LIMA — The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will host the following programs in August.
• Beginning archery: The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will offer a beginning archery program on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Evans Archery Range, 1376 N. St. Marys Road (state Route 66).
Participants age 9 through adult can sign up for one session from 6-7 p.m. or from 7-8 p.m. Certified archery staff will be on hand to assist beginning archers on the fundamentals of archery. Mathews Genesis bows and all other supplies will be provided by the park district. Participants must use bows provided and must wear closed toed shoes, remove dangling earrings and tie back long hair.
Registration required by Aug. 12 and is limited to 20 participants per time block. Register online at www.jampd.com or by calling the office at 419-221-1232.
• Meet Dr. Insecta: The park district invites residents young and old to meet Dr. Insecta from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Ottawa Park amphitheater at 2632 Ada Road, Lima.
Visitors will meet some of the coolest live insects on the planet and learn fun facts about the critters.
• At the fair: The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will have a conservation tent at the Allen County Fair from Aug. 16-24. Fairgoers are invited to stop by the tent, located near the southwest corner of the fairgrounds near the pond, to view the informative displays set up by naturalists and other partners.
There will be specific programming as well, with the Conservation Club’s youth fishing derby on the morning of Aug. 19 and other park district programs throughout the week, many of which will include live animals.
• Jogging with Johnny: A run through Heritage Park, 2092 Reed Road, will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26. Participants should meet at the Veterans Shelter to join a naturalist for a warm-up walk and a few laps around the park. All ages and abilities are welcome in their fitness journey.
Register by Aug. 26 online at www.jampd.com or by calling 419-221-1232.
• Imaginataure Playscape: The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will host a playtime and exploration session on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at Hermon Woodlands, 485 N. Wapak Road, Lima.
Sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will include a mini program by a park naturalist and time playing and exploring in the playscape and creek. Participants are free to pack a picnic lunch and should bring extra shoes and/or clothes for the ride home.
Register by Aug. 26 online at www.jampd.com or by calling 419-221-1232.
• Summer’s End Stroll: The park district will host a visit to Fort Amanda Park, 22800 state Route 198, beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Participants will stroll through the park, admire the oaks, visit the Auglaize River, stop to see the monument and take the wooded trail during a one-mile challenging hike.
Register by Aug. 27 online at www.jampd.com or call 419-221-1232.
• Feeding Day:
The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will host a feeding day beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, at the McElroy Environmental Education Center, 2455 Ada Road, Lima.
The park district maintains several education animals used throughout the year for nature presentations and programs. Visitors may join the Critter Care volunteers to help, or watch, as they clean and feed the animals.
• Shifferly Road in concert: The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will celebrate the end of summer with a performance by Shifferly Road at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Ottawa Metropolitan Park District amphitheater, 2632 Ada Road, Lima.
