Fairlawn Rotary Observatory

Fairlawn Rotary Observatory
Bath Nature Preserve
4160 Ira Road
Bath, Ohio

Mailing: 2850A W. Market Street; Fairlawn, OH 44333
Mobile: (330) 836-8477
Email: summitcountyastronomy@gmail.com

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A pair of large roll-off-roof observatory buildings make the Fairlawn Rotary Observatory a very impressive facility. The Summit County Astronomy Club operates the observatory with 10 pier-mounted telescopes available for use. Photo by James Guilford, September 2023.

It is a beautiful Universe. The Summit County Astronomy Club is a 501(C)3 organization to create curiosity about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through exploration of the Universe. Star gazing at Bath Nature Preserve on announced nights and solar observing at various locations. We are also on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/SummitCountyAstronomy/info

— Paraphrased from the group’s Meetup page

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Bath Nature Preserve. Looking straight down, at the top of this image are the observatory facilities. To the left of the observatory is a gardening area. Parking for the observatory and walking paths is across the park’s access drive. Photo by James Guilford, September 2023,

Located within the Bath Nature Preserve, the Fairlawn Rotary Observatory is operated by the Summit County Astronomy Club. The facility was dedicated June 10, 2018. It was a medium-sized building with roll-off roof exposing the sky. During the summer of 2021, a second observatory building was added to the Fairlawn Rotary Observatory. The observatory buildings are home to 10 pier-mounted telescopes.

Free public observing programs are available, announced and coordinated via Meetup.com.

Duck, or you’ll see stars! Clever highlight warns of low clearance under the roof run-off rails.
Fairlawn Rotary Observatory Interior -- Photo credit: Summit County Astronomy Club
Panoramic view of the observatory’s interior includes several telescopes on adjustable “elevator” piers. Photo Credit: Summit County Astronomy Club.

A part of the park’s walking trail is a Solar System walk featuring informative, illustrated signs — an effort to give a sense of the size of our star’s reach.

A set of signs, carefully spaced, creates a Solar System Walk along the park’s trail. Photo by James Guilford, September 2023.