Moonlight bike ride on Towpath

By Bob Downing

Jun. 12, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- You can pedal under the Strawberry Moon this weekend.

Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is staging a moonlight bicycle ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

It will start at 8 p.m. Saturday and cover 15 miles on the crushed-limestone path.

The bicyclists will begin at Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park off Riverview Road, south of state Route 303 in Peninsula.

After the ride, there will be a campfire at the park. Bring a chair and something to cook over the campfire.

Riders must provide their own bikes, lights and helmets.

Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Today

Pops concert -- The Akron Pops Orchestra will present a free outdoor family concert from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Coventry Oaks Pavilion at Firestone Metro Park. That's at 40 Axline Ave., Akron. There will be children's activities at 7 p.m. Friends of Metro Parks will serve free dessert. The concert will be canceled if it rains. Call 330-865-8060 after 4 p.m. for a weather update.

Moths for kids -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will present Kinderealm programs on moths for youngsters 3, 4 and 5 years old and accompanying adults. The program will be at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. It will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will also be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Advance registration is required. Call 330-865-8065 for reservations and details.

Contra dance -- Everyone is invited to join in a contra dance with music by Strings and Things and caller Carol Kopp. The dance will be from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Boston Township School House at state Route 303 and Riverview Road in Peninsula. Instruction will be provided at 7 p.m. Admission is $6. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

Massillon hike -- The Stark County Park District is sponsoring a Towpath Trail hike in Massillon. Meet at 6 p.m. at the Lake Avenue Trailhead. Learn about the importance of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal. 330-477-3552.

Hartville hike -- The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 7 p.m. for a 5-mile hike on roads and sidewalks in Hartville. Meet behind the Burger King restaurant in the Hartville Plaza on Edison Avenue Northwest (state Route 619) in Hartville. 330-733-3995.

Birding for kids -- The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot is holding a birding class for youngsters at 10:30 a.m. Call 330-359-5235 for information.

Brecksville birds -- Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring a bird walk with naturalist Jen Brumfield from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Brecksville Reservation. Meet at the Station Road Bridge off Riverview Road south of state Route 82 in Brecksville. Call 440-526-1012 for more information.

Friday

Civil War songs -- Volunteers Carol Zeh and Paul and John Wilkerson of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will present a musical look at Civil War songs in a family campfire program. The sing-along will be held at 7 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Firestone bugs -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will present an insect identification program with naturalist Nicki Schneider at 7 p.m. at Firestone Metro Park. Meet at the Tuscarawas Meadows parking lot off Harrington Road in South Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Junior Ranger hike -- The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Ranger night hike to the Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley park for youngsters 7 to 12 years old. It will run from 8 to 10 p.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, Ext. 100, for reservations, the location and additional information.

Canoeing class -- Cleveland Metroparks' Institute of the Great Outdoors is holding a canoe basics class from 6 to 9 p.m. on Hinckley Lake in the Hinckley Reservation in northern Medina County. Meet at the boathouse off West Drive in Medina County's Hinckley Township. For ages 16 and up. The fee is $40. Advance registration is required. In addition, there will be an intermediate flat-water canoe class from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The fee is $65. For ages 16 and up. Call 216-341-1704 for reservations.

Saturday

Summer celebrations -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will hold Summer Celebrations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with free swimming at Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton and Munroe Falls Metro Park in Munroe Falls. 330-865-8065.

Extended hike -- You can join Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, volunteer Pat Patterson for a 6-mile hike on the Cherry Lane, Fernwood, Mingo and Dogwood trails. Expect hilly terrain. The hike will start at 10 a.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Pond hike -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is presenting a 1.4-mile hike around Alder Pond at 7 p.m. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. Meet at the trailhead at 550 Frazier Ave. in East Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Firestone campfire -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is presenting a family campfire and a nature program on evening birds at 8 p.m. at Firestone Metro Park. Meet at the Tuscarawas Meadows parking lot off Harrington Road in South Akron. 330-865-8065.

Ledges hike -- The National Park Service is staging a 1.5-mile hike along the Ledges Trail from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the Ledges Shelter parking lot off Truxell Road in Boston Township.

Frog hike -- Ranger Paul Motts of the National Park Service will direct a frog hike from 9 to 10:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

Drop-in crafts -- The Cuyahoga Valley park's Boston Store will host walk-in craft demonstrations by quilters, knitters and embroiderers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility is off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in the hamlet of Boston.

Water, woods art -- The Cuyahoga Valley park's M.D. Garage will host an exhibit of paintings of water and woods by the Crooked River Gang, a group of local painters, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The garage is off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in the hamlet of Boston.

Pre-Father's Day hike -- The Stark County Park District is sponsoring a Father's Day hike from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Towpath Trail near Navarre. Meet at the Craig Pittman Trailhead, 8201 Hudson Drive S.W. 330-477-3552.

