebration
Sunset/Moonrise Canoe
LaDue Reservoir, Rt. 44 Parking
Paddle among the coves of LaDue
Reservoir ever watchful for nocturnal
wildlife found around the lake. Bring
your own kayak or single-seat kayak
rental available through Camp Hi
for $15. Phone registration
August 14-21.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesdays, 1-2:30 PM
Timbertots: Duck, Duck,
Goose! (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Tuesday, August 23,
10-11 AM or 1-2 PM
Orchard Hills Park Lodge
Landowners learn how to manage
their woodlots and check the
progress of forest restoration by
visiting new plantings, young forest
and mature forest. Some off trail
areas may be muddy, have steep
inclines and require stepping over
downed trees.
LaDue Sunset Kayak
Sunday, August 21, 7-8:30 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
Register for the call list to see red
efts (newts) and “tad grads”: newly
transformed froglets and toadlets on
a rainy afternoon in August. Call will
come the morning of, or possibly the
day before, the program.
KIDS CORNER
GENUINE GEAUGA
(See Highlighting... below for details)
Ansel Savage & His Cave
Grandparents Summer Picnic Memories!
Tuesday, August 9, 11:30 AM-1 PM Sunday, August 28, 2-4 PM
Orchard Hills Park Lodge
Grandparents and grandchildren
enjoy indoor and outdoor activities
and a picnic in collaboration with
West Geauga Senior Center, which is
providing lunch. Bring a dessert or
side dish to share.
The West Woods, Turkey Ridge
Travel back in time to meet Ansel
Savage as he mysteriously appears
to recount his days of yore in The
West Woods, then hike with him to
his “cave.”
Highlighting . . . Nature Art!
Nature Arts Festival
Saturday & Sunday,
August 6 & 7,
10 AM-5 PM, The West Woods
A weekend of fine arts on display and for
sale by regional artists. See woodcarvings,
paintings, handcrafted jewelry and other
forms of nature art in various price ranges.
Cast your vote in the People’s Choice
Competition and enjoy food and artist
demonstrations. The Geauga Park District
Foundation will sponsor a raffle drawing
for a prize-winning piece of nature art.
t
...and a 50th Birthday!
BIRTHDAY BLAST: Observatory Park Dedication
& 50th Birthday Celebration
Saturday, August 20, 4-11 PM, Observatory Park
Join us for this family-friendly evening to debut the internationally
recognized Observatory Park on Geauga Park District’s 50th birthday.
4 PM – Opening ceremonies
5-8 PM – Free food & activities
8 PM – Concert under the stars
9 PM-11 PM – Stargazing through telescopes
For a complete listing of activities, visit
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or call 440-286-9516.
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
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RE 7
Respect your Trust
A continuation of the series focused on the fiscal management of your Park District.
Geauga Park District has earned the trust of voters for the past 50 years, and we
respect your trust. Our goal in each issue is to explore some aspect of Park District
fiscal operations and to make the process clear and understandable.
Audit Committee provides
increased
oversight
commissioner).
Government organizations have
become increasingly interested
in establishing independent
audit committees to provide
oversight of financial reporting,
internal controls and auditors’
activities. Geauga Park District
took this proactive approach many years ago
to safeguard your assets.
Its three-member volunteer committee
includes at least one member from the
community with financial experience and
one Park Board member. Each serves on the
committee for a term of three years, which
can be renewed.
Several times each year, this group convenes
to review internal controls, budgetary
documentation and insurance services, and
to review reports filed annually and audits
prepared biennially by the auditor of the State
of Ohio.
Insight provided
by these three
professionals,
informed by their
individual work
experiences, is
valuable in keeping
your Park District
accountable to
you.
Committee
member Tom Basista gives high marks for
internal processes that ensure proper use
of taxpayer funds.
“Geauga Park District employees are good
stewards of the taxpayers dollars,” he said.
“The people should know how closely
every nickel and dime is monitored.”
9/1 - 5 The Great Geauga County Fair
9/1 Camera Club
9/3 50 Years/50 Miles Hike
9/3 - 9/5 Insect Extravaganza
9/3 Tracking Tigers
9/10 Observatory Park Snake Survey
9/10 Spiderday!
9/11 Monarch Tagging
This committee’s donation of time is yet
another way Geauga Park District takes
care of the dollars you provide in support
of its very important mission.
