What’s Happening

Check out these upcoming events but for the full list of available opportunities, visit our programs page.

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
Mon., April 8, 2024
Various park locations

Join us on Monday, April 8, for the celestial event of the decade—the total solar eclipse! Lorain County is in the path of totality for this event, which means that Earth’s moon will completely shadow the sun. Celebrate this event with Lorain County Metro Parks at one of two viewing locations: Lakeview Park in Lorain or Carlisle Equestrian Center in LaGrange. Both viewing locations will offer activities and information from 11 am-5 pm, including a Solar System Walk. This walk-through display will offer fun and educational information about the planets in our solar system.

Plus, we’ve partnered with the Black River Astronomical Society, which will be onsite at both viewing locations to answer questions and provide telescopes with the proper filters to view the eclipse. A limited number of FREE solar viewing glasses will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Astronomy Speaker Series

Leading up to the eclipse, we will also be hosting the Astronomy Speaker Series. The Astronomy Speaker Series will feature lectures and talks from members of the Black River Astronomical Society on various astronomical topics leading up to the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse. All sessions are free to attend and do not require pre-registration. Astronomy Speaker Series dates and locations below:

HERB FAIR
Sat., April 27, 2024 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Vermilion River Reservation
Free!

With the beautiful Mill Hollow scenery as a backdrop, enjoy a fair featuring a variety of vendors selling homegrown herbs, plants, handmade décor, body products, and food items. This spring event is the perfect time to shop for your gardens and homes as well as for unique, made-in-Ohio gifts for Mother’s Day, Graduation, and that special someone! Stick around and grab lunch from food vendors and tour the historic Bacon House Museum, which will be open for viewing. FREE admission and parking. No pre-registration is required.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
June-August | All concerts at 6:00 p.m.
Lakeview Park, Mill Hollow, & Miller Nature Preserve
Free!

Every summer season, the Lorain County Metro Parks offers unique outdoor music experiences that cannot be found anywhere else! Every year brings new and exciting bands and artists, and some of the local favorites come back each year. Vermilion River Reservation concerts take place in the gorgeous amphitheater on Sunday evenings, while Lakeview Park’s concerts on the shores of Lake Erie and Miller Nature Preserve’s concerts on the outdoor patio take place on alternating Thursday evenings. All concerts begin at 6:00 p.m. and are free to attend. Visit the parks for a truly unique experience of basking in nature while enjoying some lively tunes! The Summer Concert Series begins in June, and the complete concert calendar is below!

*Note: Concerts begin in June*

HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS:
Various park locations
$3 per child

Homeschool Explorers is geared for children learning at home. This program series (September through May) will travel to different park locations to engage your children in nature, science, history, the arts, and recreation!

Depending on the program’s topic and location, children will learn through educational biofacts, nature hikes, activities, games, arts and crafts, or meeting a live animal! The program fee is $3.00/child, and participation medical waivers are required for these drop-off programs. To accommodate as many students as possible, only students within the age range listed in the program description will be permitted to attend.

Registration opens one month prior to the program date.

MARCH

• Unreal Animals: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024 | 10-11:30 am | Vermilion River Reservation: Mill Hollow Carriage Barn (Vermilion)
  Learn about animal myths and truths as well as we explore mythical animals and legends. All students between the ages of 7-12 welcome to this drop-off program. Medical form is required. Pre-register by 3/18. Cost is $3 per child participant.

APRIL

• Archery: Thursday, Apr. 25, 2024 | 10-11:30 am | Black River Reservation: High Meadows picnic area (Elyria)
  Learn all about the basics of archery, and then try for a bullseye! You will learn how to safely draw, shoot, and retrieve your arrows and add up your target scores. All students between the ages of 7-12 are welcome to this drop-off program, and a medical form is required to participate. Pre-register by 4/24. Cost is $3 per child participant.

MAY

• Birds: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 10-11:30 am | Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)
  Join a naturalist to explore the magic of spring songbird migration. We will hike through the woods looking and listening for warblers, thrushes, vireos, and more as we learn about where the birds are coming from and where they are going on their migration journeys. We will also check on the bald eagles and view the birds hanging out in the ponds. Bring binoculars if you have them (binoculars available if needed). Meet at the Johnson Wetland Center. Dress for the weather as this program takes place outdoors. All students between the ages of 7-12 are welcome to this drop-off program, and a medical form is required to participate. Pre-register by 5/13. Cost is $3 per child participant.

• Planting Seeds: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 | 10-11:30 am | Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)
  Learn about how to start seedlings and what it takes to grow plants. Take home your own planted seed.  All students between the ages of 7-12 are welcome to this drop-off program, and a medical form is required to participate. Pre-register by 5/17. Cost is $3 per child participant.