Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Central Ohio Folk Festival
2023-05-06 10:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
A two day family-friendly festival featuring multiple performing stages presenting an array of upbeat folk/roots/Americana music, kids’ & youth programming, and 30+ music workshops (all levels).
Saturday, May 6 – 10:30am-5:30pm Festival
The 7pm Saturday night headliner is New-York based progressive folk/Americana band, Nefesh Mountain, a band hailed as one of today’s leading bands in pushing the boundaries of American roots music. They have recorded and shared the stage with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers) and Mark Schatz (Nickel Creek) to name just a few. They have played to sold-out audiences from Chicago to New York City and many places in between.
Other offerings include two drum circles (one each day); a Festival Store, Beer garden offering Nocterra craft beer. Food trucks on site. (Note: you are not permitted to bring your own alcohol onto Metro Park grounds).
NEW this year are 4 ongoing jam tents, each with a different style: folk-mix, bluegrass, old-time and a tent dedicated to serving the very beginner jammer.
More than 30 workshops on songwriting, the history of folk music, joining a jam group, important musical figures, and how to play guitar, fiddle, ukulele, tin whistle, and other instruments. Some workshops will be for beginning players, and others will be for more advanced musicians.
Whether scratching an itch to get outside and enjoy nature — at the same time listening to and/or playing music, learning something new, or just chilling in the awesome, green outdoors, you’ll find the cure for what ails you at the Central Ohio Folk Festival.
No fixed fees. Your generous $$ support makes all of this possible. Donation tents will be at entrance to the grounds. For donations of $20 or more, you get some free fun stuff.
Pre-event donation recommended if you want to be assured of inside tent seating for the Saturday nite headliner. The tent holds 200, otherwise seating is on the lawn.
Donate pre-event at: https://centralohiofolkfestival2023donate.eventbrite.com
More info at: www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/festival.html
The festival is produced by the Columbus Folk Music Society in cooperation with The Metro Parks and is co-sponsored by WCBE Radio 90.5 FM and Metro Parks.
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.

25th Annual Birding and Breakfast
2023-05-06 08:00 - 10:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for a potluck breakfast at the picnic shelter then go bird watching after. Beginners to experts are welcome to participate and we’ll have some loaner binoculars available. If you are able, please bring a breakfast dish to share with the group. If you’ve never done birding and breakfast before, it’s great fun!
Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area picnic shelter, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport

COSI BioBlitz- Be a Citizen Scientist!
2023-05-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
In collaboration with COSI, join us for a fun and interactive citizen science program! Using iNaturalist, we’ll observe Glacier Ridge’s biodiversity on a guided hike.

Geocaching Kickoff
2023-04-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
This event kicks off the 2023 Metro Parks Geocache Trail. Learn about geocaching and this year’s theme. Meet at the Natural Play Area Shelter.

Not Too Scary Night Hike
2023-04-29 20:00 - 21:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring along your favorite stuffy, wear your jammies, and stay up late to experience the night forest. We will read a story while we have a cookie and juice, then go for a walk. You might discover nighttime isn’t so scary after all! Program designed for kids age 3-8, but all are welcome.

Tree Planting Palooza
2023-04-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by anytime between 1-4pm to celebrate Earth Day and help us plant baby trees in the park. You can even decorate a small flag to mark your tree, so you can find it each time you visit!

Learn the Ropes
2023-04-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure and Scioto Audubon Metro Park for a Learn the Ropes program at the climbing wall.
Open to all ages, instruction and equipment are provided. Tennis shoes are the recommended footwear for beginners.

Earth Day Cleanup Hike
2023-04-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join the naturalist for an Earth Day cleanup hike! Meet by the flagpole.

Earth Day: Off-Trail Hike
2023-04-22 12:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a 2-mile off-trail ramble through the woods. We will pick up trash along the way.

Earth Day Hike
2023-04-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Help staff and volunteers remove invasive garlic mustard during a 4-mile backcountry hike. Helpful invasive species information will be shared as well as identification techniques and ways you can help make a difference in preventing the spread. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and rugged, be prepared for elevation gain. Bring work gloves, wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot, 23833 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge.

Sunset Stroll on the Golf Course
2023-04-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy special access to walk the paths on the Golf Course. Select Evenings Only. Please check in & Check out with a staff member in the Pro Shop.

Earth Day Cleanup: Invasives, Trash & Trees, Oh My!
2023-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Dress for an off-trail adventure!!! Help us rid our beautiful park of litter and non-native, invasive plants such as garlic mustard and honeysuckle. We will also be planting native trees and shrubs. Our trash and invasive plant removal will be focused in the Spring Creek area (including the woods and ravines on either side of it.) The Schrock Lake area is the focus for tree planting and trash. Terrain may be rough, but flatland options are available near the lake. No strollers, please. Sign up at: https://www.earthdaycolumbus.org/volunteer
Please bring garden/work gloves if you have them and wear long pants and old shoes/boots. We will be OFF-TRAIL. If you are planning on getting into the creek, wear very old clothes and you may want to bring a change of clothes! Event is rain or shine, canceled only if lightning.

Cleanup Hike
2023-04-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a hike and clean up the trail as you go! We will provide trash bags and gloves, meet at the Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Snacks provided as a thank you after the hike!

