Crochet Club: Bats!
2025-09-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Autumn has officially started and our flying friends are very active as they swoop and fly catching all the bugs before winter! Join us to learn about some of the bats at Glacier Ridge while making your own to take home!
All materials will be provided including a free pattern! You are welcome to bring your own supplies and WIPs if desired.
While the pattern is written for beginners, true beginners may not leave with a finished product (not yet that is!).
This program is geared for all ages and knowledge levels of crochet. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine.

Night Insects
2025-09-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
See spiders, moths, katydids, and other bugs that come out after dark.

Outdoor Movie Nights: Shrek 2
2025-09-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Metro Parks for an outdoor movie! Movies start at dusk and are free- bring your lawn chairs or a blanket.
As part of their welcome to fall event, Highbanks Metro Park is screening Shrek 2.

Astronomy Night
2025-09-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s check out the night sky and make a star chart to take home. We do not promise a cloudless night, but there will be activities regardless. Meet at the nature center overflow parking lot.

Backpacking Series: Week 4 - Clothing & Foot Care
2025-09-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-week series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however, the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least ONE class.
Each week’s topic will have two dates to choose from in that week – you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. This series is for all ages and all backpacking abilities, from beginner to experienced backpackers.
Week #4: Clothing and Foot Care. This week we will learn how to dress properly for being on the trails! We will also cover preventative foot care to keep pesky blisters away, and how best to treat them if needed.
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire, & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike!

Wild Edibles Hike
2025-09-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike to learn about wild edible plants and try some samples.

Minecraft Hike
2025-09-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for a Minecraft scavenger hunt through the woods. Look for natural objects that are also found in the game.

For Adults: Fall Gardening for Wildlife
2025-09-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn what to do in your garden this fall to benefit wildlife.

For Adults: Fall Tree ID Hike
2025-09-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn to identify some common trees.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-09-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Chestnut Ridge 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 playground, the last parking lot after entering the park!

Bats & Crafts
2025-09-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about local bats, then get crafty and make a bat-themed craft to take home!

Backpacking Series: Week 5 - Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
2025-09-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-week series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however, the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least ONE class.
Each week’s topic will have two dates to choose from in that week – you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. This series is for all ages and all backpacking abilities, from beginner to experienced backpackers.
Week #5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics. We will learn how to minimize the impact to our environment during this class, and will prepare for our upcoming overnight trip! Plan for a short hike during this class.
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire, & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike!

Preschool: Bats
2025-10-01 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Come learn about bats and discover what makes these night-flying mammals so important.

Adaptive Adventures: Fall Craft Hour
2025-10-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Fall Craft Hour!
Come join us for a fun fall craft at the inclusive playground shelter house at Blendon Woods Metro Park! This craft is for all abilities!
*Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Full Moon Hike
2025-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a brisk 4-mile hike through forests and fields. Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Drive.

Homeschoolers: Tree Identification
2025-10-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-03 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Using a simple key, students will learn the basic skills of tree identification and get tips for starting a leaf collection. Program is for school-age kids but younger siblings are welcome to tag along. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Metro Parks Hiking Club Fitness Hike
2025-10-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Cowboy Campfire Coffee!
2025-10-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Celebrate your Friday with a cup a joe!
Enjoy coffee by the campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the lower Sled Hill parking lot! Free, all equipment provided!

Friday Night Fishing
2025-10-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by Schrock Lake and join us for our last fishing program of the year! Use one of our poles or bring your own. Catch & release only, no fishing license required.

A Bug’s Life…Cycle
2025-10-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a fun filled evening as we learn all about bugs! We will learn about their life cycles, what they do to get ready for winter, and talk about some of their favorite snacks! Once it gets dark, we will watch A Bug’s Life as the fireflies dance around the screen!
And no need to worry about dinner – Tortilla food truck will be there before the movie serving up some delicious food!
Let’s sweeten the deal a little more. The first 50 kids who complete their bug life cycle will earn a free treat! Popcorn will also be provided during the movie.
Please bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on to enjoy the movie.
This program is geared towards all ages. Meet at the Wind and Solar Lot, rain or shine!

Ultimate Frisbee
2025-10-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us for a Friday evening of ULTIMATE FRISBEE! Equipment and instruction will be provided for this ultimate program! Meet at the lower Big Field at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The Big Field is located across the road from the Water Tower.

Outdoor Movie Nights: A Bug's Life
2025-10-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join Metro Parks for an outdoor movie! Movies start at dusk and are free- bring your lawn chairs or a blanket.
Glacier Ridge Metro Park is screening A Bug’s Life.

Blacklick Hiking Club
2025-10-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join the hiking club! Meet the first Saturday of every month for a moderate to fast-paced hike and to meet like-minded people. This is not an interpretive hike.

Going Nutty : The Nature of Nuts
2025-10-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Walk through the woods in search of nuts, seeds and even a fruit or two while discovering the roles they play in Ohio’s ecosystems. Fun for kids and adults. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Hike Behind the Lake
2025-10-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 mile off-trail to explore the waterfowl refuge. Not stroller friendly.

Herbs - The Spice of Life
2025-10-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 1-3pm.
Learn about some of the traditional uses of herbs in cooking and medicine.

Fall Foliage Hike
2025-10-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Enjoy the beauty of fall and the leaves changing color at Slate Run Metro Park! Hike will be approx. 1.4 miles long over hilly terrain. Hiking boots recommended. Meet at the Buzzard’s Roost parking area.

Evening Hike
2025-10-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a quiet evening hike to discovery wildlife as the light fades inside the forest. Hike is approx 1 mile on crushed gravel and includes hills. Families are invited to bring flashlights, but we will add red cellophane to flashlights to reduce our disturbance to wildlife. Hike will conclude by 745pm due to park closing at 8pm. Meet in Oak Coves Parking area near the restrooms/bulletin board. age 6+
Meeting Location Oak Coves 3rd parking lot: The Oak Coves picnic area is your first LEFT after entering the park. Once you turn left into the Oak Coves picnic area, we will be in the third parking lot. Meet the naturalist at the bulletin board. Follow the orange program signs. If the parking lot is full, the Oak Coves picnic area has 4 other parking lots within 5-8 minutes walking time of the meeting location.
