By Lily Patrizi | Bomber Media
Chris Mentrek, a naturalist for the Geauga Park District, has always had a deep love for science and nature. Ever since Mentrek was a child, he loved space and wanted to make it his career.
“I think every kid goes through a phase where they’re obsessed with space and some of us never outgrow it,” said Mentrek.
Mentrek, called the “Astro-Nat” because of his love for astronomy and his role as a naturalist, manages the site at the Observatory Park in Montville Township.
With other parks, people usually leave after sunset, but at Observatory Park, people are encouraged to stay later and enjoy the sky and stars. The park is one out of a limited number of parks in the whole world recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association.
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The park offers telescopes six nights a month where people can learn about the constellations and see the endless star-filled sky.
“I’m always happy when we can have someone pick up a new skill,” said Mentrek.
In the summer, there will be a lot of active nighttime nature. Mentrek says he loves to see all of the glowing fireflies, bioluminescent worms, bats, and nighthawks.
One struggle Mentrek deals with is Ohio’s bipolar weather, so he is very happy the park has a planetarium. Even if it’s raining or cloudy, the planetarium prevents the programs from being canceled.
“It’s like having a dome stadium. You don’t have to cancel every time the weather is crummy,” said Mentrek.
The park offers naturalist-led full moon hikes, which Mentrek says are one of his favorite programs. The next such hike, called “The Strawberry Moon,” will be on June 14.
Mentrek is also looking forward to a lunar eclipse that should be visible on May15-16.
“We’re going to have a nice lineup, where the earth’s shadow makes the moon go dark,” said Mentrek.
A full list of programs offered at Observatory Park and the entire Geauga Park District can be found on their website.▮
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Lily Patrizi is a multimedia reporter for Bomber Media and a senior at Kenston High School.