Grab the fishing gear and go fishing this weekend...for FREE!

Grab the fishing gear and go fishing this weekend...for FREE!Ohio residents may fish in all of Ohio's public waters...

A largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, hunting among water plants.
Photo (George Grall Getty Images/National Geographic Creative) 

What animal walked through here?

Tracking Winter Wildlife
By Andy Avram, Interpretive Manager

A fresh coating of snow lies over the land, disturbed only by a single line of footprints. These tracks offer us a glimpse into this animal’s life—a few pages of its story on this winter day. What animal walked through here? What was it doing and where did it go?

By examining the size, shape and pattern we can tell it was a small mammal, likely a meadow vole. Following the tracks we see it burrowed into the snow as the tracks end in a small tunnel, about the diameter of a quarter, but resurface a couple feet away to carry on the journey. The tracks stop by some nibbled vegetation where the vole had a bite to eat, but suddenly the footprints become widely spaced as if the vole was startled into running away. It ran a short distance before the prints simply vanish. Looking next to the area where the footprints disappeared, we see what looks like brush strokes in the snow and realize our little friend was captured and carried off by a hawk or owl. Our footprint story ends here, but the bird of prey’s story continues on.

It is stories like these that make hiking in the winter so much fun, but we know that it sometimes takes a little extra motivation to leave a nice cozy home to brave the outdoors. Animal tracks, birds, trees and even interesting insects that crawl on top of the snow can be found all winter long and Lake Metroparks offers a number of opportunities to get out with a naturalist to discover these. 

For general nature try a Winter Nature Walk. If you would like a more in-depth program to learn about and look for animal tracks, join us for Wildlife Tracking.

Wildlife Tracking
January 24 at Veterans Park
February 28 at Pete’s Pond Preserve

Winter Nature Walk
February 21 at Penitentiary Glen Reservation

These programs are free. To register (required), click on the link provided. Registration may also be made by phone at 440-639-7275 or in person at the Registration  Department at Concord Woods between 8 and 4:30 pm.

You think this is for the birds? You're right!

115th annual Christmas Bird Count

Celebrated across North America (and Lake Metroparks)  

Gully Brook Park (December 20 at 8:30 am)
Penitentiary Glen Reservation (December 27 at 8 am)


Do you love birds? Join Lake Metroparks and participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count, the longest running Citizen Science project in the world.

The Christmas Bird Count, presented by the National Audubon Society, is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the US, Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere count all the bird species and number of birds within a designated 15 mile radius in one 24 hour period.

Lake Metroparks is looking for as many eyes and ears to help us get as accurate a count as possible. All the data is turned in to National Audubon for a full tally from across Lake County, Northeast Ohio, Ohio and all of North America. Teams of birders venture out on foot, while “feeder” watchers keep track in back yards. A number our parks are included in the count territories.

Click here for a map of the circles that take in Lake County.
(Enter Lake County, Ohio into the search bar on the map)

Come join the fun on Saturday December 20 at 8:30 am at Gully Brook Park on River Road in Willoughby, where members of the Burroughs Nature Club will lead a hike and then move on to Pete’s Pond Preserve in Wickliffe for more birding, finishing up around lunchtime. Registration not required. Free

Go on a hike with members from the Blackbrook Audubon Society at Penitentiary Glen Reservation on Saturday December 27 at 8 am until 10 am to discover what the nature center trails and feeders have to offer. You do not have to be an expert “birder” to enjoy this outing, just a lover of birds. Register online for this hike. FREE

For more information the Christmas Bird Count, call 440 256-1404 and ask for Pat or Ann or visit http://birds.audubon.org/faq/cbc.

Learn more about birding in Lake County.

Beat the Heat with Wet Feet

Lake Metroparks is fortunate to have a multitude of parks that provide access to our local rivers and Lake Erie.  During the heat of summer some of these locations offer great opportunities to cool off with a hike through the water.  Our local waters are important homes for many plants and animals, so while hiking around keep your eyes open for fish, frogs, crayfish or even a Bald Eagle. 

The following are some of our favorite places for a creek or river hike:

Indian Point Park – From the lower parking lot you can readily enter Paine Creek.  You can hike upstream to the Seeley Road bridge or take a shorter, easier hike downstream where the stream empties into the Grand River.

