Programs and Events for 2019
DECEMBER 2019
December 7 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka “Cozy Up to Winter Wonders” annual cookie sale. Something for everyone - storytelling, crafts, guided hikes, hand-painted ornaments and horse-drawn wagon rides. NEW THIS YEAR - handmade crafts by local artists and gourmet cocoa bar.
December 15, 22 and 29 - Sunday GUNDdays. Gund Hall from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friends of Crowell Hilaka provided hot chocolate by the fire. This was a welcoming event to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Kirby's Mill promotion items were available for purchase with all proceeds going towards the restoration of Kirby’s Mill, bringing us one step closer to turning the mill wheel once again.
NOVEMBER 2019
November 17 - National Take a Hike Day. Explore our lakes, streams and trails.
November 19 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting began at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall.
November 21 - Cleveland State University Department of Criminology, Anthropology & Sociology 6th Annual Ohio Archaeology Symposium. This past summer, CSU conducted archaeological investigations along the Lower Lake Trail of Richfield Heritage Preserve. The purpose of the excavations were aimed at exploring, surveying, and inventorying the southern end of the park in order to better understand and define its prehistory.
The cultural materials and artifacts recovered by CSU in 2019 will be used to help assist the RJRD and the Friends of Crowell Hilaka in their continued assessment and interpretation of the archaeological and cultural resources located within the park. This talk highlighted some of the preliminary findings.
Attendees met at Berkman Hall Auditorium, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MORE>>> MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT >>>
November 23 - Open house was held to celebrate the completion of Phase I of the lower lake dam restoration project. Ribbon cutting at the dam was held before the open house that was open to the public beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Gund Hall. Light refreshments were served. MORE>>>
November 17 - National Take a Hike Day. Explore our lakes, streams and trails.
November 19 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting began at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall.
November 21 - Cleveland State University Department of Criminology, Anthropology & Sociology 6th Annual Ohio Archaeology Symposium. This past summer, CSU conducted archaeological investigations along the Lower Lake Trail of Richfield Heritage Preserve. The purpose of the excavations were aimed at exploring, surveying, and inventorying the southern end of the park in order to better understand and define its prehistory.
The cultural materials and artifacts recovered by CSU in 2019 will be used to help assist the RJRD and the Friends of Crowell Hilaka in their continued assessment and interpretation of the archaeological and cultural resources located within the park. This talk highlighted some of the preliminary findings.
Attendees met at Berkman Hall Auditorium, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MORE>>> MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT >>>
November 23 - Open house was held to celebrate the completion of Phase I of the lower lake dam restoration project. Ribbon cutting at the dam was held before the open house that was open to the public beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Gund Hall. Light refreshments were served. MORE>>>
OCTOBER 2019
October 5 - Join Western Land Conservancy for a behind-the-scenes hike of Richfield Heritage Preserve. Meet at Gund Hall.
10:00 a.m. - noon. Something for everyone - storytelling, crafts, guided hikes, hand-painted ornaments and horse-drawn wagon rides.
October 5 - Richfield Police, Fire and Dispatch 3rd Annual Safety Forces Clambake. Gund Hall. Doors open at 3:00 p.m., dinner at 4:00 p.m. Registration required. MORE >>>
October 13 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) hosted its fourth and final themed hike for the season on October 13 titled “On the Wings of Conservation”. MORE >>>
October 20 - Trick or Treat on the Trail. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Trick-or-treaters of all ages came dressed in their favorite costume for a not-so-scary Halloween along the trail. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, candy, crafts and hayrides. MORE >>>
October 5 - Join Western Land Conservancy for a behind-the-scenes hike of Richfield Heritage Preserve. Meet at Gund Hall.
10:00 a.m. - noon. Something for everyone - storytelling, crafts, guided hikes, hand-painted ornaments and horse-drawn wagon rides.
October 5 - Richfield Police, Fire and Dispatch 3rd Annual Safety Forces Clambake. Gund Hall. Doors open at 3:00 p.m., dinner at 4:00 p.m. Registration required. MORE >>>
October 13 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) hosted its fourth and final themed hike for the season on October 13 titled “On the Wings of Conservation”. MORE >>>
October 20 - Trick or Treat on the Trail. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Trick-or-treaters of all ages came dressed in their favorite costume for a not-so-scary Halloween along the trail. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, candy, crafts and hayrides. MORE >>>
SEPTEMBER 2019
September 15 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Kirby Day - Marble-ous Mill. The Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) hosted its 5th annual Kirby Day’s event themed “Marble-ous Mill” on Sunday, September 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Close to 300 attendees enjoyed a day of treasuring hunting, good food and learning more about the park. MORE >>>
September 17 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting CANCELLED.
September 20 - 26 - Midwest Native Skills Institute. A non-military six-day Survival 101 class where participants learned all the basics needed to survive in the wilderness most anywhere in North America...most any time of the year. Plenty of time for hands-on experience and individual instruction were included. Learn more.
