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Time to get out and get active
Partners in Nature

Check out their website for a listing of paddling outings on the Cuyahoga River in 2013.

June 16th 9:30-4:00 Experience the Upper Cuyahoga State Scenic River from Hiram to Shalersville. This includes the section that is part of the Headwaters Adventure Race. Registration is required; boat rentals
are available through Camp Hi Canoe.  Bring a lunch for a break at Buchert Park in Mantua. Please contact either the Portage Park District at (330) 297-7728 or Friends of the Crooked River
trip leaders Harold and Elaine Marsh in advance at (330) 666-4026.
THANK YOU!!
whitetails unlimited
The local Hole in the Horn Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited recently contributed $1,500 from their annual fundraiser to support the Park District's work in habitat conservation and education.



Paddling the Cuyahoga SURVEY

Kent State Professor Andy Lepp ([email protected]; 330-672-0218), is conducting a survey on paddling the Cuyahoga River for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Make your voices heard! Take this anonymous survey at this LINK and help guide decisions that could affect management and use of the river.


rabbit
Researchers from NEOMed are studying the evolution and ecology of the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit in Portage Parks...and they need your help in finding the best places to trap and tag them. 

Have you seen rabbits at Towner's Woods or Dix Park? Simply contact the researchers and let them know where in
the park you've recently seen rabbits. Thanks!

Dr. Gabrielle Russo
(330) 325 - 6485
[email protected]

Dr. Jesse Young
(330) 325 - 6304
[email protected]

June 1, Kent
Pedal with Pete Hike and Bike Fundraiser to benefit research on Cerebral Palsy.  Learn more HERE.
Dear Friend,

Whether you're gearing up for our Headwaters Adventure Race, planning your Wild Hikes Challenge outings, or just looking forward to a taking a quiet break in nature, do something nice for yourself and get out to Portage Parks....for fun, for health....for life!

Happy trails,

Christine Craycroft, Executive Director
Registration is OPEN
Saturday, July 13, 2013Headwaters jpg logo
Run, Pedal and Paddle for trails and watershed conservation!

Click here for more information and to register

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--please contact us if you'd like to help

2013 Wild Hikes Challenge
Wild Hikes logo
Hit the Trail

The Wild Hikes Challenge provides a little extra incentive to get out on your own or with friends and family to explore Portage Parks. We've had Silver Sneakers groups, families, scout troops and solo hikers take the Challenge-- and you can too. You just need to hike 8 of the listed trails between June and December to earn a hiking stick and brass tag (your first year), and then a brass tag each year after that you complete the challenge. This year's tag gives a nod to 2013 being the Year of the Snake. Snakes really are a vital and beautiful part of our ecology. Unfortunately, we rarely see them while hiking. :o)
 
Guided Hikes
2012 wild hikes tag
2012 Wild Hikes tag
Take the Challenge

If you'd like to hike with some company and learn a bit more about your Portage Parks, join Park District Executive Director Christine Craycroft in taking the Wild Hikes Challenge this year. 

Chris will lead hikes every Monday at 6:00 p.m. from June 17th until August 5th. Meet at the trailheads listed below. Download a map and directions to the parks.

June 17: Berlin Lake Trail SR 224 lot
June 24: Headwaters Trail starting at Garrettsville Park
July 1: Headwaters Trail starting at SR 700 going east
July 8 Headwaters Trail starting at SR 700 going west
July 15: Towner's Woods
July 22: Seneca Ponds
July 29: Dix Park
August 5: The PORTAGE at Lake Rockwell Road
...in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.

-JOHN MUIR, Steep Trails, 1918
THANK YOU!!
15th Portage County
Environmental Conservation Awards Dinner

PC Environmental Roundtable logo
Hundreds of contributors and attendees helped to honor our environmental conservation heroes while raising over $21,000 for maintaining parks and trails. 

Thank you lead sponsors Kent State University and Davey Tree Expert Company!

 

 

Learn about the awardees and see the list of donors and volunteers here  

   

Calling All Photographers/Videographers
We know many of you have some terrific photos and maybe video that you've taken at your favorite Portage Parks.  Would you like to share them?  We want to show off our parks and trails to everyone and we could use your help.  Please contact us at the address below.
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Portage Park District | 330-297-7728 | [email protected] | http://www.portageparkdistrict.org
705 Oakwood Street
Suite 4
Ravenna, OH 44266