May ‘16 Vol. 65 #5
Emerald Necklace
Featuring Cleveland Metroparks program and event guide
Spring Birding Threats to Bird Populations 3 • Lakefront Birds - Migration 5 • Outdoor Recreation 10
Contents Features 3 Threats to Bird Populations: Past, Present and Future 5 Lakefront Birds - Migration Columns 2 Inside the Emerald Necklace 4 Naturalist’s Almanac In Addition 6 8 10 14 18 19 30 31 32
Come Out and Play Zoo News Outdoor Recreation Cleveland Metroparks Golf Programs by Date Programs by Location A Look Ahead Directory Spring Bird Walks
Cover photo: scarlet tanager.
Photography by Kyle Lanzer. Additional photos courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks photo archive, unless otherwise noted.
Emerald Necklace Published monthly by:
Cleveland Metroparks 216-635-3200 clevelandmetroparks.com Marjorie Thomas Editor
Eriepro ltd.
Graphic Design
Penton Marketing Services Printing
Emerald Necklace is also available online at clevelandmetroparks.com.
Board of Park Commissioners Debra K. Berry Dan T. Moore President
Bruce G. Rinker Vice President
Vice President
Brian M. Zimmerman
Chief Executive Officer
Cleveland Metroparks does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability in employment, services or access to programs or activities. Special assistance for Cleveland Metroparks programs or facilities is available by calling 216-635-3264 in advance.
2 Emerald Necklace May 2016
Note from the Editor: May belongs to the birds. Overhead new songs announce the arrival of yet another feathered visitor from the south. Some birds will stay and raise their families here, while others push on into the Canadian boreal forests to breed. May affirms the promise of spring with the greening of forest canopies, the array of wildflowers and the arrival of migrating birds. Be a part of the awaking of nature, join a naturalist-led group or discover May on your own on the trails of Cleveland Metroparks.
Inside the
Emerald Necklace
Night Flight Call Recording
Under the cover of night, millions of birds are flying from southern wintering grounds to northern breeding grounds as we enter the peak of spring songbird migration. While past research has uncovered some of the mysteries of this phenomenon a multitude of questions remain. However, a new wave of research is aimed at answering these questions. As the birds fly, they make an audible “chip,” which is referred to as a night or nocturnal flight call. While to most listeners these calls all sound the same to our ears as “tseep,” recording and analysis reveal their uniqueness allowing for classification of each call. With this decoded information, migration patterns such as routes, timing, response to weather, moon phase, and barriers like the great lakes can be explored. Because Cleveland Metroparks is located on the south shore of Lake Erie, it is an ideal location for recording night flight calls. Birds stop here to feed on insects before continuing their journey north on the next southerly breeze. For birds that do not like to fly over the lake, they stream east or west making their way around the lake.
Bird call recordings
One microphone located at the Lakefront Reservation’s Gordon Park can easily record 1,000 or more birds passing directly overhead in one night. Comparing these recordings to other similar recording stations, the mysteries of night migration can become a bit clearer. As we expand this project there may be opportunities for individuals to help sort calls. Stay tuned for this potential crowd sourcing project for anyone interested to assist in learning more about these amazing feathered friends. Tim Krynak Natural Resources Project Manager
FEATURE
Threats to Bird Populations: Past, Present and Future Blackburnian warbler
T
he chipping sparrow and song sparrow and every other species of bird perched no fewer than 50 feet from you at this moment, are each part of a larger, worldwide population. To investigate the changing trends in those populations, ecologists draw from a multidisciplinary body of data. Consider that every street, stream, building and park in your surrounding landscape can influence the health of a bird population near and far. Those biological and physical features make up habitat, the suitability of which mediates bird health. Have we seen a historical decline in some bird populations and are other factors at play?
In the winter of 1993-1994 in Washington D.C., a poultry bacterial pathogen unexpectedly mutated and decimated the house finch population east of the Mississippi River. The infection is commonly called, House Finch Eye Disease. In the summer of 1999, a similar population trend was observed for American crow in New York City. The culprit, West Nile Virus. As the disease spread westward across the continent, the virulence decreased, sparing imminent doom to American crow and others species along its path. The sharp population declines have now leveled off for house finch and American crow.
Habitat fragmentation and chemical pollutants continue as culprits for population decline across several species of bird. Splitting a contiguous forest will create more edge habitat, exposing forest birds to novel threats. The eggshellthinning effects of DDT on raptors, from bald eagle to peregrine falcon, and the neurological-damaging effects of PCBs on black-capped chickadee have caused significant declines. Some of these human impacts have been addressed, e.g., DDT in the United States is banned, while other chemicals are too new to arbitrate.
Birds, functioning as both prey and predator, play a dynamic role in a healthy ecosystem moving nutrition through the food web. Somewhat predictably, large and almost incomprehensible quantities of biomass literally fly into different regions throughout the year as colder and warmer temperatures pinball bird populations around Earth’s surface. It is the probable certainty of their arrival in correlation with expected temperatures that has born several studies in association with climate change. What is climate’s role in the bird changes we are observing? Global
climate change does affect bird species distributions. The deviations are gradual, but at a measurable magnitude. Mobile creatures and even flora are moving and redistributing poll-ward. The rate of which, between a flying animal and its diet, may be moving north at different speeds. It is on this asynchrony that several high impact articles have been published. An interdisciplinary, collaborative approach is employed by ecologists worldwide to assess the health of bird populations. We can never fully understand the importance of local factors influencing global population stability, i.e., habitat alteration, disease, and climate change, but as datasets grow and habitat is preserved, bird populations may fly at their potentials. Your sightings count. Logging your bird sightings via eBird is a convenient way to contribute data. Managed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology in collaboration with National Audubon Society, your observations are added to a robust dataset aiding in the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. Martin Calabrese Naturalist, Rocky River Nature Center 3
NATURALIST’S ALMANAC
May May is best enjoyed on the trails as the flora and fauna can change daily. Before long, spring will quickly give way to summer. Leaves are rapidly growing and bringing a fresh green color to the woodlands. Migrant bird songs are heard from treetops as they acrobatically search for small insects to fuel their incredible journey. On the forest floor spring wildflowers are in full bloom and are being visited by beetles, flies, bees and even ants as sweet nectar is the reward for their pollination service. The first babies of spring arrive around Mother’s Day and is a good time to see goslings, ducklings and even fawns. Birds
Trees
Songbird migration peaks the first two weeks of May as wave after wave of birds arrive in Cleveland Metroparks. Some like the blackburnian warbler began their journey in South America only stopping briefly to refuel then continuing to boreal forests farther north. Others, like the wood thrush arrive from forests of Panama to stake out a territory in local forests filling the morning and evening with their flutelike song. Migrating at night nocturnal flights of these and other bird migrants can be so impressive that they can be seen on weather radar. While birds continue to arrive this month, others like bluebirds have already fledged their first brood.
A typical spring brings total leaf out by mid-May. Oaks, which are one of the last trees to sprout new leaves, are now also in full bloom. Their drooping catkins are not showy but produce a great deal of pollen that is dispersed on the wind. Numerous insects are attracted to graze on this pollen and can be a great location to look for songbirds feasting on pollen covered insects.
Wildflowers A walk along a river in a floodplain forest one can be rewarded with blankets of Virginia bluebells and wild hyacinth intermixed with yellows of goldenalexanders and golden ragwort. These botanical gems come and go quickly and can easily be missed. These perennials grow and quickly die back storing energy underground in roots and tubers waiting for the following spring to begin the cycle again. Seeds of these spring wildflowers are dispersed in many ways, but the association of many with ants carrying them underground is truly awesome.
Insects On warm sunny afternoons common green darners begin to appear in wetlands throughout Cleveland Metroparks. Early in the month they are likely migrants from the south spreading northward on southerly breezes. This well documented behavior is often overlooked. Later in the month the first local dragonfly nymphs begin crawling out of the water to begin their “second” life as aerial hunters of unsuspected insect prey.
Nature gives each of us gifts every day. The unmistakable songs of spring warblers, Virginia bluebells and wild hyacinth emerging along floodplains or a chorus of cicadas. All are special springtime gifts. And, you can return the gift through including Cleveland Metroparks Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund in your estate plans. Through a simple addition to an existing will or a new estate plan, you can help Cleveland Metroparks preserve and protect our natural world. Gifts may be designated for specific programs within Cleveland Metroparks such as outdoor education programs, wetland protection or research initiatives. The Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund was established within The Cleveland Foundation to preserve and protect Cleveland Metroparks. To learn more about including Cleveland Metroparks in your estate plan, or discuss other types of giving, please contact Karen Kannenberg, CFRE, manager of gift and donor development at 216-635-3217 or kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com to confidentially discuss the best way for you to make your gift to nature. Additional information, including suggested bequest language, is also available at clevelandmetroparks.com.
Later in the month, the 17-year periodical cicadas will be emerging in forested areas. After 17 years attached to a tree root, feeding on plant juices, this large insect emerges en masse to mate and lay eggs for the next generation.
Adult cicada emerging 4 Emerald Necklace May 2016
You Can Give Back to Nature
Blackpoll warbler
FEATURE
Lakefront Birds - Migration Prothonotary warbler photo by Bob Boddy
S
pring arrives on the heels of another crisp winter in Northeast Ohio, signaling one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena: spring bird migration. From the Cleveland region to Arizona’s high desert, to the Florida Keys and everywhere in-between, birders, photographers and nature enthusiasts are gearing up for one of the most exhilarating seasons of the year. Spring’s colorful bounty and burst of diversity and song is a towering pinnacle of thrill for those who are tuned into one of nature’s most impressive spectacles. Migration is so remarkable and beautifully complex that we as a scientific community are still working to demystify some of the extraordinary strategies of flight and navigation used by billions of songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl and other migrants. Guided by stars, the earth’s magnetic field, and land formations below, the awe-inspiring magnitude of both spring and fall flights goes largely unnoticed, unless you’re watching closely. Every piece of their journeys is full of perils: harsh weather, predators, finding habitat to rest and
refuel, avoiding skyscrapers and wind turbines – the list is longer then these paragraphs combined. The imposing threats are countless for these winged wonders, many of which weigh only as much as a couple of quarters you’d find in your wallet. They will lift off on flights that can last several days, burning nearly all of their precious fat reserves until they reach the next stop on their routes. Millions of birds will soon or have already departed their wintering sites in the Amazon rainforest, the cloudforest, vast paramo, wetlands, lakes and shorelines. Some are destined to make flights along or over the Gulf coast, ultimately bound for high Arctic tundra nesting grounds. Others will pour along the Atlantic coast and press north to reach massive lakes and vast marshes in nearly inaccessible tracts of still-pure frontier. Still others will add thousands of sky miles on an extraordinary journey from the Amazon rainforest to the lush sprucebog forests of the vast Canadian boreal forest. As dusk sets on Cleveland each night in April and May, hundreds of thousands of passerines – tiny warblers,
vireos, flycatchers, wrens, gnatcatchers, thrushes, orioles, tanagers – prepare to lift to the skies in extraordinary feats of flight. Spring migration through the Great Lakes region is renowned and celebrated at festivals and closely monitored along many flyways and dozens of coastal points with daily surveys. We are witnesses to one of nature’s greatest performances. Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation parks provide critical habitat for migrant warblers, flycatchers, kinglets, sparrows, orioles, tanagers, hummingbirds (and more) that arrive exhausted from nonstop flights. Spectacular appearances of 80 to 100 unique species of birds in a day, resting and foraging in the woodlots of Edgewater Park, Wendy Park, Wildwood, and Huntington Reservation attest to the necessity and obligation for habitat preservation along our great shores. We invite you to join us on the lakefront this spring to witness their miraculous journeys. Jen Brumfield Naturalist, Rocky River Nature Center 5
COME OUT AND PLAY
Ledge Pool & Recreation Area
Splash Into Summer
Swimming season May 28 – August 21.
Cleveland Metroparks offers a wide variety of water recreation, including swimming, boating, fishing and more throughout the Park District.