Fishing derby -- The Stark County Park District is staging a youth fishing derby from 8 to 11 a.m. at Cook's Lagoon Park in Canton. 330-477-3552.

Star watch -- Medina County's Letha House Park will host a public star watch from 8 to 11 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Medina County Park District and the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association. Telescopes will be set up, weather permitting. Dress for the weather. Free. The park is at 10311 Spencer Lake Road, Chatham Township. 330-722-9364.

Geocaching basics -- The Medina County Park District will present an introduction to geocaching at 10 a.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. For ages 12 to adult. Free. Bring your GPS unit if you have one. Advance registration is required. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and details.

Life under logs -- The Medina County Park District will offer a look at life under logs in a nature program at 10 a.m. at the Princess Ledges Nature Preserve, off Spruce Avenue in Brunswick Hills Township. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations.

Munroe Falls hike -- The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9 a.m. for hikes of 1 to 11 miles on the Bike & Hike Trail. Meet at Brust Park off North Main Street (state Route 91) in Munroe Falls. Call 330-733-3995 for more information.

Telescope seminar -- Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville will stage a telescope seminar at 8:30 p.m. Meet at the park's Carriage House Nature Center. The park is at 13480 Congress Lake Road N.E., Lake Township. A sky watch will follow the program. Bring binoculars and telescopes. Call 330-877-6652 for reservations.

Bird walk -- Fairlawn's Wild Bird Center, 117 Merz Blvd., is sponsoring a bird walk at the Bath Nature Preserve with naturalist Jen Brumfield from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Advance registration is required. Call 330-869-9453 for reservations and details. Brumfield will also discuss the 10 best birds in the world at 12:30 p.m. and backyard birding at 1:30 p.m. at the store.

Hudson raptors -- Laura Jordan of the Medina Raptor Center will present a live bird program from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Wild Bird Center of Hudson, 130 W. Streetsboro St. (state Route 303), Hudson. Free. 330-655-2473.

Garden of Roses -- Ohio State University's Garden of Roses of Legends and Romance will hold a public open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster. The roses, including hundreds of heirloom roses, should be at peak color. The center is at 1680 Madison Ave. 330-263-3612.

Wild romance -- The Wilderness Center is hosting its sixth annual Romantic Moonlight Serenade from 7 to 10 p.m. Enjoy music from the Kentland String Ensemble and a romantic stroll to Wilderness Lake. Tickets are $35 a couple. Call 877-359-5235 or see http://www.wildernesscenter.org for reservations and information.

Turtle time -- The Wilderness Center is holding a walk-in nature program on turtles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is off U.S. 250 near Wilmot in Sugar Creek Township. 330-359-5235.

Portage hikers -- The Portage Trail Walkers hiking club will meet for a potluck dinner at 7 p.m. and a hike from 8 to 10 p.m. along the Bike & Hike Trail in Munroe Falls. Meet at Brust Park off North Main Street (state Route 91). 330-673-6896.

Brecksville hike -- Cleveland Metroparks is presenting a family stream stomp from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Brecksville Reservation. Children should be 4 years old and older. Meet at the Brecksville Nature Center off Chippewa Creek Drive. Call 440-526-1012 for reservations and details.

Train songs -- Cleveland Metroparks and interpreter Hank Mallery invite local acoustic musicians to join a program of train songs from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CanalWay Center in the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. That's off East 49th Street south of Grant Avenue in Cuyahoga Heights. 216-206-1000.

Canine hike -- Cleveland Metroparks is holding a canine hike from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Whipp's Ledges Picnic Area in the Hinckley Reservation in northeast Medina County. Whipp's Ledges is off State Road between Bellus and Ledge roads in Hinckley Township. Advance registration is required. 440-526-1012.

Birding blitz -- The Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society will be out looking for evidence of breeding birds in Cleveland Metroparks' Hinckley, Mill Stream Run and Rocky River reservations from 8 to 11:30 a.m. A potluck lunch will follow at the Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted. The results will be revealed at the luncheon. Call 440-734-6660 to enlist.

Huron hike -- The Western Reserve Land Conservancy is staging a bird and nature walk at 10 a.m. at Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve on Lake Erie near Huron. Call 440-774-4226 for more information.

Sunday

Valley hike -- The National Park Service is sponsoring a tough 7-mile hike on the Buckeye and Valley trails in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 8 to 11 a.m. Meet at the Pine Trail Trailhead off state Route 303 in Peninsula.

Spider hike -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will stage a spider hike with naturalist Nicki Schneider at 11 a.m. at Deep Lock Quarry Metro
Park in Peninsula. The park is off Riverview Road. 330-865-8065.

Kids' fishing -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a kids' fishing program at 1 p.m. at Little Turtle Pond at Firestone Metro Park. That's at 2400 Harrington Road, Akron. A few rods and reels will be available. Bait will be provided. Adults must supervise but cannot fish. 330-865-8065.

