An introduction to Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
Your 22 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 270 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
Jen Snyder Senior Environmental Educator, Inniswood Metro Gardens There are killers lurking in your garden. Hidden predators lying in wait to claim their next victims. But don’t worry, though sometimes …Read More
Elaine Hall Assistant Resource Manager Any good naturalist keeps a phenological calendar. A phenological calendar is a record of the timing of recurring natural events such as when flowers bloom, …Read More
Maria Bergman Battelle Darby Creek Naturalist Let’s set the scene: it’s early summer. The water is still cold, all the recent snow and rainfall are slowly filling the stream, and …Read More
Virginia Gordon Communications Coordinator Lots of visitors love to go fishing in the parks, and we love having you as visitors. This sport, or pastime, is one of the most …Read More