Join Portage Park District staff and volunteers on upcoming guided nature hikes and programs to learn more about our local natural environment and your Portage Parks. The hikes also can count towards the Wild Hikes Challenge! Just hike 8 of this year’s designated trails before December 31 to earn a hiking stick and brass tag, this year commemorating the “Year of the Salamander.” You can hike on your own or with a group at one of the guided hikes. Forms are available at the Park District website, or by calling 330-297-7728. Hit the Trail!
Guided Nature Hikes and Educational Programs
Butterfly Hike at Towner’s Woods 8/23/14 10:00 a.m.
The annual Butterfly Count for Towner’s Woods, conducted by the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and led by naturalists from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, this will be a chance to learn about our native butterflies along with other interesting nature finds. Bring an insect net and collecting bottle if you have them and would like to help. Appropriate for all ages.
Discover the Crooked River – 9/6/14 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Join Park District volunteer naturalists on a leisurely float down the Cuyahoga River enjoying the last days of summer. Meet at Camp Hi and we will be shuttled to Eldon Russell Park and make our way down to Camp Hi looking for King Fishers, Beaver, and maybe a River Otter. Please call Camp Hi 330-569-7621 to register. Cost is $15.00 which covers the cost of the shuttle and canoe.
Meet the Beavers – 9/7/14 Breakneck Creek 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Make your reservations now for a night at the beaver lodge! Maybe not AAA rated, but luxury accommodations for our furry friends. Join the Park District volunteer naturalist as we discuss this industrious creature and hopefully see them preparing for the winter at one of three active beaver lodges located at Breakneck Creek.
Geology of Towner’s Wood and Lake Pippen – 9/14/14 Towners Woods 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
What is the origin of Lake Pippen and why it is significant? What evidence or clues might lead us to think that the glacier did indeed leave its mark on Towner’s Woods? Come and join the Park District volunteer naturalist and let’s see what we can find.
What’s in Franklin Bog? – 9/28/14 Franklin Bog 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
No it’s not Bigfoot or the creature from the Black Lagoon. Maybe buried treasure? Join a Park District volunteer naturalist and we will search over hill and dale…well actually a “bog” to see what hidden gems might be lurking there.
Wild Hikes Challenge Guided Hikes Schedule
If you’d rather hike in a group or learn a little more about nature along the way, please join us on the following naturalist-guided hikes—even if you’re not taking the Wild Hikes Challenge!
- August 24 – Berlin Lake Trail – 2:00 pm
- September 14 – Morgan Preserve – 2:00 pm
- Sept. 21 – Chagrin Headwaters Preserve – 2:00 pm
- Oct. 5 – Headwaters Trail Rt 700 – 2:00 pm
- Oct 26 – Headwaters Trail Buchert Park – 2:00 pm
- Nov 9 – Franklin Bog Preserve – 2:00 pm
Print the form below or find it at the Park website.
Visit the website to learn more and sign up for our e-newsletter.
Check our calendar for individual listings and other local happenings.
Click here for the 2014 Wild Hikes Form.