Daily pool use fees are $6 – adults, $5 – children 5 to 12, and free for seniors, 65 & over and children, four & under. American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program registration is online only starting May 1 to one week prior to the start of class. Then registrations will be taken in person at Ledge Pool during regular pool hours up until the start of class. Need to know what level to register your child? Level descriptions can be found online (clevelandmetroparks.com.) Waivers and medical forms are available online. Please print and bring completed forms to the first day of class (only one medical form per child per season, waivers must be completed for each child each session). Pool Party Packages Have a cool Pool Party. Celebrate that special occasion in a reserved area with picnic tables for up to three hours. Parties must have at least 10 people and group use policies apply. To schedule a pool party and request pricing on food packages, call 330-239-2911. Advanced Sale Program for Organized Groups Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are available for groups. Discounted group swim tickets ($4.50) must be purchased at least two weeks prior to the event by calling 440-331-8111. Call 440-331-8111 before Memorial Day, or 330-239-2911 after Memorial Day or visit clevelandmetroparks.com/recreation. Ledge Pool & Recreation Area is located at 1151 Ledge Road in Hinckley Reservation, between State (Rt. 44) and Kellogg Roads in Hinckley Township. To reserve picnic shelters, call 216-635-3200. 6 Emerald Necklace May 2016
Guarded swimming hours and dates: • Edgewater Beach, Lakefront Reservation, Cleveland 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first Saturday in June through second Sunday in August; following second Sunday in August, weekends only through Labor Day) • Euclid/Villa Angela Beach, Lakefront Reservation, Euclid 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first Saturday In June through second Sunday in August; following second Sunday in August, weekends only through Labor Day) • Hinckley Lake, Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley Township 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first Saturday in June through second Sunday in August) • Huntington Beach, Huntington Reservation, Bay Village 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first Saturday in June through second Sunday in August; following second Sunday in August, weekends only through Labor Day) • Wallace Lake, Mill Stream Run Reservation, Berea 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first Saturday in June through second Sunday in August) • Ledge Pool & Recreation Area, Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley Township (daily pool admission fee or season pass access) 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (May 28 – Aug. 21) Lifeguards are on-duty during posted dates and times at these guarded swimming areas.
COME OUT AND PLAY
Ledge Pool in Hinckley Reservation
Enroll Your Child in Cleveland Metroparks Adventure Club
Water Taxi Starts Memorial Weekend
Benefits include:
The water taxi marks the return of a service that was popular in the 1980s and ‘90s, when the restaurants and bars in the Flats were at the zenith of their popularity.
• Access to weekly events throughout Cleveland Metroparks • Subscription to weekly member e-newsletter • Official Adventure Club passport Register your kids today for Adventure Club for free. “Adventure Club has provided my son the opportunity to experience nature in many different ways over the past two years. He has really enjoyed kayaking and finding various fish along with the fun of learning a new recreational sport.” – Christina, Mom of Adventure Club member, Steven Upgrade your children’s experience for $30 to a premium level membership. Premium membership benefits include: • Access to monthly exclusive events, including:
- May: Free FootGolf pass
- June: Free pass to Ledge Pool
- July: Access to the Annual Party at Edgewater Live
• Adventure Club t-shirts.
Sign up your child for the fun at clevelandmetroparks.com/ adventure.
Starting Memorial Day weekend a 26-foot boat will begin service as a water taxi on the Cuyahoga River.
The vessel will ferry people between the east and west banks of the river, with additional stops added as opportunities develop. The new water taxi is not a “booze cruise” for bar hoppers, but a ferry service designed to improve “connectivity” along the waterfront. The canopied boat – which can carry 18 passengers and four bikes – will shuttle people between the east and west banks of the river directly below the Main Avenue Bridge. The cost is $2 a day for unlimited trips and will shut down at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, 7 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday. The water taxi goes into service at a time when the Park District is simultaneously expanding its role on the river and lakefront, and increasing water-related recreational opportunities. There are plans to eventually add other points of interest along the river including two stops on opposing banks at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and connect to the inner harbor’s Voinovich Park. The taxi also will be used for private educational tours and available to the public during special Flats events. 7
ZOO NEWS The Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is one of the heaviest bodied birds of prey in the world. These birds are superb predators as expert fishers and also hunters of waterfowl. As its common name suggests, they live in the coastal regions of the Bering Sea. One of its more striking features is its highly contrasting deep brown and white plumage.
Steller’s Sea Eagle
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo cares for both a male and a female Steller’s Sea Eagle. Although nearly identical in appearance, there is a distinct size difference between the two. It may be counterintuitive, but female eagles are larger. Both birds were captive born and arrived at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as a result of a national and international Species Survival Program partnership. The female was born at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, while the male arrived from the Prague Zoological Garden in the Czech Republic. 2016 was the first year the two were introduced for breeding as the male is now sexually mature at approximately six years old. Visitors to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will probably notice some similarity to the iconic Bald Eagle. The two species are in fact very closely related as they share a parallel life history and ecological niche, just separated by continents. The Steller’s Sea Eagles are exhibited near Stillwater Place.
Steller’s Sea Eagle 8 Emerald Necklace May 2016
ZOO NEWS All photos courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Mother’s Day at the Zoo
Professor Wylde’s Live Animal Show
Sunday, May 8 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
New season begins May 28
What do moms really want for Mother’s Day? Here’s a hint, it’s not fancy perfume or flowers, it’s the chance to make memories with their families. So bring the moms in your life to the Zoo for free admission on Mother’s Day and visit with some of our animal kingdom moms like orangutan Kera Wak.
Celebrate KidsDays Saturday & Sunday, May 28 – 29 • 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Kick off the summer with a weekend made just for kids. Admire animals of every shape, size and color, meet an animal keeper, connect with a costumed character, touch a truck, complete a craft, move to the music and much more. Discover a world of kid-friendly fun in one destination. Presented by Cleveland Clinic Children’s
The Savanna Theater is the place to be when the Zoo kicks off the newest season of Professor Wylde’s Live Animal Show. Professor Wylde’s show blends humor, fast-paced facts and an all-star animal cast to engage audiences of all ages. The show is performed three times daily through September 5 and is free with regular Zoo admission.
Rosebrough Tiger Passage to Open In June Soon you can wind around paths through a Russian forest and learn about the plight of the world’s largest cat. Rosebrough Tiger Passage, a new, state-of-the-art home for the Zoo’s Amur (Siberian) tigers will open the beginning of June. The new exhibit will be five times the size of the old moated, grotto-style exhibits and feature four different interconnected habitat areas for the tigers to roam in, with two of the connections being via trails that pass right over the heads of visitors on the ground. The new exhibit will occupy the same footprint as the previous exhibit, but also expand outward to increase the size and complexity of the space available to the tigers. The exhibit areas will feature climbing poles, meadows, shallow streams and soaking pools for the tigers to cool off in. The new Rosebrough Tiger Passage habitats will also allow the tigers to have outdoor access overnight.
For the most up-to-date Zoo information: Clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo 216-661-6500 9
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Outdoor Recreation 216-341-1704 or@clevelandmetroparks.com clevelandmetroparks.com/or
Stand up paddleboard yoga
Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Our professionally trained staff can make equipment adaptations so most programs are accessible to anyone. For more information or to schedule an accessible custom program, call 216-341-1704.
During the school year, Cleveland Montessori Middle School embarks on new experiences in the Emerald Necklace through Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation custom programs. Connecting students to the natural world, cultivating a sense of stewardship for the land and exploring their place in the world is an aim of the Montessori Middle School Curriculum. Our Montessori faculty work closely with the talented Outdoor Recreation staff to meet this objective by giving students the tools to explore parks in their backyards in many different ways. “I never thought there was so much to do in our Cleveland Metroparks.” – Jesse, grade 8 We often begin with team building activities allowing students to move into more rigorous activities with ease. Students begin working together and encourage each other when they are out of their comfort zone. The students work and play hard throughout the seasons toward a final capstone program, a multi-night backpacking trip. In the fall when brilliant colored leaves adorn the trees, we head to Whipp’s Ledges in Hinckley Reservation to put on red helmets and climbing harnesses. Students learn to properly use equipment to begin their ascent up the rock face. As the weather turns cooler, we learn to build fires and cook in various ways over a fire, on a camp stove, and finally working up to backpacking stoves. When snow is on the ground, students don mittens, hats and cross-country skis. In the spring, maps and compasses are used to explore paths bursting with wildflowers. Under all of these experiences lies a foundation built upon Leave No Trace Principles, Wilderness First Aid, outdoor leadership, preparedness, confidence, and respect. The result is much greater than the intended goal. This is the true gem of the Emerald Necklace. “I learned something I never thought was even possible.” Mary Beth McCormack, Alison Homcy and the students of Cleveland Montessori Middle School
To register and for more information, visit clevelandmetroparks.com/or 10 Emerald Necklace May 2016
OUTDOOR RECREATION
PADDLESPORTS & BOATING
All boating programs are funded in part through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft.
“Try-It” Activities: Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding Discover how fun yet challenging kayaking or stand up paddleboarding can be during these 1-hour “Try-It” sessions. 10 years & over with participating adult June 27 Kayaking 4:15 – 8:15 p.m. Stand Up Paddleboarding 4 – 8 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $5 (includes boat & equipment)
Kayaking 1: Introduction to Kayaking
Combines classroom and on the water practice to introduce you to basic paddling strokes and equipment. Be prepared to get wet. Late fee after May 8 & June 6 respectively. 14 years & over with participating adult May 8 • 9 a.m. – Noon May 15 • 9 a.m. – Noon Seven Hills Community Recreation Center June 14 • 6 – 9 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $45 (includes boat & equipment)
Kayaking 2: Supplemental Skills
Learn deep water re-entry rescue techniques and advanced paddling strokes. Prerequisite: Kayaking 1. Late fee after June 20.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
LaDue Kayak Tour
Strengthen your core and your senses on a relaxing kayak tour of LaDue Reservoir in Geauga County. No paddling experience required. Late fee after June 7 and 28 respectively. 14 years & over with participating adult June 15 • 6 – 9 p.m. July 6 • 6 – 9 p.m. LaDue Reservoir $40 (includes boat & equipment)
Rivergate Kayak Tours
Discover downtown from a new perspective as you refine your kayaking skills and gain an appreciation of Cleveland’s historical past during this mini-workout. Boat traffic dictates direction of the tour. Paddling experience highly recommended. Late fee after June 12 and 27 respectively.
14 years & over with participating adult June 28 • 6 – 9 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $45 (includes boat & equipment)
14 years & over with participating adult June 18 • 10 a.m. – Noon OR 1 – 3 p.m. July 5 • 6 – 8 p.m. Rivergate Park, Lakefront Reservation $35 (includes boat & equipment)
Kayaking 1 & 2: Flat-water Fundamentals
Lake Erie Kayak Tour
Combines classroom and on the water practice to introduce you to basic paddling strokes, equipment, advanced paddling techniques, and self-rescue skills. Late fee after July 4.
Enhance your kayak skills as we paddle sit-on-top kayaks behind the breakwall to experience a new view of downtown Cleveland. Paddling experience highly recommended. Late fee after June 20.
14 years & over with participating adult July 10 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $80 (includes boat & equipment)
Adults June 28 • 6 – 8:30 p.m. Wendy Park, Lakefront Reservation $35 (includes boats & equipment)
Cuyahoga River Kayak Tour
American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking Instructor Certification Workshop
Enhance your paddling skills while enjoying a light workout as you paddle the Upper Cuyahoga River. No paddling experience required. Late fee after May 30. 14 years & over with participating adult June 7 • 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Upper Cuyahoga River, Eldon Russell Park $40 (includes boat & equipment)
Candidates receive kayak instructor certification through the ACA after successfully teaching assigned topics in the classroom and on the water. Register by May 31. Adult June 10 – 12 • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $295 (includes instructor manual, training tools, kayak and equipment)
Custom programs for your group are available. Contact us weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to find out more: 216-341-1704. 11
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Stand Up Paddleboarding 1: Introduction to SUP
Lessons focus on equipment, basic paddling strokes, and standing on the board. Late fee after June 12, 29, & July 4 respectively. 10 years & over with participating adult June 19 • 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. OR 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. July 7 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. July 9 • 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $35 adult, $15 youth (ages 10 – 13) (includes board & equipment)
Dragon Boating
Cleveland Dragon Boat Association members introduce basic strokes and equipment. Late fee after June 19. Register by June 22. 14 years & over with participating adult June 25 • 1 – 3 p.m. Rivergate, Lakefront Reservation $15 (includes boats & equipment)
SKILLS & ADVENTURE
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga – Beginners
Yoga and Hike
Spend 30 minutes learning basic SUP techniques, then practice SUP yoga on the water with certified yoga instructor, Ann Taddeo. Late fee after June 12, 21 & 28 respectively.
Hike and pause at scenic locations with certified yoga instructor, Kim Scott Sowinski to reduce chances for injury and strengthen muscles. Yoga mats will be provided, but you may bring your own. Late fee after May 23 & June 20 respectively. Register by May 26 & June 23 respectively.
