Great Parks is excited to once again be part of the region’s largest free outdoor events sampler, Great Outdoor Weekend, on September 23 and 24! Among dozens of other like-minded organizations offering over 100 activities in three states, Great Parks is providing the following nature recreation and education opportunities.
Here’s a look at what’s on the schedule at the Great Parks for Great Outdoor Weekend:
Sat 9/23, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Honey Harvest
Winton Woods/Parky’s Farm
Did you ever wonder how bees make honey or how we get honey from the beehive to the bottle? Join us in the Hayloft Barn (away from the bees) as we harvest the honey from this year’s crop. Commemorate the honeybee and all it provides for us as part of National Honey Month!
Sat 9/23 & Sun 9/24, Noon–4 p.m.: Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Woodland Mound/ Seasongood Nature Center
Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the nature center and go in search of many different animals, plants and objects in the park. Return by 4 p.m. for a prize.
Sat 9/23 & Sun 9/24, 1–3 p.m.: Naturalist on the Trail
Winton Woods/Kingfisher Trail on 9/23 & Winton Woods/Great Oaks Trail on 9/24
Hike along a creek-edged trail and amongst a second-growth forest. Meet up with the naturalist any time during this nature open house. Bring your nature-related questions and curiosities, and the naturalist will share some of the secrets of this unique woodland path.
Sat 9/23, 2 p.m.: A Honey of a Bee: Fascinating Facts of our Flower-loving Friends
Winton Woods/Parky’s Farm
The honeybee is an important agricultural pollinator threatened by many human activities. It is also a behaviorally fascinating insect. Celebrate its sophisticated social organization, intimate association with flowers and relationships with humans. Explore the wonderful ways honeybees sense their world and communicate with nest mates including their astonishing waggle dance language. This program is presented by special guest Randy C. Morgan, Emeritus Curator-Insectarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
Sun 9/24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Monarch Tagging
Miami Whitewater Forest/Shaker Trace Nursery
Monarchs migrating are one of nature’s great phenomena. Help us tag monarch butterflies and learn how scientists track their migration.
Sun 9/24, Noon–3 p.m.: Outdoor Climbing Wall
Winton Woods/Adventure Outpost
Challenge yourself to scale a rock tower and enjoy the view overlooking Winton Lake. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes, weigh between 25–250 lbs and properly fit into the climbing harness provided. Climbers under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to sign their waiver.
Sun 9/24, 2 p.m.: Animals Alive
Sharon Woods/Harbor
Head over to the harbor to get an upclose look at a few live animals that call Ohio home.
Details about Great Outdoor Weekend can be found at http://meetmeoutdoors.org/greatoutdoorweekend/.
A valid Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter the parks. Cost for residents of Hamilton County: $10 annual/$3 daily; other visitors: $14 annual/$5 daily. Otto Armleder Memorial Park and Fernbank Park are cooperative ventures with the City of Cincinnati; a Motor Vehicle Permit is not required.
Great Parks of Hamilton County’s mission is to protect natural resources and provide outdoor education and recreation. For additional information, visit http://www.greatparks.org/ or call 513-521-7275. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!