Have you ever seen a Queen snake?

Queen snake

The Queen snake is a small, harmless snake that lives along rocky ponds and rivers, including the Grand River in Lake County.  They have the most specialized diet of any snake in Ohio, eating only crayfish.  These have become uncommon in Ohio, and they are protected as a Species of Concern. 

River Jamboree

Hidden Valley Park

Sunday, July 14 • 1 to 4 pm

To learn more about Queen snakes and the other reptiles and amphibians that live in the Grand River, swim, hop or slither down to the river at Lake Metroparks' annual River Jamboree. This year we will get up-close and personal with some of the Grand River’s more intimidating creatures: snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders.

Head down to the river to look for

• Northern Water Snake
• Snapping Turtle
• Green Frog
• Bullfrog
• Pickerel Frog

Other activities:

• Live reptile and amphibians on display
• Get your feet wet on a guided search to find wild snakes, frogs and more
• Reptile and amphibian related games and activities
• Receive a FREE reptile or amphibian guide
• FREE Public Access of Waterways (Rivers edition) 
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Admission

Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

Cick here to register online or call registration at 

440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.

New harbor view platform installed on the beach at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park

Harbor view platform provides new access to the beach for those with mobility impairments.

A new harbor view platform awaits visitors to the beach at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park this season. The T-shaped beach-level wooden platform extends from the parking lot toward Lake Erie. Wooden benches are available at both ends of the platform for visitors to sit and enjoy the view of the harbor.

“This platform allows seniors and others with mobility impairments to get from the parking lot down to beach where they can see the sunset and lighthouse,” said Lake Metroparks Executive Director Paul Palagyi.

The idea for the harbor view platform came from a group of Metroparks staff members that analyzed all of the agency’s programs and properties to look for ways to increase accessibility to the parks for seniors and the mobility impaired. The beach-level platform is being built by Lake Metroparks employees.

 “We expect to have it done by Memorial Day,” Palagyi said.

Lake Metroparks successfully releases rehabilitated American bald eagle to the wild

An American bald eagle was brought to the Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center by ODNR Division of Wildlife officer Scott Denamon April 1, 2013. The eagle was found in the Chagrin River at Pleasant Valley Park Willoughby Hills. The eagle’s injuries included soft tissue damage in the right wing. It also displayed a wing droop in the same wing.

Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center trained staff provided professional supportive care, physical therapy and exercise in flight cage. The eagle recently performed well during a recent creance (flight in field using tether), and the staff felt confident that his release would be successful.

 

Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center is currently caring for three American bald eagles, which underscores the success story of the improving numbers of this once Federally Endangered species.  The other injured bird has a broken wing and still recovering from surgery. 

The third bird is our permanent resident, Apollo, a juvenile eagle, not yet white in the head and tail, with a permanent wing injury He was hatched from a Lake County nest on private properly and is not able to be released due to his wing injury. Apollo is on display in the wildlife center yard at Penitentiary Glen Reservation daily.

Click to watch release of Bald Eagle on YouTube