Plant A Tree at Highbanks
2023-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Celebrate Earth Day by helping plant native Ohio trees in an area of the forest where volunteers have been removing invasive plant species. We will be planting native trees to help the forest recover to a healthy ecosystem. Trees have been selected to help pollinators or birds. Trees have been donated by Green Columbus as part of their Earth Day celebration. Please bring a shovel, work gloves and water bottle. We will be planting off-trail, please be sure to treat your clothing with tick repellant.. Expect to be get dirty and wear shoes with good traction. Take home a free native Ohio tree after the program. Ages 6+.
Meeting Location notes; Meet in the Big Meadows Picnic Area. After entering the park, follow the park road all the way to back of the park and enter the Big Meadows Picnic Area. Meet us in the first parking lot on the RIGHT. Additional parking available in near by parking lots. “Program” signs will be posted in the park to help you find our meeting location.

Blacklick Creek Clean-Up
2023-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Kick-off Earth Week by removing litter from Blacklick Creek! Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to the creek where you will work with staff and other visitors to make the park a better place by picking up litter and debris.

Walk Among the Bluebells
2023-04-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the natural history of Virginia bluebells and other spring wildflowers. on a 1-mile walk. Please wear shoes or boots suitable for muddy, slippery walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Frog Frenzy
2023-04-15 20:00 - 21:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 1-mile round trip walk to a wetland where we’ll listen to and search for mating frogs and toads. Please wear boots if you plan on joining the search as we’ll be wading in cold, shallow water. Some nets will be available to use but bring your own headlamps or flashlights. Note: Cold weather means very few frogs and toads so hope for warm weather! Meets at the Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

An Egg-citing Family Fun Day
2023-04-08 11:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
**Please Note: This is not an egg hunt, please leave baskets at home** Hop on over for a fun afternoon of “egg-themed” activities. Enjoy an outdoor Easter themed scavenger hunt , toast marshmallows over the campfire, play “egg-themed” games inside the nature center and more! A costumed Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance. Candy prizes for the scavenger hunt.
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.

Natural Egg Dying
2023-04-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Natural plant materials will be used to create beautiful dyes for your eggs. Learn how to make your own natural dyes, and try ours. One hard boiled egg per person provided, but feel free to bring your own too!

Hoppin' Hound Hunt
2023-04-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Why should kids have all the fun? Bring your canine friend for a doggone good egg hunt at the dog park! Registration starts 10:30 am.

Minecraft IRL
2023-03-31 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us as we play Minecraft but in real life. Create your own torch, dig for fossils, “hunt” for wildlife and resources, and construct a shelter in this offline version of Minecraft.

Volunteer Information Session
2023-03-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Each Volunteer Information Session includes information on the Metro Parks organization and volunteer opportunities and expectations. There is also an opportunity to complete an interview and begin the background process.
To become a volunteer, you should complete a volunteer application, attend a Volunteer Information Session, complete an interview at the Volunteer Information Session, and pass a background screening including a reference check and fingerprinting.
To register, email Jill Snyder snyder@metroparks.net. You MUST register to attend this session.
Session is at Spring Hollow, Sharon Woods Metro Park: 1069 W. Main St. Westerville, OH 43081.

Forts, Fire & Fun
2023-03-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Build a fort, try your hand at fire starting and have fun in our natural play area.

Clean Up by the Creek
2023-03-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Help pick up trash in the floodplain near the Bluebell Trail and adjacent areas. We’ll supply the trash bags while you bring gloves, wear boots for mud and bring trash grabbers if you’d like. Please note that if we get heavy rain in the week before the clean up, area may be flooded and clean-up activity will be limited. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board.

Eagle Watch
2023-03-25 14:00 - 15:30 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Learn about the history of America’s national bird and take a 1/2 mile round-trip walk to observe nesting bald eagles through a spotting scope. No pets, please. Meets at Pickerington Ponds Wood Duck area, 4150 Bowen Rd, Canal Winchester.

Backpacking and Hiking Open House
2023-03-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Are you interested in backpacking or backcountry hiking, but not sure how to get started? Come and explore the possibilities! At our backpacking and hiking open house we’ll have: The 10 essentials to always have with you, whether hiking or backpacking
Leave No Trace principles
Equipment you might use for a day hike or 10 day wilderness hike
Typical backpacking foods, recipes, and nutrition information
Sample hiking plans for the Appalachian Trail
Information about backpacking trails 1-4 hours from Columbus
Resource list to help you get started

St. Patrick's Day Hike
2023-03-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by taking in all things green on a 4-mile off-trail hike to a giant oak tree. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven in areas, wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the old Park Maintenance Shop, 9935 Opossum Hollow Road, Rockbridge.

Virtual Speaker Series: Rock Climbing with Jordan Reding
2023-03-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Get inspired for your next adventure from the comfort of your home! Join Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure for the following virtual presentation: Rock Climbing with Jordan Reding
Learn about basic Rock Climbing gear and follow along with Jordan Reding as he talks about his amazing adventures as a climbing guide and how he got there! During this presentation he will talk about some of his favorite climbing trips and destinations! Jaw dropping photos and videos will inspire you to get outdoors and climbing!
An access link will be emailed to the email address provided via this form.

Amphibian Search
2023-03-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 miles on- and off-trail at Rocky Fork Metro Park to look for early spring amphibians!

Bigfoot Scavenger Hunt
2023-03-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park and search for Bigfoot at the Arrowhead Picnic Area!
