Medina County Park District – May Programs
Sunday, May 1 – Midwestern Relics Art Exhibit by Brenna Nicholas Oenslager Nature Center – 1 to 5 p.m. Come to the nature center to see art by local artist Brenna Nicholas! Titled “Midwestern Relics,” the exhibition consists of a set of reliquary-inspired ceramic containers that honor the unique natural wonders she witnessed growing up in Medina County. Brenna is a senior pursuing a BFA in Ceramics at the University of Akron Myer’s School of Art, and this is her senior exhibition show. Brenna’s work will be on display after the show is over in the nature center display case until May 22. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Wednesday, May 4 – Woodland Health Day of Service – Volunteers Needed – Buckeye Woods Park – 4 to 6 p.m. Join us for a day of service pulling an aggressive weed from sensitive wildflower habitats. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Medina County and Medina County Park District Volunteers will educate about the habitat garlic mustard threatens and about some of the wildflowers we are protecting. You will learn everything you need to know about identifying and removing this invasive species. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community and ensure a healthy park for future generations. Bring your own work gloves, and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Ages 7 to adult. Register by May 1.
Saturday, May 7 – 89th Annual Series of Spring Bird Walks – River Styx Park – 7:30 a.m. Watch as migrating spring birds return or travel through to their summer breeding grounds during the 89th annual series of Spring Bird Walks. Spring Bird Walks are co-sponsored by several Northeast Ohio organizations. Medina County Park District walks are led by experienced birders and will be held every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. through May 14. Meet in the main parking lot at River Styx Park. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Saturday, May 7 – A Healthy Dose of Nature: Hiking Series – Allardale West – 9 to 11 a.m. Hiking outdoors in Medina County Park District has plenty of perks! There are beautiful views, fresh air, the sounds and smells of nature, AND it’s good for you, too. Mentally, being in the outdoors reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety. Physically, hiking is great for your heart, blood pressure, and muscles. Once a month, join a naturalist and volunteers to hike at a vigorous pace. This healthy hike will take place on a different trail each month and will be between three to five miles in length. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, and bring along a bottle of water. Ages ten to adult. No registration is required. Free.
Saturday, May 7 – Starry, Starry Nights at Letha House – Letha House Lodge West – 9 to 11 p.m. Come see deep-sky objects, planets, and the moon up close using the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association’s telescopes. The observatory will be open for public viewing, and members will be available to answer your questions. Have a telescope but not sure how to use it effectively? Members will also be on hand one hour before the program begins to show you how to use your own telescope for viewing the night sky. Cancellations will only be made in the case of severe thunderstorms. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Sunday, May 8 – Discovery Drop-In: Ponds – Oenslager Nature Center – 1 to 3 p.m. Discoveries don’t happen on a set schedule, so drop by any time between 1 and 3 p.m. to discover pond life in the parks. A naturalist will be near the pond deck with nets, supplies, and additional information to aid in your discoveries. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Tuesday, May 10 – Senior Strides – Letha House Lodge West – 10 to 11 a.m. If you are part of the 55 and over crowd and love to hike in the park but would prefer the company of others to feel comfortable doing so, the Senior Strides program is for you! The series aims to build a support system for both novice and veteran hikers who would love to hike but may not have anyone to hike with. Retired nurse and park volunteer Connie B. will lead the one-to-two-mile casual walks each month. Please dress for the weather and be sure to have appropriate footwear. No registration is required. Free.
Tuesday, May 10 – Woodland Health Day of Service – Volunteers Needed – Lake Medina (Granger Road entrance) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us for a day of service pulling an aggressive weed from sensitive wildflower habitats. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Medina County and Medina County Park District Volunteers will educate about the habitat garlic mustard threatens and about some of the wildflowers we are protecting. You will learn everything you need to know about identifying and removing this invasive species. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community and ensure a healthy park for future generations. Bring your own work gloves, and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Ages 7 to adult. Register by May 7.
Wednesday, May 11 – Natural Discoveries – Bluebell Valley – 10 to 11 a.m. Join us for an easy walk to observe the unfolding of nature all year long in the parks. Natural Discoveries is an award-based series of nature programs designed for ages seven to adult. No registration is required. Free.
Thursday, May 12 – Creative Writing for Homeschoolers – Oenslager Nature Center – 2 to 3:15 p.m. Nature will serve as the inspiration for homeschoolers who want to improve their writing skills. We’ll imitate the styles of skilled authors and use patterns to write poetry. The classes are offered individually but build upon one another to develop skills. Students will need a pencil, journal, and thesaurus. Part of the class may be outdoors so dress appropriately. A writing assignment will be given after each class, and students will be expected to share what they wrote at the following month’s class. Ages 8 to 12. Register by May 10.
Thursday, May 12 – Woodland Health Day of Service – Volunteers Needed – Lake Medina (Granger Road entrance) 4 to 6 p.m. Join us for a day of service pulling an aggressive weed from sensitive wildflower habitats. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Medina County and Medina County Park District Volunteers will educate about the habitat garlic mustard threatens and about some of the wildflowers we are protecting. You will learn everything you need to know about identifying and removing this invasive species. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community and ensure a healthy park for future generations. Bring your own work gloves, and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Ages 7 to adult. Register by May 9.
