Medina County Park District

06/18/2026

Looking for weekend plans? Stop by Oenslager Nature Center to view the Photographers of the Parks exhibit and cast your vote for your favorite nature photos. Families can also visit the Medina County District Library Bookmobile at Shotwell Gardens, explore the fascinating world of insects during Beetle Bonanza at Susan Hambley Nature Center, or enjoy a ride on a miniature train with the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers at Lester Rail Trail. All programs are free and open to all ages.

Now through Saturday, June 27
Photographers of the Parks
Photo Exhibit & Contest
Oenslager Nature Center
Nature Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. The talented members of the Photographers of the Parks invite you to visit the nature center to see their photography exhibit and help vote for the grand prize winners. With dozens of beautiful photos to choose from, your job won’t be easy! All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Friday, June 19
Visit the Bookmobile!
Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina
10 to 11 a.m.
Visit the Medina County District Library Bookmobile at Shotwell Gardens for a chance to visit our smallest branch where you can sign up for a library card, check in for the Summer Reading Celebration, check out books from our small but mighty collection and participate in fun activities. Family Story Time will be offered at 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21
Beetle Bonanza
Susan Hambley Nature Center
12 to 5 p.m.
Making up around 25% of all recorded species, beetles are a fascinating and diverse order of insect. Come by the nature center to learn all about Coleoptera from the formidable mandibles of stag beetles to the metallic shells of jewel beetles, and everything in between. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, June 20
Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers:
ALL ABOARD!
Lester Rail Trail
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Bring your family and friends to Lester Rail Trail for train rides around a miniature railroad and station house. Members of N.E.O.L.S., a miniature railroad group, will offer this free park program. Adults and children, alike, will delight in this unique experience! All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Medina County District Library
Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers
Medina Photographers of the Parks

06/18/2026

Hidden Hollow Camp (park of Black River Nature Preserve) is closed Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26 for a parking lot seal/stripe improvement project. Thank you for your patience.

06/17/2026

Explore the fascinating world of dragonflies and damselflies at Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina, located at 4581 Foote Road in Medina.

Take a short, self-guided stroll along the paved trail and enjoy our Dragon and Damselfly Program on a Post. Along the way, you'll discover the life cycle, behaviors, and unique characteristics of these amazing insects, while learning about some of the species commonly found around the gardens on several posts like the one pictured in this post.

The program is available through July 6. A new program on a post will then be added in mid-July. Enjoy!

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

Good news! The steps at Lake Medina’s Route 18 entrance have been replaced and are now open for use. This improvement project is complete and ready to welcome visitors. Enjoy the beautiful day!

06/16/2026

Exciting announcement from our friends at Chippewa Lake Ohio Historical Society!

06/16/2026

An exciting improvement is coming to Buckeye Woods Park!

Starting on June 17, the playground near the ballfields is being removed and replaced with a brand-new play area over the next few weeks. For your safety, please avoid the construction area while crews are working. In the meantime, families can still enjoy the playground near the lake, which remains open throughout the project.

We can't wait to welcome you back to an updated space for climbing, sliding, and making new memories! Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses.

06/16/2026

Did you miss our first workshop, don't worry we have another on Wednesday, June 24th from 6-7pm at OSU Extension. Join us to learn how to combat and manage invasive trees & shrubs on your property. Walk-ins welcome!

06/15/2026

Looking for something fun to do in the parks this week? View beautiful photos, hit the trail with our A Healthy Dose of Nature hike, enjoy a guided bike ride through scenic Medina County, visit the Medina County District Library Bookmobile at Shotwell Gardens, discover the amazing world of beetles during Beetle Bonanza, or hop aboard a miniature train ride at Lester Rail Trail. All programs are free!

Now through Saturday, June 27
Photographers of the Parks Photo Exhibit & Contest
Oenslager Nature Center
Nature Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. The talented members of the Photographers of the Parks invite you to visit the nature center to see their photography exhibit and help vote for the grand prize winners. With dozens of beautiful photos to choose from, your job won’t be easy! All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Thursday, June 18
A Healthy Dose of Nature:
Hiking Series
Holmesbrook Park
660 College Street, Wadsworth
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hiking outdoors has plenty of perks, AND its good for you mentally and physically, too! Join a naturalist and volunteers for a three to five mile vigorous hike along a different trail each month. This is a continuous hike. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, and bring along a bottle of water. Ages ten to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Thursday, June 18
Slo Roll: Mallet Creek to Valley City
York Township Park
3878 Columbia Rd., Medina, OH 44256
6 p.m.
Join other bike enthusiasts for guided 8 to 10 mile rides through parts of Medina County Parks and adjacent areas, co sponsored by Bike Medina County and Medina County Park District. Bike Medina County is a 501c3 nonprofit advocating cycling safety, education and infrastructure in Medina County. Children must be accompanied by a parent. All riders must wear helmets and bright clothes. Front and rear blinking lights highly recommended. Waivers will be provided and must be signed before the start of the ride. Meet at 6 p.m., rides begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Ages 12 to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Friday, June 19
Visit the Bookmobile!
Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina
4581 Foote Road, Medina
10 to 11 a.m.
Visit the Medina County District Library Bookmobile at Shotwell Gardens for a chance to visit our smallest branch where you can sign up for a library card, check in for the Summer Reading Celebration, check out books from our small but mighty collection and participate in fun activities. Family Story Time will be offered at 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21
Beetle Bonanza
Susan Hambley Nature Center
1473 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick
12 to 5 p.m.
Making up around 25% of all recorded species, beetles are a fascinating and diverse order of insect. Come by the nature center to learn all about Coleoptera from the formidable mandibles of stag beetles to the metallic shells of jewel beetles, and everything in between. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, June 20
Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers:
ALL ABOARD!
Lester Rail Trail
3654 Lester Road, Medina (York Township)
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Bring your family and friends to Lester Rail Trail for train rides around a miniature railroad and station house. Members of N.E.O.L.S., a miniature railroad group, will offer this free park program. Adults and children, alike, will delight in this unique experience! All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers
Bike Medina County
Medina Photographers of the Parks
Medina County District Library