Medina County Park District announces full slate of February programs

Medina County Park District is offering a full slate of programs in February, ranging from fossil discoveries and birding events to guided hikes and family-friendly nature programs. Dozens of activities are planned throughout the month. 

The complete schedule – and registration for some events – can be found at www.medinacountyparks.com.

At Discovery Drop-In: Fossils, set for Sunday, Feb. 1, from 1-4 p.m. at Oenslager Nature Center, visitors can stop by at any time during the afternoon to view part of the park district’s fossil collection and learn about prehistoric creatures once found in Ohio. No registration is required.

Bird lovers can warm up indoors during Birds & Beverages on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Oenslager Nature Center. Offered twice, from 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m., the program invites participants to enjoy coffee, tea or cocoa while observing birds with a naturalist. Designed for ages 10 and older, registration is required.

Those looking to stay active outdoors can join A Healthy Dose of Nature: Hiking Series on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m.-noon at Litchfield Wetlands Nature Preserve. The three-to-five-mile hike is part of a monthly series that explores different trails while highlighting the mental and physical benefits of hiking. Participants should dress for the weather and bring water.

Families may be drawn to Nanook’s World: Life as a Polar Bear, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Oenslager Nature Center. The interactive program includes songs, art projects and fun facts about polar bears. Sponsored by Friends of Medina County Parks, the program is geared toward ages 6 and older, with registration required.

Science takes center stage during the FrogWatch Workshop on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 1-4 p.m. at Oenslager Nature Center. Participants will learn how to identify local frogs by sight and sound and how to contribute to nationwide monitoring efforts. The workshop is open to ages 10 and older and requires registration.

Love Is All Around, set for Friday, Feb. 13, from 7-8 p.m. at Oenslager Nature Center, combines live music and folk dancing in a relaxed, social atmosphere for adults. Couples can also enjoy a Valentine’s Hike on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 2-3 p.m. at Schleman Nature Preserve, where a naturalist will share romantic tales from the animal world during an easy walk.

Winter wildlife remains a focus with the Winter Bird Walk on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m.-noon at River Styx Park. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars and bundle up while searching for resident and seasonal birds along the trail.

Nature center drop-in fun continues with Let It Snow, offered Feb. 14-15 and again Feb. 21-22 from noon-5 p.m. at Susan Hambley Nature Center. Visitors can create paper snowflakes and learn about how snow forms and the habitats it supports. The program is open to all ages and requires no registration.

Black bears take the spotlight during Medina’s Marvelous Mammals: Black Bears on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10-11:30 a.m. at Oenslager Nature Center. The program explores whether black bears live in Medina County, how they behave and where they roam. After an indoor presentation, participants will head outside for a short hike.

Late February offerings include Meet the Animals on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Oenslager Nature Center, where visitors can learn about resident educational animals such as turtles, a snake and a toad. Seating is limited, but no registration is required. Garden-minded families may also enjoy Preschoolers in the Garden: What Do Plants Need? on the same day at Krabill Lodge, a hands-on program led by OSU Master Gardeners.

The month wraps up with an Invasive Species Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Oenslager Nature Center, focusing on garlic mustard identification and removal, followed by a Skunk Cabbage walk on Friday, Feb. 27, at Green Leaf Park, where participants will search for one of Ohio’s earliest blooming wildflowers.

A complete list of February programs, including additional hikes, homeschool classes and nature walks, is available at www.medinacountyparks.com.