Adult June 19 • 8 – 9:45 a.m. June 29 or July 6 • 6:30 – 8:15 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation $35 (includes board & equipment)
14 years & over with participating adult May 31 • 6 – 7:30 p.m. June 28 • 6 – 7:30 p.m. Harriet Keeler Memorial Picnic Area, Brecksville Reservation $15
3rd Annual Whiskey Island Stand Up Paddleboard Race & Festival
Grab your board for the 6-mile elite race (3 laps), 2-mile challenge (1 lap), or a short kids’ course. Stand up paddleboards can be reserved for $10/board at 216-341-1704 (Outdoor Recreation) or 216-272-1504 (Nalu). Stand Up Paddleboard Festival follows with try-its, demos, fun races, music and door prizes. Hosted by Cleveland Metroparks and Nalu Standup Paddle & Surf. 10 years & over with participating adult August 20, Registration: 7:30 – 8:15 a.m. Races Start: 8:30 a.m. $40 Adults, $15 Youth (ages 10 – 14) (includes lunch and t-shirt while supplies last) After July 31: $45 Adults, $20 Youth Online registration ends August 16. Day-of registration available. Wendy Park, Lakefront Reservation
BACKCOUNTRY & CAMPING
Kelly’s Island Paddling Campout
Family Campout at Squire’s Castle
Experience the fun of paddling both kayaks and stand up paddleboards on Lake Erie plus opportunities to explore natural and historical features of Kelly’s Island. Late fee after June 27. Adult Pre-trip meeting: July 5 • 6 – 9 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, Hinckley Reservation July 15 • 1 p.m. – July 17 • 7 p.m. Kelly’s Island, Ohio $195 (includes camping and park fees, paddling equipment, camping equipment and transportation including ferry ride)
Basic Sailing Course
Learn to sail small 14-foot sailboats in pairs and solo with both classroom and on-water instruction. Be prepared to right a capsized boat. Boats and safety equipment provided. Late fee after June 7. 16 years & over with participating adult June 15 • 4 – 7 p.m. and June 16 & 17 • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lake Shelter, Huntington Reservation $100 (includes textbook) 12 Emerald Necklace May 2016
Family Campout
Try disc golf or slacklining, go for a night hike, or relax around the bonfire. Breakfast provided Saturday morning. Register by June 21. All ages with participating adult June 24 • 6 p.m. – June 25 • 11 a.m. Squire’s Castle, North Chagrin Reservation Individual: $15 Family of 2: $25 Family of 3 – 4: $40 Tents: $20 (while supplies last) 216-341-1704
Paddlesports Family Campout
Celebrate paddling with an evening campout, campfire, slacklining, disc golf, and paddling clinic Friday night followed by multiple trypaddlesports sessions Saturday morning. Register by July 4. All ages with participating adult July 8 • 6 p.m. – July 9 • 12:30 p.m. Redwing Picnic Area, Hinckley Reservation $15 adults, $10 youth (14 & under) Tents: $20 (while supplies last) 216-341-1704
OUTDOOR RECREATION
CYCLING “Try-It” Activities: Mountain Biking
Discover how fun yet challenging mountain biking can be during these one-hour “Try-It” sessions. 10 years & over with participating adult May 26 • 4 – 8 p.m. Egbert Picnic Area, Bedford Reservation $5 (includes bike and helmet)
Registration day of is 6 – 6:15 p.m.; Time trials start at 6:30 p.m. Royalview Shelter, Mill Stream Run Reservation $15 per race
CLIMBING Rock Climbing 1: Introduction to Climbing
Climb on natural rock and learn proper climbing techniques and knots while learning to talk the climbing lingo Late fee after June 19.
Bicycle Maintenance 1
16 years & over with participating adult June 26 • 9 a.m. – Noon OR 1 – 4 p.m. Top O’ Ledges Picnic Area, Hinckley Reservation $45 (equipment included)
14 years & over with participating adult May 10 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation $12.50
Climb the Ledge Youth Day
Lecture topics include how to wash your bike, change a flat tire, and make simple brake and derailleur adjustments. No experience necessary. Late fee after May 2.
Bicycle Maintenance 2
This mostly hands-on class covers more brake and derailleur adjustments, changing a brake cable and wheel trueing. Prerequisite: Bicycle Maintenance 1. Late fee after May 11. 14 years & over with participating adult May 17 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation $15 (includes use of tools)
Handcycling Clinic
Use your upper body strength to pedal a bike. Upright and recumbent handcycles available. Family members are encouraged to walk or bike alongside riders, but must provide a bike. Late fee after May 17. 14 years & over with participating adult May 25 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Bonnie Park Picnic Area, Mill Stream Run Reservation $20 (includes equipment)
Ride the Emerald Rim
Celebrate National Bike to Work Week with a 20, 30 or 50 mile ride then enjoy a healthy lunch, slacklining, and disc golf. Participants shares the roadway and sections of All Purpose Trails. 14 years & over with participating adult May 21 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Chalet, Mill Stream Run Reservation Register by April 30: $25 adults, $20 youth (ages 14 – 17) (includes lunch and t-shirt while supplies last) After April 30: $30 adults, $25 youth
Mountain Bike Time Trials
Challenge yourself with this off-road time trial. Categories include men, women, beginners and advanced. Register for one or all three to see if you can improve your time. Weather permitting. Late fee after June 1, 9, and 16 respectively.
Learn proper climbing techniques on natural rock plus try slacklining. Late fee after July 13. 10 – 15 years June 21 • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Top O’ Ledges Picnic Area, Hinckley Reservation $50 (equipment included)
FISHING Fly Fishing 1: Introduction
Combines classroom and dry land casting to introduce you to basic fly fishing equipment and techniques. Led by Jeff Liskay. Late fee after May 23. 14 years & over with participating adult May 31 • 6 – 9 p.m. Cottonwood Reserved Shelter, Rocky River Reservation $25 (includes equipment)
Fly Fishing 2: Supplemental Skills
Learn advanced skills and good fishing locations as you practice casting the fly rod into the lake. Fishing license required. Prerequisite: Fly Fishing 1. Late fee after June 20. 14 years & over with participating adult June 28 • 6 – 9 p.m. Ledge Lake Shelter B, Hinckley Reservation $30 (includes equipment)
Save the Date Ledges to Lake Adventure Race
September 19, Hinckley Reservation
Royalview Rumble
October 1, Mill Stream Run Reservation.
Ages: 14 years and over with participating adult June 9, June 16, June 23 • 6 – 9 p.m. June 30 • 6 – 9 p.m. (Rain Date)
13
CLEVELAND METROPARKS GOLF
Golf Pro Tip Indoor Putting Tool A common metal yardstick found at your local hardware store is a great inexpensive training tool to help your putting. Use it to improve your alignment and setting the putter face square to the line. Work on trying to roll the ball down the center of the yardstick. You will become a deadly short range (2’ – 8’) putter once you master this skill. John Fiander PGA Master Professional Sleepy Hollow Golf Course
Seneca Golf Course Gets a Make Over The first set of nine holes has undergone renovation at Seneca Golf Course. Highlights include:
• • • • • • • • •
Five sets of new tees including family tees Yardages range from the championship tees (3536 yards) to family tees (1134 yards), making this course user-friendly for all players whether a scratch golfer or brand new to the game 18 new bunkers 12,000 square feet of additional green surface with green extensions on all nine holes Automated irrigation throughout New pump station Re-graded fairways with new drainage One+ acre lake adjacent to #8 green Drought and disease resistant turf.
There are plans to complete another nine holes by 2017 with the final nine holes to be completed by 2018.
14 Emerald Necklace May 2016
CLEVELAND METROPARKS GOLF
FootGolf Fun As you can guess, FootGolf blends soccer and golf, and sounds pretty intuitive: Start from a tee box and kick a soccer ball – no rolling or dribbling – aiming for a 21-inch diameter cup. Like scoring in golf, players strive for the fewest kicks. Players are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball and no cleats allowed. FootGolf, played with a regulation #5 soccer ball on a golf course with shortened holes, is played worldwide in many different forms. As a sport it is regulated by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG).
2016 FOOTGOLF FAMILY FOUR-PLAYER SCRAMBLE June 11 • Tee times start at 2 p.m. Mastick Woods Golf Course 19900 Puritas Road, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-267-5626 $50/team (includes 18-hole green fees, hot dog snack)
• • • • •
Each team consists of four players related by “blood, law, or marriage.” Must have at least one junior age, 17 or under, and one adult, age 18 or older. Each team must have at least one male and one female player. Each player should bring a soccer ball. A ball may be rented for $3. Refunds only granted for cancellations made 48 hours or more prior to the event’s first starting time.
Deadline to enter is Sunday, June 5 or when full.
Sleepy Hollow Golf Course 18 holes, par 71 and driving range Brecksville Reservation 9445 Brecksville Road, Brecksville 440-526-4285 Manakiki Golf Course 18 holes, par 72 North Chagrin Reservation 35501 Eddy Road, Willoughby Hills 440-942-2500 Big Met Golf Course 18 holes, par 72 Rocky River Reservation 4811 Valley Parkway, Fairview Park 440-331-1070
Shawnee Hills Golf Course 18 holes, par 71; 9-hole par 3 course and driving range Bedford Reservation 18753 Egbert Road, Bedford 440-232-7184 Seneca Golf Course 18 holes, par 72 18 holes, par 71 Brecksville Reservation 975 Valley Parkway, Broadview Heights 440-526-0043
A Course For Every Golfer
Little Met Golf Course 9 holes, par 34 Rocky River Reservation 18599 Old Lorain Road, Cleveland 216-941-9672 Mastick Woods Golf Course 9 holes, par 31 Rocky River Reservation 19900 Puritas Road, Cleveland 216-267-5626 Washington Golf Course 9 holes, par 29 and driving range Washington Reservation 3841 Washington Park Boulevard, Village of Newburgh Heights 216-641-1864. 15
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Meet an Animal: Salamander
Backyard Wonders: Coexisting with Wildlife
Sunday, May 1 • 3– 4 p.m.
We’ll learn about the salamander: their unique features, diet, habitat and survival tactics as you get to see one up-close. For all ages. Fee: $5
Family Fishing Day
Saturday, May 7 • 9 a.m. – Noon
Wednesday, May 11 • 7 – 8 p.m.
Explore how to coexist with our backyard wildlife by better understanding the animal’s behavior and making minor adjustments to our own. For adults and youth ages 10+. Fee: $7
Learn the basics of fishing at the Center: equipment, how to cast, where to fish and what kind of fish you’ll catch. Then head to Lake Erie to throw your line in the water. All equipment provided. Adults and teens (ages 16+) who wish to fish must possess a valid fishing license. One adult must accompany every two registered children. For families with children ages 5+. Registration required. Fee: $7
After School Adventures: Nature Play in May
Get outside and moving in the great outdoors with this playful After School Adventure where you’ll create your own games to take home and play with friends and family. Wednesdays, May 11 and 18 4 – 5:30 p.m. Fee: $40, Members $35.
Walter R. Schuele Planetarium Schedule is subject to some variability. Please call us at 440-871-2900 to confirm programming.
Twinkle Tots
Recommended for children ages 0 – 3. Fee: $2 (including infants).
Stellar Stars
Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Fee: $3.
Family Adventures in Space
For families with children of all ages. Fee: $3.
You-niverse
For families with children of all ages. Fee: $3.
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11:30 a.m. Twinkle Tots Noon Stellar Stars Tuesday & Thursday Noon Our Place in Space 2 p.m. You-niverse
Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. Twinkle Tots 11:30 a.m. Stellar Stars 1 p.m. Family Adventures in Space 2 p.m. You-niverse 3 p.m. Our Place in Space
Our Place in Space
Endangered animals explore the cause of day and night, the importance of the Sun, the beauty of the constellations and the variety of objects that make up the Universe. Approximately 30 minutes. Recommended for children ages 4 – 12. Fee: $3.
SkyQuest: Galileo: The Power of the Telescope
Four hundred years ago, Galileo Galilei revolutionized human understanding of the world with the introduction of the telescope. Journey back to learn about his work with early telescopes, explore how this led to the instruments of today and what we’ve been able to learn with them. Program is approximately 45 minutes. Recommended for pre-teens through adults. Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. Fee: $5.
Tickets for all planetarium shows available at the Information Desk 30 minutes before the program begins. Tickets are first-come, first-served and must be purchased more than 5 minutes prior to show time. For safety reasons, late admittance to planetarium programs is not permitted. No food or drink is permitted.
Visit lensc.org for complete information
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
Wildlife Rehabilitation • Nature & Science Education • Planetarium 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, OH 44140 • 440-871-2900 • www.lensc.org Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is an independent nonprofit affiliate of Cleveland Metroparks and receives public support with local tax dollars from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, to preserve and enrich our region’s cultural heritage. 16 Emerald Necklace May 2016
Clip N’ Sip Water Bottles. New 32 oz. Tritan bottles are perfect for taking on the go. These handy drink carriers clip to bags, belts, backpacks, strollers and more. Heavy duty Tritan material with rubberized grip makes for a durable and comfortable bottle. Great for taking out for a day of play in the park. $16 $12 Offer valid 5/1/16 – 5/31/16. While supplies last, see store for additional details. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.
Spend Your Holiday Weekend in the Water Summer Hours Begin Friday, May 27 Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store Store hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Rental hours: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. We have a great section of stand up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and pontoons. Complete rental paperwork in advance then bring paperwork and ID to save time. clevelandmetroparks.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/HLBWaiver.pdf
LOCATIONS/HOURS Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store 1 West Drive Hinckley Township 330-278-2160
Daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
North Chagrin Nature Center Mayfield Village 440-449-0511
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Sunday: Noon – 4:45p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted 440-734-7576 Mon., Wed. – Saturday:
10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Tue.: 10 a.m. – 4:30p.m. Sunday: Noon – 4:45 p.m.
