CRESTLINE―The Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center will be closed on Thursday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday but will be open for visitors on Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and  Sunday, November 30, from noon until 4 p.m. The Crawford Park District has plenty of events planned for the month of December.

Viewing the Night Sky: Saturday, November 30 at 5:30 p.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Join members of the Crawford Park Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights.  Some of the targets for fall are:

*Jupiter – and its moons can be seen using binoculars

*Saturn – if you haven’t viewed the rings of Saturn, it is a view that few forget!

*m-13 – is a globular cluster found in Hercules

*Double Stars – 2 stars very close together

*Exploded Stars – with a ring of debris

*m-31 – also known as Andromeda Galaxy is 2.5 million light-years away. It’s the largest galaxy in our local group.

*Moon – with the days getting shorter, it’s a good cycle to view the new moon.

*Milky Way – we have a great view of the Milky Way galaxy from the park.

Nature Story Time: Monday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites young children and their adults to join Lisa for storytime every Monday this winter! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. After reading the story, we will have an activity, game, or craft that goes along with the story.

Nature Story Time: Monday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites young children and their adults to join Lisa for storytime every Monday this winter! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. After reading the story, we will have an activity, game, or craft that goes along with the story.

Uncorked Nature: Foxes: Friday, December 6, at 6 p.m. at Fox Winery, 227 Harding Way East, Galion

Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby for a night of education at the Fox Winery in Galion. We will be learning all about the foxes that live in Ohio. There will be fox furs and skulls to explore after the presentation. This program is for ages 21 and older.  Fox Winery is located at 227 Harding Way East in Galion.

Planetarium: Saturday, December 7 at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites you to come to the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center to view the night sky during the day! Dan Everly, from the Astronomy Club, will be here with the inflatable planetarium. Once inside, you will be able to see the constellations, learn how they got their names, and discover so much more.

Nature Story Time: Monday, December 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park invites young children and their adults to join Lisa for storytime every Monday this winter! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. After reading the story, we will have an activity, game, or craft that goes along with the story.

Tree Cookie Craft: Thursday, December 12, at 6 p.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Get yourself ready for the holidays with this fun craft. The Crawford Park District’s Patti Gervais will guide you through the steps of taking a cross-section of a log (called a tree cookie) and turning it into a wonderful decoration. Pre-registration is required by December 11 and is limited to 20 participants.

Recycling: Saturday, December 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Due to cold temperatures, volunteers may not be available to help with unloading. The Colonel Crawford Lions Club and The Friends of the Crawford Park District will have a RECYCLE DAY the second Saturday of each month through the year.

We will be accepting: Cardboard, Clear/brown/green/blue glass (separated by color), #1 (PETE) plastics, #2 (HDPE) plastics (colors do not have to be separated), Newspaper/magazines/office paper/junk mail, Steel cans, Aluminum cans, Household batteries, Eyeglasses, CFL lightbulbs – from households only, no businesses please, Laptops, tablets & cell phones. (NO ELECTRONICS – NO COMPUTER TOWERS – NO COMPUTER MONITORS -OR- TELEVISIONS).

Any recyclables taken to the Crawford Park District, outside of the second Saturday of every month do not get credited to the Park District. If you would like the money generated from recycling to go to them, you must take your recyclables to the Park District during their monthly collections.

Pinecone Decorations: Sunday, December 15, at 2 p.m. at  Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Join the Crawford Park District and make a pinecone holiday decoration. We will provide the pinecones, pine boughs, ribbon, glue gun, wreath forms, and miscellaneous items from nature. If you have other items you wish to add to your wreath or a certain ribbon you prefer, bring those with you! Call the Park District by December 13 to reserve your spot.

Bird Walk: Sunday, December 15, at 2 p.m. at Sears Woods, 1486 Mt. Zion Road

Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley at Sears Woods State Nature Preserve and find out what is happening to bird populations this year. Each winter brings with it a new set of challenges.  Food supplies vary from year to year and of course, the weather patterns play a key role in determining the makeup of winter bird communities. Sears Woods is located west of Bucyrus on Mt. Zion Road.

Nature Story Time: Monday, December 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites young children and their adults to join Lisa for storytime every Monday this winter! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. After reading the story, we will have an activity, game, or craft that goes along with the story. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30.

Wild Wednesday: Wednesday, December 18, at 10 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Come to the Crawford Park District’s Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center and enjoy an hour of nature exploration!  Program topics will vary and may include a story, short hike, craft, or a visit from an animal.  For pre-schoolers and their parents.  Come dressed for the weather.

Movie in the Park: Friday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites you to wear your pajamas, bring your pillow and blanket, and settle in for a fun holiday movie. We will have an activity, popcorn to snack on, and hot chocolate too. We always have a great time, so come out and join in on the fun! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30.

Uncorked Nature: Cones & Evergreens: Friday, December 20, at 6 p.m. at Fox Winery, 227 Harding Way East, Galion

Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby to learn all about Cones and Evergreens at the Fox Winery in Galion. We will learn the characteristics and identification of our cones and evergreens in Ohio as well as making a craft to decorate your home for the holidays! This program is for ages 21 and older. Fox Winery is located at 227 Harding Way East in Galion.

Nature Story Time: Monday, December  23, at 10:30 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites young children and their adults to join Lisa for storytime every Monday this winter! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. After reading the story, we will have an activity, game, or craft that goes along with the story.

Viewing the Night Sky: Saturday, December 28, at 6 p.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Join members of the Crawford Park Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights.  Some of the targets for the winter are:  *Jupiter, which is 1/2 billion miles away and has four moons! View it while it lasts, because it is quickly setting in the west. *Saturn-Lord of the Rings! This beautiful sight is one billion miles away.

*Andromeda Galaxy-is 2.4 million light-years away. You’ll first see it with your naked eyes and then get a better look through a telescope. *Winter Sky-is completely different from the summer sky. The Milky Way’s outer band isn’t nearly as bright. *Comets, (a comet is a dirty snowball from deep space.)

Nature Story Time: Monday, December 30, at 10:30 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites young children and their adults to join Lisa for storytime every Monday this winter! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. After reading the story, we will have an activity, game, or craft that goes along with the story.

Lowe-Volk Park is located three miles north of US Route 30. For more information, contact the Crawford Park District office at 419-683-9000. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their website or by visiting our Facebook page.