Parks and Recreation Bulletin for October 29, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

For more information on these FREE programs, as well as October's calendar of events, contact the park district at (440) 286-9516. You can also visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Head outdoors with Geauga Park District

Winter is just beginning to creep in through the window. You can feel it in the air, you can see it in the low hovering heavy clouds; but don't let the grey days stop you from taking part in some fantastic Geauga Park District outdoor events and activities. Just bundle up and meet winter's welcome by getting involved in these great upcoming programs:

* Geauga Cemeteries: History Written in Stone

Oct. 24, 1 to 3 p.m.

Chardon Municipal Cemetery, Chardon

Come discover there's more to a cemetery than cold stones and the dearly departed. A cemetery is a history museum, wildlife refuge, botanical garden and art gallery. Caravan to other small cemeteries if time allows. Pre-registration required.

* Howl'oween Hound Hike

Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to noon

Swine Creek Reservation, 16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield/Parkman townships. Lake Side parking lot

Costumes (dog or human) optional. One non-aggressive leashed dog per handler. Pre-registration required.

* Backcountry Heron Hike

Nov. 1, 1 to 3 p.m.

The Rookery, 10110 Cedar Road, Munson Township

Head off-trail to a heron nesting colony while the herons winter down south. Pre-registration required.

* First Fridays: In Search of the Beaver

Nov. 6, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve, 15681 Old Rider Road, Burton/Newbury townships

From their large front teeth to their rudder-like tail, beavers are adapted for life in the water. Bring a flashlight as we hike and search for signs of the beaver.

* Woods and Water Bird Walk

Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to noon

Headwaters Park, Route 322 parking area

A two-mile walk to find late autumn migrants at the East Branch Reservoir.

* Canoe with Loons

Nov. 7, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Headwaters Park, 13365 Old State Road, Huntsburg/Claridon townships. Boathouse

Share the water with loons, grebes, ducks and/or other migratory water birds. Event is for youth, ages 10 and up with an adult; only one 10-12 year old allowed in the middle. Registration taken Oct. 30 - Nov 6.

New winter hours for Big Creek Park's Meyer Center

Geauga Park District's Donald W. Meyer Center, located in Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon, will be changing to a new schedule for the winter season. Beginning Nov. 1 and continuing until April 1, 2010, the Meyer Center will not be open on weekends. Weekdays the Meyer Center will continue to be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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LAKE METROPARKS

Advanced ticket sales announced for Country Lights

Country Lights is a special holiday event presented by Lake Metroparks where memories are built and traditions are made featuring horse-drawn wagon rides through a winter wonderland featuring horse-drawn wagon rides past holiday lights and themed displays and Santa's Workshop. The event is a holiday family tradition in Northeast Ohio.

Country Lights will once again light up the night at Lake Metroparks Farmpark on Dec. 4-23. Evening activities run from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets for Country Lights go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 2. Farmpark member pre-sale tickets are on sale through Nov. 1. Advanced tickets are recommended as Country Lights sells out.

For ride times, ticket prices and order information, please call (440) 256-2156 or visit www.lakemetroparks.com.

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Public drawing to be held for trapping

The Ohio Division of Wildlife will be holding special drawings to select trappers for harvesting beaver and river otter on public properties.

Beaver and river otter trapping permits for the Grand River Wildlife Area and the LaDue Public Hunting Area will be issued at a public drawing Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Registration begins at 6 p.m. The drawing will be held at the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area Headquarters, 8303 North Park Avenue, North Bloomfield.

A total of eight permits will be issued for the areas; five for Grand River and three for LaDue. The season bag limit for beaver is unlimited. The river otter Zone-C bag limit will be in effect, allowing for a total of three otters to be harvested.

To be eligible for the drawing, trappers will be required to bring a valid hunting license and fur taker permit, proof of a previous hunting license and fur taker permit, or proof of registration/completion of a trapper education course. For more information, call Grand River WLA (330) 889-3280.

Trapping for these furbearers on public lands is by permit only and limited to areas where flooding from beaver dams interferes with other management practices or affects adjacent, private property or roadways. Beaver and otter trapping seasons run Dec. 26 through Feb. 28 statewide.