Today
Nature for kids — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is offering a nature program about reptiles and amphibians for youngsters of all ages at 11 a.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Adults must accompany their children. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.
Contra dance — Everyone is invited to join in a contra dance with music by Hu$hmoney and caller Carol Kopp. The dance will be from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Boston Township School House at state Route 303 and Riverview Road in Peninsula. Instruction will be provided at 7 p.m. Admission is $6. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers program about dragonflies for youngsters 7 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, the location and information.
Dinner in valley— The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association is catering an outdoor bistro dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Park Place in Peninsula, off state Route 303. Call 330-657-2909, ext. 100, for prices and reservations or visit http://www.cvnpa.org.
Valley hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 7 p.m. for a five-mile hike on the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. Call 330-524-9415 for more information.
Friday
Bats in park — The Cuyahoga Valley National Park will host a bat program from 8:30 to 9:45 p.m. at the Oak Hill Trailhead off Oak Hill Road in Boston Township. The program is being sponsored by the National Park Service, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County and the Akron Zoo. The program will be canceled if it rains.
Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers program about pollinators for youngsters 7 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, the location and information.
Firestone Friday — Naturalist Mike Greene of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will speak about bugs that are good for us in a campfire program at 7 p.m. at Firestone Metro Park. Meet in the Tuscarawas Meadows Area off Harrington Road in South Akron. Bring chairs and marshmallow sticks for the campfire. For more information, call 330-865-8065.
Beaver, muskrat— Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is sponsoring Kinderealm workshops about beavers and muskrats for children 3 to 6 years old and accompanying adults at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The workshops will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. They will be held at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for reservations and information.
Brown-bag concert — Singer-songwriter Kathy Johnson will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a brown-bag concert at Akron’s historic Mustill Store. That’s off West North Street near downtown Akron. Hot dogs and drinks will be available. Sponsored by the Cascade Locks Park Association. Call 330-374-5625 for information.
Astrophotography — The Medina County Park District is staging a program about astrophotography by George Gajdos at 7 p.m. at Letha House Park, 10311 Spencer Lake Road, Chatham Township. Adults only. Registration is required. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and information.
Moon walk — The Medina County Park District is holding a moon walk at 9 p.m. at Buckeye Woods Park off state Route 162 in Lafayette Township. Free. Call 330-722-9364 for information.
Bat night II — Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville will host a nature program about bats at 8 p.m. Meet in the Carriage House Nature Center at 13480 Congress Lake Road NE, Lake Township. Call 330-877-6652 for information.
Wilderness concert — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot is staging a concert by Country Sunrise at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 15 and under, $5 if accompanied by an adult. Call 877-359-5235 for information.
Saturday
Night bike ride — Century Cycle in Peninsula is organizing a night bike ride along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley. Bicyclists will pedal 15 to 20 miles. The ride will start at 8 p.m. Helmets and bike lights are required. Meet at the bike shop on state Route 303 next to the Cuyahoga River. Call 800-201-7433 for information.
Valley hike — The National Park Service is staging a 1.4-mile hike on the Oak Hill Trail from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Oak Hill Trailhead off Oak Hill Road in Boston Township.
Marshland program — You can join in a wetlands program from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. Sponsored by the Akron Zoo, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County and the National park Service.
Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers program about the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and a hike for youngsters 4 to 6 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, the location and information.
Junior Rangers II — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers three-mile hike on the Stanford Trail for youngsters 10 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, the location and information.
Family fun — Family activities will be staged from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center off Bolanz Road in Cuyahoga Falls in the Cuyahoga Valley park. The fun will continue from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
American landscapes — The Cuyahoga Valley park’s M.D. Garage will host an exhibit, The Beautiful American Landscape, by the Crooked River Gang, a group of local painters, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The garage is off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in the hamlet of Boston.
Moonlight bike ride — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a moonlight bike ride of about 15 miles on the Towpath Trail. It will begin at 8 p.m. at the Big Bend Trailhead off Merriman Road in Sand Run Metro Park in northwest Akron. A campfire will follow. Helmets and lights are required. Call 330-865-8065 for information.