Watershed Stewardship Center Parma 440-253-2170
Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.
clevelandmetroparks.com
17
APRIL PROGRAMS BY DATE May 1 • Sunday
May 13 • Friday
May 22 • Sunday
CWC CWC CWC RRNC WCR
LR WCR ZOO
MSSR NCR NCNC RRNC
• • • • •
Hunt of the Month: Hummingbirds Towpath Dog Walk Nature in Watercolor Your Piece of the Planet: Backyard Chickens May Day! May Day!
May 2 • Monday NCNC RRNC RRNC WCR
• • • •
North Chagrin Nature Photography Club Gallery Wall – Cynthia Katzan Southwest Camera Club Basking Butterflies-Flighty Fun
May 3 • Tuesday RRNC
• Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
May 4 • Wednesday BeR BR CWC ECR HuR NCNC SCR WCR
• • • • • • • •
Wednesday Walk Evening with Amphibians CanalWay Storytime Flowers Along a Creek Wildflowers of Huntington Sprouts: Growing Kids and Wonder, Naturally Wildflower Folklore Hike National Weather Observers Day
• Sunrise Walk • National Frog Jumping Day • Preschool Safari: Australian Animals
May 14 • Saturday CWC CWC CWC ECR HiR OECR OECR OECR RRR SCR SCR SCR WSC WCR ZOO
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2-Hour Cart Tour Acoustic Players Circle Bike the Canal Wildwood Park Spring Cleanup Woodland Wildflowers An Introduction to Atlatls Afternoon Archery for Kids Afternoon Archery for Adults Olmsted Historical Society: Farmers Market Nature Journaling In Search of Cicadas All About Cicadas Tales Around the Necklace Love a Tree Hike Career Day
May 15 • Sunday GPR LR MSRR MSRR
• • • •
NCNC NCNC RRNC
• • •
RRNC
•
May 6 • Friday
WCR
•
BeR BeR RRNC WSC
May 16 • Monday
May 5 • Thursday CWC NCR RRR SCR ZOO
• Cleveland Astronomical Society • Spring Wander • American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course • Spring Discovery Hike • Preschool Safari: African Animals • • • •
Emerald Necklace Hikers Bedford Hiking Series #4: Night Hike Wildflowers and Wanderers Boy Scouts Merit Badge: Bird Study Part I
May 7 • Saturday BeR BR CWC CWC HiR NCNC NCNC RRR SCR WSC
• • • • • • • • • •
Emerald Necklace Hikers Emerald Necklace Art Club: Monthly Meeting Morning with Mom 2-Hour Cart Tour Wildflower Walk Native Plant Sale The Novice Naturalist Olmsted Historical Society: Farmers Market Cleveland Natural Science Club Boy Scouts Merit Badge: Bird Study Part II
May 8 • Sunday AR BNC CWC NCNC RRNC WCR
• • • • • •
Birds of Acacia Get Out… 2-Hour Cart Tour Native Plant Sale Flowers for Mom Mother’s Day with Mother Nature
May 9 • Monday AR HiR RRNC ZOO
• Acacia for the Young at Heart • American Red Cross Pool/Waterfront Lifeguard Course • Cuyahoga Astronomical Association • Career Day
May 10 • Tuesday Off Site • Treadway Trail Wildflower Hike BeR • Hiking for the Young at Heart WSC • Periodical Cicada Primer
May 11 • Wednesday CWC RRNC WCR
• Youth Outdoors Volunteer Orientation • Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association • West Creek Night Hike
May 12 • Thursday BNC SCR WSC ZOO
• • • •
Nurture with Nature Spring Discovery Hike Aquatic Insects: Assessing Rivers & Streams Homeschool Program
18 Emerald Necklace May 2016
BeR
Garfield Park Dog Walk Birding Blitz Dog Walk American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Skills Module Tons of Turtles Snakes of Cleveland Metroparks Seven Wonders of Cleveland Metroparks Bus Trip Your Piece of the Planet: Build a Pollinator Garden Sunday Drop-by: Cicadas
• Woodlands of Bedford: Blooms and Butterflies
May 17 • Tuesday BCR HIR LR NCNC RRNC
• • • • •
Mid-month Meandering Garlic Mustard Pull Cuyahoga River by Boat Cicadas Afterschool History Hike: Lawrence Grist Mill
May 18 • Wednesday BNC CWC ECR NCNC RRNC SCR WCR
• • • • • • •
Animal Crackers Young Explorers Flowers Along a Creek Sprouts: Growing Kids and Wonder, Naturally Biohike: Wildflowers Cicadas Afterschool West Creek Night Hike
May 19 • Thursday BNC SCR WSC
• Animal Crackers • Spring Discovery Hike • For Adults Only: Deciduous Tree ID Part I
• • • •
Children’s Fishing Derby Last Chance Wildflower Walk Introduction to Monarch Watch Catching the Last Wave: Bird Migration
May 23 • Monday BeR HiR RRNC
• Woodlands of Bedford: Blooms and Butterflies • American Red Cross Pool/Waterfront Lifeguard Course • Little Explorers: Rainbows of the Woods
May 24 • Tuesday AR BNC CWC LR
• • • •
Barn Swallows and Bluebirds Evening Dog Walk Stroller School Nature Boat Ride
May 25 • Wednesday CWC MSRR WCR
• Homeschool in the Valley • Biohike: Cicadas • West Creek Night Hike
May 26 • Thursday CWC ECR SCR
• Preschool: Wiggling Worms • It’s a Tree • Spring Discovery Hike
May 27 • Friday SCR
• Family Friday Night: Cicadas
May 28 • Saturday BrR CWC GPR HiR HiR NCNC NCNC NCNC RRR SCR WSC
• • • • • • • • • • •
Cicada Invasion Family Bike Ride Turtles Tales Birding & Cicadas by Pontoon Worden’s Ledges Hike Turtle Drop-in Drop In Nature Craft – Owls Dog Hike Olmsted Historical Society: Farmers Market In-Seine Invertebrates Cicada Sensation
May 29 • Sunday CWC ECR LR NCNC RRNC RRNC SCR WR WSC
• • • • • •
Military Memorabilia Wildwood Wetland Walk Visit the Lorenzo Carter Cabin Hidden Insects and Camouflage Bio Blitz: Forest Floor to Treetops Your Piece of the Planet: 10 Easy Foods to Grow at Home • Cicada Search • “Remember the Maine” Walk • Sunday Drop-by: Hiding in Plain Sight
May 30 • Monday CWC NCNC
• Military Memorabilia • Amazing Arachnids
May 20 • Friday
May 31 • Tuesday
BWR CWC WSC
LR
• Discovering Nature: Bunns Lake • Evening Cart Tour • For Adults Only: Deciduous Tree ID Part II
May 21 • Saturday AR BeR BrR BNC GPR LR LR MSRR MSRR
• • • • • • • • •
OECR RRR RRNC
• • •
SCR SCR WSC ZOO
• • • •
Full Flower Moon Stroll Bedford Hiking Series #5: Broadway Trailhead Wilderness Skills: Firemaking Extreme Hiking May Meandering Visit the Lorenzo Carter Cabin Bird’n the Flats For Adults Only: Deciduous Tree ID Part III American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Skills Module Children’s Fishing Derby Olmsted Historical Society: Farmers Market Nature Art Series – Watercolor Butterflies and Moths Nature Writing Spring Photo Hike Lessons from a Stream Hike Preschool Safari: NAture Explorers
• Nature Boat Ride
(AR) Acacia Reservation (BeR) Bedford Reservation (BCR) Big Creek Reservation (BWR) Bradley Woods Reservation (BrR) Brecksville Reservation (BNC) Brecksville Nature Center (BR) Brookside Reservation (CWC) CanalWay Center (ECR) Euclid Creek Reservation (GPR) Garfield Park Reservation (HiR) Hinckley Reservation (HuR) Huntington Reservation (LR) Lakefront Reservation (MSRR) Mill Stream Run Reservation (NCR) North Chagrin Reservation (NCNC) North Chagrin Nature Center (OECR) Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation (RRR) Rocky River Reservation (RRNC) Rocky River Nature Center (SCR) South Chagrin Reservation (WR) Washington Reservation (WSC) Watershed Stewardship Center (WCR) West Creek Reservation
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION Cleveland Metroparks Maps Visit clevelandmetroparks.com for maps of Cleveland Metroparks 18 reservations.
Off Site Programs 10 • Tuesday Treadway Trail Wildflower Hike
This morning we are going to be hiking on a City of Cleveland connector trail. This path is known to have beautiful wildflowers along its hillside. Call for directions. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Harmody Park Terrain: paved, hill, 1 mile 216-206-1000.
Acacia Reservation 8 • Sunday Birds of Acacia
Join Naturalist Jake Kudrna as we search for spring migrants throughout this ever-changing landscape. Bring binoculars, some available for loan. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Cedar Road parking lot Terrain: paved trails, 1 – 2 miles 440-473-3370
21 • Saturday Full Flower Moon Stroll
Bedford Reservation
May conjures up the beauties that have been lying dormant under the cold winter earth. Stroll with a naturalist as we celebrate the full Flower Moon with longer days and warmer nights. This brilliant moon should offer spectacular views. 9 – 10:30 p.m. Terrain: moderate, paved trails, 2 miles 440-473-3370
4 • Wednesday
24 • Tuesday
6 • Friday
Wednesday Walk
Join a walk through the woods to look for signs of spring along both mountain bike trail and all purpose trail. 6 – 7:30 p.m. Bridal Veil Falls parking lot Terrain: dirt and paved trail, hills, 2 miles 216-206-1000
Barn Swallows and Bluebirds
Emerald Necklace Hikers
Man-made cavities and tree holes are perfect places for amazing birds. Join Naturalist Natalie Schroder to seek out these marvelous insectivores hunting for the perfect nesting location and hopefully see the building in action. 3 – 4:30 p.m. Cedar Road parking lot Terrain: 2 miles 440-473-3370.
Don’t feel comfortable navigating the trails on your own? Join this monthly hike to explore the Emerald Necklace, get some exercise and enjoy each other’s company. We’ll hike along Tinker’s Creek and look for blooming bluebells. 10 a.m. – Noon Hemlock Creek Picnic Area parking lot Ages: adult Terrain: moderate, 3.5 – 4 miles 440-526-1012
Bedford Hiking Series #4: Night Hike
Enjoy spring during this series of six hikes. From ravines and overlooks to waterfalls and wildflowers these hikes offer you an awesome opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. We’ll enjoy the trails as the sun sets in the forest. 7:30 – 9 p.m. Bridal Veil Falls parking lot Terrain: moderate, gravel trails, 2 miles Register online beginning April 29 216-206-1000
7 • Saturday Emerald Necklace Hikers (see 5/6 for details)
9 • Monday Acacia for the Young at Heart
Slow down and enjoy a leisurely walk as we explore all that this reservation holds during this busy month of spring. We’ll be in search of migrating birds and amphibians. All abilities are welcome. 10 – 11 a.m. Cedar Road parking lot Terrain: paved, some hills, 2 miles 440-473-3370
Group Programming For information on group programs, call any Cleveland Metroparks education center.
Outdoor Adventures Outdoor Recreation is yearround. For details about trips, skill classes or other recreational activities, visit clevelandmetroparks.com/or.
Cleveland Metroparks Reservations
To register, visit clevelandmetroparks.com 19
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Bedford Reservation continued
10 • Tuesday Hiking for the Young at Heart
Join Naturalist Jenny McClain to hike along Tinker’s Creek and look for blooming bluebells and other spring wildflowers. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Hemlock Creek Picnic Area parking lot Ages: adult Terrain: moderate, 3.5 – 4 miles 440-526-1012
16 • Monday Woodlands of Bedford: Blooms and Butterflies
Explore the floodplains around Tinker’s Creek for beautiful latespring flowers and their associated butterflies with Fred Losi. This hike will be repeated on four Mondays revealing changes as spring progresses towards summer. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Hemlock Creek Picnic Area Terrain: flat, easy, 1 mile 216-206-1000
21 • Saturday Bedford Hiking Series #5: Broadway Trailhead
Enjoy spring during this series of six hikes. You’ll have an awesome opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while exploring the boundary of the park between Bedford and South Chagrin reservations. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Broadway Trailhead Terrain: moderate, hill, water, gravel, 2 miles 216-206-1000
23 • Monday Woodlands of Bedford: Blooms and Butterflies (see 5/16 for details).
