Check out these upcoming events but for the full list of available opportunities, visit our programs page.
SUNSET BEACH FEST
Sat., Aug. 9, 2025
4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Lakeview Park
1800 West Erie Ave, Lorain, OH 44052
Free | No Registration required
Spend an afternoon and evening at the beach and enjoy family activities, educational and community vendors, food, and live music. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and canoes will be available to try for free from 4-7 p.m. (weather permitting - NO registration required). Children 5-8 years of age are welcome to try canoes with an adult. Children 9-17 may try paddle craft with an on-shore or participating adult. Then stay for an unforgettable Lake Erie sunset and campfire on the beach.
BUBBLE DAY
Wed., Aug. 20, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 11:30a.m.
French Creek Reservation - Pine Tree Picnic Area
4951 French Creek Rd, Sheffield Village, OH 44054
$1.00 |Registration required
Enjoy bubbles in all forms! From foam to bubble art this program has a station for every kind of bubble! Fun for all ages. Registration Required.
VERMILION RIVER FEST
Sat., Sept. 13, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Vermilion River Reservation - Bacon Woods
51211 N. Ridge Rd., Vermilion, OH 44089
Free! | No registration required
Bring the whole family to enjoy a day along the Vermilion River, featuring food trucks, live music, kids' games, face painting, nature activities, fly fishing demonstrations, a rock climbing wall, wagon rides, and campfires.
This free program takes place on the Bacon Woods side of Vermilion River Reservation. Overflow parking will be available on the Mill Hollow side.
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.
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: Science of Water
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | Time: TBD
Splash Zone (Oberlin)Discover how water works while exploring the indoor pool!
For children ages 7-12.
OCTOBER: Birding Hike
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | Time: TBD
Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)Learn the bird species that call Sandy Ridge Reservation home.
For children ages 7-12.
NOVEMBER: Wildlife Forensics
Thursday, November 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 11/12/25. Registration opens 10/13/2025.
DECEMBER: Animal Tracks and Signs
Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm
French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield Village)Learn how to identify the animals who live in the forest by looking for tracks, trails, homes, scat, and other signs of wildlife. Please dress for the weather.
For children ages 7-12.
JANUARY: Raptors Eat What?!
Wednesday, January 15, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)What do raptors eat, and why? Find out during owl pellet dissection, bio-facts and an outdoor eating demonstration using our Raptor Center resident birds. Please dress for the weather.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 1/14/26. Registration opens 11/21/2025.
FEBRUARY: Snow & Ice
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow Carriage BarnLearn about snow and ice with a lesson, activity/craft and hike at Vermilion River Reservation! We will learn about the properties of snow and ice, snowflakes, glaciers and icebergs, and the Ice Age in Ohio.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 2/10/26. Registration opens 1/10/2026.
MARCH: Pollinator Diversity
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)Discover and learn about some of the lesser-known but still really important pollinators and the plants that depend on them during a hands-on lesson, fun activities, and an engaging Conservatory Tour!
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 3/18/26. Registration opens 1/18/2026.
APRIL: Seed Starting
Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)Learn about how plants grow and how to start seeds at home for a flower or vegetable garden. Students will start a few seeds to take home and grow for the summer.
For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 4/14/26. Registration opens 1/15/2026.
MAY: Migration Madness
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Time: TBD
Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)Join us as we learn how our feathered friends migrate.
For children ages 7-12.