In February, we get tired of snow and cold and wind and ice and being indoors!
But, alas, we are restricted, at least to some degree, depending on your preferences, to indoor activities. Although we may be stuck indoors, we can sure be thinking about and planning for the outdoors! I know I am doing just that!
I hope your thinking includes the Portage Park District. We live in a society where many tend to forego outdoor exploration in favor of indoor ‘navigation.’ Yet all of our indoor navigating on the world wide net will only yield 40 percent of cognitive interaction with the physical world and creation around us, severely limiting our enjoyment, relationships, and personal growth. We can only use our eyes and ears as we travel through the net waves. To taste, smell, and touch are all left behind. I don’t want to live like that…do you?
Portage Parks offer so much in the way of outdoor recreation, beauty, educational programs, and opportunities to enrich relationships, without which all of life is meaningless! Why not start thinking about how you can become a part of expanding the programs this year by investigating the volunteer opportunities available?
Here are just a couple of options:
Environmental Education Program Assistant
Education is the essential foundation of environmental protection. We provide a variety of programs for individuals and groups of all ages in parks, in schools and at special events. Programs include hikes, hands-on activities and outreach at local fairs.
Nature Stewardship and Monitoring
Managing our natural resources includes inventorying existing conditions and monitoring changes in animal and plant communities. Stewardship may include removal of alien invasive species and habitat creation and improvement.
You can find out more about volunteering by visiting this Get Involved page.
Did you know the Portage Park District has a wish list? They do! Donations of items would be greatly appreciated as funding is always a difficult ongoing struggle. Do you have any of these tools or even vehicles that you simply are not using anymore?
Give them a call if you have something you think they might be able to use.
Park District Wish List
• Pickup truck
• Dump truck
• Trailer to haul tractor
• GPS Unit
• Table saw
• Router
• Chop saw
• Belt sander
• Electric drills
• Arc welder
• Disc grinder
• All-terrain vehicle
• Field guides; subscriptions to Ranger Rick and wildlife magazines
• Taxidermist services; mounted animals
Be sure to visit their website which has been recreated and is so inviting! That alone will cause you to want spring to hurry up and get here!
Christine Craycroft, Executive Director
Portage Park District
705 Oakwood St.
Suite 4 | Ravenna, Ohio 44266
330.297.7728