For Adults 50+: Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding Try-It!
2023-06-26 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy the lake from a solo, sit-in kayak or stand up paddleboard! Equipment and instruction are provided. Recommended maximum weight of 275 lbs for kayaks. Life jackets are provided and worn on the water. First come, first serve. Come out anytime during the time listed.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances. 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH has the closest parking lot to the water. This is a newly opened entrance, please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2023-06-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding and kayaking for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park. First come first served. All equipment provided. SUPs and Solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances-
* The closest parking lot to the paddling launch area is off of Trabue Road. The address is 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. This is a newly opened entrance. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

International Mud Day
2023-06-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have some down and dirty fun at our annual mud day event. Rinse station provided. Follow signs in park for location.

Family Creeking
2023-06-30 11:00 - 12:30 | OH
Explore the Olentangy River to look for some of the animals that live there. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes required in the river for your safety. Please no flip flops or crocs. Limited supply of buckets and nets. All animals will be released back into the river at the end of the program. Don’t forget a towel and complete a change of clothes to dry off after the program.
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.

Morning Dog Walk
2023-07-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Beat the heat and bring your pup for a 2.5 mile walk along the Greenway Trail. We’ll makea few stops along the way to learn about (or sniff!) interesting things we discover. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Trails Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Witches Hollow Hike
2023-07-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a 2-mile backcountry hike to Witches Hollow. Crossing Clear Creek will be required to access this area, bring a change of shoes. Meet at the Barnebey Hambleton area, 620 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.

Red, White and Boom!
2023-07-03 14:30 - 22:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join Metro Parks at Scioto Audubon Metro Park for Red, White and Boom! The park will be open from 6:30am and close following the conclusion of the fireworks. Please reference the following for what you need to know before arriving:
Parking:
Parking is free and first come, first served at the park. Parking spaces are not allowed to be saved, so once you leave, the spot will become available to the next vehicle. If parking capacity is reached within the park, the park will close to incoming vehicles (you will still be able to park outside the park and walk in). Please remember that as the fireworks end, it may take a few minutes to exit the park due to traffic. Rangers will be directing traffic, so please follow their directions.
Saving a viewing spot:
You may set up a roped off viewing area for your family starting at 12pm on Sunday, July 2. Viewing areas are not allowed to be larger than 20×20 feet. This will not be allowed at the water tower, climbing wall, shelters, or within parking lots or other paved areas.
Activities:

Metro Parks staff will have kids activities from 3:30 to 7:30pm, and include tram rides, rock climbing and more! Please feel free to bring your own climbing equipment, as the climbing wall will be open for all.
The climbing wall and water tower observation decks will close at 9pm on Monday, July 3.
The boat ramp will open at 8am on Monday, July 3 for those wishing to enjoy fireworks from a canoe, kayak or other small boat on the Scioto River.
The dog park will be open for pets to enjoy. All pets must remained leashed inside the park, unless inside the gates of the dog park.
The Greenway Trails will be open to the public. Both the Olentangy and Scioto Trails can be accessed from the north end of the park.

Security:
The park will be patrolled by Metro Parks Rangers and Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies during the event. Please be sure to follow all directions and find them if you have any questions or concerns while at the park. They are there to maximize your safety and enjoyment! If you have any concerns during the event, please call the rangers at 614-620-1865.
Per Metro Parks Rules and Regulations, the open possession, display or consumption of alcohol is not permitted on parks property. Drones and fireworks are also not permitted on Metro Parks property.
Click here for more details about Scioto Audubon and a map of the park. If you have any questions prior to the event, please email info@metroparks.net or call 614-895-6249.

July 4th Frenzy
2023-07-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Who stole the Declaration of Independence? Set off on our 0.5-mile escape trail to find out who did it. Make stops at different stations along the way and solve problems to unlock clues that will enable you to successfully solve the mystery. Bring the family, a group of friends or co-workers. Challenge each other to see who can complete the trail the fastest or use it as a team building activity. Afterwards, create a 4th of July craft and make a s’more!

