Programs

Rock Talk

Do you have a favorite rock sitting around your home? Not sure what it is? Bring it to Ford Nature Center to meet with a Park Educator to learn how to identify your rock and how it was formed. Please bring a rock! Park Educator will be on site from 2 - 4 pm to answer your questions about your rock and have others on display for you to learn about. Walk-ins welcomed. No registration required. FREE

Ready, Set, GROW Gardening Program

Ready, Set, GROW is a weekly gardening program for a child and an adult partner (Children must be in Grade 2 or older). The duo will join Park educators to learn the basics for growing their own garden. Each duo will have their own 3'x 10' raised garden bed to plant, tend, and harvest all summer long at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield. This program meets on Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:30pm from March 26th through August 27th and includes lessons on basic gardening skills, hands-in-the-dirt time in your own garden, cooking, and other garden-related activities. At the first session on Thursday, March 26th you will be introduced to gardening by planting your own seeds to take home. All materials (garden bed, plants, seeds, tools, etc.) will be provided. Registration required. Register/pay by 3/19, online or call 330.740.7107 x 129. $150 for each adult/child pair.

Traveling Naturalist: Lily Pond

Our Traveling Naturalist is back on the road! Stop by the Lily Pond for a wildlife touch table and Q&A with a Park Educator. Hot chocolate available first come first served! All are invited to stop by to chat. Call 330.740.7107 x 129 for details. FREE

Creature Feature: Family Owl Pellet Dissection

Learn about the secretive world of owls! Bring the family to enjoy an educational, interactive program about Northeast Ohio's owls. Then, dissect an owl pellet and get up close in personal with an owl's lunch. Family members of any age are welcome, however due to small parts only ages 6+ may dissect an owl pellet. Register/pay by 3/26, online or call 330.740.7107 x 129. No walk-ins. No pets. $5

Earth Hour Night Hike

Lights out! Take a night hike to celebrate Earth Hour at Collier Preserve. Learn about how the natural world depends upon the dark. Ages 12+. Difficulty: Moderate. 1.5-2mi. Registration required. Register by 3/26, online or call 330.740.7107 x 129. No walk-ins. No pets. FREE

Fishing in the Park

Join us at for a fun evening of fishing! This outing is primarily for youth anglers ages 3-12 years old and will take place at the Lake Newport Boathouse off of W. Newport Drive. Fishing equipment and bait is provided for all registered youth participants. A valid fishing license is required for participants 16+ years old. Call Wick Recreation Area for more details.

Birding the George L. Fordyce Park

Enjoy birding with Jeff Harvey on this early morning hike at the George L. Fordyce Park, 2650 W. Calla Rd. Space limited. Boots required. Moderate. 1.25 mi. Ages 8+. Register by 4/16, online or call 330.740.7107 x 129. FREE

MetroMutts: Daffodil Meadow Hike

Spring is in the air at Mill Creek MetroParks! Join us for an easy 1-mile hike along the E. Newport Hike & Bike trail leading toward Daffodil Meadow. Cost: Members are free / Non-Members $10. Call Wick Recreation Area for more information.

Paranormal Investigation of Pioneer Pavilion

Join Park staff and the Collective Paranormal Research Society for an exclusive paranormal investigation of Pioneer Pavilion built in 1821. What makes it exclusive? Previous investigations were for up to 30 participants and for two hours. For this investigation we are limiting the number of participants to 15 people for three hours, plenty of time to interact with the investigators and the spirit energy. Adults only; 18 and older. Registration required. Register/pay by 4/16, online or call 330.740.7107 x 129. No walk-ins. $40 per person.

Boaters Education Course

Join us for a one day, 8-hour class in boating and water safety designed and presented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Watercraft. This course covers the fundamentals of safe boating including state-required equipment, watercraft laws, navigation rules of the road, basic safety and risk management, and aids to navigation. A proficiency exam will be issued at the end of the class, and those who pass the exam will obtain a lifetime boating license that satisfies the Ohio Boater Education Requirement. **Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 is required to have a boating license if they are going to operate a vessel more than 10 horsepower, including jet skis.** Online pre-registration is required. Call or visit Wick Recreation Area for more details: (330) 740-7114