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Program Guide Metroparks Programs: July | August | September 2011 Check out our NEW! | 1 | programs Celebrate Summer! 419-407-9701 | METROPARKSPROGRAMS.COM Contents 3 Welcome/About Metroparks SpecialSpecial EventsEvents pagepapagege 8 4 Metroparks Camps 6 Open for the Season 8 Special Events 9 Autumn Adventure 10 Sunday Sampler 12 Nature Programs 14 Programs for Kids 15 Programs for Scouts 16 Nature Photography Programs 18 Parks & Places 20 History Programs | 2 | 22 Manor House Programs 23 Toledo Botanical Garden Programs NewNew NatureNature PhotographyPhotography EExhibits,xhibits, pagepapagege 1616 23 Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District 23 Nature’s Nursery Programs 24 Volunteer Programs 26 Friends and Partners Programs 28 Members Programs 29 Program Index 33 Contacts Great Park Search page 18 34 Directory, Park Hours, Accessibility Reservations Program reservations: 419-407-9701 Online reservations: MetroparksPrograms.com Program hotline/Cancellations: 419-407-9771 Facility Rentals, page 32 Reservation Form, page 35 Volunteer Services 419-407-9703 PROGRAMS LISTED BY DATE AT METROPARKSPROGRAMS.COM Welcome Pick Your Path And Enjoy The View About Metroparks here are more than 100 miles of trails in the Metroparks of the Toledo Area Metroparks, and each mile is a path to a new adventure. is a regional system of premier T The Sand Duns (Red) Trail at Oak Openings Preserve, natural, historical and cultural for example, leads to a spectacular view of the Girdham Road parklands. A public agency serving Lucas County, Metroparks Sand Dunes. You may even see a red-headed woodpecker maintains parks and conserva- along the way as you pass through some of the best examples tion areas totaling 11,000 acres. of restored oak savanna habitat in the preserve. The park district’s mission is to enhance our quality of life and On the Prairie (Orange) Trail at Secor you might see hawks inspire preservation efforts in this searching for field mice in the tall grasses, or butterflies flitting and future generations. between the colorful wildflowers. In late summer and early fall, Hours of Operation Indian grass, blazing star, big bluestem and prairie dock color All Metroparks open daily, 7 a.m. the horizon. until dark. Admission: Free. Other hours and fees apply to specific Scenes like these are common throughout the Metroparks. attractions. The All Purpose (Brown) Trail at Swan Creek Preserve is a Programs popular trail that has a scenic overlook, views of open Metroparks programs and activi- meadows and a bridge over the creek. Bicycles are permitted ties encompass a wide variety of interests related to the park on this newly-paved trail. | | district’s purpose. Programs are 3 Pearson has both a bicycle and an exercise trail. Oak open to everyone. Children must Openings has the park system’s only horse trail – a popular be accompanied by adults unless 15-mile bridle path that leads riders through sand dunes, noted as a drop-off program. prairies, wet woods, pine forests and oak savannas. And the If you have a disabling trails at Wildwood Preserve take in stunning views of the condition and would Ottawa River as well as the historical buildings of the former like information and support for accessibility to Stranahan estate. programs, services, facilities or For a longer trail experience, there’s the 8-mile Towpath applying for a job at Metroparks, along the Maumee River, connecting Farnsworth, Bend View call 419-407-9701. Park Partners volunteers or interpret- and Providence Metroparks; the University/Parks Trail, which ers are available upon request. begins at the University of Toledo and continues to King Road Metroparks of the Toledo Area is in Sylvania, with a connector to Wildwood; and the Wabash an Equal Opportunity Employer Cannonball Trail, the region’s longest, paved trail popular with and does not discriminate in bicyclists. employment. Programs and services are available to any Many of the programs in this catalog involve a walk on one of member of the public. the Metroparks trails, but you don’t have to wait for a special Metroparks Trails invitation to enjoy them. The trails are here, every day of the Trails in each of the Metroparks year, for you to explore. offer a variety of distances and For a list of all trails, please visit MetroparksToledo.com. experiences, from winding dirt paths through the woods and Have a great summer. prairies, to hard-surface Scott Carpenter all-purpose trails suitable for bicycling and skating. Oak Director of Public Relations Openings Preserve also has horse trails. Memories Are Made At Metroparks Camps Summer Camps NEW! One-Day Camps Metroparks Explorers (Ages 5 to 6) The Art of Nature Camp (Ages 7 to 12) Butterflies, raccoons and birds, oh my! Nature is the greatest artist of all. At this Spend an exciting week discovering