Helen Hazen Wyman Park – Kellogg Creek, Big Creek and the Grand River all come together at this park.  The best creek hiking though is in Big Creek where the clear shallow waters offer excellent opportunities to explore. 

Hidden Valley Park – The Grand River is the largest and deepest river in the county, but just beyond the shelter is a wide, shallow area perfect for wading.  So grab the family and some hot dogs for a picnic and an afternoon of splashing in the river.

Lake Erie has some great natural beaches to walk along while the waves splash at your feet.  Our favorite locations are:

Lake Erie Bluffs – The longest stretch of natural Lake Erie beach in the park district offers you a chance to walk the .71-miles from one park entrance to the other.  Keep cool by walking along the edge of the surf, while experiencing this amazing natural area.

Lakeshore Reservation – Two sets of stairs border a stretch of natural Lake Erie beach nearly a half mile long.  You can sit in the shade of some of the overhanging trees or wade into the lake to cool off. 

For more information and directions to the parks, visit lakemetroparks.com.

 

Don’t let cabin fever keep you indoors!

Get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter. Experience the woodlands as a Lake Metroparks naturalist guides you on a nature hike through field, forest and stream.

Winter Hike
Sunday, February 9, 2014 • 1 to 4 pm
Penitentiary Glen Reservation

 

Two hikes are available to choose from; each varying in length and terrain.

1. An interpretive hike about three miles long with a few stops along the way.
2. Self-guided trail options for families with young children or more limited mobility. Easy-to-follow trail maps are available in the Nature Center.

A Winter Hike patch and a commemorative year patch are presented to all participants.

After completing the hike, warm yourself by a roaring campfire complete with s’mores. Stop by the Wildlife Center to see some of our native wildlife up close. Enjoy hot soup and beverages served inside the comfortable Nature Center and listen to the sounds of folk music performed by Ernest Elshaw. Stop by The Nature Store to see hiking-inspired deals for the whole family!

Hikers are reminded of the importance of wearing comfortable footwear which is sturdy, warm and water-repellent. Hiking boots are recommended as the trails maybe snow- and/or mud-covered. Remember to dress in warm, comfortable layers. For more winter safety tips, visit lakemetroparks.com.

Pre-registration is requested for Winter Hike at Penitentiary Glen.

 

Patch, s’mores, soup and beverages are all included in registration fee. Program is $8 per person, all ages welcome, under 18 with an adult, please.

Register online or call Lake Metroparks registration at 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226. Program is $8 per person, all ages welcome, under 18 with an adult, please.

 

Photo by Maribeth Joeright for The News-Herald.

Can people benefit from feeding the birds?

 

Winter Bird Open House

Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Sunday, January 26, 2014 • 12 to 4 pm • FREE

 

Feeding and watching the birds in your yard are great ways to “connect with nature.” Spend a cozy winter afternoon at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center learning all about winter birds.

 

The Winter Bird Open House features free, fun activities for the whole family! Relax with a hot drink, watch the birds at our feeders in the award-winning Window on Wildlife and ask a Naturalist all your bird and bird feeding questions. Chat with us about which types of feed specific birds like, the different styles of birdfeeders, the ins and outs of binoculars, and identifying the Top Ten Birds in your backyard this winter.

Ongoing activities

•Short presentations on common winter birds
•Learn about Binoculars, Feeders, and Bird field guides
•Bird Scavenger Hunts and quizzes
•Help us count the birds at our feeders for Project FeederWatch
•Drawing for FREE bird-related items
•Local Audubon Society display

 

Click here for directions and a listing of additional activities to do while visiting Penitentiary Glen Reservation.



$100K Grant from the Cleveland Foundation’s Lake-Geauga Fund Elevates Plan for Lake Metroparks Tower

Lake Metroparks has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation for the construction of an impressive observation tower at the agency’s newest park – Lake Erie Bluffs in Perry Township. The new park provides visitors with access to almost two miles of undeveloped Lake Erie shoreline through two access points off of Lane Road and Clark Road.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Cleveland Foundation, the addition of this 50-foot coastal observation tower will serve as a cornerstone of this amazing 600-acre Lake Erie Bluffs Park,” said Paul Palagyi, executive director of Lake Metroparks. “This tower will give visitors an impressive panoramic view of Lake Erie, the shoreline and the landscape of central Lake County.”

