We Asked, You Answered
JILL SNYDER Visitor Engagement Manager Last year, Metro Parks completed a community impact survey. We asked visitors, volunteers and community members to tell us what they love about Metro Parks, …Read More
Welcome to Great Southern Metro Park
In our latest Adventure Starts Here video we took a look at the newest Metro Park, Great Southern. STILLS FROM THE VIDEO
Coming Soon: Bank Run Event Center & Metro Park
Something new is coming to Metro Parks, and it’s a little different than what you might expect. Bank Run Metro Park is designed with two distinct but connected experiences in …Read More
Behind the Parks: Meet Bennett at Glacier Ridge
Bennett Wadsworth Park Ranger, Glacier Ridge Bennett Wadsworth is talking with Communications Coordinator, Virginia Gordon About me My mom was heavily pregnant with me and wanted to visit family in …Read More
A New Place to Play: Great Southern Metro Park Opens April 1
LIZ CHRISTIAN Social Media & Marketing Specialist UPDATE Wednesday April 1, 2026 was a great day in the life of Metro Parks. With the opening of Great Southern, there are …Read More
Don’t miss the blooms – spring wildflowers
SHANNON HEIST Blacklick Woods Naturalist Spring wildflowers are short-lived. They grow when conditions are right – when temperatures are rising and more sun is shining. They complete their entire life …Read More
Lesser-known cool critters in vernal pools
MARIA BERGMAN Battelle Darby Creek Naturalist It’s springtime in the Metro Parks. The question is always asked: are the salamanders out yet? But what about the rest of the critters? …Read More
Behind the Parks: Meet Craig at Blendon Woods
Craig Biegler Naturalist, Blendon Woods Craig Biegler is talking with Communications Coordinator, Virginia Gordon About me I grew up in Upper Arlington and went to programs at various Metro Parks …Read More
One park’s trash is a giraffe’s feast!
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
A Conflagration at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
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
Behind the Parks: Meet Gabriel at Highbanks
Gabriel Sanchez Maintenance Technician, Highbanks Gabriel Sanchez is talking with Communications Coordinator, Virginia Gordon About me I was born and raised in Willard, a small town in Huron Country. It’s …Read More
Metro Parks celebrates two statewide honors from OPRA
Liz Christian Social Media and Marketing Specialist We’re proud to share that Metro Parks recently received two statewide honors from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA), recognizing our commitment …Read More
From War Strategy to Recreation: The History of Via Ferratas
EVELYN P HILGEMAN Outdoor Adventure Programmer Via ferratas may seem like a modern adventurous pursuit, but their origin dates back to 19th-century Europe. Originally used as a wartime tactic, these …Read More
Ohio Young Birders Club
Sandy Libertini Senior Manager, Grange Insurance Audubon Center Attention Young Nature Enthusiasts! Join the Ohio Young Birders Club, the premiere birding group for youth aged 12 to 18! ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP …Read More
Alan Rosenbeck: Helping Eagle Scouts Soar
CARA CHATFIELD Highbanks Park Ranger Alan Rosenbeck is a commissioned park ranger and assistant manager at Highbanks Metro Park. Since 2011, he has been working closely with scouts from Scouting …Read More
State Nature Preserves in Your Metro Parks
LIZ CHRISTIAN Marketing & Social Media Specialist When you visit a Metro Park, you’re already stepping into protected green space, but did you know that some Metro Parks contain areas …Read More
The Metro Parks Holiday Crossword 2025
THE METRO PARKS 2025 HOLIDAY CROSSWORD IS HERE! As well as nature and general trivia, the theme of this year’s crossword adds Outer Space, to complement Metro Parks’ Wild and …Read More
Hike under the lights at Metro Parks 2025-26
CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO OF SOME OF THE STUNNING LIGHTS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO ENJOY THIS WINTER. THEY LOOK GREAT ON VIDEO, BUT LOOK EVEN BETTER OUT THERE IN THE …Read More