Stephanie West Senior Naturalist, Blendon Woods and Rocky Fork Metro Parks Hometown and background I come from University Heights, an eastside suburb of Cleveland. I graduated from Springfield’s Wittenberg University …Read More
JESSICA TOMASTIK Outdoor Adventure Programmer If you’re like me and you never got around to deciding on a New Years’ resolution, here’s a perfect one to adopt for spring: try …Read More
ANDREW BOOSE Aquatic Ecologist One of the lesser known aspects of Resource Management’s work is the writing of research permits for a multitude of agencies and individuals. These permits keep …Read More
VIRGINIA GORDON Communications Coordinator Seventy-five years ago, this October, the first park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District opened its gate to the public for the first …Read More
CAROLINE WAGNER Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure Programmer Visitors often ask park staff what their favorite park is, and that can be an impossible question to answer because each park has …Read More
LIZ CHRISTIAN Social Media and Marketing Specialist Spring is just around the corner, and these unusually warm February days have us thinking about spring break! Whether you’re planning a stay-cation, …Read More
Eric Reiner Maintenance Technician, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Hometown and background I was born in Columbus, but I spent most of my early years living in Fairfield County. Our …Read More
ANDREW BOOSE Aquatic Ecologist Invasive management has been the primary focus of Metro Parks Resource Management’s recent activities. Resource Management volunteers have been working away removing invasive plants at some …Read More
Metro Parks Naturalist Maria Bergman takes a stroll through Blacklick Woods as nature takes its course and the park’s animals get ready to seek a mate.
GORDON MITCHELL and CARRIE MORROW Metro Parks Resource Management THE PRAIRIE PLOW THROUGH HISTORY (Gordon Mitchell) Prairie Sod When the American settlers first arrived at the midwestern prairies in the …Read More
MELISSA TURPENING Outdoor Adventure Program Coordinator How many of you have “backpacking” on your 2023 adventure goals? There are many great locations to backpack in Ohio, and several in your …Read More
TRAVIS CAMPBELL Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure Programmer “Could I BE wearing any more clothes?” -Joey Tribbiani We’ve all heard it before: layers are the key to staying warm and comfortable …Read More
LIZ CHRISTIAN Social Media and Marketing Specialist Hiking is fun, but hiking with your best friend is even better! Metro Parks has over 100 miles of pet trails throughout the …Read More
VIRGINIA GORDON Communications Coordinator Slate Run, when it opened in 1981, became the largest Metro Park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. In 1963, a full 18 …Read More
ASHLEY YOCKEY Camp and Event Specialist It may be frosty and cold outside, but summer will be here sooner than you know! Here at Metro Parks, summertime is always on …Read More
Larry Logan Maintenance Technician, Blacklick Woods Golf Course Hometown and background I was born in Columbus, but my family moved to Daytona in Florida when I was two years old. …Read More
JILL SNYDER Visitor and Engagement Manager Quarry Trails Metro Park won 1st Place in the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association’s (OPRA) Annual Award of Excellence for Capital Improvements – $2.5 …Read More
STEPHANIE WEST Blendon Woods Naturalist ‘Tis the season when we crave a crackling fire, cozy blanket, fluffy sweater and a hot drink to make us feel warm inside and out. …Read More