The 50-foot high observation tower will be situated overlooking the lakeshore with multiple viewing platforms along a staircase that will culminate in a deck featuring 360-degree views. The height and location of the tower will provide visitors with a unique view of the lake and the surrounding woods, fields and wetlands along with the associated wide-range of wildlife – particularly the large number of bald eagles that are regularly seen at the park. The south shore of Lake Erie is known worldwide as an important corridor for bird migration. As songbirds migrate north in spring and south in fall, large concentrations of birds can be witnessed migrating around the smallest of the Great Lakes, sticking close to the shoreline.

“The view of the lake and this amazing park is about to be raised to new heights,” said Frank Polivka, President of the Lake Metroparks’ Board of Park Commissioners. “Thanks in large part to the grant from the Cleveland Foundation, visitors to the park will have an amazing view our greatest natural resource – Lake Erie.”

“The Lake-Geauga Fund of the Cleveland Foundation values its long-standing partnership with Lake Metroparks,” said Robert E. Eckardt, executive vice president of the Cleveland Foundation. “This is the second centennial grant made by the Lake-Geauga Fund in recognition of our upcoming 100-year milestone in 2014. We are pleased to support all efforts that celebrate and preserve the unmatched natural resources and beauty of this region for future generations.”

Construction of the tower is scheduled to begin next spring. Total cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $200,000-$250,000.

Lake Erie Bluffs: A successful modern conservation project

 

Many Northeast Ohioans recognize the value of Lake Erie.
Now they have a park that features this natural wonder
in Lake County’s front yard.

Lake Erie Bluffs is nationally significant: The 600-acre Lake Erie Bluffs property will permanently protect a significant amount of wetland, meadow and mostly undeveloped lakefront habitat used by rare and common plant and animal species.
 
Amazingly, the property remains largely unspoiled by previous development. The mix of 40-foot high beach bluffs and open sandy and cobble beach across 9,000 feet of shoreline are the site’s dominant features. The beach area hosts trees, shrubs and small plants including the majority of the park’s rare plants.



The development of Lake Erie Bluffs was made possible with help from a wide range of committed partners. Working together, this collaborative effort secured more than $10 million in local, state and federal competitive grants and donations to purchase the $11 million property. More than 1.6 miles of undeveloped shoreline and nearly 600 acres of diverse and important natural habitat are now protected by Lake Metroparks thanks to the help of many valuable partners.

 

Over the past several years, Lake Metroparks worked with various local conservation partners to complete a detailed study of the Lake Erie Bluffs site and together they produced a conceptual master plan that illustrated how conservation, recreation and economic development can all be sustained within and around the project area. The shared vision and commitment to promote and integrate the value of conservation efforts within existing local and regional planning groups and agencies was a result of funding from the Cleveland Foundation’s Lake-Geauga Fund.

Visitors will now enjoy low-impact recreational activities such as hiking and fishing at both locations accessible to the public. Improvements made to enhance public use include parking lots, restrooms and installation of gravel trails with a scenic overlooks and a grand access point to a natural beach along Lake Erie at each location.



Lake Erie Bluffs provides public access to Lake Erie and protects habitat used by rare species including:

• Bald eagle • Merlin • White-eyed vireo • Least flycatcher
• Willow flycatcher • Yellow-breasted chat
• Purple sand grass • Fringed gentian • Seaside spurge
• Smallmouth salamander • Hairy-necked tiger beetle
• Various other rare plants

Walk the stalk: Wind your way through the three-acre corn maze at Farmpark

 

Do you have a good sense of direction?  Here’s a chance to test your skill as you ”walk the stalk” through a multitude of twists and turns through a three-acre corn maze at Lake Metroparks Farmpark.   Trivia questions are posted throughout the maze to help guide you along the way. Answer the questions correctly and you will proceed on the correct path.  Outside the main entrance to the maze is a kids play area. Take pictures of your children throughout the maze and in the farm-themed character cutouts and tag Lake.Metroparks on Facebook and @Lake_Metroparks on Twitter.

 

The three-acre corn maze at Farmpark is open 11 am to 4 pm daily through October 13, weather and field conditions permitting.  To check the conditions of the maze call Farmpark at 440-256-2122 or 800-366-FARM.

 

The corn maze is included with regular daytime Farmpark admission.   Admission to Lake Metroparks Farmpark is $6 for ages 12 to 59; Seniors 60 and over, $5; for youth 2 to 11, $4; children under 2 and Farmpark members are free.