Welcome Back the 17-Year Cicadas After 17 years attached to a tree root and feeding on plant juices, this large insect emerges en masse to mate and lay eggs for the next generation. 10 • Tuesday Periodical Cicada Primer
Science tells a fascinating story of these patient, elegant organisms and their explosive activity every 17 years. Satisfy your curiosity with Naturalist Mark Warman as he condenses the research on cicada lifecycles and what to expect in late spring. 7 – 8:30 p.m. Watershed Stewardship Center Ages: teen, adult 440-887-1968
14 • Saturday In Search of Cicadas
Hike with Naturalist Carly Martin as we search for emerging 17-year cicadas. The last time these big buzzy insects made an appearance in Cleveland Metroparks was in 1999. 3 – 4:30 p.m. Hawthorne Ridge Picnic Area South Chagrin Reservation Terrain: 2 miles 440-473-3370 All About Cicadas
Join Naturalist Carly Martin for a mostly indoor presentation about 17-year cicadas. These fascinating insects should be emerging any day now. What do we know about them? What can you expect? We may take a little walk in search of emerging nymphs. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Look About Lodge South Chagrin Reservation Terrain: grass, 0.25 mile (optional) 440-473-3370
15 • Sunday Sunday Drop-by: Cicadas
“They’re baaaack.” Visit our outdoor tent to learn about this year’s cicada emergence. 1 – 3 p.m. Bluebird Point Overlook West Creek Reservation 440-887-1968
20 Emerald Necklace May 2016
South Chagrin Reservation Terrain: flat trails, 1 mile Cicadas Afterschool Register by phone by May 25 Kids will love getting ready for 440-473-3370 the 17-year cicada emergence. Join a naturalist to learn a little 28 • Saturday more about these insects and Cicada Invasion what to expect in the next few weeks. We’ll be indoors and out- The 1999 Periodical Cicada emergence was amazing in Brecksville doors. Reservation. Will it be again? Join 4 – 5 p.m. Naturalist Wendy Weirich to North Chagrin Nature Center see if these fascinating animals Terrain: 0.25 mile emerge with the same verve as 440-473-3370 17 years ago. 10:30 a.m. – Noon 18 • Wednesday Ottawa Point Picnic Area Cicadas Afterschool Brecksville Reservation Kids will love getting ready for Terrain: rolling hills, 2 miles the 17-year cicada emergence. 216-881-8141 ext 3005 Join a naturalist to learn a little more about these insects and Cicada Sensation what to expect in the next few The sights, sounds and other weeks. sensations brought on by thou4 – 5 p.m. sands of 17-year cicadas can be Harper Ridge Picnic Area overwhelming – but that’s the South Chagrin Reservation point. Unravel the mystery of Terrain: grass trail, 0.5 mile their unique life cycle strategy. A 440-473-3370 cicada safari will follow the presentation. 25 • Wednesday 1 – 2:30 p.m. Watershed Stewardship Center Biohike: Cicadas 440-887-1968 Periodical cicadas are expected to emerge this spring. The last emergence was 1999. Join Naturalist 29 • Sunday Marty Calabrese for a lesson on Cicada Search their 17-year life cycle and hope- Seventeen years ago, this area fully an up-close look at this noisy was full of cicadas emerging from insect. the ground. The air may be full 3 – 4:30 p.m. of buzzing insects today. Learn Strongsville Wildlife Area about this fascinating natural Mill Stream Run Reservation phenomenon and see how many Terrain: natural surface, 1.5 miles we can find. 440-734-6660 1 – 2:30 p.m. Hawthorn Ridge Picnic Area 27 • Friday South Chagrin Reservation Terrain: paved trail, 2 miles Family Friday Night: Cicadas 440-473-3370. What in the world are those noisy creatures? Learn about the amazing emergence of the 17-year periodical cicada with Naturalist Selby Majewski. Search for cicadas, play games and enjoy a campfire. 7 – 8:30 p.m. The Arboretum
17• Tuesday
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Big Creek Reservation 17 • Tuesday Mid-month Meandering
Join Naturalist Patti Donnellan as we wind our way around Lake Isaac. So much to see, hear and smell, so be prepared for a sensory extravaganza. 2 – 3:30 p.m. Lake Isaac Waterfowl Sanctuary parking lot Terrain: easy, 1.5 miles 440-887-1968.
Bradley Woods Reservation
Brecksville Nature Center Open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive Brecksville 440-526-1012
8 • Sunday Get Out…
…and get active. Join Naturalist Kelly McGinnis on the trails. Over the next several months, we’ll add a little more distance to this hiking series. 2 – 4 p.m. Ages: adult Terrain: hills, moderate, 3 miles
12 • Thursday Nurture with Nature
20 • Friday Discovering Nature: Bunns Lake
Join Naturalist Bev Walborn on an outdoor adventure just for preschoolers. We’ll explore Bunns Lake trail to discover the sounds, scents and sights of the plants and animals that call Bradley Woods home. 4 – 4:30 p.m. Codrington Picnic Area Ages: 2 – 6 years with adult Terrain: flat, 0.5 mile 440-734-6660.
Brecksville Reservation 21 • Saturday Wilderness Skills: Firemaking
Learn the basics of starting a fire using primitive methods with Naturalist Kathy Schmidt. Create a spark with flint and steel, then coax it into flames and a campfire. Bowdrill will also be demonstrated. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Meadows Picnic Area parking lot Ages: adult Terrain: flat, 0.5 mile 440-526-1012.
Bring your family for a monthly program that explores nature through books, games, hikes and other activities. This month we’ll learn about wildflowers. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ages: 3 years & over with adult Register by phone beginning April 25
18 • Wednesday Animal Crackers
Join Miss Jenny to celebrate the end of the Animal Crackers school year with a Teddy Bear Picnic. Bring your favorite teddy bear, or other stuffed animal, to join in on the fun. 10 – 11:15 a.m. or 1 – 2:15 p.m. Ages: 3 – 5 years with adult, no siblings Register by phone beginning May 1
19 • Thursday Animal Crackers (see 5/18 for details)
10 – 11:15 a.m.
21 • Saturday Extreme Hiking
Trees are leafing out and the forest canopy is closing quickly. Hike with Naturalist Pam Taylor through the forest. Wear appropriate footwear, trails may be muddy. 9 a.m. – Noon Terrain: hills, creek crossings, 7 – 9 miles
To register, visit clevelandmetroparks.com
24 • Tuesday Evening Dog Walk
Join us for an after-work walk through the forest to get some exercise for your furry friend. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Terrain: hills, 2.5 miles.
Brookside Reservation 4 • Wednesday Evening with Amphibians
Red-backed salamanders, frogs in chorus, tadpoles in a wetland are on our list. We’re going to discover the amphibians in this hike and habitat exploration. Naturalist Mark Warman will be your guide on this amphibian adventure. 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meadow Ridge Picnic Area Terrain: varied, 1 mile 440-887-1968
7 • Saturday Emerald Necklace Art Club Monthly Meeting
Draw and paint with us. Members of the Emerald Necklace Art Club are invited to bring their favorite medium as we appreciate the signs of the season. Not a member? Sign up at clevelandmetroparks.com/enartclub 1 – 4 p.m. Ages: adult 440-473-3370.
CanalWay Center Open Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday Noon – 5 p.m. 4524 E. 49th St. Cuyahoga Hts. 216-206-1000 Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
1 • Sunday Hunt of the Month: Hummingbirds
By now, hummingbirds have migrated back north. Find 20 paper hummingbirds hidden throughout the center then step outside to see if you can find any hovering near a flower. Through May 31. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat. Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday
Nature in Watercolor
Experience the wonders of nature through watercolor paintings by artists from Nancy Notarianna’s adult watercolor class. On display through June 30. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat. Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday Towpath Dog Walk
Bring your dog for a guided walk on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath. Dogs must be leashed and picked up after. Walkers without dogs are welcome. 10 – 11 a.m. Ages: adult, 16 years & under with adult Terrain: mostly paved, moderate, 2 miles
4 • Wednesday CanalWay Storytime
Vroom-vroom, beep-beep go the vehicles in the park. Drive down into the valley and stop at the center to listen to stories about transportation. 11 – 11:45 a.m. or 6 – 6:45 p.m. Ages: 6 years & under with adult
5 • Thursday Cleveland Astronomical Society Shuttle Columbia Accident: What Really Happened?
Matt Melis, NASA Aerospace engineer, worked on the Columbia Accident Investigation. He’ll provide a behind-the-scenes perspective done to support the investigation, a detailed look into the inner workings of the Space Shuttle and NASA’s Return to Flight programs. 6:30 – 7 p.m. Meeting 7 – 8:30 p.m. Speaker
7 • Saturday Morning with Mom
Spend the morning with mom in the park. We’ll enjoy muffins and take a marvelous walk to learn about the cultural and natural history of the reservation. 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Fee: $2 Terrain: paved, hill, 1 mile Register by phone or online beginning April 20
21
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
CanalWay Center continued
2-Hour Cart Tour
Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak is your guide on an extended northern tour of Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. We’ll discuss the history of the park, area geography, watersheds, trails, industry, some nature and whatever else comes up. 2 – 4 p.m. Fee: $10 Register online beginning May 2
8 • Sunday 2-Hour Cart Tour (see 5/7 for details)
10 a.m. – Noon or 2 – 4 p.m.
11 • Wednesday Youth Outdoors Volunteer Orientation
Share your interest in outdoor recreation with urban youth assisting with hands-on experiences such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature exploration. 7 – 9 p.m. Ages: adult Register by May 9 216-206-1010
14 • Saturday Acoustic Players Circle
Players, singers and listeners will enjoy acoustic music of varied styles in a relaxed, informal, family-friendly setting. Come lead, play along, sing along, or just enjoy songs based on a theme that changes every month. This month’s theme: Animals. 1 – 3 p.m. Bike the Canal
It’s Bike Month. Bring your own bike to enjoy a leisurely bike ride from CanalWay Center to Rockside Road. Bring money, as we’ll stop for ice cream before making the return the trip. Helmet required. 6 – 8 p.m. Ages: adult, 16 years & under with adult Terrain: paved, 1 hill, 8 miles Register online beginning May 2 216-206-1000 2-Hour Cart Tour (see 5/7 for details)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 2 – 4 p.m. 22 Emerald Necklace May 2016
18 • Wednesday Young Explorers
Let’s get moving as we learn about transportation. We’ll take a closer look at vehicles found in and around Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. Have fun exploring and being creative. 10 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 2 p.m. Ages: 3 – 5 years with adult Terrain: easy, 0.5 – 1 mile Register by phone or online beginning May 2
20 • Friday Evening Cart Tour
Join our naturalist on an evening cart tour along the canal. We’ll look for signs of wildlife that roam in the evening hours and discuss the animals both past and present that call this interesting area home. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Fee: $5 Register online beginning May 2
24 • Tuesday Stroller School
Come in for a short program and a walk. We’ll read a story, sing a song and meet some animal friends before heading outside for fresh air. Children must be in a stroller or wagon for the walk. 10 – 11 a.m. Ages: 2 years & under with adult Terrain: paved, one hill, 1 mile Register online or by phone beginning May 2
25 • Wednesday Homeschool in the Valley
Look up in the sky – it’s a bird. Have you ever wished you could fly like a bird? Join Naturalist Angelec Hillsman to learn about the flight and feather structure of these amazing creatures that can soar high in the sky. We’ll make our own kite to fly. 1 – 3 p.m. Grades: K – 5 Fee: $5 Terrain: easy, 0.5 – 1 mile Register by phone or online beginning April 20
26 • Thursday
10 – 11 a.m. Ages: 2 – 5 years with adult Terrain: paved, 0.5 mile Register online beginning May 2
28 • Saturday Family Bike Ride
Load up your family, friends and bicycles for a casual bike ride along the Towpath. We’ll stop along the way to discuss some of the wildlife that call the Cuyahoga Valley home. Helmet required. 1 – 3 p.m. Terrain: 1 hill, 6 – 8 miles Register by phone or online beginning May 2
29 • Sunday Military Memorabilia
View WWI, CCC camps, WWII, Korea and Vietnam military items from Joseph Woyma’s family collection. Veteran’s come and place a pin in a map to show where you served. Noon – 4 p.m.
Creek. Activities include removing trash, invasives and tending to new tree planting around the restored wetland. 10 a.m. – Noon Wildwood Pavilion Ages: teen, adult Terrain: muddy Register by phone by May 12 216-524-6580, ext. 16
18 • Wednesday Flowers Along the Creek (see 5/4 for details)
26 • Thursday It’s a Tree
Join Naturalist Jake Kudrna on a quick hike though Wildwood Park to shine a light on some of the park’s greatest trees. Noon – 1 p.m. Wildwood entrance parking lot Terrain: paved and natural surfaces, 1.5 miles 440-473-3370
29 • Sunday
30 • Monday Military Memorabilia (see 5/29 for details)
9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Euclid Creek Reservation 4 • Wednesday Flowers Along the Creek
Join Naturalist Jake Kudrna along the trails of Euclid Creek in search of this season’s wildflowers. Hike the same route through the month of May to better capture the blooming season. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Highland Picnic Area Terrain: natural surfaces, some hills, 1 – 2 miles 440-473-3370
14 • Saturday Wildwood Park Spring Cleanup
Join Euclid Creek enthusiasts in maintaining a wetland and a rain garden helping to restore Euclid
Wildwood Wetland Walk
Join Naturalist Natalie Schroder on a leisurely walk enjoying the restored wetland and creek to see what is calling it home. Cliff swallows and other migrants can be seen this time of year. Let’s see what we can find. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Wildwood Shelter parking lot Terrain: paved, natural surface, some hills, 2 miles 440-473-3370.