Mark Rzeszotarski, Ph.D.
Tom Basista
(Not pictured: John Weber)
september at a glance
9/11 Full Moon Canoe
9/13 Geauga Walkers
9/14 The Bird Tornado!
9/16 Homeschool Days
9/17 Hound Hike
9/17 Time for Turtles!
8 VOICES OF NATURE • www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Geauga Park District celebrates
its 50th anniversary by hosting
a 50-mile hiking series. Join a
naturalist to cover every park
trail this year, or work on the 50
miles on your own. A score card
is available to track your miles.
Complete 50 miles in 2011 and
earn a 50th anniversary pin!
(See dates and locations on
pages 5, 7 and 9.)
Depending on park size, some
parks will be completed in one
day, while others will be broken
into two or three days. Trails can
also be covered by attending
other park programs.
Rainy springtime weather
aside, construction season
is now in full swing for the
summer. Some trails have
been closed at Orchard Hills
Park and are posted on the
park’s bulletin board. See
regularly updated photos of
current projects by clicking
Park Projects, under
About Your Parks, at
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
He also applauds the multiple steps of
approval the Park District has put in place
to process expenditures.
It also reviews budget items related to
construction projects and accounting
software. Members often offer
recommendations, and have played an
integral role in improving Park District
efficiencies and technologies.
The 2011 Geauga Park District Audit
Committee consists of Tom Basista
(community member and businessman),
John Weber (community member and retired
CFO) and Dr. Mark Rzeszotarski (Park Board
Hikes continue!
9/18 50 Years/50 Miles Hike
9/18 Monarch Tagging
9/20 Birds in Bottles
9/21 The Bird Tornado!
9/22 Timbertots
9/22 Jam Session
Keep your
heart healthy
Everyone needs exercise to
achieve and maintain good
heart health. Aside from the
miles of trails available to
you, Geauga Park District has
programs that involve physical
activity. Look for the heart
icon next to those programs
that promote a healthy
heart — not to mention
an experience to
de-stress in Nature.
9/23 Timbertots
9/23 Drawing with Watercolor
Pencils
9/23 Astronomy Night
9/25 50 Years/50 Miles Ride
9/25 Timbertots
9/25 Tree ID Workshop
9/27 Geauga Walkers
September
ARTS IN NATURE
Shutterbugs Camera Club
Thursday, September 1, 7-9 PM
programs in detail
Observatory Park
Snake Survey
Saturday, September 10,
9:30-11:30 AM
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Join a naturalist and volunteer on
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
the survey route and discover how
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE
coverboard surveys for snakes are
Learn tips and tricks to better your
conducted - one of the Park District’s
photographic skills at monthly sessions citizen science opportunities. Limited
consisting of an instructional program parking, so meet at Big Creek Park
and assignments for friendly critiques. and carpool.
See “Things to Do” on the website for
details. All levels welcome.
Monarch Butterfly Tagging
Maple Town Tune Traders
Jam Session
Thursday, September 22, 7-9 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Singers and musicians: Share songs
and tunes in all genres each 4th
Thursday. Acoustic and gently
amplified instruments and vvocals.
Snacks to share welcome.
Drawing with
Watercolor Pencils
Friday, September 23, 6:30-8 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Join artist Susan Morse to explore
the use of watercolor pencils, a
terrific drawing medium used for
nature journaling or sketches used
for watercolor paintings. Focusing on
drawing from nature and still lifes,
discuss techniques for creating loose
sketches and shading for botanical
studies. No experience required. Fee
$18 for materials and instruction.
EXPLORE THE
OUTDOORS
50 Years/50 Miles
Saturday,
September 3,
9 AM-Noon
Mountain Run Station, Parking Lot
Approximately 6.5 miles: The Maple
Highlands Trail, South Street
r
to
Claridon-Troy and back
Sunday, September 18,
9-11 AM
Swine Creek Reservation, Valley
Approximately 1.5 miles:
Walnut and Razorback Trails,
with stream crossing
(See Highlighting... below for details)
Full Moon Canoe
(Ages 10+ w/adult, 12+to paddle,
only one 10-12 in middle)
Sunday, September 11,
7-8:30 PM
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Enjoy the nightlife of this glacial
lake while watching the full moon
emerge over the horizon. Basic
canoeing proficiency required. Phone
Registration September 4-11.
