Current Programs

Geocaching Adventure 2023 – Are You Puzzled Yet?

Are you ready to explore the Hudson parks searching for some unique and challenging caches?  Do you like puzzles?  Would you like to learn a little of Hudson’s park and cemetery history?  The Friends of Hudson Parks Geocaching Adventure continues in its 12th year.  This is a perfect activity to get out into the parks in any season to get some exercise, both mental and physical.  The 2023 caches hidden throughout the Hudson Parks are the foll0wing:

  • FOHP1-23 Wood Hollow (Hudson park history)
  • FOHP2-23 Historic Hudson Cemeteries
  • FOHP3-23 Maple Grove Park
  • FOHP4-23 Cascade Park
  • FOHP5-23 Hudson Springs West
  • FOHP6-23 Hudson Springs East
  • FOHP Bonus 2023 – Trumbull Woods

Each cache will require you to solve a puzzle to find or access the cache, so be sure to read the cache descriptions before heading out on your adventure.  Record the code found in each of the 6 caches to determine the coordinates for the bonus cache.

Complete the 2023 Geocaching Adventure form (click here to download the 2023 form) by recording the code from each of the caches and adding the sticker you will find in the bonus cache.  Then drop your completed form in the mail box at the Hudson Springs Park entrance booth or mail the completed form to Friends of Hudson Parks, P.O. Box 941, Hudson, OH 44236.  Each cacher who turns in a properly completed form will receive an original 2023 Friends of Hudson Parks PathTag (collectable coin) while supplies last and a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from a local merchant.  Your PathTag will be mailed to you.

All of the 2021 and 2022 Geocaching Adventure Series caches remain available, and you can still receive a 2021 or 2022 PathTag (while supplies last) for completing each of those series (click to download the the 2021 form or the 2022 form).

For a list of the active Friends of Hudson Parks geocaches click one of the links below.  You will need to register and create an account at Geocaching.com – registration is free and quick to do.  Go to the bottom of that page to click the link for the “Help Center” for more helpful information about geocaching.

Story Walks at Veterans Way and Bicentennial Woods

The Story Walk program is jointly sponsored by Hudson Community Education & Recreation (HCER) and Friends of Hudson Parks in cooperation with the Hudson Parks Department.  Currently there are Story Walks at two parks.

The Veterans Way walk now features The Kindness Book by Todd Parr (the author’s website is here).  The story emphasizes the importance of kindness in our daily lives. This story is especially important during these virus distracting times. Hikers should enter the Veterans Way walk at the entrance behind the playground. The walk finishes near Darrow Road.

The Bicentennial Woods walk tells the story of The Happy Tree and the Bee by C.E. King, about the formation of a long friendship and its importance in nature. The walk starts at the Victoria Parkway entrance and finishes near Stow Road.

The walks were originally installed in 2016 with the idea that families with young children could take a stroll through the park while reading a book at the same time. The Story Walk displays have recently been upgraded and improved with new, more durable, weather-resistant materials. And new stories are on display.

Meredith Zaffrann, HCER Director, says “The Story Walk is a great partnership with Friends of Hudson Parks and a great asset to the Hudson community. I enjoy providing a fun element to the trails that everyone can enjoy while being outside. We are also grateful to The Learned Owl for helping HCER with providing the books.”

Books are selected by the HCER staff, and are changed throughout the year. It’s a long process because they have to ensure the books fit the specs of the story boards. There are 16 story board displays in each park. The staff tries to choose a variety of books that the whole family can enjoy.

Readers who would like to submit a great Story Walk book can contact HCER at 330-653-1210 or email HCER@hudson.edu.

Pollinator Meadow at Darrow Road Park

You may have noticed some recent activity at Darrow Road Park. The Hudson Parks Department, City of Hudson, Hudson Park Board and Friends of Hudson Parks together with the US Fish and Wildlife Service are working to create a Pollinator Meadow on six acres at Darrow Road Park in Hudson. The three year process to create the “Pollinator Meadow at Darrow Rd Park” began in mid-June, 2021.  Click here to download a presentation about the project and click here for more information.