Category: events

Fall Fest October 5, 2024

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

TuscParks will be hosting the annual Fall Fest at the Norma Johnson Center on October 5, 2024 from 12 to 5pm.  A $5 donation will be accepted from each car to enter the festival.  Those attending can paint a pumpkin, make a scarecrow (bring some clothes), face painting, petting zoo, balloon twister, live music, children craft and snack tables along the trails, Blathmac Illusions, Ohio animal pelt table and a scavenger hunt.  Fundraisers will include popcorn and cider table and monarch release for Mexico.  

 

This event will take place on the trails and picnic shelter located off of Conservation Drive.  Norma Johnson Center 3645 Conservation Drive Dover, OH 44622.  Questions for the event can be answered from 8-4 Monday through Friday.  330.365.3278

Upcoming Luminary Trail Walk at NJC

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

Upcoming Luminary walk at NJC

December 10, 2022 from 4:30-7PM

TuscParks will be hosting the rescheduled “Luminary Trail Walk” at the Norma Johnson Center, located off of State Route 39 between Dover and Sugarcreek on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 4:30-7:00pm.  The luminary trail walk will begin at the Preservation Loop Kiosk next to the yellow pole barn located at 4033 SR 39 Dover, OH 44622.  The lit trail will be a quarter mile in length. Visitors can walk along the accessible trail through the forest and out to the Preservation Pond guided by luminary.  Paper lanterns will be strewn amongst the pine forest for the return walk to the parking area.  Starting at 4:30pm, hot chocolate and cookies will be served to welcome guests before and after their walk.  There is no charge for the event but donations will be accepted.  

This event will be held weather permitting.  Please check with either the Norma Johnson Center or the TuscParks Facebook page or Norma Johnson Center page for updates. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions about the event can be directed to the TuscParks Department office at 330.365.3278 Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm.

“This is a magical trail experience for the whole family.  This is one of the few opportunities to experience the Center at night and take in the outdoors on a brisk wintery evening.”

 

Join Us for April’s Sanity Series Events

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

April Sanity Series:  Giving Back to the Earth

Join us on the trails and help spruce up the NJC by clearing trails of debris, pulling invasive honeysuckle, picking up any litter along the way and taking out what you take in.  With your help we can make the NJC a better place for our community.  A dumpster is located near the Conservation Drive restrooms, under the porch on the near Preservation parking and by the Kiosk on the Johnson Loop.

We are also holding a rain barrel workshop from 1 to 3 on April 24, 2021.  Please register by April 16 by emailing info@normajohnsoncenter.com.  Each barrel is $65. 

Don’t miss out on the beauty of the NJC and a chance to do YOGA at the NJC to raise money on April 24, 2021 from 1 to 2.  Beth Hill will be offering a Yoga fundraiser.  Please find more information about this event and register on her Facebook page:  A Hint of Sage.  Registration is free but donations are encouraged.  Bring your own mat-masks required.   

Support the NJC – Virtual Silent Auction Live March 1-12, 2021

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

Our mission

To promote the conservation and preservation of natural resources through education, community outreach and personal experience.

Silent Auction Purpose

To raise money for the Norma Johnson Center to support our mission.  2021 projects that funds raised could  be used for, but not limited to, education, events, trail build, a new ATV, bird seed, bird viewing area

how do I bid?

The Silent Auction is posted on our Facebook page:  Norma Johnson Center.  Please follow the link and support the NJC.

Go to Auction

 

Outdoor Sanity Series – February – Winter Hike

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

Outdoor Sanity Series

February is Winter Hike Month.  Get outside and spend some time at the Norma Johnson Center.

Welcome to the first month of activity for our 2021 Outdoor Sanity Series.  This month we are featuring Winter Hiking.  All of our trails are open dawn to dusk everyday of the year but during the month of February will provide three marked trails for trail users to explore.  All marked Winter Hike trails begin and end near the Conservation Drive parking area below the red barn.  When hiking this area is marked with a red parking symbol.   A restroom is located near this trail head but if weather temperatures are extreme it may be closed.  A portajohn is located at the front of the property near the Preservation Loop Kiosk and yellow pole barn throughout the year.  