Geauga Walkers
Tuesdays, 1-2:30 PM
September 13: Burton Wetlands
Nature Preserve
September 27: Eldon Russell Park
Join other active seniors on weekly
hikes, 1- 1½ miles. Call Geauga Senior
Center for full schedule: 440-279-2137.
The Bird Tornado!
Wednesday, September 14,
7:30-8:30 PM
Chardon Square - Gazebo
Time for Turtles!
Saturday, September 17,
1-2:30 PM
The West Woods, Turkey Ridge
Meet some of Geauga’s turtles
through games, activities and
a turtle search as we observe
International Year of the Turtle’s
effort to raise awareness of
worldwide conservation
o issues
of turtles in trouble.
Birds in Bottles
Tuesday, September 20, 7-8:30 PM
Astronomy Night
Friday, September 23, 8-10 PM
Big Creek Park, Maple Grove
Gaze through telescopes of the
Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society
(or bring your own) to see the
crescent moon, Jupiter and late
summer and fall constellations.
Cancelled if cloudy. Call after 3:00
p.m. for cancellation notice.
Hound Hike: Pitter Paw-ter
Saturday, September 17,
10-11:30 AM
Swine Creek Reservation, Lake Side
You and your favorite canine will
enjoy this “natureful” walk. One
non-aggressive,
v leashed dog per
handler.
Highlighting . . . Insects!
Monarch Butterfly Tagging
Sundays, September 11 & 18,
12:30-4 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
Net and tag monarchs on their way to
Mexico for Monarch Watch’s study of
this cross-continental migration. Play
a “life-sized board game” about this
amazing journey. Nets provided or bring
your own. Sun protection and long pants
recommended.
KIDS CORNER
Timbertots: Beautiful
50 Years/50 Miles on
Butterflies (Ages 3-5 w/adult)
Horseback
Sunday, September 25, 10 AM-1 PM Thursday, September 22,
10-11 AM or 1-2 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Lake Side
Bring your own horse for this leisurely
naturalist-led trail ride for 2.4 miles
under saddle while working on
your 50 miles to celebrate the Park
District’s 50th anniversary. Helmets
required.
Tree ID Workshop
Sunday, September 25, 2-4 PM
Bessie Benner Metzenbaum Park
Learn about identifying trees from
leaf clues using the Master Tree Finder
booklet, available for $4. Borrow
one for class or bring your own. Cosponsored by the Native Plant Society
of Northeastern Ohio.
Wednesday, September 21,
7:30-8:30 PM
Burton Square - Gazebo
Witness the annual phenomenon of
hundreds of chimney swifts swirling
tornado-like and then plummeting
into an old chimney used as a
migratory “motel” on their journey
to South America.
m
An unforgettable
spectacle!
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Plastic jars, rising waters and colored
bracelets contribute to the saga
of the Prothonotary Warbler. This
illustrated presentation recounts
Senior Naturalist Dan Best’s 20-year
experience with a nesting population
on the Upper Cuyahoga River. Cosponsored by Blackbrook Audubon
Society.
Frohring Meadows, Katydid Shelter
Friday, September 23, 10-11 AM
Sunday, September 25, 3-4 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
With nets in hand, explore these
stunning flying jewels!
Homeschool Days:
Monarch Tagging
(Ages 5-8 & 9-12)
Friday, September 16, 2-3:30 PM
Swine Creek Reservation, Lake Side
Homeschoolers will become scientists
for the day! Learn about the
Monarch’s life cycle, then hit the field
with nets in hand to catch and band
Monarchs as they head to Mexico.
GENUINE GEAUGA
NATURE INDOORS
Tracking Tigers in Russian
Far East
Saturday, September 3, 2-3 PM
Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Travel with wildlife biologist David
McCullough in search of Amur
(Siberian) Tigers. Equipped with
trail cameras and snowshoes he
accompanied researchers through
spectacular mountain scenery.
Insect Extravaganza!
Saturday, September 3 Monday, September 5,
1-4 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Pick up clues hidden in and
outside The West Woods Nature
Center on this fun fact-finding
d
mission all about insects.