 

The corn maze is also included with admission to the following events at Farmpark:

• Lake Metroparks Senior Day (September 12)
• Village Peddler Festival (September 14 & 15)
• Fall Harvest Festival (September 21 & 22)
• Barnyard BBQ Bash (October 5)
• Corn and Pumpkin Harvest Weekend (October 12 & 13)

The maze will be open weather and conditions permitting.



Spend the night in the parks

Lake Metroparks introduces tent camping in five parks

In an effort to provide more opportunities to enjoy our parks, Lake Metroparks is expanding its camping opportunities to include tent camping so campers may experience unique natural features and the great outdoors. Staff created sites to highlight different natural resources, thus providing a variety of camping experiences.

These new opportunities offer a “primitive” experience for small groups of up to eight people staying in tents. Campers must hike about ¼-mile to more than a mile or paddle to the campsites. 

Each location is different, and there is only one campsite per park to provide a quiet, intimate natural experience—much different than crowded campgrounds. There is a lakeside site on Hidden Lake, a site high on the bluffs over the Grand River, a creekside site along Big Creek and two different riverside sites along the Grand River.

The paddle-in sites may require a 3- to 8-mile paddle by canoe or kayak to reach the campsite. The idea is to paddle a stretch of the Grand River  spend the night under the stars and then paddle another stretch the next day. Imagine paddling 27 miles and spending two nights on the wild and scenic Grand River  That is now possible in your Lake Metroparks.

Each site has a designated area to pitch a tent, a place to build a fire, a grill and a picnic table. The sites do not have restrooms, running water or trash cans. Campers are expected to practice a “leave no trace” camping ethic including carrying in and carrying out all supplies and trash, with the goal of leaving the area better than it was found. 

Sites are available from May 1 until October 31 and subject to temporary closure due to high water or extremely wet conditions.

Click here for a list of campsite locations, reservation procedure and the rules and regulations for tent camping in Lake Metroparks.

Deer exclosure at Veterans Park

If you have driven past Veterans Park on Hopkins Road recently, you probably have noticed a large fenced area in the woods adjacent to the parking lot. This 10 x 20-meter structure is a deer exclosure, one of seven that are monitored by Lake Metroparks throughout the county. This area was selected after so many of the mature trees were taken down by the devastating winds of Hurricane Sandy.

If you are looking for a white-tailed deer inside the exclosure, you won’t see one. The space is designed to keep deer out to monitor the plants inside versus the plants on the outside. this will provide an index of what the impact of browse is by the white-tailed deer on that plant community.

The deer exclosure will have an important interpretive value to the public as, literally, they will see the structure from the parking lot and learn from it what impact it has on protecting the plant life within.

A small deer herd only makes a small impact, but too many deer consume the seeds of a forest’s future growth. Over time, these impacts create a visible browse line in the forest (see above).

Tom Adair, Parks Services Director, in an interview on the "Around Town" program on Mentor TV, said with the elimination of plant life, we will see a related loss or decrease in the diversity of insect life, bird life and mammal life as it relates to Veterans Park.

"Lake Metroparks has monitored the growth of white trillium in this area over the past 10 to 15 years and we have records that showed us that there were over 1,000 white trillium on a small plot, a 10' x 10' area," said Adair. "That site within the past two to three years has yielded no more than a dozen white trillium."

Plants inside the fenced area at Veterans Park are now protected from deer. Over time, this will show us how a healthy forest in Northeast Ohio can recover.

Click here to watch the video. The deer exclosure is the first segment of the program.

Discover Maple Syrup

By Christina Bellas, Farmpark Interpretation & Education Manager

What is a harbinger of spring that comes from a maple tree? What special edible liquid is boiled to more than 200 degrees and comes from a maple tree? What has the same calcium content as whole milk and comes from a maple tree? Maple syrup! In our program Discover Maple Syrup, offered mid-February to mid-March, children in kindergarten through fifth grade discover the science behind the maple tree and how we use its sap to produce maple syrup. 

Learn more about Lake Metroparks education programs.