Garfield Park Reservation 15 • Sunday Garfield Park Dog Walk
Stroll the All Purpose Trail Loop with your pup. Dogs must be leashed and waste picked up. Walkers without dogs are also welcome. 10 – 11 a.m. Garfield Park Center parking lot Terrain: paved, hilly, 2 miles 216-206-1000
Preschool: Wiggling Worms
Worms are all around us and under our feet. We’ll hike, look for worms and wiggle as we learn about worms in our world.
To register, visit clevelandmetroparks.com
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Native plants
21 • Saturday May Meandering
One of our smallest reservations packs a nice punch. Join a naturalist as we hike the interior trails of the reservation. 1:30 – 3 p.m. Terrain: some hills, stairs, mud, rocks, 1.5 miles 216-206-1000
28 • Saturday Turtles Tales
Stop by our trailside table to learn about turtles. On land and in water, the turtles of Northeast Ohio are a sight to see. Noon – 2 p.m. Red Oak Picnic area 216-206-1000.
Hinckley Reservation 7 • Saturday Wildflower Walk
Join a naturalist and see the best in bloom this week. Spring wildflowers change daily and it’s always exciting to see what has
just opened up along the forest floor. 1 – 2:30 p.m. Johnson’s Picnic Area parking lot (off West Drive) Terrain: natural surface trail 1 – 2 miles 440-526-1012
9 • Monday American Red Cross Pool/ Waterfront Lifeguard Course
Enjoy the stunning beauty of woodland wildflowers and hear stories those plants have to tell. 3 – 5 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store parking lot Ages: adult Terrain: hill, 1.5 – 2 miles 440-526-1012
17 • Tuesday Garlic Mustard Pull
The blended learning class teaches knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies, prevent drowning and injuries through online and on-site training. May 9 – 21 4 – 8 p.m. Mondays/Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays Ledge Pool and Recreation Area Ages: 16 years & over Fee: $210 Register by May 2 440-331-8111
Help protect native habitat by pulling garlic mustard after learning about this invasive species and learning how to identify it. 6 – 8 p.m. Hinckley Hills parking lot Terrain: off-trail, 1 – 2 miles Registration preferred 440-887-1968
14 • Saturday
(see 5/9 for details) May 23 – 27 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Register by May 16
Woodland Wildflowers
Stroll through the spring forest with Naturalist Kathy Schmidt.
23 • Monday American Red Cross Pool/ Waterfront Lifeguard Course
28 • Saturday Birding & Cicadas by Pontoon
Hop aboard the Floating Water Lab for an early morning bird float. If timing is right, we could see and hear periodical cicadas. Binoculars available if you don’t have your own. 7 – 8:30 a.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store parking lot Ages: 12 years & over Fee: $5 Register online beginning May 1 440-526-1012 Worden’s Ledges Hike
Hike along a beautiful wooded trail that winds through sandstone ledges with Naturalist Kathy Schmidt. Learn about the history of the many carvings that Noble Stuart made in the sandstone during the 1940s. 3 – 5 p.m. Worden Heritage Homestead parking lot Terrain: moderate, 1.5 miles 440-526-1012.
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MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Huntington Reservation 4 • Wednesday Wildflowers of Huntington
Join Naturalist Bev Walborn to discover the spring wildflowers blooming in Huntington Reservation. We’ll hike in field, forest and along Porter Creek. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Wolf Picnic Area Terrain: some stairs, uneven trails, 1 mile 440-734-6660.
Lakefront Reservation 13 • Friday Sunrise Walk
Join a leisurely walk around Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. We’ll learn why this nature preserve is so special and enjoy the sunrise before finishing our walk. 5 – 6:30 a.m. Lakefront Administration Building Terrain: moderate, 2 miles 216-206-1000
15 • Sunday Birding Blitz
Join Naturalist Jen Brumfield for a big morning of birding at one of Cleveland’s top hotspots: Wendy Park. The woodlots could be overflowing with migrant warblers, thrushes, orioles and more. Park in the gravel lot just east of the marina. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wendy Park Terrain: mostly flat, 0.5 mile 440-734-6660
21 • Saturday Bird’n the Flats
The pockets of Cuyahoga River create an unexpected sanctuary for migratory birds. Join Naturalist Marty Calabrese for bird watching along the riverside Towpath Trail. 9 – 10:30 a.m. Scranton Flats Terrain: flat, gravel, 0.5 mile 440-734-6660 Visit the Lorenzo Carter Cabin
Visit the little log cabin that has been on the eastern bank of the Flats since 1976. Find the story behind it as well as the early history of Cleveland. The cabin is located at Heritage Park 1 on Merwin Avenue. 2 – 4 p.m. Lorenzo Carter Cabin 216-206-1000
24 • Tuesday Nature Boat Ride
View Cleveland’s wildlife from a boat. We’ll discuss the plants that inhabit the river bed and look for a wide variety of waterfowl as we float down the Cuyahoga River. River traffic affects route and time. 4 – 6 p.m. or 7 – 9 p.m. Merwin’s Wharf Fee: $15 Register online beginning May 2 216-206-1000
29 • Sunday Visit the Lorenzo Carter Cabin (see 5/21 for details)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
31 • Tuesday Nature Boat Ride (see 5/24 for details).
17 • Tuesday Cuyahoga River by Boat
Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak is your guide on a boat ride going “up the river.” We’ll discuss the Cuyahoga River, bridges, area geography, watersheds, trails, industry and whatever else comes up. River traffic affects route. 4 – 6 p.m. or 7 – 9 p.m. Merwin’s Wharf Fee: $15 Register online beginning May 2
24 Emerald Necklace May 2016
to update their skills to become certified to work at a waterfront location. Will be certified in Waterfront Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Noon – 6 p.m. Wallace Lake Fee: $85 Register by May 12 440-331-8111 Dog Walk
Hike with your four-legged friend along the Rocky River. This area is a great place to see Virginia bluebells and other wildflowers. 2 – 3:30 p.m. PawPaw Picnic Area parking lot Terrain: mostly flat, 3 miles 440-526-1012
21 • Saturday For Adults Only: Deciduous Tree ID Part III
(see page 28, 5/19 for details) 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Skills Module (see 5/15 for details).
North Chagrin Reservation 5 • Thursday Spring Wander
This area is a great place to find wildflowers and other signs of spring. Explore hills and valleys hunting for the hidden gems of the season. 2 – 4 p.m. Squire’s Castle parking lot Terrain: steep hills, 3 miles 440-473-3370
22 • Sunday
Mill Stream Run Reservation 15 • Sunday American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Skills Module
For individuals possessing an American Red Cross Lifeguarding/ First Aid certification and need
Last Chance Wildflower Walk
Search for the last blooms of spring on the Scenic Loop trail with Naturalist Selby Majewski. We’ll try to fill any remaining gaps in your Tour of Wildflowers and may even spot amphibians or other creatures enjoying the change of seasons. 10 – 11:30 a.m.
To register, visit clevelandmetroparks.com
Strawberry Picnic Area parking lot Terrain: 3 miles, hilly trails 440-473-3370.
North Chagrin Nature Center Open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3037 SOM Center Rd. Willoughby Hills 440-473-3370
2 • Monday North Chagrin Nature Photography Club Beyond the Rule of Thirds, the Power of a Threesome
Think you have a good one or maybe five? Bring them and let’s find the triangles that make for a great composition. 8 – 9:30 p.m.
4 • Wednesday Sprouts: Growing Kids and Wonder, Naturally
Join Natalie the Naturalist to discover the different seasons through discovery time, a craft and hike. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Nature Education Building Ages: 3 – 5 years with adult Terrain: paved, 0.75 mile Register by phone by May 2
7 • Saturday The Novice Naturalist
Becoming acquainted with seasonal wildflowers is a must for all nature enthusiasts. Join Naturalist Foster Brown as we explore early May wildflowers and explore their life cycles, habitats and history from early America. We start with an indoor presentation and end with a hike. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Terrain: easy to moderate 1.5 miles Native Plant Sale
Native plants can be beautiful and beneficial additions to your garden. Using native plants can provide beauty while attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your neighborhood. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Children’s Fishing Derbies Saturday May 21 Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, Cuyahoga Heights Sunday May 22 Wallace Lake, Mill Stream Run Reservation, Berea
Fishing sessions: Ages 4 to 8 • 9 a.m. to Noon Ages 9 to 15 • 1 to 4 p.m. Hungry rainbow trout, catfish and a variety of other fish are ready for young anglers to try their luck on while competing for prizes. Children can also learn how to cast or test their skills at the casting challenge. Guidance available. Bring a rod, tackle and a cooler with ice to store the “catch of the day.” Bait provided and while supplies last, loaner rods available for children. Each location is stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish. The event is rain or shine and advance registration is not required. Golf cart shuttles available for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Ohio & Erie Canal Fishing Area Park at the CanalWay Center parking lot, located off the E. 49th Street entrance to Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Hts. Walk the paved trail to the canal. Follow the signs on Valley Parkway in Mill Stream Run Reservation, south of Bagley Road in Berea. For more information, visit clevelandmetroparks.com or call 216-206-1010.
Native Plant Sale (see 5/7 for details)
15 • Sunday Tons of Turtles
Spring is high-time for turtles to be on the move. Join Naturalist Jake Kudrna for a short indoor presentation on turtle behavior, followed by the opportunity to get up close with the turtles of Sanctuary Marsh. 11 a.m. – Noon Terrain: flat, paved, 0.25 mile Snakes of Cleveland Metroparks
Have you ever wondered if that snake you saw was venomous or what species it may be? Naturalist Jake Kudrna will take you through an introductory presentation to learn the basics of our native serpents. Following indoor presentation there will be an optional outdoor walk.
Hidden Insects and Camouflage
Did you see it? The most interesting insects are some of the hardest to find. Join Naturalist Andrew Mularo for an afternoon of exploring insects and learn how they use camouflage in their habitats. 1 – 2:30 p.m. Terrain: may be muddy, 1 mile
30 • Monday Amazing Arachnids
Believe it or not, spiders are one of the most important animals in their habitats. Hike with Naturalist Andrew Mularo and observe these fascinating creatures in the wild, and learn the benefits of spiders. 1 – 2 p.m. Terrain: may be muddy, 1 mile.
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation 14 • Saturday
Wallace Lake
8 • Sunday
29 • Sunday
1 – 2 p.m. Terrain: flat, paved, 0.25 mile
28 • Saturday
18 • Wednesday
Meet a couple of live Ohio turtles, see and touch some different turtle shells and discover where these ancient reptiles live. 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Sprouts: Growing Kids and Wonder, Naturally (See 5/4 for details)
1 – 2 p.m. Register by phone by May 16
22 • Sunday Introduction to Monarch Watch
Monarchs are a spectacular insect with a fascinating life. Come to this introductory session to learn more about their life cycle and how to be a part of this amazing citizen science project. 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Turtle Drop-in
Drop In Nature Craft – Owls
Stop in and make your own owl craft out of natural material. We’ll use walnut shells to fashion an adorable owl and provide cool facts about owls of Ohio. 1 – 3 p.m. Ages: families Dog Hike
Bring your best furry friend to the park for some exercise and socialization. We’ll hike some of the wooded trails. All dogs must be leashed. 2 – 3:30 p.m. Terrain: moderate, some hills 3 – 3.5 miles
An Introduction to Atlatls
Learn the history of the atlatl, an ancient spear-throwing device that has been used around the world for thousands of years. Try your hand at throwing darts using various styles of atlatls. Noon – 1 p.m. CanalWay Center parking lot Ages: 8 years & over with adult Fee: $5 Terrain: one hill, 0.5 mile Register online beginning May 2 216-206-1000 Afternoon Archery for Kids
Bring your child to the valley to discover the fun of archery. Enjoy a new activity surrounded by nature. We’ll have all supplies available for you. 1 – 2:30 p.m. CanalWay Center parking lot Ages: 8 years & over Fee: $5 Terrain: one hill, 0.5 mile Register online beginning May 2 216-206-1000
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MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation continued
14 • Saturday
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Conservation Biology
(see 5/7 for details)
Casey Tucker, of the American Avian Conservation and Research Institute, shares research about citizen science to increase the public’s knowledge and address conservation issues. 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Afternoon Archery for Adults
Have you ever wanted to try archery? Join us in the valley to discover the fun of archery. Enjoy a new activity surrounded by nature. We’ll have all supplies available for you. 3 – 4:30 p.m. CanalWay Center parking lot Ages: adult Fee: $5 Terrain: one hill, 0.5 mile Register online beginning May 2. 216-206-1000
Rocky River Reservation 5 • Thursday American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course
Learn to teach aquatics courses including, basic-level Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Waterpark Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Attendant, and Lifeguard Management. Must possess American Red Cross Lifeguarding/ First Aid certificate, and pass a pre-course written examination and evaluation of skills. Through May 19. 4 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Park Operations Administration, Thursdays at Lakewood High School Pool Ages: 17 years & over Fee: $210 Register by April 30 440-331-8111
7 • Saturday Olmsted Historical Society Farmers Market
Our Farmers Market features local farmers, producers, artisans and vendors who grow and/or produce their own goods. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Frostville Museum frostvillefarmersmarket.com
21 • Saturday Olmsted Historical Society Farmers Market
(see 5/7 for details)
28 • Saturday Olmsted Historical Society Farmers Market
(see 5/7 for details)
Rocky River Nature Center Open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted 440-734-6660
6 • Friday Wildflowers and Wanderers
Join Naturalist Beth Whiteley to hike the woods looking for spring wildflowers and early migrators wandering their way back to their summer breeding grounds. Bring binoculars and cameras for upclose looks at these beautiful yet transient species. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Terrain: mostly flat, 2.5 miles
8 • Sunday Flowers for Mom
1 • Sunday Your Piece of the Planet: Backyard Chickens
Everyone’s clucking about keeping hens at home, but is the trend more fad than function? Learn the basics of home chicken care, including necessary supplies, space and husbandry skills, and decide for yourself whether a backyard flock is the right choice for your family. 2 – 3 p.m.