The Great Geauga
County Fair
Thursday, September 1 Monday, September 5,
10 AM-8 PM
Geauga County Fairgrounds, Burton
Come visit Geauga Park District at
The Great Geauga Countyy Fair’s
Natural Resources Area.
Insect Extravaganza!
(See Highlighting... below for details)
Spiderday!
(See Highlighting... below for details)
Spiderday!
Saturday, September 10, 1-4 PM
The West Woods, Turkey Ridge
Eight-legged, silk spinning, insect-eating
super critters! Come celebrate spiders
through fun crafts, hands-on activities
and live animals. A special talk on spiders
at 2 PM, followed by a spider w
walk.
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org • VOICES OF NATURE 9
kid’s corner
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
Hannah the Hummingbird and
Henry the Human have gotten
all mixed up! Can you help them
figure out who is who?
Answer the questions with the correct word from this word bank.
True or
False?
Word Bank
40
Nectar Peanut Butte 9
ero
Z
and Je
Flowers
lly
r
Kitchen
1. A hummingbird will visit an average of
1,000 flowers every day. __________
1. Where do you go for food? _______________
2. Hummingbirds drink through their
beak like a straw. __________
2. Where do hummingbirds go for food? _____________
3. What do you like to eat? _______________
3. A hummingbird’s wings will beat
about 70 times per second. __________
4. What do hummingbirds like to eat? _______________
5. How many feathers does an average
hummingbird have? _______________
____
__
____________
____
6. How many
man
any
y feathers
featthe
feat
hers
rs do
do you
y u have?
yo
have
have
ha
ve?
e? _______________
_____
____
_ _____
_ _____
_ _
Di
k
you
Hummingbirds have
no sense of smell.
d w
o
n A hummingbird’s metabolism is
roughly 100 times that of an elephant.
A hummingbird can weigh anywhere
between 2 and 20 grams. (A penny
weighs about 2.5 grams!)
Find these
words in the
w
Word Search
W
tto the right!!
Colorful
Feeder
Flowers
Fly
Hover
Hummingbird
g
Nectar
Nec
ctar
Wings
Win
ngs
n
g
gs
Calling all kid
artists for
Nature Arts Festival!
Word Search
T
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U
F
R
O
L
O
C
Q
N
J
D
B
O
B
O
X
T
L
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E
P
W
O
W
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F
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H
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Q
A
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E
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U
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B
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L
Q
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F
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F
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F
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N
W
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O
Q
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A
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Color Hannah the Hummingbird
Co
and her favorite flower!
If you are between the ages of 5 and
12, you can enter your wildlife-themed
emed
artwork into the kids category att the
Nature Arts Festival’s People’s Choice
hoice
Awards!
Entries will be accepted at T
The West
Woods Nature Center from Friday,
July 15, through Saturday, August 6,
by 9:30 AM. For more information and
an application, visit The West Woods
Nature Center, the Meyer Center in
Big Creek Park or
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
ANSWERS: Word Bank; 1-kitchen, 2-flowers, 3-peanut butter & jelly, 4-nectar,
5-940, 6-zero True & False; 1-T, 2-F, they actually use their tongues, 3-T
10 VOICES OF NATURE • www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
E
W
F
E
N
E
C
T
A
R
W
The mission of Geauga Park District Foundation is to seek and promote public representation, participation, awareness, and support in,
F O U N D AT I O N
of and for Geauga Park District in its mission to “Preserve, Conserve and Protect” the natural features of Geauga County.
From the Desk
of the President
When its Capital Campaign concludes at the end of
2011, Observatory Park will have been funded with
contributions from private foundations, corporations
and individual donors.
On behalf of the Geauga Park District Foundation, I want to express a personal
and special thank you to all of our incredibly generous donors from the greater
Geauga County region. The Foundation has been actively engaged in generating
resources in 2011 toward the Annual Campaign to support the Orchard Hills
Reforestation Project, the Snowbelted exhibit and the funding of Geauga Park
District’s Nature Scopes program for Geauga County fifth-grade students. To date,
$18,745 has been raised for Snowbelted, and $5,461 for Nature Scopes. The
Foundation Trustees continue to share these successful programs with local civic
groups and community organizations, and the number of interested supporters
steadily grows.
