From WOOD COUNTY PARK DISTRICT
Paddle the Pond
Every Monday, June – August; 4:00 – 7:30 pm
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
Arrive anytime between 4 and 7:30 pm to enjoy a float on the pond at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve; perfect for a family outing, comfort-builder for beginners, or relaxing exercise! An instructor will be available for introductory safety and skills education. All canoes, life-jackets, and paddles are provided. Boats and gear on a first-come-first-served basis. Enjoy a nature walk while you wait!
The last Monday of every month will feature kayaks along with canoes.
No registration needed.
Open Geocaching
Tuesday, July 2; 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve
26940 Lime City Road, Perrysburg
Our geocaches rock! Can you find them all? Stop by anytime between 1:00 and 6:00 pm to borrow one of our GPS units or bring your smartphone with the Google Maps app and search for hidden geocaches in the park. Dress for the weather and be prepared for substantial walking and self-guided exploration. No SWAG for exchange necessary.
No registration needed.
Evening Bat Hike
Friday, July 5; 8:45 – 10:00 pm
Carter Historic Farm
18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green
Discover facts, myths, local species, and conservation challenges of bats. Afterwards, we’ll play a game demonstrating bat echolocation powers and hike with bat-detecting sonar to search for our only truly flying mammals!
Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Slippery History Bike Tour
Saturday, July 6; 9:00 – 11:30 am
Black Swamp Preserve
1014 South Maple Street, Bowling Green
What’s the Great Black Swamp? Who is Old Huldah? Where is the ghost town of Ducat? Join in on this no-drop group road-bike ride and learn about the history of the Slippery Elm Trail. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Water Quality
Sunday, July 7; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Otsego Park
20000 West River Road, Bowling Green
Learn about water quality of the Maumee River by finding and identifying macroinvertebrates from the water. You must be prepared to go into knee deep water with closed toed shoes. No experience needed.
Emerge: Must be 10 years of age and up to participate. Minors need an adult present. Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain. Event is dependent on water levels. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Frog Gigging with Ohio Division of Wildlife
Tuesday, July 9; 6:30 – 11:00 pm
Cedar Creeks Preserve
4575 Walbridge Road. Northwood
Wood County Park District is excited to partner with the Ohio Division of Wildlife to offer a beginners’ workshop for gigging frogs. Topics to be covered by ODNR Division of Wildlife officials include techniques and equipment used, regulations, and cleaning and cooking frogs. Following the classroom portion we will move to an offsite location to put our lesson to the test and gig some frogs and get wet. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Open Archery
Wednesday, July 10; 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Arrowwood Archery Range
11126 Linwood Road, Bowling Green
Come anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 pm to give archery a shot! All archery equipment provided, along with brief beginner-friendly instruction from our certified instructors. Children must be at least 7 years of age or older to use our equipment. No registration needed.
Native Nursery Night
Thursday, July 11; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve
30730 Oregon Road, Perrysburg
Help add to, maintain, or harvest seed from the Native Plant Nursery. All are welcome!
Please register for volunteer opportunities at https://wcparks.galaxydigital.com
EcoLit Book Group Meeting
Thursday, July 11, 7:00 – 9:30 pm
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve: Friends’ Green Room
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
For this meeting, please read Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education by Michael Pollan. Group meets once a month. Register for any or all. Discussion leader: Cheryl Lachowski, Senior Lecturer, BGSU English Dept. and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN). Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Family Fishing Night
Friday, July 12; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
Share an evening with the family in a natural setting and try to catch a big one! A limited number of poles and bait will be provided, and you are free to bring your own. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
River Venture Kayaking
Saturday, July 13; 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Otsego Park
20000 W. River Road, Bowling Green
Paddle down the Mighty Maumee with a naturalist. Check out ecological features and search for wildlife like bald eagles, painted turtles, beaver and more! A kayaking safety and skills session will precede the trip. Cost: $13/$8 FWCP. Register for programs athttp://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
River Wading
Saturday, July 13; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
William Henry Harrison Park
644 Bierley Avenue, Pemberville
Get up close and personal with the life in the Portage River as we explore some of its runs, riffles and pools. We will be in the water exploring with our hands and nets, so wear quick drying clothes and footwear that can get wet and stay attached to your feet. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Family Adventures in the Wild
Monday, July 15 and Thursday, August 15; 7:00 – 8:00 pm
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve: Friends’ Green Room
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
Hear the story of two families and how they connected to natural resources with assistance from the parks. In June, the Tittl family will present photos and stories from a wilderness adventure to the Boundary Waters and talk about what they learned at WCPD’s Paddle the Pond program and how it gave them the final nudge to embark on their adventure. In August, Sarah and Mike Krafty will share the highlights of their quest to visit to each of our 20 Wood County Parks and speak about their experience with the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Conservation Volunteer Day
Tuesday, July 16; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Otsego Park
20000 W. River Road, Bowling Green
Help with invasive plant and trash removal and other conservation tasks. Volunteers will be provided bags and gloves. No experience necessary.
