Bike maintenance is not just a summer task
KATIE LOFTON Outdoor Adventure Programmer Just like your furnace, you don’t want to skimp out on preventive maintenance on your bicycle in the off-season! Winter or early spring is the …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
Spring Cleaning for Resource Management
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!
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
The Power of Walking
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2025 Resource Management Annual Biotic Survey Highlights
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