Staff Report

CRESTLINE―The month of September may be half over but the Crawford Park District still has many events coming up.

Gray Treefrog Survey at 6 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Carpenter’s Bottom, 3229 State Route 98, east of Bucyrus

Gray Treefrogs fill late spring/early summer with their melodic trills. They are also great wildlife ambassadors!  Come to learn about treefrogs and the survey work to sample for these masters of camouflage.  Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Josh Dyer and Junior Naturalists Alison Longwell and Alex Lawson to take part in checking PVC retreats utilized by treefrogs.

Puppet Pals:  Magical Monarchs at 6 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 11 a.m. on Sept. 21 at Lowe-Volk Park

The caterpillar does not know why, but she’s “Gotta Go, Gotta Go, Gotta Go to Mexico!”  The Crawford Park District invites you to follow the adventures of a Monarch as she goes through her various stages of life, all the while meeting different animals on her journey to Mexico.  The puppet show will include a kids’ activity.  For kids ages 3-7 and their parents.

Animals of Halloween: Snakes at 2 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Halloween is a time for “Spooky” or “Scary” animals! The snake has been labeled as one of those misunderstood “monsters”. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist,  Abby Ditomassi to learn about the folklore that causes snakes to be used during Halloween and how we can combat the myths! We encourage people with phobias to come and learn and experience a live snake to overcome their fears!

Viewing the Night Sky at 8 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites you to 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. Targets for the fall months will include Saturn, Mars, M-32 (an elliptical galaxy), and NGC-869 (a double cluster).  The universe is an astronomical sight.

Pickin’ Pawpaws at 1 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Carpenter’s Bottom, 3229 State Route 98, Bucyrus

Pawpaws are the largest edible tree fruit native to the United States. Join Crawford Park District Naturalists, Josh Dyer and Lisa Bogard for a walk through Carpenter’s Bottom looking for these custard-like fruits. We will even sample our harvest.  Carpenter’s Bottom is located east of the railroad tracks on State Route 98, east of Bucyrus.

Fall Wildflowers at 3 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Salem Prairie, Intersection of Lower Leesville and Parcher Roads

Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist, Warren Uxley at the Salem Prairie for a fall wildflower program.  The Salem prairie is a restoration project that is in its 12th year and it is now one of the best prairies in northern Ohio.  Late September is a time of transition; most plant species have become dormant in preparation for winter.  Many wildflowers choose this time of the year to display their brilliance.  Learn the late season wildflowers and their flowering ecology.

Canoeing  at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Amann’s Reservoir, 4977 State Route 309, Galion

Join Crawford Park District Naturalists, Josh Dyer and Lisa Bogard for an evening paddle around the Amann Reservoir.  After a lesson on some canoeing basics and safety, we will take to the water! Pre-registration is required by September 24.

Barb Dolch Memorial Bikeway Kick-off at 9 a.m. on Sept. 29 starting at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Help the Crawford Park District memorialize the life of Barb Dolch by riding the bikeway named in her honor.  Bike enthusiast Matt Echelberry will lead the 30-mile ride that traverses the eastern portion of Crawford County.  Beginning at Lowe-Volk Park, the bikeway travels through farmland, along wooded river corridors, and through Galion and Crestline.  There will be places along the way for breaks and water refilling.  For those not wishing to ride the whole route, a pick-up is scheduled at the New Winchester Golf Course.   Bring your family, bring your bikes, and enjoy the ride!  A rain date for October 6 has been set. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30.

Viewing the Night Sky at 8 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites you to 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. Targets for the fall months will include Saturn, Mars, M-32 (an elliptical galaxy), and NGC-869 (a double cluster).  The universe is an astronomical sight.

Seccaium Park:  Memories/Memorabilia at 2 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Ed and Dee Ann Speece’s house, 1727 State Route 19, Bucyrus.

If you have stories to tell, pictures to share, or you just want to learn about the former Secciaum Park, then plan to attend this special program offered by The Crawford Park District.  Secciaum Park was Crawford County’s very own amusement park from 1899 until 1948.  Ed and Dee Ann Speece own the property where the park was located.  They have invited us to their picnic shelter on their pond to share information and to view some of Seccaium Park’s remnants.

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 visiting their Facebook page.