An introduction to Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
Your 20 Metro Parks provide endless opportunities for you to connect with nature and have fun in the outdoors. With more than 28,900 acres of land and water to explore and 230 miles of trails to traverse, there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the wonder and majesty of nature in Metro Parks. We’re free and open every day for your enjoyment.
Our History
The first Metro Park, Blacklick Woods, opened in October 1948. Initially created on August 14, 1945, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks (Metro Parks) is an independent political subdivision of the state of Ohio organized under Ohio Revised Code Section 1545 to conserve natural resources and provide natural area parks for people to enjoy. Metro Parks is a separate subdivision of the state of Ohio and is not under the administration of any other governmental unit.
The tremendous growth and enduring popularity of Metro Parks is due to the strong support of the community – as voters, as volunteers and as visitors. Metro Parks’ primary funding source is the 10-year, 0.95 mill levy approved by Franklin County voters in November 2018. The levy provides a sound financial base for operating and improving existing parks as well as acquiring additional land for future preservation.
Metro Parks has three designated categories of revenue: public sources (taxes, local government funds and government grants), operational fees (earned income) and other revenue (donations, interest income, etc).
News & Upcoming Events
Olivia Garas Land Management Coordinator of the North End Parks One of the most important jobs we have in Resource Management is removing invasives. There are so many different plants …Read More
Shelly Richardson Pickerington Ponds Manager Metro Parks acquired an 11-acre parcel of land last year as part of Pickerington Ponds Metro Park. The area included an old house that was …Read More
Evelyn Hilgeman Outdoor Adventure Programmer Staying consistent with New Year’s resolutions is something we all struggle with. As January goes, we tend to be overly ambitious when we set goals …Read More
Cody Berkebile Senior Naturalist, Blacklick Woods In winter, many songbirds migrate south to find warmer weather and available food. The birds that remain in Ohio mostly eat seeds and nuts, …Read More