September 15 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Kirby Day - Marble-ous Mill. The Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) hosted its 5th annual Kirby Day’s event themed “Marble-ous Mill” on Sunday, September 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Close to 300 attendees enjoyed a day of treasuring hunting, good food and learning more about the park. MORE >>>
September 17 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting CANCELLED.
September 20 - 26 - Midwest Native Skills Institute. A non-military six-day Survival 101 class where participants learned all the basics needed to survive in the wilderness most anywhere in North America...most any time of the year. Plenty of time for hands-on experience and individual instruction were included. Learn more.
AUGUST 2019
August 3 - TimberNook at Richfield Heritage Preserve. "Dino Night" brought back prehistoric times (and added a sprinkle of glow) making for an enchanting night filled with imagination and possibility. Event was held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
August 25 - A Dig into the Past Hike organized by Friends of Crowell Hilaka was held from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CSU professor, Dr. Phil Wanyerka guided close to 75 participants through the forest sharing where and how the Native Americans could have lived during pre-historic times.
MORE >>>
August 3 - TimberNook at Richfield Heritage Preserve. "Dino Night" brought back prehistoric times (and added a sprinkle of glow) making for an enchanting night filled with imagination and possibility. Event was held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
August 25 - A Dig into the Past Hike organized by Friends of Crowell Hilaka was held from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CSU professor, Dr. Phil Wanyerka guided close to 75 participants through the forest sharing where and how the Native Americans could have lived during pre-historic times.
MORE >>>
JULY 2019
July 14 - 20 - Midwest Native Skills Institute. This is a non-military six-day Survival 101 class. Attendees learned the basics needed to survive in the wilderness most anywhere in North America...most any time of the year. The class was limited to 15 people and covered a vast range of topics with plenty of time for hands-on experience and individual instruction. Register here for the next class in September.
July 16 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting began at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall. Attendees enjoyed cake as they joined FoCH in celebrating their tenth year anniversary. Topics included invasive species control and different ways volunteers could support and care for the park.
July 20 - TimberNook at Richfield Heritage Preserve. "Glow Wars" let children light up the night with laughter, excitement, and glow-in-the-dark paint! The event was held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
July 21 - Girl Scout Warrior Challenge 2019. All Daisy, Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts were invited to meet their inner warrior. The Challenge began at 10:00 a.m. with the course taking participants 60 -90 minutes to complete. Cost for the event included a patch, snacks and a day of fun!
July 22 - 26 - TimberNook Sensational Experiences at Richfield Heritage Preserve. "Enchanted" was held from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day. Children took a dive deep into their imaginations as they entered the enchanted world of Robin Hood. They had fun creating their own Sherwood Forest, feasting with new friends, jousting in the mud and hunting for gold.
July 14 - 20 - Midwest Native Skills Institute. This is a non-military six-day Survival 101 class. Attendees learned the basics needed to survive in the wilderness most anywhere in North America...most any time of the year. The class was limited to 15 people and covered a vast range of topics with plenty of time for hands-on experience and individual instruction. Register here for the next class in September.
July 16 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting began at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall. Attendees enjoyed cake as they joined FoCH in celebrating their tenth year anniversary. Topics included invasive species control and different ways volunteers could support and care for the park.
July 20 - TimberNook at Richfield Heritage Preserve. "Glow Wars" let children light up the night with laughter, excitement, and glow-in-the-dark paint! The event was held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
July 21 - Girl Scout Warrior Challenge 2019. All Daisy, Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts were invited to meet their inner warrior. The Challenge began at 10:00 a.m. with the course taking participants 60 -90 minutes to complete. Cost for the event included a patch, snacks and a day of fun!
July 22 - 26 - TimberNook Sensational Experiences at Richfield Heritage Preserve. "Enchanted" was held from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day. Children took a dive deep into their imaginations as they entered the enchanted world of Robin Hood. They had fun creating their own Sherwood Forest, feasting with new friends, jousting in the mud and hunting for gold.
JUNE 2019
June 1 - National Trail Day. Explore our lakes, streams and trails.
June 1 - Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club held a morning navigation scramble in Richfield Heritage Preserve. This 90-minute map and compass navigation challenge tool participants on and off trail as they searched for designated land features in a treasure-hunt style format (each location had its own point value). A good compass and a whistle per group are the only equipment* required. Course opened with a 9:00 a.m. mass start with ‘straggler’ starts until 10:00 a.m. For more information about orienteering, visit NEOOC.com.
June 8 - TimberNook at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Attendees had fun at "Twilight Bowling" which shed new light on an old favorite! Children designed their own bowling alley in the woods for an evening of fun and creativity. Event was from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $50 per child.