2 • Monday Gallery Wall – Cynthia Katzan
Cynthia Katzan’s colorful works celebrate sublime everyday moments in our natural surroundings. On display through May 31. 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Southwest Camera Club Photo Appreciation Night
Join an open discussion on technique, impact and composition of photos. Bring up to five images (print or digital) to share. Learn new techniques in this vibrant discussion. 7:30 – 9 p.m.
To register, visit clevelandmetroparks.com 26 Emerald Necklace May 2016
3 • Tuesday
Olmsted Historical Society Farmers Market
Stop in to paint and plant a pot of flowers and herbs for the special mom in your life. 2 – 3 p.m. Ages: 4 years & over with adult Register by phone by May 6
9 • Monday Cuyahoga Astronomical Association Copernicus to Newton
Gary Kader, from Baldwin Wallace University, will discuss how The Renaissance revolutionized intellectual pursuits and the group of men whose discoveries launched what ultimately became known as science. 7:30 – 9 p.m.
11 • Wednesday Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association Power of Pollination
Amy Roskilly from Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District shares a Xerces Foundation presentation on pollination and discusses the merits of rain barrels in creating a sustainable home landscape. 7 – 9 p.m.
15 • Sunday Seven Wonders of Cleveland Metroparks Bus Trip
Tie up those walking shoes and join Naturalist Natalie Schroder
for a day of wonder to discover some of the top sights within Cleveland Metroparks including a special lunch stop. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fee: $60 (includes bus, lunch and snacks) Terrain: paved, natural surface, stairs, 7 miles Register online by May 9 440-473-3370 Your Piece of the Planet: Build a Pollinator Garden
Native plants beautify your yard while providing food and shelter to wildlife, plus they require minimal maintenance compared to fussy ornamentals. Learn the basics of the why’s and how’s to go native and then take home your own starter kits of five beautiful native plants. 2 – 3:30 p.m. Fee: $25 Register online May 1 – 13
17 • Tuesday History Hike: Lawrence Grist Mill
Explore the stories of the Lawrence Grist Mill that was located southeast of Rocky River Nature Center. Built in 1832 by Joel B. Lawrence, we’ll utilize a model to reveal how it worked, then hike to the site to find what remains. 3 – 4:30 p.m. Terrain: mostly flat 0.5 mile
18 • Wednesday Biohike: Wildflowers
With longer days and shorter nights, wildflowers are emerging and painting the forest floor with color. Join Naturalist Marty Calabrese for a walk in search of these ephemeral beauties. 3 – 4 p.m. Terrain: few stairs, 1 mile
21 • Saturday Nature Art Series: Watercolor Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies and moths will be our muse as beginners and seasoned artists are led by Naturalist Beth Whiteley, in the use of watercolor techniques. No experience necessary. 10:30 a.m. – Noon Ages: adult, 10 years & over with adult Fee: $7 Register online by May 18
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
Cedar Point Overlook on Fort Hill, Rocky River Reservation
22 • Sunday Catching the Last Wave: Bird Migration
Join Naturalist Jen Brumfield for a walk around the center’s woodland trails for the last big wave of migrant songbirds before the nesting season begins. 10 – 11 a.m. Terrain: mostly flat, 1 mile
23 • Monday Little Explorers: Rainbows of the Woods
Join Naturalist Bev Walborn with your little explorer to discover colors through the rainbows of the woods. We’ll have songs, stories, crafts and outdoor exploration. Must register everyone in your group. 10 – 11:15 a.m. or 1 – 2:15 p.m. Ages: 3 – 5 years with adult Terrain: mostly flat, 0.5 mile Register online May 9 – 16
29 • Sunday Bio Blitz: Forest Floor to Treetops
Join Naturalist Jen Brumfield on a quest to find salamanders,
frogs, birds and the first dragonflies of the season in this hour of nature questing. 10 – 11 a.m. Terrain: mostly flat, natural surface, 1 mile
these seasonal wonders. 1 – 3 p.m. Look About Lodge Terrain: moderate to strenuous, hills and steps, 1.5 miles 440-473-3370
Your Piece of the Planet: Ten Easy Foods to Grow at Home
5 • Thursday
Think your apartment balcony can’t accommodate a garden? Are you more of a death kiss than a green thumb to plants you try to grow? Join us and learn 10 fool-proof foods that anyone, anywhere can grow at home. 2 – 3 p.m.
South Chagrin Reservation 4 • Wednesday Wildflower Folklore Hike
Spring wildflowers have charm and great beauty, but also have amazing cultural tales connected with them. Join Naturalist Foster Brown on a hike as we admire the remaining spring wildflowers and take a back door approach to
Spring Discovery Hike
Life is bursting with budding wildflowers, the return of migrant birds and fresh fungi. Watch the season unfold every Thursday in April and May to see what new life appears in field, forest, river, and stream. Binoculars recommended, some available for loan. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Jackson Field parking lot Terrain: mud, mostly flat, 1.5 miles 440-473-3370
7 • Saturday Cleveland Natural Science Club Return of the Cicadas
2016 is the big year for periodical cicadas. These fascinating creatures have been living underground since 1999 and
photo by Marty Calabrese
will emerge this month en mass. Learn all about their life cycle, what makes them so special, and how Cleveland Metroparks is celebrating this incredible natural phenomenon. Our speaker will be Naturalist Selby Majewski. 7:30 p.m. Look About Lodge 440-473-3370
12 • Thursday Spring Discovery Hike (see 5/5 for details)
14 • Saturday Nature Journaling
Experience nature through the seasons. We’ll record our observations in a journal of our own creation. You may want to bring a camera. 1 – 3 p.m. Look About Lodge Ages: adult Annual fee: $20 for supplies Register online by May 11 440-473-3370
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MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION
South Chagrin Reservation continued
19 • Thursday Spring Discovery Hike (see 5/5 for details)
21 • Saturday Nature Writing
Join writers Jenny Clark and Linda Tuthill as they prompt us to express our creative side through the wonders of natural history. We’ll take a short, naturalist-led hike outdoors, explore themed writing prompts, and enjoy lunch in the historic setting of Look About Lodge. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ages: 16 years & over Fee: $25 Terrain: easy, 0.5 mile Register online by May 16 440-473-3370 Spring Photo Hike
Capture the sights of the season, the tender shoots of green to the delicate wildflowers, mourning cloak butterflies, early pollinators, and the return of migrant birds as spring unfurls. The forest is alive with song and color, so bring your camera and witness the wonders on the trail. 2 – 4 p.m. Terrain: stairs, hills, slow-paced, up to 1.5 miles 440-473-3370
26 • Thursday Spring Discovery Hike (see 5/5 for details)
28 • Saturday In-Seine Invertebrates
How do we know if a river is healthy or not? Today we’ll throw on our boots, and take our seines to the Chagrin River to discover the invertebrates many scientists use to help determine water quality. Wear wet-able clothes/ shoes, will have general hike if water levels are high. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Jackson Field parking lot Terrain: uneven, slippery surfaces 440-473-3370.
Washington Reservation 29 • Sunday “Remember the Maine” Walk
Observe Memorial Day by taking a walk with Historical Interpreter Karen Lakus to the USS Maine Memorial. Hear the story of the ill-fated ship and why parts of it are scattered all over the country including Washington Reservation. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Arborview Picnic Shelter Terrain: flat, paved, 1 mile 216-206-1000.
Watershed Stewardship Center Sunday Noon – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday– Saturday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma 440-887-1968 West Creek Reservation
1 • Sunday May Day! May Day!
No cause for alarm, just a great day to get out on the trails. You never know what we may find now that the temperatures are warming up. Enjoy some tasty treats on this celebrated day when we return. 1 – 2 p.m. Monarch Bluff Picnic Area Terrain: easy, 2.5 miles
6 • Friday Boy Scouts Merit Badge: Bird Study Part I
Join our certified merit badge counselors for this hands-on, field-intensive program designed to provide scouts an opportunity to complete this merit badge. Participants must attend both parts. 6 – 9 p.m. Ages: scouts with adult Fee: $10 (includes Parts I and II) Register by phone or online by May 2
7 • Saturday
21 • Saturday
Boy Scouts Merit Badge: Bird Study Part II (see 5/6 for details)
9 a.m. – Noon
12 • Thursday Aquatic Insects: Assessing Rivers & Streams
Aquatic insects have a big role in the environment and ecological monitoring. Find out how these tiny creatures are used to assess the health of waterways and learn to identify them under microscopes. Presented by Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Ohio’s experts in aquatic bio assessments. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Ages: adult
14 • Saturday Tales Around the Necklace
Call it traditional storytelling, spoken word performance, or narrative theater, excellent storytelling artists bring entertaining and enlightening stories to you. After hearing their tales, enjoy refreshments and enjoy tales shared by audience members. 7 – 8:30 p.m. Ages: adult, older students
19 • Thursday For Adults Only: Deciduous Tree ID Part I
Learn to identify trees independently in this three-part workshop. Start with botany basics, then burrow into bark, branch and bud structure, and learn to use your own key. A field trip will follow classroom sessions to put our skills into practice. Must attend all parts. 7 – 9 p.m. Ages: adult Fee: $15 singles/$25 couples (includes one book) Register by phone or online
20 • Friday
Lessons From A Stream Hike
Celebrate the 25th Annual RiverDay by taking a tip or two from a stream. First we’ll look at some sedimentary action on our stream table, indoors. Then take a hike along West Creek to experience some of the lessons we learned in action. 2 – 4 p.m. Ages: adult, families Terrain: varied, 1 mile
29 • Sunday Sunday Drop-by: Hiding in Plain Sight
Let’s take a look at the use of camouflage in all types of animals, from birds to bugs and mammals to fish. 1 – 3 p.m.
West Creek Reservation 2 • Monday Basking Butterflies – Flighty Fun Meet spring meadow beauties. These important pollinators are critical to ecosystem health. We’ll identify and monitor butterflies and apply simple citizen science practices. Nets provided. Bring binoculars. 10 – 11 a.m. Monarch Bluff Picnic Area Terrain: easy, 1 mile 440-887-1968
4 • Wednesday National Weather Observers Day
What type of cloud are you? We can’t answer that question, but we’ll discuss and identify the types of clouds in our sky, what causes them and what they can tell us about our weather. 2 – 3 p.m. Monarch Bluff Picnic Area Terrain: paved, 1 mile 440-887-1968
For Adults Only: Deciduous Tree ID Part II
(see 5/19 for details)
To register, visit clevelandmetroparks.com 28 Emerald Necklace May 2016
MAY PROGRAMS BY LOCATION 8 • Sunday Mother’s Day with Mother Nature
Skip buying expensive flowers this year and experience nature in spring bloom. Share the afternoon with your mom on a nice, easy hike in beautiful West Creek Reservation. 1 – 2 p.m. Monarch Bluff Picnic Area Terrain: easy, 1 mile 440-887-1968
11 • Wednesday West Creek Night Hike
Enjoy an evening walk to explore the fields and forests using all of our senses. An adventurous spirit is the only requirement. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Monarch Bluff Picnic Area Terrain: easy, 2.5 miles 440-887-1968
13 • Friday National Frog Jumping Day
What species of frog is jumpjump-jumping into our wetlands? Learn about our native frogs. How many we can hear and see? Also, make your own origami frog to compete in a jumping contest. Naturalist Matt Knittel thinks he can win – can you beat him? 7 – 9 p.m. Monarch Bluff Picnic Area Terrain: unpaved, 0.5 mile 440-887-1968
14 • Saturday Love a Tree Hike
There are many ways to enjoy nature. Naturalist Matt Knittel shares some fun and artistic methods to learn more about trees. Write a poem or a story, and find your tree amongst others in the forest. 2 – 3:30 p.m. Bluebird Point parking lot Ages: adult, families Terrain: varied, 1 mile 440-887-1968
18 • Wednesday
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
5 • Thursday
Daily Become a part of the specialized care that Zoo animals receive for a hands-on experience you won’t forget. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fee: $250 Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx
Designed for families with children younger than five, these fun-filled programs engage preschoolers with special hands-on activities and a Get Close animal encounter geared just for them. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Ages: families, 5 years & under Fee: $15/$10 Zoo members Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx
Tuesday – Sunday
9 • Monday
Keeper for a Day
Inside Tracks
Career Day
Learn fun-filled facts on animal care, behavior, conservation and explore four animal areas on a golf cart. May include training sessions and get-close opportunities with animals and behindthe-scenes tours. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fee: $50 Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx
Have a wild experience exploring the professional fields of animal care, veterinary medicine and conservation education. Get close to small animals, meet with Zoo staff, take a behind-thescenes tour and get an up-close look at the real work involved with an exciting Zoo career. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ages: grades 5 - 8 Fee: $50/$45 Zoo members Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx 216-635-3391
Overnights at the Zoo
Would you like to sleep over at the Zoo, hike the park at night, get close to the animals and take a behind the scenes tour? Then round up your pack, troop, horde, pride, colony or herd and plan an event they’ll never forget. 7 p.m. – 10 a.m. Fee: $38 Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx 216-635-3391
Monday – Friday Summer Day Camp
Multiple summer sessions of this five day camp are offered from June 8 through August 14. Half-day camp sessions are $115 for members and $135 for nonmembers. Ages: 5 – 14 years Fee: $190/ $165 Zoo members
West Creek Night Hike
Nature Play Camp
(see 5/11 for details)
Multiple summer sessions of this five day camp are offered from June 8 through August 14. Ages: 3 – 4 years Fee: $135/ $115 Zoo members
25 • Wednesday West Creek Night Hike
(see 5/11 for details).
