Medina County Park District

08/19/2026

The Lake to Lake Bike Tour is on September 12, sign up at https://bikemedinacounty.org/laketolake/.

26.6 mi, +919 ft. Bike ride in Lafayette, OH

08/19/2026

TODAY -- stop by and see us at Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance's Business in the Barn at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick! This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to meet with a wide variety of businesses, organizations, restaurants, service providers, and more!

Please note that the VIP hours from 3 to 5 p.m. do require a ticket purchase at the door -- but from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the event is free and open to the public. Details are found here: https://members.nmccalliance.com/events/details/business-the-barn-2026-presented-by-mdg-flooring-kiba-studios-3600?calendarMonth=2026-08-01

08/19/2026

Be sure to watch this fun episode about Lester Rail Trail and Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers!

Here's a clue for you from BAT. Where do you think Mrs. Phillips will be at?
You can find the next Mrs. Phillips Finds episode right here: https://youtu.be/hIRt37cxeLU?si=rE0ZqteaWNYv0zeO

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

Medina Gazette’s annual Best of the Best results are in, and Buckeye Woods Park in Lafayette Township was voted the People’s Choice for Best Parks & Trails in Medina County! A huge thank-you to everyone who voted in the contest --- we’re grateful to have such an amazing community cheering us on!

Learn more about Buckeye Woods Park on our website: https://medinacountyparks.com/park/buckeye-woods-park/.

Medina Gazette

08/19/2026

Want to share your experience and be eligible for prizes? Create a vision board/map showing and explaining your progress, and bring it to the Oenslager Nature Center by TOMORROW -- August 20, 2026. You will receive a coupon for a free native plant from our Native Plant Festival and be entered into a drawing for a native yard sign.

Your vision board/map will be displayed at the Native Plant Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Oenslager Nature Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn more about Bee the Change on our website: https://medinacountyparks.com/bee-the-change/.

08/16/2026

There's something for everyone in the parks this week! From Tales for Tots, a guided vigorous hike, and a visit from the Bookmobile to Monarch butterflies, birds of prey, and Jurassic in the Park, it's the perfect time to get outside and explore.

Thursday, August 20
Tales for Tots
Hidden Hollow Camp/Black River Nature Preserve
8672 Richman Road in Lodi
10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m.
These creatures come in many shapes, sizes and colors and have many interesting adaptations. Learn more about moths through a story and fun activities. Register by August 19. Ages three to six with an adult companion. Free.

Thursday, August 20
A Healthy Dose of Nature: Hiking Series
Granger Wetlands Wildlife Sanctuary
4023 Beachler Road, Medina/Granger Township
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hiking outdoors has plenty of perks, AND it’s 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.

Friday, August 21
Visit the Bookmobile!
Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina
4581 Foote Road in 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. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23
Jurassic in the Park
Susan Hambley Nature Center
1473 Parschen Blvd. in Brunswick
12 to 5 p.m.
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures have taken over the Susan Hambley Nature Center for the entire month of August! Stop in between noon and five on the weekends to learn more about what our area looked like when dinosaurs called it home. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, August 22
Monarch Magic
Oenslager Nature Center
6100 Ridge Road in Sharon Township/Wadsworth
10 to 11 a.m.
Join us at ONC to discover the magic of Monarch butterflies and the citizen science tracking their population changes! We will attempt to capture, tag and release a Monarch butterfly, and we will discuss new technology for tracking them! Ages six to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Sunday, August 23
Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: Birds of Prey
Chippewa Lake Birding & Bridle Trail
7782 Ballash Road, Medina/Westfield Township
3 to 4 p.m.
Birds of prey are a group of carnivorous birds also known as raptors that can be found in many places throughout the parks. Join us to learn about various raptors and the unique adaptations that help them hunt for their prey. Bring binoculars if you have them. Natural Discoveries is an award based series of nature programs designed for ages seven to adult. No registration is required. Free.

08/15/2026

Mark your calendars, you don't want to miss this!

Join us for the fourth annual Native Plant Festival and Sale to explore the connection between native plants, people, and wildlife! Shop at our native plant sale, help us with monarch tagging, play some games, make fun crafts, and visit with and learn from our important native plant partners. The event will also serve as the pick‑up location for the Medina County Soil and Water District’s Invasive Species Buy‑back program (must have signed up previously through the soil and water district). Plant sale proceeds benefit Friends of Medina County Parks, Inc. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free admission.

Plant/tree/shrub list will be shared closer to the event, stay tuned!

08/13/2026

Who is ready for the weekend? There's some fun to be had in the parks, hope to see you out and about!