Year of Bat — Naturalist Danusia Casteel will direct a nature program about bats at 8 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. For more informatin, call 330-865-8065.
Kids’ fishing — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a kids’ fishing program at 6 p.m. at Little Turtle Pond at Firestone Metro Park. That’s at 2400 Harrington Road in South Akron. For kids 15 and under. A few rods and reels will be available. Bait will be provided. Adults must supervise but cannot fish. Call 330-865-8065 for information.
Medina reptiles — The Medina County Park District will present a nature program about the reptiles of Wolf Creek at 10 a.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. For all ages. The program is free. For more inforation, call 330-722-9364.
Walk-in beetles — The Medina County Park District is holding a walk-in nature program about beetles from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Susan Hambley Nature Center, 4173 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick. Call 330-722-9364 for information.
Bike tour — The Stark County Park District is sponsoring an adult bike tour at 10 a.m. Meet at Bottoms Park in Massillon for the 10-mile round-trip ride on the Sippo Valley Trail to Dalton. Call 330-477-3552 for information.
Wildlife rehabilitation — The Stark County Park District is holding a public open house for potential volunteers at its Sanders Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Meet at 10 a.m. at the facility at Sippo Lake Park in Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for information.
Stow hike— The Portage Trail Walkers hiking club is sponsoring a moonlit walk of six miles on the Bike & Hike Trail from Stow’s Silver Springs Park. The walk will be from 7 to 9 p.m. A potluck dinner will be served from 6 to 7 p.m. The park is off Stow Road. Call 330-673-6896 for information.
Wilderness doings — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot is holding a workshop about cooking wild herbs at 10 a.m. and a family astronomy program about lovable star patterns at 2 p.m. Call 330-359-5235 for information.
Bird banding — Mount Union College’s John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will present a bird-banding demonstration from 8 to 10 a.m. The center is on Daniel Street off state Route 183 six miles south of Alliance in Washington Township. Call 330-823-7487 for information.
Sewage-plant tour — Mount Union College’s John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center is sponsoring a tour of the Alliance sewage treatment plant from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. Call 330-823-7487 for reservations and information.
Kids’ fishing — The Ohio Division of Wildlife is offering youth fishing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and again from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in the ponds at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Coventry Township. The fishing will continue through Labor Day. Youth must be accompanied by adults but adults cannot fish but may assist. Call 330-644-2293 for information.
Open house— The Midwest Railway Preservation Society is holding a public open house from noon to 4 p.m. at its historic Baltimore & Ohio Roundhouse, 2800 W. Third St., Cleveland. Guided tours will be offered at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Wear flat shoes and dress for a railroad site. Donations are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. For information, call 216-781-3629 or visit http://www.midwestrailway.org.
Sunday
Sweet Corn Challenge— Organizers are expecting nearly 2,500 bicyclists for the 17th annual Eddy’s Bike Shop Sweet Corn Challenge in Richfield. Riders have four options: a reasonably flat 10-mile ride; a 25-miler over rolling terrain; and loops of 50 and 100 miles with difficult hills. The rides all begin at state routes 303 and 176. Parking will be available at Richfield Woods Park, Richfield Elementary School and Richfield Town Hall. Registration for the 100-mile ride starts at 7 a.m.; the 50- and 25-milers, from 8 to 9 a.m.; and the 10-miler, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The fees vary, depending on the length of the ride. Helmets are required. All riders under 18 must be accompanied by adults. The ride is sponsored by the Richfield Chamber of Commerce. The 100-mile riders will get a boxed lunch along the route and a chicken dinner at the Taverne of Richfield. Riders on the three shorter rides will get a picnic at the end of the rides. Entertainment will be provided by House of Rhythm. Call 330-659-3300 or check http://www.sweetcornride.com.
Summer butterflies — The National Park Service, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, and the Akron Zoo are teaming up to sponsor a butterfly walk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Pine Hollow Trailhead off Quick Road in Boston Township.