Preschool Safari – African Animals
12 • Thursday Homeschool Program Importance of Animal Behavior
This fun and interactive program complements science curriculums for homeschooled students. Let’s take a look at the many different plants and animals in our own backyards. 10 – 11:30 a.m., grades K – 3 Noon – 1:30 p.m. grades 4 – 8 Fee: $10/$8 Zoo members Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx 216-635-3391
13 • Friday Preschool Safari Australian Animals
Designed for families with children younger than five, these fun-filled programs engage preschoolers with special hands-on
activities and a Get Close animal encounter geared just for them. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Ages: families, 5 years & under Fee: $15/$10 Zoo members Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx
14 • Saturday Career Day
Have a wild experience exploring the professional fields of animal care, veterinary medicine and conservation education. Get close to small animals, meet with Zoo staff, take a behind-thescenes tour and get an up-close look at the real work involved with an exciting Zoo career. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ages: grades 9 - 12 Fee: $50/$45 Zoo members Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx 216-635-3391
21 • Saturday Preschool Safari Nature Explorers
Designed for families with children younger than five, these fun-filled programs engage preschoolers with special hands-on activities and a Get Close animal encounter geared just for them. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Ages: families, 5 years & under Fee: $15/$10 Zoo members Registration required clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/ learn1.aspx.
Cleveland Metroparks is proud to serve the following products.
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A LOOK AHEAD
A Look Ahead Edgewater LIVE
Edgewater LIVE
Healthy Planet, Healthy People 5K
Thursdays, June 9 – August 11 • 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 • 9 a.m.
Lower Edgewater Park • Lakefront Reservation
Rocky River Reservation
A new view on happy hour. Lower Edgewater Place is the place to be this summer. Each Thursday, bring a blanket or chair and let the music move you while you enjoy a spectaular sunset over the Cleveland skyline. Local food trucks will be there for your dining pleasure.
Celebrate your health, while you support Cleveland Metroparks programs at Rocky River Nature Center, with this challenging 5K course.
216-635-3200
Euclid Beach LIVE Fridays, June 10 – August 12 • 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Euclid Beach Park • Euclid Creek Reservation Each Friday this summer come out for a picnic in the park with live entertainment, food trucks and Cleveland Metroparks. 216-635-3200
Registration fee: $20 Registration and course map: hermescleveland.com Race-day registration fee is $25.
Cicada Invasion Saturday, June 4 • Noon – 4 p.m. The Shelterhouse Picnic Area South Chagrin Reservation We haven’t seen them in 17 years, but they’re back. Celebrate and learn about this amazing insect and its rare appearance. For more information, call 440-473-3370.
30 Emerald Necklace May 2016
CLEVELAND METROPARKS DIRECTORY
Administrative Offices
216-635-3200/general Cleveland Metroparks information 24-hours a day. 4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland 44144 clevelandmetroparks.com 24-hour Job Hotline 216-635-3211 Permits/Picnic Area Reservations 216-635-3304 Volunteer Services 440-253-2145 clevelandmetroparks.com/ volunteer
Ranger Headquarters 4600 Valley Parkway Fairview Park 44126 440-331-5530 Accidents or Emergencies 440-333-4911 Parkway Alert Line (PAL) 440-331-5963
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & The RainForest
216-661-6500/24-hour information. 3900 Wildlife Way Cleveland 44109 clemetzoo.com Office of the Zoo Executive Director 216-635-3331 Education Programs/ Volunteers 216-635-3391 Travel Programs 216-661-6500 ext 4356 School Group Reservations 216-635-3391 Groups/Parties/Private Events/ Facility Rentals 216-635-3304 Cleveland Zoological Society 216-661-6500, ext. 4421
Outdoor Experiences
Outdoor Experiences Administration 216-881-8141 ext. 3005 Outdoor Recreation 216-341-1704 EcoExplorers 216-206-1000 Look About Lodge South Chagrin Reservation 37374 Miles Rd. Bentleyville 44022 440-473-3370 NatureTracks Education Unit 216-341-1707 Voyageur Canoe Paddle Wallace/Hinckley Lakes 440-526-1012 Youth Outdoors 216-206-1010
Golf
Golf Services – general info 440-232-7247 Big Met Golf Course Rocky River Reservation 4811 Valley Parkway Fairview Park 44126 440-331-1070 Food Service/Catering: Big Met Grille 440-333-5575 Little Met Golf Course Rocky River Reservation 18599 Old Lorain Road Cleveland 44111 216-941-9672 Manakiki Golf Course North Chagrin Reservation 35501 Eddy Road Willoughby Hills 44094 440-942-2500 Food Service/Catering: Dino’s 216-342-4767 Mastick Woods Golf Course Rocky River Reservation 19900 Puritas Road Cleveland 44135 216-267-5626 Seneca Golf Course Brecksville Reservation 975 Valley Parkway Broadview Heights 44147 440-526-0043 Food Service/Catering: Back 9 Grille 440-546-1555 Shawnee Hills Golf Course Bedford Reservation 18753 Egbert Road Bedford 44146 440-232-7184 Food Service/Catering: Double Bogey Grille 440-786-7587 Sleepy Hollow Golf Course Brecksville Reservation 9445 Brecksville Road Brecksville 44141 440-526-4285 Food Service/Catering: 440-546-1555 Washington Golf Course Washington Reservation 3841 Washington Park Blvd. Newburgh Heights 44105 216-641-1864
Retail Nature Shops Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store Hinckley 330-278-2160 North Chagrin Nature Center Mayfield Village 440-449-0511 Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted 440-734-7576 Watershed Stewardship Center Parma 440-253-2170
Restaurant
Merwin’s Wharf 1785 Merwin Ave Cleveland 216-664-5696
Education Centers Brecksville Nature Center Brecksville Reservation 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive Brecksville 44141 440-526-1012 CanalWay Center Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation 4524 E. 49th Street Cuyahoga Heights 44125 216-206-1000 North Chagrin Nature Center North Chagrin Reservation 3037 SOM Center Road Willloughby Hills 44094 440-473-3370 Rocky River Nature Center Rocky River Reservation 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted 44070 440-734-6660 Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek West Creek Reservation 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr. Parma 44134 440-887-1968
Outdoor Recreation Chalet/Tobogganing Mill Stream Run Reservation Strongsville 440-572-9990 Cross-Country Ski Rental 440-331-1070 Programs 216-341-1704
Swimming
440-331-8111 Hotline 216-635-3383 Edgewater Park Lakefront Reservation Cleveland eats & treats Hinckley Lake Hinckley Reservation Hinckley Township Huntington Beach Huntington Reservation Bay Village The Hut Ledge Pool & Recreation Area Hinckley Reservation Hinckley Township Ledge Rock Café Wallace Lake Mill Stream Run Reservation Berea Quarry Rock Café
Boating E. 55th Street Marina Lakefront Reservation 5555 N. Marginal Road Cleveland 44114 216-431-3280 Food Service/Catering: e.55 216-431-3349
Emerald Necklace Marina Rocky River Reservation 1500 Scenic Park Drive Lakewood 44107 216-226-3030 Food Service/Catering: Emerald Necklace Marina Grille 216-228-2233 Kayak Rentals 41° North Coastal Kayak Adventures Rocky River Reservation 1-866-529-2541 Hinckley Lake Boathouse & Store Hinckley Reservation West Drive, Hinckley Lake Hinckley Township 330-278-2160 Wallace Lake Mill Stream Run Reservation Valley Parkway, south of Bagley Road, Berea Quarry Rock Café 440-826-1682
Cleveland Metroparks Affiliates, Clubs and Concessionaires
Acacia Facility Acacia Reservation 26899 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst Food Service/Catering: Dino’s 216-342-4767 Achievement Centers for Children Camp Cheerful 440-238-6200 Mill Stream Run Reservation BAYarts Huntington Reservation 440-871-6543 bayarts.net Vento 440-835-4530 Brecksville Historical Society Brecksville Reservation 440-526-7165 Brecksville Stables Brecksville Reservation 440-526-6767 brecksvillestables.com Brooklyn Exchange Cabin Hinckley Reservation 330-577-8882 exchangecabin@gmail.com Chagrin Valley Trails and Riding Club South Chagrin Reservation 216-635-3200 Cleveland Natural Science Club 440-247-4005 or 440-247-0151 clevelandnaturalscienceclub.org Crooked River Archers 216-600-8028 Olmsted Historical Society Rocky River Reservation 440-779-0280 olmstedhistoricalsociety.org Rocky River Stables Rocky River Reservation 216-267-2525 valleyriding.org Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Bay Village 440-471-8357
Affiliates are supported, but not operationally-funded, by Cleveland Metroparks. These outstanding non-profit organizations depend on class fees, special events, benefactor initiatives, and your financial support to operate. Your contributions and volunteer service are encouraged.
31
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Cleveland, Ohio Permit No. 2911
4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland, Ohio 44144-1923 DATED MATERIAL DO NOT DELAY
printed on recycled paper
83rd Annual Series of Spring Bird Walks Watch the spring migrants return or travel through to their summer breeding grounds during the 83rd Annual Series of Spring Bird Walks. Cosponsored by Cleveland Metroparks, The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society and other park districts. walks are led by experienced Birders and held on Sundays through May 15 at 7:30 a.m. at the following locations:
Hiram – James H. Barrow Field Station (Hiram College), 11305 Wheeler Road, Hiram. 330-527-2141
Holden Arboretum – main parking lot off Sperry Road, Kirtland. 440-946-4400 Huntington Reservation – Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village. 440-471-8357
Lake Metroparks – Lake Erie Bluffs, 2901 Clark Road, Perry
Aurora Sanctuary – Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland
Township. 440-256-1404, ext. 2112
Sanctuary, parking lot east of Page Road on E. Pioneer Trail, east of routes 306 and 43, Aurora. 216-337-2202
Mentor Marsh – parking area on Headlands Road, Mentor.
Bedford Reservation – Hemlock Creek Picnic Area parking lot, off Button Road, Bedford. 330-715-6300
Big Creek Reservation – Lake Isaac, Big Creek Parkway, Middleburg Heights. 440-891-1710 Brecksville Reservation – Parking area at Station Road Bridge Trailhead, off Riverview Road south of route 82, Brecksville. 330-467-3664
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve – Lakefront Office parking lot, 8701 Lake Shore Boulevard, Cleveland. Exit Shoreway at Martin Luther King Boulevard, go north, follow Lake Shore Boulevard to right, turn left into first driveway on the left, bear left. 440-887-1968 Gates Mills – Various locations. Call 440-338-4923 for details Geauga Park District – Various locations, Geauga County. Call 440-286-9516 for details
Hinckley Reservation – Bridge at the south end of Hinckley Lake, on State Road, Hinckley. 330-625-5503
440-257-0777
North Chagrin Reservation – Sunset Pond, off Buttermilk Falls Parkway, Mayfield Village. 440-473-3370
Novak Sanctuary – Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland Sanctuary, parking lot north of Route 82 on Aurora Town Line Road, Aurora. 440-543-6399 Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation – Visitor Center parking lot, Whittlesey Way off E. 49th Street south of Grant Avenue, Cuyahoga Hts. 216-206-1000 Rocky River Reservation – Rocky River Nature Center parking lot, 24000 Valley Parkway (¼ mile north of Cedar Point Road), North Olmsted. 216-924-0188
Shaker Lakes – The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes parking lot, 2600 South Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights. 216-321-5935
South Chagrin Reservation – Jackson Road parking lot, off Chagrin River Road (between Miles Road and Chagrin Boulevard), Moreland Hills. 440-473-3370 Don’t miss the migration.