ASHLAND — The Ashland County Parks District will hold its first-ever Maple Syrup Day from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park. 

The event will feature opportunities for the community to learn about the process of maple sugaring and how to identify and tap maple trees.

“We wanted a new program. Something that hadn’t been offered before, and we wanted something seasonal and fun for this time of the year,” said ACPD executive director Stephanie Featheringill.

She, the board of Park Commissioners and a newly hired, part-time program and event planner Amanda Kriner decided a maple syrup program would be ideal. Programming exists at Malabar Farm, but there was a void for the Northern part of the County. Further, Cooke Park’s history of maple syrup collection made it a fitting location.

“Cooke Park used to be used for maple sugaring originally,” Featheringill said. “There’s plentiful maple trees and a building there used to be an old sugarhouse.”

A demonstration will be given by wagon ride or hike early into the event. And afterwards, people are encouraged to warm up in the lodge and enjoy all you can eat pancakes with fresh local maple syrup made from Lucius Maple Syrup in Bucyrus.

Free sample jars of syrup will be available for the first 50 people.

Donations appreciated and syrup will also be available for purchase. 

Cooke Park is located at 4774 OH-13 in Shiloh. 

Other upcoming ACPD events include: 

– Mom’s and Me is a new event to be held for the first time on March 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Freer Field.

Not only for moms, this program is for adults and their little ones (mostly ages 2 to 6, but older siblings are welcome) to come enjoy the outdoors together.

It can include activities, crafts, hikes, and games.

It will be offered again April 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Audubon Wetlands.  

– Spring Wildflower Hikes are planned for March 15 and 30 at Crall Woods from 6 to 7 p.m.  

On these walks through the old growth forest, people will identify several spring wildflowers.

– An Open House is planned at the Fire Cabin for March 20  from noon 1 p.m.  

Stop by the Fireman’s Cabin, which is only available by appointment typically.

This 32-acre park has trails through the beautiful forest and is dog-friendly.

– Searching for Animal Signs is another new program to be offered on March 21 from 2 to 3pm at Byers Woods.

Participants can start out with creating a mold of an animal track then taking a hike to learn and identify any tracks along the way.

– The new Frog Chorus Walk will be offered April 23 from 7:30 8:30 p.m. at Byers Woods.

On this special evening walk, participants will enjoy the sounds of the frog calls that fill the air.

– Mohican Wildlife Weekend is set for April 24 and 25.

Wagon rides will be available both days from 1 to 3 p.m., and a sunset hike is planned from 8 to 9 p.m.