Archives: Events

Enjoy the start of the new year by going on a guided winter hike through the park. Along the way, we will search for interesting nature and different firsts of the year, such as the first bird we see. Dress appropriately for the weather, including layered clothing, hats, and gloves. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Gatehouse 1 […]

Different animals manage the cold weather in different ways. Learn how animals stay warm during winter with a story called Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? View displays, touch furs, and create a winter animal craft. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 4-5 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; […]

Learn about the mustelids, which are members of the weasel family. Touch furs and view skulls and tracks of various species of weasels, from the tiny least weasel to the large North American river otter. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required.

Make winter inspired crafts, including a snowy owl out of a pinecone, crinkle tissue paper mittens, snowman sun catcher, and a cupcake liner cardinal. Warm drinks will be available, and all supplies will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. Click here to register with $5 per craft set […]

Experience what it’s like to walk like an animal. Visit different stations with a focus on animal movements, and then waddle like a penguin, gallop like a horse, and hop like a frog. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3-5 with an adult. Other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is […]

The Bald Eagle was once on the endangered species list in Ohio and now it can be seen in all but one county. Learn about their habits and how they made a comeback from near extinction. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1-3 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required.

Rocks are fun to build with, paint and can tell a story. There will be items on display made from rocks, such as a hound dog, fairy house, toad house, painted rocks and more. Participants can paint a rock and add some eyes to make a special creature. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1-4 PM […]

Follow the tracks on the Discovery Center floor to see what animals made them. Children can make tracks in the sand and with stamp pads and look at rubber animal tracks of the beaver, snapping turtle, and American Crow. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other aged […]

Pests have gotten into people’s homes all throughout history. Learn how pioneers trapped, exterminated, and deterred nuisance animals from coming inside. Observe displays of historic pest control and mousetraps from the 1800s. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM Ages 16 and up. Free; but click here to register by 1 PM on Wednesday, January […]

Do you know some things about nature?  Do you want to learn more? Join Hancock Park District Naturalist Michelle Rumschlag in this new adult series during the winter months. Raptors are the next to be highlighted. Learn about the differences between hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles.  Get hands-on to look at their feathers, skulls, and […]

Come inside on a cold Friday night and enjoy popcorn and the movie, How to Train Your Dragon. Each child will go home with a little toy dragon. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. Free; but click here to register by 1 PM on Friday, January 16. Minimum: 4/Maximum: 30

Winter is the best time to search for owls. During this guided night hike, we will talk about the different types of owls found in Ohio, such as the Eastern Screech Owl and the Great Horned Owl. Recorded owl calls will be played on the trail to see if owls will respond in the wild. […]

Without having a freezer, pioneers needed to fetch their own ice. Learn how pioneers harvested ice in the winter and how they used that ice throughout the year. Samples of maple syrup candy and hot chocolate will be available. Litzenberg Memorial Woods McKinnis House 1-4 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required.

On this day, a group of men drilling for oil along the Blanchard River struck a gas deposit. This gas deposit was the largest known deposit in the world at the time which caused Findlay to go from a small village into a booming city. Learn about the oil and gas deposits in Ohio, the […]

Bare trees can tell us a lot about what happened last year. Bird, squirrel, and insect nests, holes in trunks, and missing bark are just a few examples of what can be seen when the leaves are gone. We will hike in search of trees and see what they can tell us about nature. Oakwoods […]

Learn about the heroes that many of the constellations are named after. Explore the various icons of Greek mythology and then go inside the planetarium to observe their constellations. Participants are required to sit on the floor. Please ask for accommodations. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. Free; but click […]

Learn about the heroes that many of the constellations are named after. Explore the various icons of Greek mythology and then go inside the planetarium to observe their constellations. Participants are required to sit on the floor. Please ask for accommodations. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM All ages are welcome. Free; but click […]

Take an evening hike and admire the winter landscape. During this guided hike, we will look for nocturnal animals, such as opossums and owls. Dress appropriately for the weather, including layered clothing, hats, and gloves. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6 PM Ages 16 and up. Free; registration is not required.

Making pie crust can be a fun and simple activity to do with the family. Learn how to create interesting pie crusts along with the traditional crust, sample different types of crusts, and make fun pie crust shapes by using cookie cutters, which can be taken home to bake. All supplies will be provided. Oakwoods […]

With the leaves gone from the trees, winter is an excellent time to look for woodpeckers. On this guided bird hike, we will search for woodpeckers and talk about their […]

A hobby is a pleasurable activity that people pursue in their leisure time for enjoyment, relaxation, and personal interest. Share your hobbies and view the ones that will be on display including rocks, sewing needle cases, football items, Abraham Lincoln postcards, and sewing machine advertising. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6-8 PM All ages are welcome. […]

Learn about the amazing world of moles, see what makes these underground mammals unique, and look at pictures, displays, and mounts. Mole coloring sheets will be available for children. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1-3 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required.