Yoga in the Park
2023-07-06 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-07-20 18:30 - 19:30 | OH
Join us for 45 min of relaxing outdoor yoga. All levels of experience welcome! Bring a yoga mat, towel, and a block if you have one. Meet behind the ranger station. Signs will direct you to the nature center if weather is uncooperative.

Family Campout
2023-07-07 19:00 - 2023-07-08 08:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Registration required.
Who’s ready for a stellar night in the park after dark?!
Bring your own camping gear and enjoy a relaxing evening in the park. We’ll have games, a campfire, smores and lantern strolls. Participants must register using the following link: bit.ly/SHNcampout

Happy Tails-n-Trails
2023-07-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Bring your canine companion for a 2-mile hike followed by a doggie treat. Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

Built to Bake
2023-07-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program on-going between 1-3pm.
Learn how a wood burning stove works and browse through our collection of 19th-century cookbooks while we prepare baked goods.

For Adults: Nature Ramble
2023-07-11 10:00 - 23:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy summer’s natural abundance and good company as we go on a roughly 2.5-mile walk through fields and forests with frequent stops along the way to learn about what we observe.. Bring water and your sense of curiosity. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd.

Lunchtime Chat: Time Machine Tram Ride
2023-07-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Hop aboard the tram and travel back in time to uncover the history of the park. Meet at the Schrock Lake Picnic Shelter.

The Big Splash
2023-07-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Try canoeing, look for critters in a table-top pond, slide down a water slide or get wet in the squirt zone. Three Creeks Metro park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Toads & Abodes
2023-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about the toads of Ohio, meet an American Toad and construct a toad abode to take home.

Horse Powered Grain Threshing
2023-07-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Demonstration on-going in the barnyard from 1-3pm.
See how horses power machinery that separates grain from straw.
Weather and crop permitting.

Threads of Light - Meet the Artists
2023-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Light is Life. An incredible force that connects individual life and the whole of nature. Join the artists of this incredible exhibition, The Nature Conservancy, and Metro Parks for an evening of conversation around photography and conservation!
Engage in presentations, gaze at the gallery, network, and enjoy free wine provided by Friends of Metro Parks!
6- 7 PM Speakers & Artists
7-8 PM Mix & Mingle

Rockin' Around Rocky
2023-07-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Take a fast paced fitness hike while listening to your favorite classic rock tunes. Paved and natural surface trails

Lunchtime Chat: Nature Bingo
2023-07-19 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Play a few fun rounds of nature bingo for a chance to win a prize, while you learn about Ohio’s plants and animals. Meet at the Schrock Lake Picnic Shelter.

Turtle Time
2023-07-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about and meet live turtles and experience the world from their eyes!
Meeting location notes- Nature Center: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak coves toward the nature center.

Wine & Canvas
2023-07-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us for an evening of painting. Follow along step-by-step as we paint a raccoon. Materials and instruction provided. Wine and beer available for purchase by credit card.

Nature Kids: Crazy for Crayfish
2023-07-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and search for crayfish hiding under rocks in the water.

Canoe the Lake
2023-07-21 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-07-22 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-22 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-07-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by and take a canoe out for a ride on the lake. Canoes and life jackets provided. We have size infant through adult life jackets, so feel free to bring the whole family!
Please check in at the tent when you arrive to put your name on the list. Boats will be filled on an ongoing basis based on the order of your arrival. Please note that there may be a wait before we can get you in a canoe, but we will do our best to accommodate everyone within the timeframe of the program.
Program is rain or shine. In the event of thunderstorms, the program will shut down for 30 min from the occurrence of thunder and/or lightning.

Hike to the RippleRock
2023-07-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Walk through the creek upstream to find some unique geologic features. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get wet. Best for ages 6+

Tree ID @ the Hundred Acre Woods
2023-07-23 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Hike 1.5 mi off trail to identify trees and enjoy the forest. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way. Park along the street
