Medina County Park District offers packed September schedule

From blooming native plants to stargazing and even a miniature train ride, the Medina County Park District has planned a September full of hands-on, family-friendly activities.

The month kicks off Sept. 6 with the third annual Native Plant Festival and Sale at Oenslager Nature Center. Running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event features plant shopping, monarch butterfly tagging, crafts, games and educational booths from native plant experts.

Proceeds benefit Friends of Medina County Parks, Inc. The festival also serves as the pick-up site for the Medina County Soil and Water District’s Invasive Species Buy-Back program.

Also Sept. 6, astronomy enthusiasts can enjoy Starry, Starry Nights at Letha House Lodge West from 8-10 p.m. The Cuyahoga Astronomical Association will offer close-up views of the moon, planets and deep-sky objects through their telescopes, with members on hand beforehand to help guests learn to use their own scopes.

Monarch butterflies take center stage again Sept. 7 with Discovery Drop-In: Monarchs and Their Allies at Oenslager Nature Center from 1-3 p.m. Visitors can try their hand at catching and tagging monarchs for Monarch Watch’s research and learn about their migration to Mexico.

On Sept. 13, families can head to Hubbard Valley Park for Family Fishing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff and volunteers will help, and a limited number of rods, reels and bait will be available for use.

That same weekend, Sept. 13-14, Terrific Trees at Susan Hambley Nature Center invites visitors to explore the biodiversity of native trees and the animals they support, with self-guided activities and crafts available from noon to 5 p.m.

Music lovers can enjoy the final summer concert in the park’s seasonal series on Sept. 14, when Ginger Ackley brings Celtic and folk music to The Lodge at Allardale from 2-3 p.m. The free performance will be outdoors, weather permitting.

On Sept. 17, Allardale East will host a Forest Therapy Walk from 6-7:30 p.m., led by Jason of Whisper Shifter. The slow-paced, sensory-focused walk encourages participants to experience nature through all their senses.

Railroad fans won’t want to miss Sept. 20 at Lester Rail Trail, where the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers will offer free miniature train rides from 12:30-4:30 p.m. The same day, Killbuck Lakes will host K-9 Kapers from 10-11 a.m., giving dogs and their owners a chance to socialize and explore together.

Beekeeping takes the spotlight Sept. 23 with a Honey Extraction Demo at Krabill Lodge from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Medina Beekeepers will show the process from hive to jar and participants will receive small samples of honey.

Later in the month, on Sept. 27, nature enthusiasts can join a Snake Stroll at Oenslager Nature Center from 2-3 p.m., meeting some local reptiles before heading out to look for them in their habitats. That night, Starry, Starry Nights returns to Letha House Lodge West from 8-10 p.m. for another evening under the stars.

September wraps up Sept. 28 with Natural Discoveries Hiking Series: Spiders at Killbuck Lakes from 3-4 p.m., a guided walk exploring the adaptations and species of spiders found in the area.

All programs are free unless noted, and registration is required for some events. A full schedule and registration links are available at medinacountyparks.com.