Please register for volunteer opportunities at https://wcparks.galaxydigital.com
Full Moon Walk
Tuesday, July 16; 9:00 – 10:00 pm
Cedar Creeks Preserve
4575 Walbridge Road, Northwood
Enjoy a gentle stroll under the Full Buck moon as we learn moon lore and look and listen for nocturnal wildlife. Bug spray, repellent technology or clothing recommended, any flashlights must have red lenses, no dogs permitted. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Milkweed and Monarchs
Wednesday, July 17; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve: Friends’ Green Room
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
Want to know more about the mighty monarch butterfly? Joy Schall, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, will lead us in an exploration of milkweed, look for monarchs, and learn about metamorphosis! There may even be a few butterflies to release. Register for programs athttp://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Scenic River Canoeing
Friday, July 19; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Orleans Boat Launch
E. Harrison Ave, Perrysburg
Enjoy a scenic paddle on the Maumee River around the Audubon Islands State Nature Preserve with naturalists and ODNR stream scientists who will point out interesting river features. Experience how experts evaluate the health of the river by investigating the critters that call it home. Cost: $10/$7 Friends of the Parks members. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
PiPs: Wetlands
Saturday, July 20; 10:00 – 10:45 am
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve: Friends’ Green Room
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
Search for creatures in the wetland and learn how they indicate the health of our aquatic ecosystem.
Rec-Boat Rescue Workshop
Saturday, July 20; 1:00 – 5:00 pm
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
29530 White Road, Perrysburg
How prepared are you if your kayak flips and fills with water? Gain invaluable safety and rescue skills and test the possibilities and limitations of your recreational kayak in this hands-on and in-the-water American Canoeing Association course. Instructors seek to advance your skills with your personal kayak through on-land, on-water, and in-water experiential training. Registration deadline Monday, July 15. See online description for full details and registration requirements. Cost: $35/FWCP $30
MTB Skills Workshop
Sunday, July 21; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Black Swamp Preserve
1014 South Maple Street, Bowling Green
Learn from the pros of Spoke Life Cycles and The Right Direction as they teach fundamental skills to conquer off-road biking challenges and features. Bring your own bike and helmet. This class is appropriate for riders of all skill levels!
Conservation Volunteer Day
Tuesday, July 23; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Baldwin Woods Preserve
14080 Range Line Road, Weston
Help with invasive plant and trash removal and other conservation tasks. Volunteers will be provided bags and gloves. No experience necessary.
Please register for volunteer opportunities at https://wcparks.galaxydigital.com
Cycle Werk Basics
Wednesday, July 24; 6:00 – 7:45 pm
CycleWerks Bicycle & Fitness
248 South Main Street, Bowling Green
Bike upkeep is crucial to ensuring your rides are smooth and safe. Let the experts from CycleWerks tune-up your skills in maintenance fundamentals in this hands-on workshop! Bring your own bike for hands-on practice. All other materials provided.
Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
Native Nursery Night
Thursday, July 25; 6:00 – 8:00 pm
J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve
30730 Oregon Road, Perrysburg
Help add to, maintain, or harvest seed from the Native Plant Nursery. All are welcome!
Please register for volunteer opportunities at https://wcparks.galaxydigital.com
Ruggers’ Reunion
Thursday, July 25; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Carter Historic Farm
18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green
This will be a fun evening of rug-making and socializing for all those who have participated in the crocheted rug instruction sessions over the past several years. If the weather is nice, we’ll work outside. Bring your own crochet hook and other materials (we’ll have the sewing machine and extra fabric), a lawn chair in case we work outside, a snack to share and your most recent rug project for ‘show and tell’. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
River Cleanup
Friday, July 26; 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Otsego Park
20000 W. River Road, Bowling Green
Help the stewardship department clean up the trail and river’s edge followed by a relaxing evening around the fire! Outdoor games and great view of the river will be
provided. Bring a chair and relax! Please register for volunteer opportunities at https://wcparks.galaxydigital.com
Watermelon Rind Pickling
Saturday, July 27; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Carter Historic Farm
18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green
Learn how to make this unusual treat and take home a jar to share with friends. Register for programs at http://www.wcparks.org/, or call Wood County Park District headquarters at 419-353-1897
