Picnic Pals 2010

Welcome to your summer Picnic Pal Schedule! This is our 4th year planning these events, and we have included some of our favorite parks and a few new amazing locations. Picnic Pals is a series of weekly pre-arranged playdates throughout the summer at some of the area's finest parks, beaches and amusement areas. These events are usually free or have a very low cost. Sign ups are not required. Older siblings are welcome and all events are open to non-SECPTA members so please invite your friends along and introduce them to all that SECPTA has to offer this summer!

Simply grab a blanket, pack a picnic lunch (don't forget the sunscreen!) and show up at the designated place. All events will be held weather permitting. A few events have rain-out alternatives. Check the SECPTA website for updates and changes. Email reminders will be sent throughout the summer months.

We hope you can join us!

Sincerely,

The Picnic Pals Committee — Jennifer Catri, Julie Seitz, Danielle Rodgers, Katie Kaufman, Brittney Ertle, Heidi Mattlin, and Stacy Esper


June

Picnic Pal Kickoff at Solon Community Park

Friday, June 4, 10:00 am

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer break together at one of the most entertaining parks in our community. Join us at the Solon Community Park where there are great playgrounds, a pavilion and volleyball court (a.k.a. "the sandbox" — bring your toys), A special snack and drink will be provided. SECPTA has rented the pavilion space near the fireplace from 10am–1pm. Creative Expressions will be hosting a "Picnic Pal" activity for our kids. The children will "spray" paint their own smiley face SECTPA t-shirts just in time to wear for all of the summer Picnic Pal events!

Strawberry Picking at Monroe's Orchard and Farm Market

Monday, June 7, 9:30 am

It's strawberry season and what a great learning experience for your children to pick their own berries locally! Dress for mess as we will be walking through berry patches and our youngsters will be able to fill up their baskets with strawberries. You pay for what you pick and they are allstar variety. Meet us near the picking fields.

Hudson Spring Park

Wednesday, June 9, 10:00 am

Come play at this 260 acre park that boasts a 50 acre lake. Three picnic pavilions, two miles of trail around the lake, disc golf, volleyball, a playground, an open play meadow and a children's hedge maze are available for your entertainment. A SECTPA snack and drink will be provided.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Monday, June 14, 5:00–8:00 pm (anytime that works for your family!)

Have a night off from the kitchen SECPTA STYLE! Join us at Buffalo Wild Wings' Monday Night Kids Night. All "Wild Child" meals are $1.99 and include French fries and a drink. The Buffalo Wild Wings Staff will provide cartoons on the big screens and a "Kids Zone" with arts and crafts. A great way to start off the week with the whole family!

Ray Williams Park — Reminderville

Thursday, June 17, 3:00 pm

New to our list this year, this park has two playstructures, one is a fun log adventure with slides and the other is a castle fit for a prince or princess. This park is completely fenced in so the kids can play safely. A covered pavilion will provide shade for a SECPTA-provided afternoon snack and drink.

T-Ball "Tailgate" Picnic

Tuesday, June 22, 5:30 pm

How about a little pre-game tailgating? Bring your own picnic baskets of food and drinks, lawn chairs, blankets, and cheering squads for a little pre-game fun. Find a spot on the lawn near the T-ball fields at Solon Community Park, enjoy your dinner, and have some fun with your teammates!

Games begin at 6:30 pm.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Thursday, June 24, 10:00 am

Come and enjoy one of Cleveland's BEST destinations for families, the Cleveland Zoo!! Search out your favorite animal with friends! Plan on discovering new species and getting re-acquainted with old favorites. From dinosaurs to butterflies and everything in-between, there will be a roaring good time for everyone!

Sunny Lake Park — Aurora

Wednesday, June 30, 10:00 am

Bring your stroller if you have little ones, as this park is sure to please anyone who wants to walk the 1.75 mile paved exercise trail around Sunny Lake, perfect for a napping baby or toddler! This park is a beautiful setting with two playground structures, a volleyball court (bring sand toys!), several pavilions with picnic tables, and even paddleboat rentals. Snack and drinks will be provided, bring your lunch if you want to extend your stay. We will meet at the Mennonite Road entrance playground area.


