Walking With Woodpeckers
2025-01-05 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll learn about and look for woodpeckers and other birds on an easy, less than a mile walk. Bring binoculars if you’d like and we’ll have some to share. Meets at the Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Kids: Animal Signs Hike
2025-01-05 14:00 - 15:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Hike 1-mile to search for animal signs with a naturalist.. Plan to hike off-trail along animal trails. Expect to get muddy. Parents may want to bring a change of shoes and clothes for the ride home depending on muddy conditions. Age 5+
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.

Try It! Archery
2025-01-05 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-01-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy the thrill and fun of archery this winter while being toasty warm inside at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course!! Archery will be indoors at the Golf Course Pro Shop! All equipment provided, fun and free! Ages 8+.

Winter Scavenger Hunt
2025-01-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Celebrate the winter season with a fun scavenger hunt that will lead you around the park! Pick up your scavenger hunt at the barn shelter from 4-6pm and complete the scavenger hunt to earn a prize!
The scavenger hunt trail will take you around the park with less than a 1 mile trail that is a mixed path of pavement, gravel, and dirt.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Preschool: Warm for Winter
2025-01-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn how different animals deal with the cold through a story, craft, and short hike.

Preschoolers: Over and Under the Snow
2025-01-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about winter wildlife through a story, activity and a craft.

Lantern Hike
2025-01-08 17:30 - 18:30 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for an after dark adventure on this two mile lantern hike! Some lanterns will be available to borrow. Meet at the Tall Pines area! 6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport, OH 43125

Speaker Series: Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail
2025-01-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for our Speaker Series this winter, at Scioto Grove Metro Park! We will be inside the The Grove lodge.
Our January speaker is backpacker Maddy Wilson, and she will be discussing her journey thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. She will go over how she prepped for her trip, and things she discovered along the way!
Sip on a hot beverage and enjoy some free snacks as you listen to Maddy’s adventure!

Preschool: Animal Senses
2025-01-10 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-01-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about animal senses through story, activities, and craft. Ages 3-5.

Sunset and S'mores
2025-01-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy watching the sunset while eating a toasty s’more around a warm campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Basin Parking Lot, all equipment provided.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several separate park entrances. 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.

Lantern Hike
2025-01-10 17:30 - 18:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.5-mile lantern-lit hike through the Walter Tucker State Nature Preserve.

Off-Trail Hike
2025-01-11 09:00 - 10:30 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Join us for a staff led Off-Trail Hike at Slate Run Metro Park! The hike will be approx. 2 miles, navigating through rugged terrain, hiking boots/tennis shoes are highly recommended. Meet at the Shady Grove Picnic Area

Wild Ones: Winter Sowing Native Seeds and Native Seed Swap
2025-01-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Michael Keeler, of Ohio Native Concepts, will explore the benefits of winter sowing, including how it mimics natural processes to enhance seed germination, as well as practical tips on selecting native species, and creating the ideal conditions for successful growth. Following Michael Keeler’s presentation, Wild Ones Columbus will have their annual native seed swap. If you have native seeds to share, please label them with the Latin name and common name to pass along. For more information visit columbus.wildones.org.
Meet in the Greenhouse Multipurpose Center at the end of the parking lot.

Sharon Woods Winter Hike
2025-01-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Adults: Wild Crafted Teas
2025-01-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join the naturalist and learn to create your own herbal teas made from common plants around your home or neighborhood. Ages 18+.

Adventure 101: Backcountry Knots
2025-01-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Our “Adventure 101” educational series includes everything from guest speakers to interactive outdoor skill lessons! Participants are encouraged to take notes and ask questions
Learn the best knots to use in the backcountry during this hands on class! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park (to the right when entering the park)

Owl Prowl
2025-01-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Hoo hoo who’s out there? Join us for an evening hike to find some of the owls that are hiding in the forest. We will meet at the shelter house and learn about owls while we wait for the sun to set.
We will walk along the Red Oak Trail and Marsh Hawk Trail. We may have opportunities to go off trail, please dress appropriately.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Storytime Lantern Hike
2025-01-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bundle up & join a naturalist for a story and then embark on a 1-mile winter walk. Gravel path, no hills.

Coffee & Birds
2025-01-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by to enjoy a warm cup and beautiful birds at our viewing windows.

Rucking Club
2025-01-12 10:00 - 11:00 | 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. Weight will be provided, participants are required to bring their own bag to carry weight in (typically some form of back pack).
Participants are encouraged to bring their own form of wearable weights (rucking vests, backpacks filled with gear/water jugs, etc.)

Slate Run Winter Hike
2025-01-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Slate Run Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm at Buzzards Roost Picnic Area.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Bike-It!
2025-01-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a bike ride around Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Feel free to join if you have your own bike, and registration is only required if you need to borrow a bike/helmet. Bikes are sized for adults only. Meet at the Glacier Ridge Maintenance Area, park at the bridle trail lot adjacent to the Red Maintenance barn (first parking lot on the left when entering the park) . Trails will be pavement
REGISTER HERE IF YOU NEED TO BORROW A BIKE/HELMET

Off-Trail Wandering
2025-01-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and weather conditions may determine where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Meet the Artists: Westbridge Camera Club
2025-01-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet members of Westbridge Camera Club and view their photographs on display in the Innis House.

Toddler Hike
2025-01-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for a fun filled hike through the trees at Walnut Woods! This hike is geared for toddlers and children ages 0-6, we will walk as far as we can within the hour, we will be on paved trails suitable for strollers, wagons, etc. Meet at the Tall Pines Area