Did you know that a maple tree can’t lie about its age, its tree rings or growth rings give its age away? Children are able to investigate a tree cookie (a slice of the tree trunk) where they can count the rings and discover other interesting features of the tree’s life. Tree cookies can show harm done by weather or bugs many years after the damage occurred. By looking deeply into the tree itself and studying a tree trunk diagram, the children find that maple trees produce sap as food for themselves. How we gather and process that sap is where a visit to the Woodland Center sugar house comes in. There they see how technology plays a big part in the production of maple syrup, from the spile in the tree where the sap comes out, to the tank that holds the sap, to the equipment that boils it into the sweet golden syrup we all love.

While touring the Woodland Center students learn sugar making terms. We “tap” a tree to gather the “sap;” we hope for just the right weather forecast, cool nights and sunny days, so the sap will ”run;” and the “sugar house” is where all the “boiling” takes place. A “reverse osmosis” machine removes water from the sap and our wood fired “evaporator” holds the sap while it’s boiling into syrup. A computer monitors the evaporator and draws off the sap when it becomes the right syrup consistency.

The students learn that it’s all about the trees when making syrup. Farmpark is located in an exclusive section of the world where maple trees grow and thrive. The land of maple sugaring is limited to the northeastern section of North America, occurring only in the late winter/early spring of the year and production depends greatly on just the right weather conditions. In a classroom, it’s sometimes hard to describe to the students about the flowers, leaves and seeds of the beautiful sugar maple tree, but at Farmpark they can see the maple tree in action. Though we might not have the goose that lays the golden egg, we do have the trees that provide the golden syrup.

Links

Lake Metroparks

Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Lake Metroparks Education

Maple Sugaring Experience Program

Maple Sugaring Weekend

Lake Erie Bluffs - Breathtaking scenery with beach access

Lake Erie Bluffs opens to the public June 30, 2012

Overlook at Lake Erie Bluffs

This 139-acre wooded parcel along the shore of Lake Erie in Perry Township provides public access to a beautiful stretch of natural beach. Lake Erie Bluffs hugs the lakeshore offering visitors a bird’s-eye view from the scenic overlook of the beauty and drama of the ever-changing Lake Erie. Throughout all seasons, the lives of resident and migrant birds are greatly influenced by this amazing natural resource. Park hours: Sunrise to sunset.

Click here for a list of park amenities and directions to Lake Erie Bluffs.

Visitors can enjoy low-impact recreational activities such as hiking and fishing at this new park. Improvements made to enhance public use include a parking lot, picnic areas, restrooms, and installation of a half mile-long loop gravel trail with a scenic overlook and a grand access point to a natural beach along Lake Erie. 

When you visit Lake Erie Bluffs, let us know your thoughts about this new treasure. 
Tweet @Lake_Metroparks and include #LakeErieBluffs in your message.

A Local Natural Area with National Significance

In 2004, a Presidential Task Force developed solutions to restore the Great Lakes. The resulting Great Lakes Regional Collaborative Strategy (GLRCS) generated nine priorities to restore the Great Lakes including “a need for significantly more habitat conservation and species management.” Preservation of prime natural coastline, such as Lake Erie Bluffs, contributes to the overall health of the Great Lakes region.

Natural Beach at Lake Erie Bluffs

Lake Erie Bluffs is easily accessible and is located within a half-mile of the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail—Ohio’s 293-mile National Scenic Byway that passes through quaint communities and historical sites, and connects a myriad of natural and cultural features including coastal marshes, prairies, rivers, waterfalls, museums and lighthouses.

This project was funded in part by NOAA, Ohio Costal Management Program, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District, The Trust for Public Land, and the Clean Ohio Fund.

Rare Species

Lake Erie Bluffs permanently protects a significant amount of wetland, meadow and lakefront habitat used by rare and common plant and animal species.  Beaches are very dynamic. Annual fluctuations in Great Lakes water levels and even one severe storm can wipe out a population of plants or bring in new seeds or roots to establish new plant communities.

Click here to see what some of the nearly 20 rare species that have been found and documented at Lake Erie Bluffs. 

A Paine Full Day

Originally posted by Campbell Outdoors

 

As the sun rose over the Chagrin River a hot chrome hen tail-walked in the mist across the river.  It's gonna be a good day Tater!

It's always nice to start the day on familiar waters.  The Chag didn't let me down yesterday.  I fished her for a couple of hours and moved on to the Grand River.

The Grand's flow was finally coming down, but when I arrived on the scene, the visibility was still pretty poor.  What to do?