July

Preston's H.O.P.E.

Friday, July 2, 10:00 am

Ever wonder what nearly 3 million donated dollars can build? The answer: The largest fully accessible playground park in Northeast Ohio. This fabulous playground features make-believe houses, raised walkways, a play theater, sand and water areas, swings, tunnels, slides, and much much more. Restrooms and shelter area are available. Come join us for a morning of fun. Snacks and drinks will be there.

Akron Zoo

Wednesday, July 7, 10:00 am, meet at ticket area, zoo open until 5:00 pm

When you visit the Akron Zoo, you'll come nose-to-nose with more than 700 animals, including endangered Humboldt penguins, snow leopards, Sumatran tigers, jaguars, jellyfish and Komodo dragons. Let's explore this great zoo together!

Ledges Trail hike and lunch at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula

Saturday, July 10 at 9:30 am — meet at the Ledges Trailhead Pavilion; 11:00 am for lunch at the Winking Lizard

New this year! Take a beautiful hike in our very own Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are two options: a fun "rocky" trail for the older kids and a smoother trail for the younger ones. Enjoy the morning hike and then grab lunch at the Winking Lizard. This will be a great outing for the whole family. Gym shoes are a must for this hike, and trails are not stroller accessible.

Bellflower "Spray" Park — Mentor

Monday, July 12, 10:30 am

Beat the summer heat with a trip to this unique Spray Park! Wear your swimming suit, as the main attractions are dozens of mounted water spigots, including ones in the shape of an elephant and a sunflower. Parents must supervise children at all times in the large (3,000 square foot) spray area. The "dry" park also has a playground and room to run. Be sure to bring a lunch or snack as the kids may work up an appetite. **Please note water socks or shoes with non-skid soles are required in the water play area.

Elmwood Park — Independence

Wednesday, July 14, 10:00 am

This park is different. In addition to having playground equipment for the kids, it also has a permanent SAFETY TOWN road for children, complete with stop signs and traffic lights. So feel free to bring your child's big wheel, tricycle, or bike. Snacks and drinks will be there.

Kiwanis' - Moore Park in Aurora and Fire Station Tour

Friday, July 16, 10:00 am (meet first at Fire Station next to park for 10:00 am tour)

In addition to the great park amenities (several playground structures, an athletic field, picnic tables and pavilion), we will be paying a visit to the Aurora Fire Station next to the park! Join us for an extra special picnic pal as we go meet some of Aurora's finest firefighters along with a tour of their great trucks and equipment! After the tour, plan to play at the park and have a snack!

Dairy Queen Family Night — Twinsburg

Monday, July 19, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Join us at the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill Restaurant in Twinsburg for Kids Night!! Kids Meals are $1.99, and there will be face painting, door prizes, and other activities for the kids (and adults) to enjoy. Kids Night starts at 5:00 pm!

River Road Park (Bainbridge)

Wednesday, July 21, 10:00 am

This park is a favorite among many. The park is located near the intersection of Chagrin River Road and Bainbridge Road (and a Big red barn). There are paved trails for walking, strollers, roller skates, and bikes. Two playgrounds provide enough equipment for all ages. Two volleyballs courts typically double as a sandbox — bring your toys! Picnic shelter and bathrooms are on site. Snack and drinks will be provided. Bring your lunch if you'd like a longer stay.

Aurora Movie Theater Cinemark 10, Planet 51

Tuesday, July 27, 10:00 am

Unwind in a cool movie theater with your children and SECPTA friends. Together we will watch Planet 51. Planet 51 is a galactic-sized animated alien adventure comedy. Movie is rated "PG" for mild sci-fi action and suggestive humor. See the trailer at www.planet51.com

Liberty Park

Thursday, July 29, 10:00 am

Join us at a local favorite. Liberty Park's 100-acre recreation area includes four ball fields, two soccer fields, and a playground with equipment for both tots and older kids. Maybe we can get a game of t-ball started!

