CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — The Geauga Park District recently opened Geauga County’s first single-track mountain bike trail. Located in Big Creek Park in Chardon Township, the 2-mile trail offers an outdoor adventure for beginners and experienced mountain bikers alike, with minimal disruption of the natural setting, allowing for a ride with a view of nature.
The park’s master plan calls for more trails in the future that would be geared more toward intermediate mountain bikers.
The addition of the mountain bike trail was completed through a partnership with the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA), which designed and developed the trail with the help of GPD’s in-house construction crew.
Hikers share a half-mile of the trail, and the direction of travel changes daily to promote an even wear of the surface. Care was taken to avoid wetlands and flat areas to create a trail that is fun to ride at both slow and faster speeds in either direction, according to CAMBA spokesperson Mike Ryba, who described it as a traditional trail with some modern touches.
To see the trail map, log on to geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/big-creek-park. For questions, call 440-286-9516.
Big Creek Park is located at 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon Township. It includes traditional hiking trails, a nature center and activities.
To learn more about CAMBA, contact camba.us/wp.
Get close to planet Mars: The orbits of Earth and Mars have brought the two neighbors closer this fall. In fact, according to the Geauga Park District, we will not be this close again until 2035.
Learn about the latest missions to explore the red planet and share viewing tips from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, during an online program sponsored by the park district via free software Webex. After you register for the program, you will receive a link to join in. Contact geauaparkdistrict.org.
Migrant bird walk: You can search for songbirds stopping over to refuel in their winter migration south and learn about the wild fruits they eat from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Eldon Russell Park in Burton.
You can add to the birds’ buffet by planting berry producers in your home landscaping.
Loaner binoculars will be available. Registration is required at geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Interact Club helps holiday food drive: The Chagrin Falls High School Interact Club is seeking donations of Giant Eagle gift cards and checks to support families in need through the Geauga County Jobs and Family Services’ holiday food drive Oct. 12 through Nov. 16.
According to club adviser Karen Sindelar, the club has provided canned food donations in the past and is looking to increase donations because more families are in need due to the pandemic. Contact her at [email protected] or make a donation at wejoinin.com/sheets/zakmt.
Give a Dave’s Cosmic Subs ornament: A women’s group with Chagrin Falls United Methodist Church is selling hand-painted ornaments representing buildings and destinations in Chagrin Falls to raise funds for its mission projects.
New ornaments this year include the Bancroft House on Grove Hill, the historic Chagrin Falls Middle School, Chagrin Falls Historical Society Museum, Dave’s Cosmic Subs and the River Run Park sign.
Returning favorites include the falls, Chagrin Hardware, the Band Stand, Township Hall, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Popcorn Shop, Inn of Chagrin, the Village Administration Building, Dinks and the Falls Theater.
The cost of each ornament is $15. Contact Shirley Ashby for information at 440-247-0151.
Zoom in to your past: The Northeast Ohio Computer-aided Genealogy Society invites you to its virtual monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Jane Gramlich will talk about her genealogy research trip to the Salt Lake Family History Library and will include tips on traveling there and how to use the library and its resources.
Gramlich is a special collections librarian at the Akron Public Library. NEOCAG includes members from Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Summit and Ashtabula counties. Contact neocag.net.
New programs for coping skills: Connecting for Kids is offering several new programs this fall via Zoom to help parents and caregivers.
? An adults-only virtual coffee and chat from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, with a board-certified music therapist will show how to use music to manage anxiety. Included will be music experiences such as lyric discussion, meditations, songwriting and others. The program will not be recorded.
? A program offered from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, will teach adults how to alter their response to a child with separation anxiety and help them better cope. A portion will be recorded.
? If your child is bothered by noises, busy environments, itchy clothes and has difficulty interacting with others, you and your child can attend a virtual program with a pediatric occupational therapist from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, and learn coping strategies.
CFK offers educational programs, support groups and other resources. Registration is required. Contact connectingforkids.org/register or 440-570-5908.
To post your news and events, contact Rusek at [email protected]
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