Submitted by Kathleen Webb

May is Wetlands Month!

Katherine Malmquist, a member of the Board of Protect Geauga Parks, will be leading a walk this Sunday, May 15 at The Rookery, one of the reservations in Geauga Park District.  Katherine will share her deep love of this Park and her broad knowledge of its history and significance along the way.  Located at 10110 Cedar Road, Munson Township 44026, much of the land within The Rookery is considered wetland, with marshes and swamp forests, and of course a nesting colony of Great Blue Herons that gives this park its name.  This will be a family-friendly walk, with people who love our parks — and the mosquitoes are not out yet!  Songbirds, wildflowers, and the evidence of beavers at work are among the delights of nature that walkers will see and enjoy at The Rookery.  Details and directions below:

Sunday May 15th @ 2:00 PM  The Rookery

May is a great month to observe the Great Blue Heron Rookery besides other birds that either nest or are still migrating in the area.   We will do a .5 mile loop on the Woodcock Trail to observe some of the bird life.  And if weather allows we will also follow part of the Interurban Trail that goes through the park (we will do approximately 1-2 miles total of this “in and out” trail).  All trails are somewhat easy to walk.  Bring binoculars.

Directions

From Erie and points north: Travel I-90 to exit 200 (Painesville/Chardon). Turn south onto Route 44, turning right at the first intersection (.3 mile) onto Auburn Road. Travel south on Auburn Road for approximately 9.7 miles, cross Route 322 (Mayfield Road) and continue 2 miles to Cedar Road. Turn west onto Cedar Road, and travel approximately 1.9 miles to park entrance.

From Akron and points south: Travel Auburn Road for approximately 2.6 miles, north of Route 87 (Kinsman Road). Turn west onto Cedar Road, and travel approximately 1.9 miles to park entrance.

From Cleveland and points west: Travel US-422 E. Merge onto I-271 N. Exit 29, OH-87 turn right. Travel Route OH-87 east. North on Sperry Rd. East on Fairmount Rd. North on Rockhaven Road. Turn west onto Cedar Road, and travel approximately 1.9 miles to park entrance.

~ Kathleen Webb