As the principal facility of the Crawford Park District that provides inside, heated space in the middle of an Ohio winter, it comes as no surprise that Lowe-Volk Park in nearby Leesville is a busy place this month.
Starting on Thursday, February 1, the Nature Center will be hopping with activity. More information on any of the following can be obtained on the District website.
Homeschool in Nature: Nature Knowledge
- Date: Thursday, February 1
- Time: 10 am & 2 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
- Description: Homeschoolers will test their nature knowledge in a competition. Questions include general facts and previous class topics. The winning team leads a hike. Register your 5–12-year-old by calling the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000.
Surreal Snapshots – Patience and the Power of Photography
- Date: Saturday, February 3 – Saturday, March 2
- Opening Date and Time: Saturday, February 3 at 11 am
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
- Description: Photography exhibit by Dr. Brad Imhoff featuring Ohio’s wildlife. Dr. Imhoff specializes in bird photography and will share stories of the natural world. The exhibit runs until March 2.
Ohio Birding
- Date: Saturday, February 3
- Time: 1 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
- Description: Learn about common Ohio birds, bird identification, and bird-watching equipment. Explore nature guides, Ohio Division of Wildlife website, and bird identification apps. Discover the spring warbler migration at Magee Marsh.
Feeding Day
- Date: Monday, February 5
- Time: 4:30 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
- Description: Help prepare diets and feed various creatures at Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center. Create puzzles, toys, and decorations for captive animals.
Little Explorers – Feathers
- Date: Tuesday, February 6
- Time: 5 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
- Description: Interactive program for children aged 0-5. Activities focus on exploring feathers and developing fine motor skills.
Rock Tumbling
- Dates: Saturday, February 10 & 24
- Time: 10 am – 12 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park
- Description: Learn about rock tumbling equipment and the process of tumbling rocks. Two sessions cover rough tumbling and polishing. Multimedia lesson included.
- Registration: Call the Park District at 419.683.9000.
- Walk-ins welcome.
Face to Face – Snakes
- Date: Saturday, February 17
- Time: 11 am
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park
- Description: Get up close with snake ambassadors of the Nature Center. Learn about snake adaptations and have the opportunity to touch and hold a Cornsnake and an Eastern Milksnake.
Amphibians of Vernal Pools (Virtual)
- Date: Tuesday, February 20
- Time: 6 pm
- Description: Join a virtual presentation exploring amphibians’ life in vernal pools, from egg to adult. Register with the CPD office to receive a Zoom link.
Viewing the Night Sky
- Date: Saturday, February 24
- Time: 7:00 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598
- Description: Join the Crawford Park Astronomy Club for a night of celestial sights, including Saturn, Jupiter, Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula, North Star, Big Dipper, and Seven Sisters.
Snow Insects
- Date: Sunday, February 25
- Time: 2 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park
- Description: Explore insects active on snowy winter days. Includes an indoor presentation and a hike to search for snow insects.
- Check the website or Facebook page for updates.
Nature’s Best Leapers
- Date: Wednesday, February 28
- Time: 5:30 pm
- Location: Lowe-Volk Park
- Description: Celebrate leap year with a program about the best leapers in nature. Designed for children up to 5th grade.