Likewise, the Observatory Park Capital Campaign continues to demonstrate
great interest and enthusiasm from the community. With the recent launch of
the public phase of the campaign, Coffee House Evenings have created essential
publicity and exposure. At the campaign’s conclusion in December of 2011,
the project will have been funded with contributions from private foundations,
corporations and individual donors. More than $1.4 million has been raised
toward this goal to date. Additionally, the Foundation has embarked on the
creation of a three-year, multi-faceted Strategic Fund Development Plan,
identifying strategies and actions to achieve successful fundraising results.
Once again, thank you for your partnership and support. Please feel free to call
on any of our Foundation Trustees with your comments and ideas. We appreciate
your valued insights.
Notre Dame
Students
Contribute to
Observatory Park
Campaign
For the third year in a row, fourthgraders from Notre Dame Elementary
School in Munson Township
have made a contribution to the
Observatory Park Capital Campaign.
Their 2011 donation brings their
total giving to $1,420. The students
raise these funds through an annual
Business Fair with the support of their
parents and teacher Anne Storey.
All are very excited about visiting
Observatory Park when it opens this
August, and believe it will become
a wonderful educational asset for all
Geauga County students.
From the Ground to the Galaxies
An Educational Adventure
All the best to you for a beautiful and safe summer. And be sure to visit and enjoy
many of our magnificent parks in Geauga County.
Richard J. Frenchie, MBA, FACHE
President, Geauga Park District Foundation
Geauga Park District Foundation
Board of Trustees for 2011
Richard J. Frenchie, President / Observatory Park Capital Campaign Chair
Kathy Leavenworth, Vice President
Brian Valentine, Treasurer
Mary Beth O’Neill, Secretary
John Janoch
David Chew
Dave K. Ford, Jr.
Bill Franz
Kathy Leavenworth
Bob Page
Glenn Frohring
Pat Leech
Christine Lewis
Douglas Nemeckay
Tim Nichols
Todd Ray
Dave Simko
John Steigerwald
Jeff Suszynski
Keith Tompkins
Pictured above: Representing Notre Dame Elementary,
Angelo Capito presents a $600 check for the
Observatory Park Capital Campaign to Richard J.
Frenchie, the campaign chair.
Geauga Park District Foundation,
9160 Robinson Road, Chardon OH 44024
Development Officers: Emilie Gottsegen
and Robert Keesecker
Administrative Assistant: Barb Emch
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org • VOICES OF NATURE 11
Geauga Park District
9160 Robinson Road
Chardon, OH 44024-9148
park locations
Bass Lake Preserve · 11445 Lakeview Drive, Munson
Beartown Lakes Reservation · 18870 Quinn Road, Auburn/Bainbridge
Bessie Benner Metzenbaum Park · 7940 Cedar Road, Chester
Big Creek Park · 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve · 15681 Old Rider Road, Burton/Newbury
Chickagami Park · 17957 Tavern Road, Parkman
Eldon Russell Park · 16315 Rapids Road, Troy
Frohring Meadows · 16780 Savage Road, Bainbridge
Headwaters Park · 13365 Old State Road, Huntsburg/Claridon
The Maple Highlands Trail
Big Creek Spur · 9280 Ravenna Road, Chardon
The Maple Highlands Trail
Mountain Run Station · 12601 Chardon Windsor Road, Hambden
Observatory Park · 10610 Clay Street, Montville
Orchard Hills Park · 11340 Caves Road, Chester
Sunnybrook Preserve · 12474 Heath Road, Chester
Swine Creek Reservation · 16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield/Parkman
The Rookery · 10110 Cedar Road, Munson
The West Woods · 9465 Kinsman Road (Rt. 87), Russell
The West Woods - Affelder House · 15139 Chillicothe Road, Russell
Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve · 11620 Ravenna Road, Munson
Whitlam Woods · 12500 Pearl Road, Hambden
For more information on
parks, programs or events,
call Geauga Park District
at 440-286-9516 or visit
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Printed on recycled paper using 25% post-consumer waste. FSC Certified
This publication was printed exclusively with Biolocity™ - environmentally responsible inks
You’re invited to a
Birthday Blast!
Celebrate
Geauga Park District’s
50th birthday and the
Grand Opening
of Observatory Park!
Saturday, August 20
at Observatory Park
in Montville Township
Bring the entire family —
festivities start at 4 PM!
(details on page 7)