Friday, August 14
Frog Friday
Oenslager Nature Center
6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Township/Wadsworth
1 to 2 p.m.
Join a naturalist as we learn how to identify the frog species you may find in a summer pond. We’ll then go outside to dip for tadpoles and take a walk around the wetland to look for adult frogs. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Friday, August 14
Walk and Roll
Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina
4581 Foote Road, Medina
6 to 7 p.m.
Integrated Community Solutions’ Walk and Roll Group is a free, inclusive opportunity for individuals of all abilities to come together, connect, and enjoy the outdoors. Participants are invited to join us as we explore the beautiful Shotwell Gardens at a comfortable and welcoming pace. All are welcome. Contact Lisa Morrison at info@ics oh.org or 216-280-7755 to register. Free.

Saturday, August 15
Sunday, August 16
Jurassic in the Park
Susan Hambley Nature Center
1473 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick
12 to 5 p.m.
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures have taken over indoors at the Susan Hambley Nature Center for the entire month of August! Stop in between noon and five on the weekends to learn more about what our area looked like when dinosaurs called it home. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, August 15
Wings over Wetlands
Litchfield Wetlands Nature Preserve
3005 Avon Lake Road, Litchfield
1 to 3 p.m.
Join us to explore the things that fly over the wetlands. Everything from birds to dragonflies, we will search for anything with wings! Nets will be available so we can identify dragonflies in the hand. Ages six to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, August 15
Starry, Starry Nights at Letha House
Letha House Lodge (West)
5800 Richman Road, Spencer
9 to 11 p.m.
Come see deep sky objects, planets, and the moon up close using the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association’s telescopes. The observatory will be open for public viewing, and members will be available to answer your questions. Have a telescope but not sure how to use it effectively? Members will also be on hand one hour before the program begins to show you how to use your own telescope for viewing the night sky. Cancellations will only be made in the event of severe thunderstorms. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Integrated Community Solutions
CAA - Cuyahoga Astronomical Association.

08/09/2026

It’s a PACKED week in the parks! We hope to see you out and about.

Tuesday, August 11
Senior Strides
Chippewa Lake Park: Tumble Bug Trailhead
5796 Longacre Lane, Chippewa Lake
(Corner of Lake Road and Longacre Lane)
10 to 11 a.m.
Join park volunteer Connie for Senior Strides, a once a month social hike for seniors! It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and get your exercise at the same time. Walks are one to two miles in length. Please dress for the weather, and be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Ages 50 and up. No registration is required. Free.

Wednesday, August 12
Natural Discoveries
Hidden Hollow Camp
8672 Richman Road, Lodi
10 to 11 a.m.
Join us for an easy walk to observe the unfolding of nature all year long in the parks. Natural Discoveries is an award based series of nature programs designed for ages seven to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Thursday, August 13
Ohio Butterfly Surveys: What’s Being Done?
Killbuck Lakes
7996 White Road, Burbank (Westfield Township)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Long term surveys are important because they help to monitor plant or animal populations over many years. Butterfly surveys are important because they are an indicator species on the overall health of our environment. Join as we hike, catch, and learn about butterflies and the park district’s long term survey at Killbuck Lakes. Ages ten to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Thursday, August 13
Slo Roll: Lester Rail Trail to Dairy Queen
Lester Rail Trail - Meet in back parking lot of Medina County Career Center
1101 West Liberty Street, 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, August 14
Frog Friday
Oenslager Nature Center
6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Township/Wadsworth
1 to 2 p.m.
Join a naturalist as we learn how to identify the frog species you may find in a summer pond. We’ll then go outside to dip for tadpoles and take a walk around the wetland to look for adult frogs. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Friday, August 14
Walk and Roll
Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina
4581 Foote Road, Medina
6 to 7 p.m.
Integrated Community Solutions’ Walk and Roll Group is a free, inclusive opportunity for individuals of all abilities to come together, connect, and enjoy the outdoors. Participants are invited to join us as we explore the beautiful Shotwell Gardens at a comfortable and welcoming pace. All are welcome. Contact Lisa Morrison at info@ics oh.org or 216 280 7755 to register. Free.

Saturday, August 15
Sunday, August 16
Jurassic in the Park
Susan Hambley Nature Center
1473 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick
12 to 5 p.m.
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures have taken over indoors at the Susan Hambley Nature Center for the entire month of August! Stop in between noon and five on the weekends to learn more about what our area looked like when dinosaurs called it home. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, August 15
Wings over Wetlands
Litchfield Wetlands Nature Preserve
3005 Avon Lake Road, Litchfield
1 to 3 p.m.
Join us to explore the things that fly over the wetlands. Everything from birds to dragonflies, we will search for anything with wings! Nets will be available so we can identify dragonflies in the hand. Ages six to adult. No registration is required. Free.

Saturday, August 15
Starry, Starry Nights at Letha House
Letha House Lodge (West)
5800 Richman Road, Spencer
9 to 11 p.m.
Come see deep sky objects, planets, and the moon up close using the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association’s telescopes. The observatory will be open for public viewing, and members will be available to answer your questions. Have a telescope but not sure how to use it effectively? Members will also be on hand one hour before the program begins to show you how to use your own telescope for viewing the night sky. Cancellations will only be made in the event of severe thunderstorms. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.