Morning hike — The National Park Service is staging a moderately tough seven-mile hike on the Ledges, Lake and Cross Country trails in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Ledges Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township.
Butterfly hike — Naturalist Pat Rydquist will direct a butterfly hike at 1 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. Call 330-865-8065 for information.
Towpath tour — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a bike tour of the Towpath Trail with a 37-mile ride from Massillon to Zoar and back. Meet at 9 a.m. at Ernie’s Bike Shop at state Route 21 and Lake Avenue in Massillon. There will be a lunch stop in Zoar. Helmets are required. Call 330-865-8065 for information.
Young birders — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is offering a birding field trip for youngsters at least 8 years old at 9 a.m. on the Towpath Trail. Meet at the Clinton Trailhead off North Street. Binoculars and field guides will be provided. Call 330-865-8065 for information.
Evening concert — A Flock of Flutes, seven Northeast Ohio flutists, will perform in an outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. at the Conrad Botzum Farmstead, 3486 Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls. Tickets are $18 a person. The gates open at 5 p.m. for picnics. For information, call 330-666-9686 or visit http://www.botzum.org.
Nature journals — Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville will host a workshop about nature journals at 2 p.m. Meet in the Carriage House Nature Center at 13480 Congress Lake Road NE, Lake Township. Bring your own journal or sketchbook. Some materials will be available. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant. Call 330-877-6652 for information.
Park photographers — The Medina County Park District is hosting a meeting of its park photographers club at 3 p.m. Meet at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. 330-722-9364.
Ice cream hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 2:30 p.m. for an ice cream hike in Copley Township. The hike will cover five miles in parks and on sidewalks and roads. Meet at Rizzi’s restaurant at Copley and Jacoby roads. Call 330-524-9415 for information.
Monday
Full-moon hike — The National Park Service is sponsoring a full-moon hike from 9 to 10:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. The hike will be along the 23/4-mile Tree Farm Trail. Meet at Horseshoe Pond off Major Road in Boston Township.
Nature for kids — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a nature program about wildlife signs for youngsters of all ages at 11 a.m. at the Coventry Oaks Pavilion at Firestone Metro Park. That’s off Axline Avenue in South Akron. Adults must accompany their children. 330-865-8065.
Tuesday
Trees for kids — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a nature program about trees for kids of all ages at 11 a.m. at Silver Creek Metro Park. Meet at the bath house. The park is off Hametown Road in Norton. Adults must accompany children. 330-865-8065.
Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers program about biodiversity for youngsters 7 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, the location and information.
Little Legs hike — The National Park Service is holding a Little Legs hike for youngsters 3 to 6 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Kendall Lake Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township. The discovery hike will cover less than one mile.
Mills tour — The Stark County Park District is holding a free tour of the historic Magnolia Flouring Mills in southeastern Stark County at 6 p.m. 330-477-3552.
Salamanders talk-walk — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot is holding a salamander talk and a walk from 1 to 2 p.m. 877-359-5235.
Falls strollers — The Cuyahoga Falls Strollers walking club will meet at 9 a.m. at the Quirk Cultural Center and carpool to Goodyear Heights Metro Park for a hike and lunch at the Erie Station Grill. Call 330-971-8425 for information.
Wednesday
Park concert— The bluegrass group Copus Hill will stage a free park concert at 6:30 p.m. at Howe Meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley park. That’s off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for family activities. Alcohol is prohibited. The concert will be canceled if it rains. Call 330-650-4636, ext. 228, after 2 p.m. for a weather update.
Trail run — A noncompetitive cross-country-style trail run will be held at 7 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Meet at the Pine Hollow Trailhead off Quick Road in Boston Township. Free.
Nature for kids — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is offering a nature program about reptiles and amphibians for youngsters of all ages at 11 a.m. at the Pioneer Area of Goodyear Heights Metro Park. That’s off Frazier Avenue in East Akron. Adults must accompany their children. 330-865-8065.
Wolf Creek hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township, for a leisurely three-mile hike. 330-524-9415.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.