Guest post sponsored by Erie MetroParks, written by Kippie Loughlin, Digital Media and Information Technology Coordinator
Spring is a time of rebirth often bringing new life and dramatic splashes of color throughout your local parks. The birds will migrate, flowers will bloom, and temperatures will start to rise. With these seasonal changes Erie MetroParks will see a huge spike in visitors.
Erie MetroParks currently manages 14 parks and preserves within Erie County, totaling more than 3,200 acres of green space. With over 30 miles of trails, scenic views, recreational equipment, and water access; Erie MetroParks is a perfect destination for people of all ages. Erie MetroParks also offers over 300 free public programs every year! From kayaking to archery, maple sugaring to birding; there is always something to explore. Many of the parks offer unique landscapes 
with fossils, glacial grooves, and wildlife that are difficult to find anywhere else. With many of the parks being close to the water, many migratory birds find in refuge in the parks.
2024 plans to be an exciting year at Erie MetroParks! First, the Total Solar Eclipse will be 100% visible from all our parks. This is a once in a lifetime experience in our area. Erie MetroParks will also host an Earth Day Extravaganza on April 20. There will be entertainment, giveaways, food trucks, animals, and representatives for multiple agencies that focus on nature and preservation. Music will fill the air, and Osborn MetroPark will be aglow. We would love for people from all over the region to come together and celebrate the Earth and our area’s vast landscape. While you’re here you can take a trip to Edison Woods MetroPark, Castalia Quarry MetroPark, or go birding along East Sandusky Bay.
Later in the fall, Erie MetroParks is planning the completion of the new Roger Johnson Nature Center at Osborn 
MetroPark just in time for the Osborn Fall Fest on September 21! This will be a huge event, and the nature center plans to be an amazing addition to the area! The nature center will have a play-tree, a turtle pond, education animals, a library, a window on nature for wildlife viewing, and so much more! We are so excited to share the building with the public!
Erie MetroParks will continue hosting hundreds of free nature programs this spring, including guided hikes, workshops, birding programs, and more. The parks will also host multiple contests this year, including the Ohio Wildlife Youth Art Contest, The Erie MetroParks Photo Contest, The Citizen Science Challenge, The Great Pumpkin Hunt, and more. We want everyone to be part of the Erie MetroParks community. Erie MetroParks is a true gem in Erie County.
We are so thankful for the lake and all the wildlife that call the parks home. We are happy to provide visitors with a system of clean, safe, natural area parks. From playgrounds to hiking trails, waterways to facility reservations; we 
continue to provide visitors with special programs and a space where they can relax and take in the natural beauty of our area. So, lace up your boots and get ready to immerse yourself in nature. You can learn more about Erie MetroParks, view park maps, and sign up for nature programs by visiting Erie MetroParks' website.