Basic Loop – Marked with pink post and ribbon this trail starts and ends near the picnic shelter’s driveway.  Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Conservation Pond and through the pine trees on a trail called Brugs Way.  Enjoy a section of our Accessible Trail but please note we are still working on this section of trail so watch your step. 

Vista View – Marked with blue posts and ribbon this trail starts at the picnic shelter and ends near the Conservation Loop Kiosk.  This intermediate-level walk will take you up a steep incline to walk along the ridge for a spectacular sightline view across the Brandywine Valley.  Did you know Norma’s family had an orchard  near this loop before it was mined for coal?

Adventurous – Marked with orange ribbon and post this trail begins near the Conservation Loop kiosk and also ends here too.  If you want a workout and explore the wooded trail this hike is for you.  The trail will lead you to the wetlands and around the wetland area on Rebecca’s Way.  Trail users can check out the suspension bridge and wind back to the wetland if you choose.  You will encounter a few ups and downs along the way but this trail provides lots of attractions for little ones walking with you.  

 

 

Winter

Trail Map Download

We have color coded our trails for Winter hiking ease.  Pink is our basic loop, Blue is the Vista View and Orange is the Adventurous hike.

 Winter Hike Map

 

 

2021 Outdoor Sanity Series

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

Check out our new 2021 Outdoor Sanity Series! Each month has its own theme, with instructions for hiking and other activities included. At the start of every month, we will post updates on our webpage and our Facebook about the available activities for each monthly theme.   As we venture into 2021 and COVID restrictions are hopefully lifted we will post potential events that would go along with the themes.   January is the kick-off month.

  • January          Kick Off Month
  • February       Winter Hikes
  • March             Sounds of Silence
  • April                Giving back to the Earth
  • May                  Feathered Friends
  • June                 Aquatic Life
  • July                  Pollinators
  • August           Accessible Trail 
  • Sept.                Loop the Loops
  • October        Autumn Delights
  • Nov.                 Giving Thanks
  • Dec.                 Celebrating 2021

 

Pictures for a Purpose

Posted on by Norma Johnson Center

UPDATE: Nov. 16, 2020

Registration is currently full. Any further registrations will be added to the waitlist. There is no guarantee that waitlisted registrants will receive a time slot.

Thank you!

***

Join us for “Pictures for a Purpose” at the Norma Johnson Center!

Our fall fundraiser is a family photoshoot with three photographers at the beautiful backdrop of our nature center. The event will be held on Sunday, Nov. 29th from 12pm-4pm. 

Each family will visit with each photographer in a different area of the Center, resulting in 3-5 photos from each photographer, for a total of 9-15 photos. Cost per family is $60 for the event. The photos will be provided in a digital format as quickly as possible after the event, with the option to print unlimited copies.

Each registration also comes with a family activity bag full of snacks and materials that suggest fun, outdoor activities that can be done at the NJC or even in your own backyard!

Safety precautions will be followed throughout the event. Online payment is preferred, but other options can be arranged. Masks are required at on-site registration and when interacting with staff and volunteers. All activities will be outdoors. In the event of rain or other inclement weather, a rescheduled date will be chosen and communicated with registered attendees. 

Registration is limited to 15 families, so don’t delay! Sign-up today and get your holiday photos taken care of, all while supporting your favorite trails and greenspace. Registration will close on Friday, Nov. 27th. A waitlist will be created for families interested in the event after 15 time slots are filled. There is no guarantee that waitlisted registrants will receive a time slot.

We thank the participating photographers for the donation of their time and talent. We are excited to feature Denice Hazlett of Sprouted Acorn Photography (https://www.sproutedacorn.com/); Naomi Benson of NB Photography (https://www.nbphotographyllc.com/), and Teai Warner of Teai Marie Photography (https://www.teaimariephotography.com/).

If you have 6+ people attending in your group, you will need to purchase two registration slots to accommodate the larger group.