what special camp we use natural materials to wild things live nearby. A week of hands-on create our own works of art. Using the great activities, songs and outdoor fun awaits. outdoors as inspiration, try your hand with Home base is Wildwood Preserve with excit- clay, watercolors, natural fibers and nature ing trips planned to other Metroparks and photography. This camp includes a visit local destinations to enjoy fishing, wildlife to Metroparks National Center for Nature watching, historical tours and hands-on Photography. Camp will be held rain or nature activities. Camp will be held rain or shine with plenty of rainy day options. Bring shine with plenty of rainy day options. Bring your own lunch. Art supplies and field trip your own lunch. Equipment, supplies and transportation provided. Bring your own field trip transportation are provided. digital camera. Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall All sessions Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fee: $95 | Reservations Fee: $35 | Reservations Session 1: August 8 - August 12 Session 2: August 15 - August 19 | 4 | Nature Camp (Ages 7 to 12) Nature Camp is a week of nature exploration and discovery for kids. Each day features a new theme making this a great educational experience. Exciting trips are planned to other Metroparks and local destinations to enjoy fishing, boating, wildlife watching, historical tours and hands-on nature activities. Camp will be held rain or shine with plenty of rainy day options. Bring your own lunch. Equipment, supplies and field trip transportation are provided. Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall All sessions Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $95 | Reservations Session 1: June 20 - June 24 Session 2: June 27 - July 1 Session 3: July 11 - July 15 Session 4: July 18 - July 22 Session 5: July 25 - July 29 Session 6: August 1 - August 5 Summer camp moments: Catching your first fish. RESERVATIONS: 419-407-9701 OR METROPARKSPROGRAMS.COM Summer Camp is your child’s chance to make the kind of outdoor memories they’ll cherish forever. Splash Camp (Ages 11 to 14) own lunch. Binoculars, bird guides and Do you ever feel like a fish out of water? journals provided for use at camp. Well it’s time to get wet at Metroparks Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall new splash camp. This is a special day for Thursday, July 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 5 | canoeing, fishing and discovering the Fee: $35 | Reservations creatures that live in our waterways. Bring your own lunch. Canoes, life jackets, Ready Set...Glow! Family Camp supplies and field trip transportation Calling all night owls! The whole family will provided. enjoy this evening camp as we hike in the Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall twilight to search for deer, owls, raccoons Wednesday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and fireflies. After a night out in the park, Fee: $35 | Reservations we will return to the glow of a campfire for storytelling, songs and s’mores. Camp Camp Feather (Ages 11 to 14) will be held rain or shine with plenty of Let your imagination take flight at this rainy day options. Equipment, supplies and special camp designed just for bird lovers. s’mores are provided. Children must be 5 Experience a live bird banding demonstra- years and older. Register all family mem- tion; then learn to identify birds simply bers attending. by looking at their feathers and listening Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings to their calls. By the end of this camp you Lodge will have the knowledge to start your own Friday, July 8, 6 to 10 p.m. birding journal. Home base is Wildwood Fee: $10 | Reservations Preserve. Camp will be held rain or shine with plenty of rainy day options. Bring your Registration for all camps is now open. Applications for financial assistance are available for all camps. Call 419-407-9701. RESERVATIONS: 419-407-9701 OR METROPARKSPROGRAMS.COM Open for the Season Schedule a private tour of a Metroparks Oak Grove School attraction for your youth or adult club for a Meet our 19th century school marm and nominal fee. Call 419-407-9701, for details experience how much education has and to schedule your next unique outing changed in the past 100 years. The one-room today. Oak Grove School, located at the East Entrance to Wildwood Preserve, is the perfect place to Wildwood Manor House spend an afternoon. Call for reservations. The stunning Georgian Colonial style (See History listing for programs) mansion at Wildwood Preserve stands as one of Toledo’s architectural icons. Enjoy free The Canal Experience guided or self-guided tours every weekend at Relax and let the Providence mules pull you this 32,000 square foot Depression era home back to the year 1876 aboard a replica canal and learn about the region’s rich history.