From dancing shadows and distant galaxies to a quiet walk beneath the trees, Lowe-Volk Park will offer several ways to experience the natural world during the second half of August. The park and Nature Center are located four miles north of Galion on State Route 598, also known as Portland Way North.
Sunshine and Shadows for Young Explorers
Children ages 5 and younger can discover the connection between sunlight and shadows during Little Explorers: Sunshine and Shadows at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, August 18. The interactive program offers sensory experiences for infants and hands-on nature activities designed to help toddlers and preschoolers practice fine motor skills. Participants will trace shapes, watch shadows change and experiment with movement as they make their own shadows dance across the ground.
Summer Evenings Beneath the Stars
The Crawford Park Astronomy Club will host two opportunities to explore the summer night sky.
The first Viewing the Night Sky program begins at 8:15 PM on Saturday, August 22. Club members will help visitors locate nebulas, galaxies, stars and other celestial sights.
A second viewing will take place at 8:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, offering another chance to examine summer targets overhead.
Both programs are weather-dependent. If clouds or other unfavorable conditions prevent outdoor viewing, the programs will move inside the Nature Center.
A Quiet Walk Through the Woods
Visitors looking to step away from daily distractions can take part in Forest Bathing from 5:00 to 6:30 PM on Sunday, August 23.
Forest bathing guide Lindsay Levering will lead the slow, mindful walk, with pauses for gentle prompts intended to help participants engage their senses, breathe deeply and notice their surroundings. The group will move at an easy pace, and silence is encouraged to allow for a deeper experience. The program is designed to help participants clear their minds, feel more grounded and reconnect with both nature and themselves.
Girl Scouts Take Over the Park
Girl Scout Day will fill Lowe-Volk Park with activities from noon to 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 29. The event is open to current Girl Scouts, girls interested in joining and their families. Activities will be located throughout the park, and a naturalist will lead a badge program for Brownies and Cadettes. Registration is required for the badge program. Families may register by calling the Crawford Park District office at 419-683-9000.