Check out these upcoming events but for the full list of available opportunities, visit our programs page.
SPRING GREEN MARKET
Sat., May 17, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Miller Nature Presere,
2739 Center Rd., Avon, OH
Free | No registration required
Join us for the inaugural Spring Green Market at Miller Nature Preserve—an outdoor shopping and educational experience in a beautiful garden setting.
Grow & Give Back – Select from a variety of second-season native plants, sold in large trade-gallon pots, to enhance your yard while benefiting pollinators and biodiversity. Proceeds support the Citizens Committee for Lorain County Metro Parks.
Shop Local & Eco-Friendly – Browse a curated selection of nature-inspired, mindfully handmade products from local vendors.
Engage & Explore – Connect with local experts through interactive demonstrations on sustainable practices, and enjoy hands-on activities designed for kids.
Savor Sustainable Bites – The Orchid Café will be open for lunch, offering delicious food, wine samples from local vineyards, and insights on composting kitchen scraps and eco-friendly food service products.
To promote sustainability, we encourage carpooling due to limited parking. Guests are also encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags. Celebrate nature, support local businesses, and take home a little piece of spring!
TRAM RIDES
June-September
Various park locations
Free | No registration required
Do you or a loved one have mobility issues but still want to explore the natural beauty of our beautiful Lorain County Metro Parks? Or, do you simply want to enjoy a fun, leisurely ride through your favorite park while taking in the scenery? Then, our FREE tram rides are the perfect solution! These trams are completely free and require no pre-registration, however space on the tram is limited and seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis (trams typically seat about 6 people). The trams depart approximately every 30 minutes from their designated pick-up/drop-off locations listed below. Check out the full list of locations, dates, and times below!
BLACK RIVER RESERVATION - DAY’S DAM PICNIC AREA
2720 E. 31st St., Lorain
Every Wednesday, June-September | 10:00 am - 12:00 pmThe tram departs from the shelter at the Day’s Dam Picnic Area. All tram rides last approximately 15-30 minutes each.
CASCADE PARK
387 Furnace St., Elyria
Every Tuesday, June-September | 10:00 am - 12:00 pmThe tram departs from the shelter #1. All tram rides last approximately 15-30 minutes each.
KOPF FAMILY RESERVATION
32649 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake
Every other Monday, beginning June 2*, June-September | 5:30 - 7:00 pmThe tram departs from the trailhead located in the parking lot of the Avon Public Library. All tram rides last approximately 15-30 minutes each.
*Specific dates: June 2, 16, 30, July 14, 28, Aug. 11, 25, Sept. 8, & 22)SANDY RIDGE RESERVATION
6195 Otten Rd., North Ridgeville
Every Saturday & Sunday, June-September | 1:00 - 4:00 pmThe tram departs from the small shelter outside of the Nature Center. All tram rides last approximately 15-30 minutes each.
SCHOEPFLE GARDEN
11106 Market St., Wakeman
Every Sunday, June-September | 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Every Thursday, June-September | 10:00 am - 1:00 pmThe tram departs from outside of the Visitor Center. All tram rides last approximately 15-30 minutes each.
WELLINGTON RESERVATION
535 Jones Rd., Wellington
Every Monday in May | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Every Saturday in June | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Every Wednesday in July | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Every Tuesday in August | 9:00 - 11:00 am
Every Sunday in September | 2:00 - 4:00 pmThe tram departs from outside of the Visitor Center. All tram rides last approximately 15-30 minutes each.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
June-August (Thursdays & Sundays)
6:00 p.m.
Vermilion River Reservation, Lakeview Park (Lorain), & Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)
Free | No registration required
Every summer season, the Lorain County Metro Parks’ offers unique outdoor music experiences that cannot be found anywhere else! Every year brings new and exciting bands and artists, and some of the local favorites come back each year. Visit the parks for a truly unique experience of basking in nature while enjoying some lively tunes! Full schedule below.
Please Note: Concerts begin in June. Navigate to future months to see full schedule.
For more information and to see the concert schedule in list form, click or tap below.
HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS:
Various park locations
$3 per child
Homeschool Explorers is geared for children learning at home. This program series (September through May) will travel to different park locations to engage your children in nature, science, history, the arts, and recreation!
Depending on the program’s topic and location, children will learn through educational biofacts, nature hikes, activities, games, crafts, or meeting a live animal! Program fee is $3.00/child. To be able to accommodate as many students as possible only students within the age range listed in the program description (usually ages 7-12) will be permitted to attend and participation waivers are required. Please dress for the weather.
Registration opens one month prior to the program date.
SEPTEMBER: Open Gym
Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Splash Zone (Oberlin)For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 9/10/24. Registration opens 8/15/2024.
OCTOBER: Rainbow of Colors/Fall Foliage
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | 10:00-11:30 am
Cascade Park (Elyria)Gear up for fall by learning about the weather, the seasons, and the changes in the colors of our environment! During this program, we will play group games, complete an art project, and do hands-on demonstrations of how to use weather tools. Take-home activities will also be provided. Please dress for going outside!
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 10/15/24. Registration opens 9/15/2024.
NOVEMBER: Rocks and Gems
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 10:00-11:30 am
Vermilion River Reservation, Mill HollowLearn all about rocks, gems, and crystals with a naturalist-led lesson filled with activities! We will be outside for a portion of the program if weather permits, so please wear appropriate outdoor clothing.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 11/11/24. Registration opens 10/13/2024.
DECEMBER: Animal Tracks, Homes, and Signs
Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 1:00-2:30 pm
French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield Village)Explore the French Creek Reservation and look for clues about the animals who live in the park. Learn how to find and identify different types of tracks, scat, homes, trails, and other animal signs.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 12/2/24. Registration opens 11/4/2024.
JANUARY: Winter Survival Skills
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Wellington ReservationTest your skills with this winter survival program. Learn how early humans survived in the winter. Discuss the adaptations that allow animals to survive the winter.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 1/21/25. Registration opens 12/22/2024.
FEBRUARY: Wildlife Forensics
Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
Columbia Reservation, Briarwood Lodge (Columbia Station)Learn how to apply forensic techniques to solve wildlife crimes through hands-on activities and crafts.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 2/8/25. Registration opens 1/8/2025.
MARCH: Vernal Pool Critters
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)Learn what a vernal pool is, meet various critters that use these temporary habitats, and then hike to a nearby pool to look and listen for more residents. For ages 7-12. $3 per child. If weather permits, we will be going outside so dress appropriately.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 3/24/25. Registration opens 2/26/2025.
APRIL: Plants on the Menu
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)From hungry herbivores and insect pests to humans growing & eating them, plants are an important part of many organisms’ diets and survival, therefore plants have evolved a myriad of helpful & amazing adaptations and strategies to defend themselves from becoming a meal. Students will learn about some of these plants’ protective adaptations through a fun, engaging lesson and tour through the Conservatory. For ages 7-12. $3.00 per child. This is a drop-off program, and a medical form is required to participate. Registration is required by 3/16.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 4/14/25. Registration opens 3/16/2025.
MAY: Birds and Their Habitats
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)Join a naturalist to explore the bird species of Sandy Ridge Reservation. We will hike through the woods looking and listening for warblers, thrushes, vireos, and more as we learn about spring songbird migration. Bring binoculars if you have them (binoculars available if needed). Meet at the Johnson Wetland Center. Dress for the weather as this program takes place outdoors.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 5/13/25. Registration opens 4/14/2025.