Hike series to showcase region's outdoor attractions

Ashtabula County Metroparks is presenting a series of fall hikes just in time for area residents to enjoy our crisp autumn air, native plants, animals and our fall foliage.

Here’s a schedule for interested hikers:

• Sept. 14 at 9 a.m., meet in the Hatches Corners Metropark, Route 7 parking lot. Marc Hanneman, president of the Sam Wharam Nature Club, will lead a leisurely fall bird walk.

• Sept. 15 at 1 p.m., meet in the parking lot of Eyring Wetlands Preserve Metropark on Windsor- Mechanicsville Road. Leah Wolfe, community herbalist from the Trillium Center, will lead a gentle ethnobotany plant walk and discuss fall foraging.

• Sept. 22, at 3 p.m., Metroparks will be leading a guided hike at the new Indian Mound Metropark, 431 Mill Road, Conneaut (off Welton Road) as part of its joint Nature and Boater Safety Program with the Ashtabula YMCA.

• Oct. 6, Fall Color Hikes have been planned in 3 of the Ashtabula County Metroparks to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fall colors. At noon, meet in the parking lot at Camp Peet Metropark for a hike led by Wolfe. 

At 2 p.m., meet in the parking lot near the Ellsworth Pavilion at the Harpersfield Covered Bridge Metropark for a hike led by Joyce Bond, certified landscape architect.

At 4 p.m., meet in the parking lot at Lampson Reservoir Metropark for a hike led by Larry Frimerman, Ashtabula County Metropark’s executive director.

• Oct. 9 at 2 p.m., meet in the parking lot at Lampson Reservoir Metropark. Mark Meyer will discuss preparing for and feeding winter birds, followed by a leisurely hike led by Shari Bailey, a student naturalist.

• Be sure to mark your calendars for a fun-filled indoor Edible Ornaments Workshop at noon Nov. 11 in the gymnasium at The Nature Center on Calendar Road in Rock Creek.

Bailey, Kristy Belaney, a naturalist, and other Metroparks volunteers will demonstrate and assist participants in making outdoor edible ornaments to feed winter wildlife when food sources become scarce. This program was a favorite with homeschoolers and attendees of all ages last year.

For further information on these or any of the Ashtabula County Metropark programs, or to register, call 440-576-0717.