MANSFIELD — Youngsters spent Saturday afternoon making nature crafts at Charles Mill Lake Park.
This activity was one of many featured during Mohican Wildlife Weekend. The 15th annual event, held April 22 through 24, gives people the opportunity to celebrate wildlife, habitat, heritage and natural history through educational and interactive activities at several sites throughout the region.
Venues include Mohican State Park and Resort, Malabar Farm State Park, Gorman Nature Center, Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Mohican Outdoor School, Pleasant Hill Lake Park, Lowe-Volk Nature Center, Charles Mills Lake Park and Wolf Creek Grist Mill.
Jason and Angela Miller, of Mansfield, visited Charles Mill Lake Park for the first time on Friday with their four children to play nature bingo after seeing it advertised as part of Mohican Wildlife Weekend. The Miller family returned on Saturday for arts and crafts and said they planned on heading out to Mohican that afternoon for another activity, and then back to Charles Mill on Sunday for disc golf.
Their children agreed that participating in nature activities is a great past-time.
“(The outdoors) is the best place to be,” daughter Jessica Miller said. “The only unfortunate thing about being outside is the bugs.”
Sisters Jessica and Aleshia Miller sat side-by-side as they painted a walnut shell in the semblance of a lady bug during craft time. They also made a bird feeder using a water bottle, peanut butter and seeds. “It was fun but messy,” Jessica said. “And tasty,” Aleshia added.
Donna Messerly, activities director for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, said the crafts seemed to be a hit among the participants.
“They’re having a great time,” she said.
The arts and crafts activity was held inside the Messerly Recreation Center, named in Donna Messerly’s honor.
Messerly said this was the first year for Charles Mill Lake Park to participate in Mohican Wildlife Weekend. And so far, she’s been pleased with the turnout at the park’s programs this weekend.
She said adults would get the chance to make their own crafts Saturday night during the “Creatures and Canvas Paint Class.” She was also excited to announce the disc golf course at the park will reopen on Sunday for families to enjoy.
Mohican Wildlife Weekend Sunday events include “Birding for Beginners” at Gorman Nature Center, a wildflower hike at Malabar Farm State Park, a fly-fishing and fly-tying demonstration at Mohican State Park, and many more. To see a full list of events that will be held Sunday for Mohican Wildlife Weekend, click here.
