Looking for something new to do in your parks? It's Geauga Park District's 50th anniversary this year, and we have lots planned for you to enjoy!
Snowbelted: Winter's a Blast!
2011 Chagrin Documentary Film Festival Recap
Caveman Crawl 5K Trail Run
Observatory Park Grand Opening Event
2012 Ohio Chautauqua Visits Geauga County
Snowbelted: Winter's a Blast! Large Exhibit
Our newest large exhibit at The West Woods Nature Center, a rousing celebration of all things winter weather, open daily now through March 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There's no argument that winter's a challenge. But we thrive, don't we!
What else thrives? Why, all of our neighbors in Nature. By visiting The West Woods Nature Center, you'll meet the field/forest critters who find winter's blast an annual ordeal. See how they are adapted for survival through a host of interactive exhibits. Kids won't want to miss the Otter Banks slide and crawl-through vole tunnels...just beware of predators!
Most of us know how heavy snow can be on your shovel - but did you know weight changes with water content? Test your strength and experience the difference. Also discover the origins of winter storm systems and lake effect snow, observe how the earth's revolution gives rise to winter, and take a close look at the formation of snowflakes.
We'll help you remember winters past with archived videos and photos. You'll experience how our winter recreation has evolved from wooden skis to the Nintendo Wii. Cabin fever has always been stifling, so let's have fun playing games that have beat the winter blues through the centuries. A snowbelted Lego town will be on display courtesy of the Lego Club at Gallery West in Chardon. Plus, anyone with a photographic flair may dig the Wonders of Winter gallery, courtesy of our very own, very talented Shutterbugs Camera Club.
Sure, winter can be brutal, but it offers something for all ages, and so does Snowbelted.
Through a huge team effort, Snowbelted: Winter’s a Blast! fundraising through Geauga Park District Foundation has concluded and successfully raised $1,095 more than its goal, totaling $26,095! Sponsors includes six local companies (see below) and 67 generous Geauga County supporters (at this link) who gave between $5,000 and $10 to help underwrite the exhibit.
Snowbelted Partner ($5,000 and up)
Snowbelted Benefactor ($2,500 to $4,999)
Snowbelted Sponsor ($1,000 to $2,499)
Huntington Bank • Ralston Instruments
Snowbelted Supporter ($500 to $999)
Mar-Bal, Inc.
2011 Chagrin Documentary Film Festival Recap
Sunday, April 15, time TBD
An exciting new partnership with the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival has led to a screening of the film "Kudzu Vine" and discussion with filmmaker Tiffany Ann Laufer at The West Woods Nature Center on April 15.
The 20-minute "Kudzu Vine" documentary covers an invasive plant introduced in the southern United States. Through images of kudzu-covered forms, photographed in black and white, hand-processed 35mm Cinemascope, this ode to the climbing, trailing and coiling species evokes the agricultural history and mythic textures of the South. The film was an official selection of the October 2011 Chagrin Documentary Film Festival.
This event will also include the showing of Tiffany Ann Laufer's "If You Listen" documentary and a presentation by the filmmaker herself, whose work has been shown at AFI Fest, Comic Con, the Cleveland International Film Festival and others. Tiffany holds an MFA in Cinematography from The American Film Institute and a BA from Georgetown University.
The description of her film: "If you listen, if you watch...quietly you can hear her speak. There is a revolution taking place, not in industry, not on the farm, but on the land left behind. In vacant lots and forgotten plots there are gardens and land being transformed into a diverse and sustainable culture that in the end will help to save our seeds and biology from forces that have other interests at heart. If you listen you can hear her voice..."
Geauga Park District Land Steward Bob Lange will also discuss the film's relevant to our own ongoing management of invasive species in Geauga County parks.
Online registration and a paper registration form will be posted here soon - stay tuned!
Observatory Park Grand Opening Event
Saturday, June 16, time TBD
Stay tuned to this page for details about Observatory Park's official opening event, featuring live music in the plaza by ContraBAND!
Playing songs that cover several decades up to the current best and popular hits, ContraBAND pleases anyone looking to have a good time and listen or dance to some soulful, powerful and melodic music with a mixture of R&B, rock and pop that keeps the toes tapping.
Watch a clip of the band back when they were known as the Abydos Studio Band at this link.
2012 Ohio Chautauqua Visits Geauga County
Thursday, July 5
For the 2012 Ohio Chautauqua tour, The West Woods will host a youth program with scholar Hank Fincken from 10 to 11 a.m. and an adult program with scholar Dan Cutler from 3 to 4 p.m.
For this tour's complete schedule of events, spanning Tuesday through Saturday and ending each evening with under an old-fashioned red and white striped tent at Century Village in Burton, visit this link.