Thursday, May 12 – Forest Therapy Walk – Letha House Park East – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join Jason of Whisper Shifter for a relaxed, sensory experience on a forest therapy walk. Non-strenuous movement in a natural setting coupled with the goal of guiding participants through the experiencing of sensing, embodiment, and appreciation for their relationships to the natural world is the main focus of these walks. Ages 5 to adult. Free. Register by May 10.
Saturday, May 14 – 89th Annual Series of Spring Bird Walks – River Styx Park – 7:30 a.m. Watch as migrating spring birds return or travel through to their summer breeding grounds during the 89th annual series of Spring Bird Walks. Spring Bird Walks are co-sponsored by several Northeast Ohio organizations. Medina County Park District walks are led by experienced birders and will be held every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. through May 14. Meet in the main parking lot at River Styx Park. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Saturday, May 14 – Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! Hidden Hollow Camp – 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Millions of Americans consider birdwatching one of their favorite hobbies. Any time of year is a great time to get out and see birds, but spring migration time is when flocks of colorful birds are moving along their migratory flyways toward their breeding grounds and can be seen more easily than during nesting season. Whether you already enjoy watching birds or are interested in becoming a birdwatcher, you are invited to this special all things avian event complete with educational displays, interesting biofacts, and experienced birders who can help you locate some of the harder to find feathered friends. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Saturday, May 14 – Woodland Health Day of Service – Volunteers Needed – Buckeye Woods Park – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us for a day of service pulling an aggressive weed from sensitive wildflower habitats. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Medina County and Medina County Park District Volunteers will educate about the habitat garlic mustard threatens and about some of the wildflowers we are protecting. You will learn everything you need to know about identifying and removing this invasive species. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community and ensure a healthy park for future generations. Bring your own work gloves, and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Ages 7 to adult. Register by May 11.
Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 – Wild About Eggs – Susan Hambley Nature Center – 12 to 5 p.m. There has never been a more egg-cellent time to learn about native egg laying animals. Drop by any time between open and close to explore different types of eggs and the wild animals that lay them. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Sunday, May 15 – K-9 Kapers – Bluebell Valley – 3 to 4 p.m. K-9 Kapers provides dog owners with an opportunity to socialize their pets with other dogs. These alternative hikes will interest both the dog and its owner while offering exercise and fun. All dogs must have an accompanying adult and eight-foot leash (non-retractable). Participants must maintain control of their dogs at all times. We recommend bringing a towel for muddy feet and a water bowl. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
Sunday, May 15 – Photography Workshop: How to Use External Filters: Polarizing and Neutral Density – Oenslager Nature Center – 1 to 2:30 p.m. Come learn how using external filters on DSLR and mirrorless cameras will help enhance your photos. This class covers the basic DOs and DON’Ts of polarizing and neutral density filters. Bring your camera, and experiment with our classroom filters to determine if this is something you need. Ages 16 to adult. Register by May 12. There is a $15 program fee.
Thursday, May 19 – Woodland Health Day of Service – Volunteers Needed – River Styx Park – 1 to 3 p.m. Join us for a day of service pulling an aggressive weed from sensitive wildflower habitats. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Medina County and Medina County Park District Volunteers will educate about the habitat garlic mustard threatens and about some of the wildflowers we are protecting. You will learn everything you need to know about identifying and removing this invasive species. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community and ensure a healthy park for future generations. Bring your own work gloves, and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Ages 7 to adult. Register by May 16.
Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 – Wild About Eggs – Susan Hambley Nature Center – 12 to 5 p.m. See 5/14 program listing.
Sunday, May 22 – Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: Swifts and Swallows – Killbuck Lakes – 3 to 4 p.m. It’s not unusual to see swallows swooping around our barns and fields after insects, but do we know which kind we are seeing? Take a hike searching for swifts and swallows and learn what makes them amazing. Natural Discoveries is an award-based series of nature programs designed for ages seven to adult. No preregistration is required. Free.
Sunday, May 22 – Photographers of the Parks Club Meeting – Oenslager Nature Center – 3 to 5 p.m. This is a great opportunity for nature photo enthusiasts of all skill levels to share knowledge with like-minded folks, gain special access to programs and events related to photography, and support the park district. The club will emphasize, but not be limited to, nature photography. Please contact club leadership at medinapotp@gmail.com with questions or for more information. Ages 16 to adult. No registration is required.
Thursday, May 26 – Tales for Tots – Hidden Hollow Camp – 10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. Colors are everywhere in nature! Do you know your colors? Become a nature artist and experiment with the colors in nature when we read a story and go on a rainbow hike. For ages 3 to 6 with an adult companion. Some or the entire program may be held outdoors; please dress accordingly. Register between April 28 and May 25. Free.
Thursday, May 26 – Forest Therapy Walk – Letha House Park East – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join Jason of Whisper Shifter for a relaxed, sensory experience on a forest therapy walk. Non-strenuous movement in a natural setting coupled with the goal of guiding participants through the experiencing of sensing, embodiment, and appreciation for their relationships to the natural world is the main focus of these walks. Ages 5 to adult. Free. Register by May 24. Free.
Register for programs at www.medinacountyparks.com.