Park program schedule for November
The Centerville-Washington Park District offers free programs during this month. For more information, call (937) 433-5155 or visit www.cwpd.org.:
Nature-Coyote Search
Did you know coyotes are all around us. In fact, coyotes are found statewide. This program is an evening hike to search for signs and listen for these canines at Bill Yeck Park, 7893 Wilmington Dayton Road in Sugarcreek Twp. on Friday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. Registration is required. Residents and nonresidents are welcome and can register at www.cwpd.org. Passport to Nature series is open to all ages.
Homeschool Fitness Academy-Flexible Fitness
Jen Brandt, recreation coordinator, will lead children ages 5-12 years in a variety of fitness activities. Participants meet Thursday, Nov. 19 at Grant Park, 6588 McEwen Road in Washington Twp. from 1 to 2 p.m. Registration is required.
Junior Nature Club-Sensory Safari
This hike uses all the senses to explore nature. Children in kindergarten through grade two meet on Tuesday or Wednesday, Nov. 10 or 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Woodbourne Springs Park, 220 West Whipp Road in Washington Twp. Registration is required.
Eco-Explorers-Secrets of Life
A scavenger hunt will search the park for life secrets, play games, and participate in activities for children in grades three through five will meet Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. in the Woodbourne Springs Park, 220 W. Whipp Road in Washington Twp. Registration is required.
Kiddie Krafts
Children ages 3-5 years with adult companion can let their creativity flow making crafts, coloring pictures, and more at the Grant Nature Nook, 6588 McEwen Road in Washington Twp. on Tuesdays from 1:30-2:15 p.m. or Fridays from 9:30-10:15 a.m. through Nov. 20. Registration is required.
Preschool Series-You Stink! Life of a Skunk
Learn more about this misunderstood creature’s other defenses through songs, games, and a craft. Children ages 3-PreK with an adult companion will meet Thursday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. in Grant Park, 501 Normandy Ridge Road in Washington Twp. Registration is required.
Hike For Your Health will be Wednesdays 10 a.m. for adults to get your heart rate up while enjoying fall colors. Park district staff will lead you on these guided, self-paced hikes.
The dates are
Nov. 11 at Bill Yeck Park, 8798 Rooks Mill Lane
Nov. 18 at Iron Horse Park, 6161 Millshire Drive
Nov. 25 at Grant Park, 501 Normandy Ridge Road
Hound Hike will be Fridays at 8:30 a.m. through Nov. 27 at Grant Park, 501 Normandy Ridge Road for self-guided hikes to socialize your dog and get much needed exercise. No registration is required.
Pathways Program
Pathways: A Community Walking Tour offers 23 different pathways throughout our community. Each pathway begins, ends, or passes through one of the Centerville-Washington Park District’s 47 parks. Stop by Park District Headquarters for a brochure or download the map, route descriptions, and mileage log from the web site.
Tuesday Trek is Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 10 and 24 at Grant Park, 501 Normandy Ridge Road. Registration is required.
Pioneer Woman
A new series of programs designed for women and young ladies 12 years of age and older interested in trying a new experience and gaining self-sufficiency in the outdoors. Registration is required.
Natural Dyes
A program on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Grant Park Nature Nook, 6588 McEwen Road will teach how to make creative dyes for fabrics using materials nature has provided. Bring a plain cotton T-shirt or other article of clothing to dye.
Washington Twp. Trustees helped the Centerville-Washington Park District toward its stated goal of obtaining 50 parks in 50 years with the donation of a one-acre land parcel on Spring Valley Road, at the Oct. 19 trustee meeting.
The donated parcel, located near the northwest corner of Spring Valley and McEwen Road, was used until about 11 years ago to store leaves collected by the township’s public works department.
Trustee President Lee Snyder recognized the park district with a proclamation in honor of its 50th anniversary.
The proclamation commends park district commissioners and staff for “outstanding dedication to the preservation of open space in Washington Twp.”
“Our system of parks helps make Centerville/Washington Twp. the green, attractive and livable community that it is today,” Snyder said.
“It’s given us playgrounds, ball fields, and tranquil areas to enjoy. It’s also contributed greatly to the value of our local housing stock.”
Washington Twp. and the Centerville-Washington Park District have worked together to preserve open space, with township zoning rules requiring developers to donate park land commensurate with the size of their developments.
In May 2002, the trustees helped establish the 44th park, now known as Waterbury Woods Park, with the donation of about seven acres on the south side of Social Row Road, between Paragon Road and Yankee Street.
Like the land donated Oct. 19, it had previously been used to store leaves.
“Mid-20th century leaders saw an opportunity and seized it when they initiated a park district land acquisition program,” said Snyder, noting that the effort has resulted in the largest township park district in Ohio.
“Washington Twp. has been proud to support this program over the years. We’ve found the park district to be a true and reliable community partner — whether we’re working together on a bike path or a map of our local parks.”