Winter 2025

Older Adult GUIDED FOREST THERAPY | 50+ YRS Jennifer Ramsey Forest therapy, or forest bathing, is a research-based framework for supporting wellness inspired by the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku. Slow down and connect with nature using your spirit and senses. Your guide, trained by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, leads you in a series of activities on a gentle walk. Dress for the weather, including sturdy, preferably waterproof shoes, as trails can be muddy. January’s walk is a special sunset experience with flashlights provided. Blendon Woods Metro Park $15 R | $18 NR ALL ABOUT RAPTORS WALK & TALK + COOKIES! | 50+ YRS Recreation Staff Join a Highbanks naturalist for a short Powerpoint presentation inside the Nature Center focusing on Ohio’s raptors, then hike to search for some of these aerial hunters at Highbanks. Raptor mounts/study skins, feathers and skulls are used to add hands on opportunity to the presentation; live raptors are not part of the program. During the hike, we search for the following raptors flying at Highbanks: hawks, eagles and owls. Hike is approximately one mile on crushed limestone and paved trails with some hills. Bring binoculars if you have them available. Limited pairs of binoculars available. Afterwards we stop at the incredibly popular Crave Cookies for a treat before heading back. Transportation to and from the Senior Center included via our 14-passenger bus; cookie purchase not included. Challenge level 3. 551688 A 12:30-4:30 pm W 1/29 Senior Center Building 2, Lobby $15 R | $18 NR Challenge level 3. 551686 A 4-6 pm Sunny 95 Park $15 R | $18 NR 551686 B 1-3 pm M 1/13 M 3/24

Multi-Generational SELECTING TREES FOR LANDSCAPES AND BIODIVERSITY | 12+ YRS City Forester & UA City Tree Commissioners With spring just around the corner, this talk concentrates on spring flowering trees for your property, considering how they can add beauty and attract wildlife. Choosing the right tree is both a landscaping decision and ecological decision that can improve our community through shade, aesthetics, wildlife and more. Join Kim Landsbergen, UA City Tree Commission Chair, JP Ratajczak, UA City Tree Commissioner Vice Chair and Sam Simmons, UA Parks & Forestry Superintendent. 441721 A 10:30 am-Noon Sa 3/8 Municipal Services Center, Lower Level Meeting Room $10 R | $12 NR BEGINNER INDOOR BONSAI WORKSHOP ALL AGES In Vivo Bonsai Do you want to learn how to style a miniature bonsai tree and overcome your black thumb in the process? Enroll in this workshop and take home a beginner-friendly bonsai in a locally hand-made ceramic pot. We focus on care, watering, hands-on pruning, repotting and optionally branch wiring. Participants can choose to use jade, dwarf jade, or ficus plants. Instruction and extra materials are provided so you can learn to propagate your bonsai to share with friends! No tools or experience required. The class is led by Ryan Huston of In Vivo Bonsai who learned bonsai under Dan Robinson of the world famous Elandan Gardens. One bonsai included with each registration. 441722 A 9 am-Noon Sa 1/25 Sunny 95 Park, Amelita Mirolo Barn $70 R | $84 NR Adult GUIDED FOREST BATHING | 18+ YRS Katy Oberle Shinrin-yoku (translated as “bathing in the air of the forest”) is a Japanese practice which guides you to mindfully immerse yourself in nature. Benefits can include improved physical and mental health. The practice focuses on cultivating a sense of reciprocity between you and the forest. The guide facilitates a sequence of invitations that allows you to enjoy both structure and spontaneity in your experience. The practice ends with a sharing circle and tea ceremony. 441768 A 9:30-11 am Sat 3/29 Smith Nature Park $20 R | $24 NR

NATURE TRIP CHALLENGE LEVELS

Challenge Level 1 (Easy) – Minimal walking/standing, may include some stairs Challenge Level 2 (Moderate) – Possible overnight stay, moderate walking/standing, may include stairs and/or uneven terrain Challenge Level 3 (Moderate Active) – longer walking/standing periods of time, quicker pace, includes stairs and/or more difficult terrain Challenge Level 4 (Challenging Active) – very active paced activity/program, extensive walking/standing, includes stairs/hills and/or extended outdoor weather exposure NATURE

parks.uaoh.net | 614-583-5300 | @CityofUAPR

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