Aurora Touch A Truck at Aurora Farms Premium Outlet

Saturday, July 31, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

What a great way to start the weekend! Bring the whole family to see trucks of all kinds. Children can touch, feel, climb through and sit behind the wheel of a tractor, snowplow, police car, and many more vehicles. After you see all the trucks, play at the playground, feed the ducks, and do a little shopping! Food court is open for purchasing snacks.


August

Orange Village Community Park

Tuesday, August 3, 10:00 am

This is a cozy park that includes a nature preserve with a half mile of paved trails, two baseball fields, tether ball, volleyball, and two tot lots including a great wooden play structure and a log play house with picnic pavilions, tables, and grills. You and your children are sure to enjoy this nature setting and have a great picnic. SECPTA will provide a dessert, so pack your lunch and your kids and come join the fun!

Eagle Park Sprayground — Middlefield

Thursday, August 5, 3:00 pm

This is the Village's new state-of-the-art "Sprayground Park". It is home to two splash pad areas, a large playground area, paved walking paths, and a gazebo. Join us for an afternoon of "cooling off" fun! Bring swimsuits and towels!

Ravenna Community Playground

Monday, August 9, 10:00 am

A new delightful park to enjoy! The Ravenna Community Playground project began in 2006 with over 500 Ravenna elementary school students meeting with designers to express their dreams and ideas for the park. At the end of the day, an amazing playland was unveiled featuring a castle, a tower with a dungeon for the boys and a beauty salon for the girls, a pirate ship, a rocket, and much much more! Children of all ages will enjoy this one of kind playground! Snack and drink provided, bring a lunch for extended stay.

Munroe Falls Metro Park (Beach)

Wednesday, August 11, 10:30 am

This beach is a hidden gem and is worth the car ride! It is a clean man-made lake with shallow and deep areas for swimming and a large sandy beach area to play. The picnic area is very family-friendly with a large, shady picnic area with charcoal BBQ grills. There is also a nearby playground area for the little ones. Bring sand toys for the beach and floating devices. Lifeguards are on duty, but you swim at your own risk (liability waivers will be handed out at the gate). Be sure to pack a lunch for this great day at the beach! Beach is open from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

KidStation-Safety Village — Stow

Monday, August 16, 10:00 am

This Fire Station-themed playground is located at Oregon Trail Park on Fishcreek Road. It was built in 2005 and is adjacent to the Stow Fire Station and Safety Village. The playground features are: unique slide features, diverse play activities for all ages, balance activities, and a mini "Stow" village! Bring your bikes and riding toys, and prepare to have fabulous morning out at this very entertaining park.

Mentor Headlands Beach

Wednesday, August 18, 11:00 am

You don't have to travel out-of-state to enjoy a real BEACH! As the largest natural sand beach in Ohio (one mile long!), Headlands offers recreation for swimmers and sunbathers along Lake Erie. Bring all your beach toys and life vests and dig into this beautiful sand and water. Change booths, concession areas, and restrooms are provided. — Caution: the water can get wavy, swim at your own risk.

Memphis Kiddie Park

Friday, August 27, 10:00 am (meet at entrance)

Let's end the summer with an event that the kids will remember all winter long! Tired of spending large ticket prices at the big parks just to watch your kids ride? At Memphis Kiddie Park you pay as you go. Each ride is only one ticket, and tickets never expire. Bring your kids to ride pint-size roller coasters! They offer 11 amusement rides for children, a concession stand, arcade, and miniature golf. If you have not been here before you won't want to miss this one! Memphis Kiddie Park has been putting smiles on children's faces since 1952. Please note children must be less than 50 inches tall for most rides.


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