Pancake Palooza -- The Shaw Jewish Center Community Center is hosting a Father's Day Pancake Palooza. There will be a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with free swimming in the afternoon at 750 White Pond Drive, Akron. Nonmembers are welcome to free swimming. There will be entertainment. Tickets for the breakfast are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 5. Sponsored by the Jewish Family Service of Akron. Call 330-867-3388 for advance tickets or more information.

Animal fathers -- Mount Union College's John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will host a nature program on animal fathers at 2 p.m. The center is on Daniel Street off state Route 183, six miles south of Alliance in Washington Township. For all ages. Call 330-823-7487 for reservations.

Prairie hike -- Naturalist John Miller of Cleveland Metroparks will lead a family prairie walk from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Brecksville Reservation. Meet at the Brecksville Nature Center off Chippewa Creek Drive. 440-526-1012.

Monday

Insects for kids -- Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville will present a nature program on insects for children 6 and under and accompanying adults at 10 a.m. Meet at the park's Carriage House Nature Center. The park is at 13480 Congress Lake Road N.E., Lake Township. Advance registration is required. Call 330-877-6652 for reservations.

Junior Gardeners -- The Stark County Park District is holding a program on plant life cycles for its Junior Gardeners program for youngsters 8 to 12 years old. It will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. N.W., Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Swimming clinic -- Cleveland Metroparks is holding a swim class for senior citizens from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ledge Pool & Recreation Area in the Hinckley Reservation in northern Medina County. The class will continue from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday. The class is for those 62 and older. Lunch will be provided both days. Free but advance registration is required. Ledge Lake is at 1150 Ledge Road in Hinckley Township. Call 330-239-2911 for reservations and details.

Tuesday

Beaver hike -- The National Park Service is staging a beaver hike from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

Junior Rangers -- The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers nature program on beavers in the Cuyahoga Valley park for youngsters from 7 to 12 years old. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, Ext. 100, for reservations, the location and additional information.

Bike history -- Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a bicycle ride to Clinton filled with local history. It will start at 10 a.m. at the Vanderhoof Trailhead in New Franklin. That's off Vanderhoof Road. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

City wildlife -- The Stark County Park District is presenting a program on urban wildlife in downtown Canton. Meet at 6 p.m. at the Main Branch of the Stark County District Library on Market Avenue North. You get a glimpse of Canton's resident peregrine falcons. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations.

Canoeing classes -- The Medina County Park District is offering two Quick Start canoeing classes for beginners. The sessions will be at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at the pond at River Styx Park off River Styx Road in Guilford Township. The fee is $10 a person. The class is geared to two-person canoes. For ages 9 to adult. Advance registration is required. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations.

Brecksville hike -- Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring a 4-mile round-trip hike to the Pinery Narrows between Summit and Cuyahoga counties. You may see bald eagles. The hike will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the Brecksville Nature Center off Chippewa Creek Drive in Brecksville. Bring binoculars. Call 440-526-1012 for more information.

Wednesday

Full-moon hike -- The National Park Service will stage a full-moon hike along the Towpath Trail from 9 to 11 p.m. Meet at the Lock No. 29 Trailhead in Peninsula.

Junior Rangers -- The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers program on photography for youngsters in the Cuyahoga Valley park from 7 to 12 years old. It will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, Ext. 100, for reservations, the location and additional information.

Green hike -- The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. for a 5-mile hike in Green. Meet at Boettler Park off Massillon Road (state Route 241). Call 330-733-3995 for more information.

Sunshine fun -- The Stark County Park District is presenting a program on sunshine in its Little Explorers program for preschoolers at 11 a.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. N.W., Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and additional information.

Fishing for kids -- The Medina County Park District and the Ohio Division of Wildlife are presenting an introduction to fishing for youngsters from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Plum Creek Park South in Brunswick Hills Township. The program continues on June 19-20. For ages 7 to 12. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations.

Nature walk -- The Medina County Park District is staging a nature walk at 10 a.m. at Lake Medina. Meet at the Granger Road parking lot in Medina Township. Call 330-722-9364 for additional information.

Kids in garden -- Mount Union College's John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will host a Kids in the Garden program on garden recycling for ages 8 to 11. The program will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The center is on Daniel Street off state Route 183 six miles south of Alliance in Washington Township. Advance registration is required. Call 330-823-7487 for reservations.

Frog stories -- The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot is presenting frog stories for youngsters 3 and 4 years old and accompanying adults at 11 a.m. Call 330-359-5235 for more information.

Ohio salamanders -- Gregg Lipps, coordinator of the Ohio salamander monitoring program, will speak on "Big, Slimy and Beautiful" at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The museum is at 1 Wade Oval in the University Circle area. Tickets are $5. Sponsored by the Biodiversity Alliance. Call 216-231-1177 or 800-317-9155.

Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0006-25944514