JILL SNYDER
Assistant Manager – Interpretation & Education
As the weather starts to warm and the days get longer, it’s time to shake off those winter blues and revel in the upcoming spring in Metro Parks! Just like people, the plants and animals in the parks enjoy the changing temperatures and longer days as March arrives. Tree buds burst open, bald eagles begin nesting and salamanders wander to vernal pools in search of a mate. Now is the perfect time to get back outside and enjoy the changing season.
A great motivator to get out the door is to join a guided program in the parks. Naturalists and Outdoor Adventure team members offer educational opportunities for individuals and families to learn about the outdoors. These public programs include hikes to remote areas, a chance to learn about the animals living in our parks, preschool storytimes, outdoor skills practice, and even a few specifically for adults over 50. Many of these programs are advertised on our website or through park Facebook pages. Just search for the specific Metro Park name on the Facebook search bar, click, like and follow!
Here are a few highlights for March:
Skunk Cabbage Hike
Clear Creek Metro Park
Barnebey-Hambleton Picnic Area (620 Clear Creek Rd SW, Lancaster)
March 5 at 10AM
Take a 2-mile off-trail hike to see Ohio’s earliest wildflower. The terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven in areas.
Salamander Search
Rocky Fork Metro Park
Millstone Shelter (7180 Walnut St., Westerville)
March 12 at 12PM
Hike off-trail over muddy ground as we search the vernal pools for amphibians in the water. Water-proof boots are recommended.
Bald Eagle Nest Watch
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Blendon Ravines (5220 Cambria Way, Westerville)
March 26 at 12PM
Hike 1.5-miles to the overlook to see if the bald eagles have returned to their nest this spring. Be prepared for mud and park along the street.
Check out metroparks.net to see even more options. Best of all, these programs are free to attend! So, come out and see how Spring Has Sprung in Metro Parks!