A friend recently told me to consider Paine Creek sometime when the major tribs are blown.  I had already seen a couple other Grand River feeder creeks and they were low and clear (even less ideal).  But Paine Creek is supposed to be very scenic and boasts a well known waterfall.  So, I thought I would waste some time surveying the creek and just enjoy the hike.  Any fish would be a bonus.  My hope was that the Grand would continue to improve and I could get back to her later.

Upon arriving at the creek, I noticed there were several Lake Metroparks trucks in the area with numerous rangers trolling up and down the creek on all-terrain vehicles with large tanks on them. I stopped and talked to the rangers.  They were stocking rainbow trout in the creek.

This is not my style of fishing, but I had time to burn.  I joked to one of the rangers that had I known this situation was going to arise today, I would have brought my 3wt rod.  He immediately responded, "You better stick to that heavy rod.  We've stocked some really large rainbows and some extra steelhead from the hatchery are mixed in as well."

So, I started my hike up the creek.  All I can say is that this is a stunning creek.  The hike alone was worth the day.

I tied on a single egg pattern and a small beadhead Prince nymph.  The flow in the creek was pretty low, so I decided a tiny strike indicator might be helpful.  I made a drift across a deep hole and quickly caught a feisty little bow.

I continued to make my way up this majestic creek enjoying my Friday smoke and catching rainbows left and right.  And yes, I was routinely catching fish in the 20" range...which is what I thought the ranger meant by "steelhead size."

I fished that creek from about 11:00am until 5:00pm and had a ball.  I endured a couple of thunderstorms.  I suspect I caught 30-40 rainbows along the way.  All the while I was thinking how great would it be to have my kids with me?

I wanted to head back down to the main river and make a few swings for some fresh chrome.  As I walked down the creek, I noticed a couple of large shadows in a pool.  I was not sure if they were steelhead or maybe even carp.  I made a drift through the pool and a huge rainbow came up and hit my strike indicator.  Pellet-head!  I made a 2nd drift and he hit the indicator again.  Strangely, I don't carry any dry flies or strike indicators with hooks in them in my steelhead box.  I made a third drift and this time my indicator stopped cold and something HUGE came out of the water with my CopperJohn in it's mouth.  It was on!

This thing was powerful and energized.  Man did it have shoulders on it.  I knew it was big, but sometimes it's just hard to tell how big until it hits the net.  I had the fish near the net for a moment and it shot off again.  In that moment I saw the girthiest rainbow of my life.  This thing had king salmon shoulders on it.

The fish and I went back and forth several times and finally I got it in the net.  HEAVY!  This fish had to weigh 15lbs.  I measured the fish and it was 30" long and 20 inches in girth.  WHAT?  I'll tell you what.  We call that a Pellet-Hog.  It was a steelhead, but it had to be a stocker from the hatchery.  No steelhead out of the lake hits your strike indicator.

As I was leaving the creek, I ran into the rangers again.  They were coming in to do a little fishing themselves.  I mentioned the fish I had just caught.  The ranger just laughed and said, "I told you that heavy rod would be fine.  Those fish are from the Castalia Hatchery and they threw in a few of their big steelhead stock as well."

Kudos to the Lake Metroparks for putting together such a nice stocking program on their creeks.  As I thought about it through the day, I remembered, the point of this blog is to help folks with limited time maximize there time in the outdoors.  So yea, across the board, I really don't like to chase stockies.  But, when your time is limited, I have to tell you...you can't beat this little Paine Creek for a good time.  It may not be Montana, but when you see the beauty of the creek and bring a few nice rainbows to hand, you'll be glad you took a few hours out of your week to be there.  I liked it so much, I'm going to take one of my daughters back today.  I can't wait to share it with her!

UPDATE: 4/3/11 - I received word from another local fisheries biologist concerning the big TOAD this morning.  He said he was stocking some of their streams yesterday and they use the same supplier as Lake Metroparks.  The same gentleman supplied the fish for Paine Creek last Friday.  He said he did NOT put any 10lb+ fish in Paine Creek and that slab has to be from the Lake Erie.  Interesting.  I have seen steelhead surface and I read reports every year about them being caught on dry flies.  I have never had one repeatedly hit a strike indicator.  I guess that's what happens when steelhead don't read the books we write about them ;)  

Lake Metroparks preserves maple woodland through maple sugaring

Lake Metroparks preserves 27 acres of maple woodland through the conservation efforts of the maple sugaring program at Farmpark. Be part of this conservation effort with an opportunity to adopt a tap and enjoy a unique maple experience while supporting Farmpark’s maple operation.

