Hike-It!, other programs planned at local parks

The Hancock Park District's Hike-It! Program, now in its eighth year, is underway. Participants are encouraged to walk the designated trails at several Hancock County locations. Details and registration forms can be found at www.HancockParks.com. Registration forms may be emailed to jshane@HancockParks.com or dropped off at 1424 E. Main Cross St., Findlay. If this is your first year to participate, you may stop into the office to pick up your complimentary walking stick. Hiking must be done by Nov. 30 in order for you to receive your 2022 medallion, which can be placed on the walking stick. You must call the Hancock Park District Administrative Office at 419-425-7275 between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31 to reserve your medallion. Hike-It! is among many programs planned in upcoming weeks. "Autumn-themed Painted Floor Cloth Workshop" will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Litzenberg Memorial Woods, Activity Barn. Park staff will offer some examples of seasonal items to paint, such as apples, pumpkins, and scarecrows, but participants will be in charge of design. In this workshop, you will get to make your own 2' x 3' floor cloth. All supplies will be provided. Ages 13 and up. Register at www.HancockParks.com with $15 per person by 9 a.m. the day of the event. "Pioneer Tyke Hikes" will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at Litzenberg Memorial Woods, Gatehouse. Children can tour the 1847 McKinnis homestead to discover some of pioneers' autumn chores and learn what it was like to live as a pioneer. The tour will include hands-on activities such as grinding and shelling corn, pressing apples and churning butter. Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is not required. "Fall Crafts for Kids" will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center. Children will create fall-themed crafts like felt leaf finger puppets, paper plate owls and a popsicle stick scarecrow face. Ages 5-10 with an adult. Adults do not need to register. Register at www.HancockParks.com with $5 per child by 1 p.m. the day of the event. "Adult Stream Stomping" will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center. Participants will go into Aurand Run and use nets to catch fish, crayfish, and other smaller organisms such as water pennies, damselfly larva, and leeches. All participants must wear closed toed shoes that can get wet. Ages 18 and up. Free; but register online at www.HancockParks.com by 1 p.m. Oct. 7. "Archery Instruction Workshop – Youth" will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Dold Lake. Youths will have the opportunity to learn the basics of archery along with safety measures, while shooting arrows at several targets with a compound bow. All necessary equipment and targets will be provided. After participating in the workshop, participants will be eligible to participate in the Archery Open Shoots scheduled throughout the year. Ages 9-13. Register with $10 per person at www.HancockParks.com by 1 p.m. on Oct. 7. "Broom Making" will be held from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 9 at Litzenberg Memorial Woods, McKinnis House. Families can come to the McKinnis House to see how a broom is made. Learn about the process of taking a plant and turning it into a tool, broom history, and different types of brooms that are used on the farm. Families with children 8 and up. Free; registration is not required. "Insects: Open House" will be held from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 9 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center. Participants will explore the world of insects, from important pollinators, like butterflies and moths, to some that, according to a press release, "just seem to be there to BUG us!" Insects will be on display, along with identification books. All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. "Leaf Rubbings" will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 12 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center. Children will take a short hike, collect leaves, and learn about trees. After that, they will experience leaf rubbing with crayons. Ages 3-5 with an adult. Free; registration is not required. The eighth "Art in the Park: Plein Air Paint-Out" will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Litzenberg Memorial Woods. Plein air artists will paint the McKinnis Farmstead as well as the woods and prairie areas of the park. This year's paint-out will be held in conjunction with the annual Autumnfest, with costumed interpreters and farm animals. The public can watch artists at work throughout the park, then view finished paintings at the end of the day. In case of rain, there are several places to work under cover. Participating artists may bring one or two small framed or matted plein air paintings to display in the Activity Barn during Autumnfest (some table and floor easels will be available). Registration and check-in will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Activity Barn. For more information, email Sharon Hammer Baker at bakerartstudio@gmail.com. "Autumnfest at Litzenberg Memorial Woods," a celebration of northwest Ohio history, will take place from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 15 at Litzenberg. Horse-drawn hayrides will take place around the prairie area. Live music provided by The Mule Skinners will be in the Activity Barn along with popcorn, apple cider, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Live farm animals will be available to visit, and participants can take a self-guided tour of the heirloom orchard. Children can enjoy the pioneer toys in the homestead yard. A vendor area along the walkway will have a variety of wares including honey, knitted and crocheted items, vanilla extract, jams, jellies, and baked goods. All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required.