07/08/2025
Medina County Park District this week!
THIS WEEK -- Immerse yourself in a forest therapy hike, groove to a live concert, join a senior hike to make new friends, spruce up your yard with native plants, explore nature with fellow bookworms, get crafty decorating an apron with natural materials, uncover the world of moths and butterflies at Susan Hambley Nature Center, and so much more! There's something for everyone to enjoy and explore in the great outdoors this week.
Tuesday, July 8
Senior Strides
Green Leaf Park
10 to 11 a.m.
Join park volunteer Connie for Senior Strides, a once a month social hike for seniors! It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and get your exercise at the same time. Walks are one to two miles in length. Please dress for the weather, and be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Ages 50 and up. No registration is required. Free.
Wednesday, July 9
Natural Discoveries
Lake Medina - Granger Road Entrance
10 to 11 a.m.
Join us for an easy walk to observe the unfolding of nature all year long in the parks. Natural Discoveries is an award based series of nature programs designed for ages seven to adult. No registration is required. Free.
**Thursday, July 10
Forest Therapy Walk
Litchfield Wetlands Nature Preserve
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Join Jason of Whisper Shifter for a relaxed, sensory experience on a forest therapy walk. Non strenuous movement in a natural setting coupled with the goal of guiding participants through the experiencing of sensing, embodiment, and appreciation for their relationships to the natural world is the main focus of walks. Ages five to adult. **Register by July 8. Free.
Friday, July 11
Hostess with the Mostess
Oenslager Nature Center
10 to 11 a.m.
Let’s explore the plants and trees that bugs, butterflies, or caterpillars eat, live on, or lay their eggs on. Ages six to adult. No registration is required. Free.
Saturday, July 12
Summer Native Plant Sale
Oenslager Nature Center
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are you looking to add some diversity to your landscape to increase habitat and biodiversity? Look no further than the annual native plant sale at Oenslager Nature Center. Stop by to pick from a nice selection of reasonably priced, ecologically important native plants. A variety of species in limited quantities will be available. Plants are grown by Camel Creek Natives and sold through Friends of Medina County Parks, Inc. Cash or check.
Saturday, July 12
Sunday, July 13
Investigation: Lepidoptera
Susan Hambley Nature Center
12 to 5 p.m.
Literally meaning “scaled” wing, Lepidoptera is the order containing both moths and butterflies. But how similar are these two kinds of winged insects? Stop by the nature center to find out with activities, hands on investigation, and displays. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free.
**Saturday, July 12
Eco Printing Experience
Oenslager Nature Center
1 to 4 p.m.
Create a one of a kind apron using flowers, food scraps, and steam! You will enjoy this unique artistic experience and walk away with a functional yet beautiful item to wear. All supplies are provided. **Please register by calling or texting Sonja at (417) 569-6019 by July 10. Ages 14 to adult. There is a $25 program fee.
Sunday, July 13
Music at The Lodge: Circle of Friends
The Lodge at Allardale
2 to 3 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the park with free, live musical entertainment. This summer concert series, sponsored by Friends of Medina County Parks, brings a variety of music the whole family is sure to enjoy. Bring your own chair or blanket to enjoy this concert on the lawn at The Lodge at Allardale! This month, enjoy music from Circle of Friends, a group that loves to share positive energy and joy with its rock/folk inspired music performed on acoustic guitar, stand up bass, percussion, and keyboard. The group’s original and cover songs weave together a tapestry of melodies that inspire and uplift one’s spirit. Circle of Friends also celebrates our relationship with the natural world through songs and stories. **In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free. ****ALSO -- 60th anniversary t-shirts will be available for purchase -- cash or check (made out to Friends of Medina County Parks) -- $15 each.****
**Sunday, July 13
Narrating Nature Book Club: Insects
Oenslager Nature Center
2 to 4 p.m.
Welcome to the summer season, gentle reader! This season, we will creep into the wonderful world of insects in “For the Love of Insects” by Thomas Eisner, Edward O. Wilson. Here we will examine their tiny world through many lenses! As always, we hope you’ll join us to explore these jewels and crown a miniature masterpiece of nature. Happy Reading! Please note there will be no hike for this quarter of our book club, but please consider joining us for the Native Plant Festival, where we will tag monarchs before their journeys to Mexico! Ages 18 and up. **Register by July 11. Free.
Sunday, July 13
Summer Native Plant Sales
Oenslager Nature Center
1 to 4 p.m.
See 7/12 program listing for details. Cash or check only.