Maple Sugaring Weekend
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
March 10 & 11 • 9 am to 5 pm

Ever wonder how maple syrup is produced?  

Tap into the fun and discover how 100% pure maple syrup is made during Maple Sugaring Weekend. At Farmpark, you can watch the entire process as the sap is collected, boiled, and turned into maple syrup and other products. New this year, through the use of reverse-osmosis, over 50% of the water is removed from the sap prior to boiling which saves both time and resources.

Throughout the weekend, demonstrations offer hands-on opportunities to learn about the maple sugaring process. Help tap a tree and gather sap used to make maple syrup. You’ll even learn how you can make maple syrup in your own backyard. A video about the production of maple syrup is online at lakemetroparks.com on the Maple Sugaring Weekend page. Maple sugaring activities and demonstrations include:

• Maple flavored ice cream making
• Sugar bush and maple conservation tours
• Make a model mokuk (bark bucket)
• Silver dollar pancake samples
• Horse-drawn sap gathering
• Hand tree tapping
• Sugar making
• Maple leaf craft
• History of maple sugar exhibit 

 

Sample the delicious end product with freshly made maple syrup and maple sugar. Maple stirs available for purchase to make your own tasty treat. Take some of Farmpark’s very own pure maple syrup and other maple items home to enjoy. Maple products are available for sale in the Woodland Science Center and Gift Shop.

Maple Sugaring Weekend pours into Farmpark March 10 and 11. Hours are 9 am – 5 pm. For more information, visit lakemetroparks.com or call 440-256-2122 or 800-366-3276.  

If you can’t join us this weekend then mark your calendars as maple maple activities and pancake breakfasts will also be offered March 17 and 18.

Kids Explore the Outdoors this Summer at a Lake Metroparks Day Camp!

Hey moms and dads: let your children explore the outdoors this summer at a summer day camp with Lake Metroparks.  Children ages five to 16 will experience the outdoors this summer while participating in one or more of the 50 offerings available.  Lake Metroparks summer day camps offer hands-on fun and educational activities including nature, farming, fishing, wildlife, boating, field trips, and so much more.  Camps are held at various parks throughout Lake County and are led by qualified staff.   Extended care is available for some camps.

A complete listing of Lake Metroparks summer day camps is available online at lakemetroparks.com and in the Spring Parks Plus! activity guide.

 


Pre-registration is required to participate in Lake Metroparks Summer Day Camps and/or the extended hours offerings.  Registration for Lake County residents begins at 8:00 am Thursday, March 1.  Open registration begins 8:00 am March 8. Registration for camps is available online at lakemetroparks.com or by calling 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.  In person registration is available at the Lake Metroparks Registration Office located at 11211 Spear Rd in Concord Twp.   Registration for extended care is available by phone or in person only.

Enjoy the benefits of a Winter Hike

Come on…get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter woodlands on a guided nature hike with Lake Metroparks naturalists. What could be better than a hike, campfire, warm food and music to cure your cabin fever! Winter Hike activities will step off at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19. 

There are four hikes, varying in length and terrain, from which hikers may choose.

1. An interpretive hike about three miles long with a few stops along the way.
2. A shorter and easier hike for novice hikers.
3. Fast walkers who want to get some fresh air and enjoy the park.
4. A self-guided short trail option for families with young children or more limited mobility. Easy-to-follow trail maps are available in the Nature Center.

Enjoy hot soup and beverages served inside the comfortable Nature Center after the hike and enjoy live folk music, all included in the program fee. Outdoors, the warmth of a roaring campfire will be ready with s’mores for everyone.

All participants receive a Winter Hike patch and an add-on year patch. 

Hikers are reminded of the importance of wearing comfortable footwear which is sturdy, warm and water-repellent. Hiking boots are recommended as the trails maybe snow- and/or mud-covered. Remember to dress in warm, comfortable layers. For more winter safety tips, visit lakemetroparks.com. 

Registration Information

Pre-registration is required for participation in the Winter Hike at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. Register online at lakemetroparks.com or call registration at 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226. Program is $8 per person, all ages welcome, under 18 with an adult, please.

Directions
Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd in Kirtland. Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.