Staff are working hard to clear snow at the park. The surrounding areas are under a Level 2 snow emergency and the Sheriff's Office is recommending you stay home if you don't need to go out. The park will be here when the road conditions improve. 😀 Currently all roads in the park are cleared, as well as at least one parking lot in each area. We are currently working on clearing the Heritage Trail Dog Park area and then the Heritage Trail from Hayden Run Rd to Cemetery Pike.

First we had video of a muskrat foraging near the pond. Then we had several sightings of a northern harrier hawk hunting the wildflower meadow. Now sightings of redhead ducks on the pond. What wildlife have you seen at Homestead Metro Park? Photo by Ranger Sargeant. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Redhead/id

The Barn Shelter restrooms have been reopened and will be opened for the weekend. Thank you for your patience.

Due to a mechanical system issue, the restrooms at Homestead are closed. We are anticipating the restrooms to be back on line on Friday or Saturday. Thank you for your patience.

Ranger Sargeant captured a video of a muskrat digging through the layer of snow to get to the grass to eat. Muskrats are rodents and are more closely related to mice and rats than beavers. Follow the link for more information on muskrats http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/mammals/muskrat

Congratulations to Beth Buchholz for being named the Volunteer of the Year at Homestead Metro Park! Beth has been volunteering for 1.5 years and has had a big impact on the park. She started volunteering with us by taking care of some of the landscape beds in the park, and even recruited new volunteers to help in this endeavor. She expanded her scope of volunteering by helping out with our programming, and even developed a kids nature sketching program. She has also helped at other park and district events with face painting. Thank you Beth for your time and service! Photo (Left to right: Metro Parks Executive Director Tim Moloney, Beth Buchholz and Friends of Metro Parks President, Aryeh Alex)

Our friends from Ohio Wildlife Center stopped by with some animals today, including this American Kestrel. It is always fun to learn about Ohio native animals! We had to move the program inside the Nature Center because it was too cold in the Lakeside Pavilion. You can find more information on this amazing bird by following the link below. Photos by Sarah Hunter. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/id#

ThisWeek Hilliard outlined some of the programs available during winter break. Get out and enjoy your Metro Parks!

Did you know we also take care of the Heritage trail north of Hayden Run Rd to the end at Cemetery Pike? Staff have been removing benches for sanding and staining. We think they look great!

Sunrise over Homestead Metro Park. Photo by Bryan Knowles.

Sunrise at the covered bridge at Homestead Metro Park. Photo by Bryan Knowles