MEDIA CONTACTS:
BOB ROTATORI -216-635-3263, rrr@clevelandmetroparks.com
ALYSSA COOK-ALEXANDER - 635-3274, aca@clevelandmetroparks.com
April showers bring May flowers. Now that blossoms are poking up from the ground, get to know nature's best friend with these Cleveland Metroparks wildflower programs in May, including:
Mid-Afternoon Hike
Wednesday, May 1 � 1:30 - 3 p.m. - OR - Sunday, May 19 � 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Strawberry Picnic Area parking lot � North Chagrin Reservation
April showers bring May flowers. Explore the Scenic Loop Trail for colorful blossoms of scarlet, pink, purple and white and learn a few fascinating botanical facts along the way. Strawberry Picnic Area is located off Buttermilk Falls Parkway, off the Strawberry Lane entrance of North Chagrin Reservation, off SOM Center Road/Route 91 in Willoughby Hills. For more information, call 440-473-3370.
Friday Flora
Friday, May 3 � 3 - 4:30 p.m. - OR - Friday, May 10 � 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Johnson's Picnic Area parking lot � Hinckley Reservation
Spring ephemerals come and go very quickly. So be sure to come out and enjoy a weekly walk to witness these beauties; they may not be here next week. A naturalist will lead the way and identify this walk's �best in bloom.� Johnson's Picnic Area is located off West Drive in Hinckley Reservation, between Bellus and State roads in Hinckley Township. For more information, call 440-526-1012.
Wildflower Walk
Saturday, May 4 � 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Cottonwood Picnic Area � Rocky River Reservation
Along the Rocky River is a lovely woodland trail bordered by spring wildflowers. Join Naturalist Kathy Schmidt to view these beauties of spring. Cottonwood Picnic Area is located off Valley Parkway in Rocky River Reservation, south of Puritas/Mastick Road in Fairview Park. For more information, call 440-734-6660.
Nature-ology: Spring wildflowers and their pollinators
Saturday, May 4 � 1- 3 p.m.
Look About Lodge � South Chagrin Reservation
Get up-close and personal with the earliest blossoms. This program will look at the parts of a flower and how they attract potential pollinators. The program will be indoors and outside, so dress for the weather. Look About Lodge is located at 37374 Miles Road in South Chagrin Reservation, between SOM Center Road/Route 91 and Chagrin River Road in Bentleyville. For more information, call 440-247-7075.
Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May 5 � 2 - 3 p.m.
Lagoon Picnic Area � Rocky River Reservation
Early May is a great time to view Virginia bluebells and other spring wildflowers. Join this walk to discover what's blooming. Lagoon Picnic Area is located off Valley Parkway in Rocky River Reservation, between Cedar Point Road and Spafford Road in Brookpark. For more information, call 440-734-6660
Floodplain Wildflowers
Saturday, May 11 � 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Watershed Stewardship Center parking lot � West Creek Reservation
May brings carpets of wildflowers to wooded floodplains throughout Cleveland Metroparks. What makes these habitats special? Take a walk with Naturalist Debra Shankland to find out about wildflower ecology. West Creek Reservation's main entrance is located off West Ridgewood Drive, between State and Broadview roads in Parma. For more information, call 440-887-1968.
Pop Up Program
Saturday, May 18 � 2 - 3:30 p.m.
CanalWay Center � Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Stop at CanalWay Center to find where in the reservation Naturalist Jill Hauger will pop up. Discover local wildflowers by enjoying a walk along the trail to learn more about beautiful spring flowers. CanalWay Center is located on Whittlesey Way, off the East 49th Street entrance of Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, between Grant Avenue and Canal Road in Cuyahoga Heights. For more information, call 216-206-1000.
Hidden Wonders of Flowers
Sunday, May 26 � 2 - 4 p.m.
CanalWay Center � Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Flowers have hidden wonders that only insects and birds can see. These wonders are what attract the pollinators to the plant. Come in to the center see the hidden wonders of various flowers which are revealed under black light. CanalWay Center is located on Whittlesey Way, off the East 49th Street entrance of Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, between Grant Avenue and Canal Road in Cuyahoga Heights. For more information, call 216-206-1000.
Hidden Story Hike
Tuesday, May 28 � 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Breckville Nature Center � Brecksville Reservation
Join Naturalist John Miller to explore the Tall Grass Prairie and life along the Wildflower Loop Trail. Brecksville Nature Center is located off Chippewa Creek Drive, off the Route 82 entrance of Brecksville Reservation in Brecksville. For more information call 440-526-1012.
Each spring, several flower species begin to bloom throughout the �Emerald Necklace.� Enjoy spring wildflowers in the Hauser Wildflower Garden at Rocky River Nature Center in Rocky River Reservation. One of the best locations in North Chagrin Reservation for native spring wildflowers is the Scenic Loop Trail. Royalview Picnic Area in Mill Stream Run Reservation is famous for bluebells. Other common spring wildflowers like trillium, spring beauty, trout lily, and many more can be found in a number of areas throughout the Park District.
Discover the natural beauty of spring wildflowers in Cleveland Metroparks - part of your life, naturally!
-30-
