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The Metro Parks Blog

Photo: Stefan Bruch

Behind the Parks: Meet Craig at Blendon Woods

Posted on March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 |
  • Behind the Parks
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Spring Cleaning for Resource Management

Posted on March 5, 2026 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

ELAINE HALL Assistant Resource Manager Annual upkeep of our structures for various species is underway, or even wrapped up by March, as we prepare staff and volunteers for another year …Read More

One park’s trash is a giraffe’s feast!

Posted on February 19, 2026 |
  • Featured
  • Resource Management
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Posted on February 19, 2026 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

The Power of Walking

Posted on February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Spectacular Sparrows

Posted on February 19, 2026 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Behind the Parks: Meet Gabriel at Highbanks

Posted on February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 |
  • Behind the Parks
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Wander & Wonder: Nature Preserves in your Metro Parks

Posted on February 19, 2026 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

In our latest Wander & Wonder video we took a closer look at the state nature preserves in your Metro Parks. STILLS FROM THE VIDEO

Metro Parks celebrates two statewide honors from OPRA

Posted on February 4, 2026February 19, 2026 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Holiday Crossword 2025 – The Answers

Posted on January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

THANK YOU to everyone who submitted their Metro Parks 2025 Holiday Crossword puzzles by the deadline of January 5. We hope you all had fun doing it, or trying to …Read More

From War Strategy to Recreation: The History of Via Ferratas

Posted on January 15, 2026January 16, 2026 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Posted on January 15, 2026January 16, 2026 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Posted on January 15, 2026January 16, 2026 |
  • Behind the Parks
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Posted on January 15, 2026January 16, 2026 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

2025 Resource Management Annual Biotic Survey Highlights

Posted on January 14, 2026 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

ELAINE HALL Assistant Resource Manager Each year, Metro Parks conducts a variety of biotic surveys throughout the district. You may catch a glimpse of staff and volunteers already out in …Read More

The Metro Parks Holiday Crossword 2025

Posted on December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Posted on December 18, 2025December 19, 2025 |
  • Featured
  • The Metro Parks Blog

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

Seen a black bear recently?

Posted on December 18, 2025 |
  • The Metro Parks Blog

TIFFANY GUO Guest Blogger When I was a seasonal naturalist over this past summer at Glacier Ridge, I followed Catie, the senior naturalist, as we guided visitors along the wooded …Read More

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