Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Meet the Artist: Charlene Allen
2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Charlene Allen, and view Charlene’s photographs on display in the Innis House.

Hike Behind the Lake
2025-05-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 miles off-trail through the waterfowl refuge to see what we can see.

Washday Blues
2025-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3.
Help the farmwife with the laundry and try the scrub board and wringer.

Sunday in the Swamp
2025-05-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the Buttonbush swamp to scoop up slimy critters from the water.

Adults: Birds, Bagels, and Coffee
2025-05-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to enjoy Einsteins bagels and coffee and some birdwatching at the feeders! Ages 18+
Meeting Location Notes: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. There is limited parking in the Nature Center lot on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, a 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.

Spring Migration Bird Hike
2025-05-18 09:00 - 10:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the trails for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more on this 1.25-mile guided hike.

Introduction To Rucking
2025-05-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Rucking is a form of fitness that combines strength training with cardio! Join us for our staff-led Rucking Club. Participants are required to bring their own bag to carry weight in (typically some form of backpack). Weights will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own wearable weights (rucking vests, backpacks filled with gear/water jugs, etc).
Meet at the Lake Area. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive.

Vulture Viewing
2025-05-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the sled hill parking lot. Come on a 1.25 mile hike to look for Vultures!
Use address 2600 Dublin Rd Columbus OH 43228 and park in the first paved parking lot on your right!

Family Salamander Search
2025-05-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1/2 mil to the creek to look for salamanders. Wear shoes that can get wet.

Tram Rides
2025-05-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Ride our open-sided Tram around Sharon Woods and learn about our park in style! Tram leaves every hour and the ride lasts around 45 minutes. Tram is free to ride, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Tram is wheelchair accessible.

Canopy Walk 1st Birthday Party!
2025-05-17 11:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate one year of the Canopy Walk at Blacklick Woods with special activities and food trucks.

Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
2025-05-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Come listen to a story about herbs and their uses while we use our senses to smell, touch, see, and taste herbs! Afterwards, we will have a craft! Meet at the inclusive playground at Blendon Woods Metro Park in the shelter house!

Try It! Archery
2025-05-15 15:30 - 17:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at the Scioto Grove Metro Park Archery Range for a fun, free day of archery! All equipment and instruction provided. Recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to try with parental supervision.

Blooming Beauties
2025-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike to look for and learn about spring wildflowers.

Homeschoolers: Beginning Bird Watching
2025-05-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn how to use binoculars, use ID books and have fun as you look for birds. We have a limited supply of loaner binoculars but bring your own if you have them. Best for kids 6 years and older but younger siblings are welcome to tag along. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Preschoolers: Birdwatching
2025-05-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about birds and birdwatching through a story, activity and a craft.

Spring Birding Hike
2025-05-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist to look for spring birds, including warblers, around the Nature Center and beyond! Some binoculars will be available to borrow. Hike will be about 1 mile with many stops on flat paved and crushed limestone trails. Ages 8+
Meeting Location Notes: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. There is limited parking in the Nature Center lot on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, a 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.

Run with a Ranger
2025-05-12 18:00 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and come on a 2.5 mile run with a Ranger!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway to the Lake Area parking lot.

Mom and Me Archery
2025-05-12 14:30 - 16:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Celebrate Mother’s Day by treating your parent, or parental figure to a free and fun archery program! All equipment and basic instruction provided. Meet at the Scioto Grove Archery range! Ages 8+.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-05-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park during this month’s Toddler Adventure Club! We will hike as far as possible during the time-frame, and staff will have an adventure pack with compasses, maps, and other adventure tools for kids to utilize during the program. Meet at the Tall Pines Area of Walnut Woods.

Adaptive Adventures: Mommy & Me Inclusive Playground Playdate and Tea Party
2025-05-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Come celebrate Mother’s Day with your kiddo(s) at our inclusive playground for our Mommy & Me Playdate and Tea Party! We will enjoy tea and juice, decorate terra cotta flowerpots, and play together at our inclusive playground that is adapted for all abilities! Our playground is fully wheelchair accessible! Meet at the Inclusive Playground in Blendon Woods Metro Park. We will have tea and terra cotta crafting in the shelter house.

For Adults 50+: Bird Watching
2025-05-12 09:00 - 10:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Go on easy walk as we search for migrating warblers, tanagers and more. Bring binoculars if you have them but we’ll have some to share. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area picnic shelter, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport

Almost Full Moon Hike
2025-05-11 21:00 - 22:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy the Flower Moon on this 2-mile night hike.

Fast-Paced Adult Full Moon Hike
2025-05-11 20:30 - 22:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a Fast-Paced walk through the nighttime woods with no stops. Not suitable for slow walkers or strollers.

Full Moon Family Hike
2025-05-11 20:30 - 22:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a guided hike through the nighttime woods. Hike through the woods and meadows along the Edward S. Thomas trail and learn about the park at night.

Mother's Day Tweets and Treats
2025-05-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter, enjoy a treat and take a 1 mile hike to look for birds. Binoculars provided.
Kingfisher shelter is in Lake Area parking lot. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228

Mothers’ Day Craft
2025-05-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Happy Mothers’ Day! Celebrate the important women in your life by heading to the park and making a fun gift just for them!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Craft & Plant
2025-05-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by the Gardens to make a gift for a special person in your life.
