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 28,000 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 only open every day for your enjoyment.
Our History
Created on August 14, 1945, 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
Seventy years ago, Blendon Woods Metro Park opened to the public, making it the second park of what would, today, become one of the best park systems in the country. …Read More
TINA FRONK Social Media Specialist Fall offers crisp morning air, bright blue skies and breathtaking vistas bursting with brilliant colors. It’s the perfect time to lace up your hiking boots …Read More
Clear Creek Metro Park and Fairfield and Hocking counties Managing wildlife and habitats is of utmost importance to resource managers in Metro Parks. Keeping wildlife populations in balance allows all …Read More
EMILY LOOMIS AND BRAD REUSCHLING Planning and Design Interns Spending the summer with the planning and design team as interns has been anything but slow or stagnant. We’ve worked on …Read More