June 22 - We're BUZZING about Pollinator Palooza. MORE >>>
June 23 - A Patchwork of Legends History Hike organized and led by the Friends of Crowell Hilaka. MORE >>>
June 29 - Ohio Horseman's Council (OHC) "Back in the Saddle" Clinic. MORE >>>
June 1 - National Trail Day. Explore our lakes, streams and trails.
June 1 - Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club held a morning navigation scramble in Richfield Heritage Preserve. This 90-minute map and compass navigation challenge tool participants on and off trail as they searched for designated land features in a treasure-hunt style format (each location had its own point value). A good compass and a whistle per group are the only equipment* required. Course opened with a 9:00 a.m. mass start with ‘straggler’ starts until 10:00 a.m. For more information about orienteering, visit NEOOC.com.
June 8 - TimberNook at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Attendees had fun at "Twilight Bowling" which shed new light on an old favorite! Children designed their own bowling alley in the woods for an evening of fun and creativity. Event was from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $50 per child.
June 22 - We're BUZZING about Pollinator Palooza. MORE >>>
June 23 - A Patchwork of Legends History Hike organized and led by the Friends of Crowell Hilaka. MORE >>>
June 29 - Ohio Horseman's Council (OHC) "Back in the Saddle" Clinic. MORE >>>
MAY 2019
May 4 - Richfield Firefighter's held their annual 5K Trail Run and 1-Mile Walk and pancake breakfast. MORE >>>
May 4 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka Garlic Mustard Pull. This event is for those who like to hike in the woods. Volunteers met at the Summer Horse Barn located at 4225 Oviatt Road dressed for the weather. All participants received a "Defender of the Forest" certificate. Garlic mustard is one of the first plants to emerge every year, is simple to identify, easy to pull and nontoxic. MORE >>>
May 21 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting held its member meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall. Discussion focused on how you can be more involved at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Open to the public.
May 4 - Richfield Firefighter's held their annual 5K Trail Run and 1-Mile Walk and pancake breakfast. MORE >>>
May 4 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka Garlic Mustard Pull. This event is for those who like to hike in the woods. Volunteers met at the Summer Horse Barn located at 4225 Oviatt Road dressed for the weather. All participants received a "Defender of the Forest" certificate. Garlic mustard is one of the first plants to emerge every year, is simple to identify, easy to pull and nontoxic. MORE >>>
May 21 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka member meeting held its member meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall. Discussion focused on how you can be more involved at Richfield Heritage Preserve. Open to the public.
APRIL 2019
April 27 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka Garlic Mustard Pull. MORE >>>
April 28 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Hike the Buckeye Trail. MORE >>>
April 27 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka Garlic Mustard Pull. MORE >>>
April 28 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Hike the Buckeye Trail. MORE >>>
MARCH 2019
March 16 - 2019 Cabin Fever Tour. Participants enjoyed local history, art, antiques, gardening, handcrafted items and nature in Richfield, Hinckley, Peninsula and Broadview Heights. MORE >>>
March 19 - The Friends Group for Richfield Heritage Preserve - Friends of Crowell Hilaka - held their annual meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall. Following the election of board members, attendees learned more about the history of the park and how to help promote and be an advocate for the park. Everyone was welcome.
March 24 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka "Sing Along with Us" from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Gund Hall.
March 16 - 2019 Cabin Fever Tour. Participants enjoyed local history, art, antiques, gardening, handcrafted items and nature in Richfield, Hinckley, Peninsula and Broadview Heights. MORE >>>
March 19 - The Friends Group for Richfield Heritage Preserve - Friends of Crowell Hilaka - held their annual meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Gund Hall. Following the election of board members, attendees learned more about the history of the park and how to help promote and be an advocate for the park. Everyone was welcome.
March 24 - Friends of Crowell Hilaka "Sing Along with Us" from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Gund Hall.
FEBRUARY 2019
Snowbird Festival – An afternoon of fun both inside and out!! Gund Hall provided a roaring fire were visitors could enjoy hot chocolate, Whitey's chili and grilled hot dogs. PLUS story time, face painting and fun making snowflakes.
Outside, visitors sat around campfires while they roasted marshmallows. Guided hikes, learning about a Husky dog team and watching ice come to life through the talents of Elegant Creations entertained visitors throughout the afternoon.
Sponsored by the Village of Richfield, Richfield Township, and Richfield Joint Recreation District.
Snowbird Festival – An afternoon of fun both inside and out!! Gund Hall provided a roaring fire were visitors could enjoy hot chocolate, Whitey's chili and grilled hot dogs. PLUS story time, face painting and fun making snowflakes.
Outside, visitors sat around campfires while they roasted marshmallows. Guided hikes, learning about a Husky dog team and watching ice come to life through the talents of Elegant Creations entertained visitors throughout the afternoon.
Sponsored by the Village of Richfield, Richfield Township, and Richfield Joint Recreation District.