Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Happy Tails-n-Trails
2023-11-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

For Adults 50+: Walk Off The Turkey
2023-11-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Ascend 150 feet through the woods to the top of the ridge on a 1.5 mile moderate to difficult hike.
Meet in the 2nd parking lot close to the bulletin board and restrooms

Day Off School: Warm for Winter
2023-11-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-11-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn the awesome adaptations our wildlife have to be able to spend their winter months outside.

OptOutside Hike
2023-11-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Why go shopping INside when you can go hiking OUTside? Hike 2 miles on natural and gravel surface trails.

Gobble Hobble
2023-11-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s trot off some of the Thanksgiving Day calories on this 4-mile hike. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Gobble Hobble
2023-11-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 6-mile hike of all the trails at Blacklick Woods to burn off that Thanksgiving meal. Meet at the Trading Post in the Ash Grove Picnic Area.

#OptOutside: Off-trail Hike
2023-11-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join the naturalist for a rugged 2.5-mile hike off-trail in the park. We’ll cross ravines and small streams, and explore a state nature preserve all while learning about the history of the park.
This program is not recommended for below age 5. Please no strollers, child backpack carriers or dogs. Bring water and wear boots and jeans or other sturdy long pants (nothing that can snag easily.) Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

For Kids: Hike the Hundred Acre Wood
2023-11-21 15:00 - 16:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Prepare for an off-trail adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood property. Wear sturdy shoes! Meet at 5220 Cambria Way. Some sections of the hike will be steep. NOT stroller friendly!

For Kids: Wildlife Wander
2023-11-19 15:00 - 16:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Explore the forest in search of wildlife signs while learning about wildlife survival strategies with a naturalist. Explorations will include an approximately 1/4 mile hike on crushed limestone trails and an off-trail game in the woods. Meet at the Nature Center. Ages 4-10
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. 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.

Family Craft Workshop
2023-11-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for an afternoon of crafting and gift-making. All supplies provided. Bring a bag to take items home.

Tricky Turkey Treasure Hunt
2023-11-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-11-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
To escape Thanksgiving, our tricky turkeys have dressed up and hidden themselves around the picnic area. If you can outsmart these turkeys and spot them all, you’ll win some turkey treasure! Meet at the Natural Play Area.

Night Hike
2023-11-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forests and prairies under the starlight. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin board, 2nd parking lot on the LEFT once you enter Indian Ridge, located at 2705 Darby Creek Drive.

Farm Luminary Walk
2023-11-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 5-7pm
All ages
Enjoy an evening stroll amidst the luminaries. Visit the lamplit farmhouse. Stop by the campfire for a warm beverage and some popcorn.

Blacklick Hunger Games
2023-11-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Let the Blacklick Hunger Games begin. Test your archery skills like Katniss, blend into your surroundings like Peeta, and compete in a Hunger Games themed scavenger hunt. May the odds be ever in your favor.

DIY Paracord Water Bottle Holder
2023-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Learn how to make a water bottle holder out of paracord!! All equipment provided, free and fun! Meet at The Grove at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

National Take A Hike Day
2023-11-17 10:00 - 12:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate National Take A Hike Day on a 4-mile backcountry hike. Terrain at Clear Creek is rugged, steep, and uneven in areas. Bring water and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Meet at the Park Office, 185 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.

Tarp Shelter Building
2023-11-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Learn how to build a shelter using tarps! All equipment provided, free. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Try It! Archery
2023-11-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy free and fun archery at the range! All equipment and instruction are provided. Open to ages 8+. Meet at the archery range at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

For Adults 50+: Crafternoon
2023-11-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon as you try your hand at creations that can be enjoyed seasonally and all year long.
Meet in the Grove Lodge

For Adults! Hike
2023-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Enjoy a staff-led hike through the beautiful forests of Slate Run Metro Park. Meet at the Buzzards Roost Picnic Area. Hike will be approx. 1.4 miles over hilly terrain. Ages 18+.

Night Walk
2023-11-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Let your eyes adjust to the dark as we go on a 2-mile walk in the woods.

Off-trail Ravine Ramble
2023-11-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join the naturalist for a rugged 2.5-mile hike off-trail in the park. We’ll cross ravines and small streams, and explore a state nature preserve all while learning about the history of the park.
This program is not recommended for below age 5. Please no strollers, child backpack carriers or dogs. Please bring water and wear boots and jeans or other sturdy long pants (nothing that can snag easily.)
Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

Firewood Warms You Twice
2023-11-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-11-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm
All ages
Try a two-man saw or shingle splitter while learning about varieties of wood.

For Adults: Off-trail Hike to Big Sycamores (Nature Preserve )
2023-11-12 11:00 - 13:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a rugged 3-mile off-trail hike to the nature preserve to see some of the 300-year old Giant Sycamore trees. Expect slippery and wet conditions. Hiking stick highly recommended. Hike is up and down very steep ravines. We will be walking on narrow paths across ravine edges to reach our destination. This hike is difficult for anyone having knee or back issues. Backpack with water, bug spray and snack is highly encouraged. Deer ticks are possible in off-trail conditions in the fall, please spray clothes with bug spray prior to coming to the program (permethrin recommended). Prior rain will impact the trail conditions leading us to create impromptu new pathways for the hike. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of program due to parking. In the event of rain or high water, the program will need to be canceled for safety reasons. Please call the ranger cell phone 614-906-3149 day of program for updates or check out Highbanks Metro Park Facebook page. Age 18+
Meeting Location Oak Coves: 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. This parking lot has a bathroom AND playground. Meet the naturalist in front of the bulletin board. 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.

For Adults 50+: Fall Birds
2023-11-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Take an easy 1-mile stroll on the Red Oak trail in search of woodpeckers and other resident birds. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Meet by the bulletin board near the restroom at 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City

Veteran's Day Fishing Program
2023-11-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Thank your favorite veteran by bringing them fishing! Poles, bait, and campfire hot dogs provided while supplies last! Meet at Osprey Lake, 5800 Harrisburg-Georgesville Rd.

For Families: Turkey Trek
2023-11-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Meet at the nature center for a 1-mile round trip hike to learn about our festive, feathered, Thanksgiving friends! Trail is crushed limestone and includes some hills.
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. 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.
