Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Winter Hike
2023-12-17 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Enjoy a guided, seasonal stroll as the sun sets over the gardens. The walk will conclude as the gardens are being illuminated with Inniswood’s light display.

Christmas Bird Count For Beginners
2023-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about our oldest civic science project, then head out to count some birds!

Coffee & Birds
2023-12-17 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.

A Victorian Christmas Evening
2023-12-16 16:30 - 18:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 4:30-6:00pm. All ages.
Make decorations and enjoy other seasonal 1880s activities on a special lamplit evening.

Leave it to Beavers
2023-12-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
We’ll give you some fun facts to chew on, a cool craft to make, and you’ll leave with a new appreciation for beavers!

Hike Behind the Lake
2023-12-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike behind Thoreau lake through the waterfowl refuge.

Audubon Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join the longest running citizen science project and help search for birds for the 124th annual National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count.
No experience necessary. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. Meet at the Schrock Lake Restrooms. This program last approximately 2 hours.

Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us as we walk 2+ miles counting all the birds as part of the nation’s longest running community science bird project. Binoculars provided or bring your own.

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2023-12-15 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-12-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike along the Buttonbush Trail under the twinkling lights and stop by the Nature Center to enjoy a campfire and hot cocoa.

Winter Hike Series: Hot Cocoa & Twinkling Lights
2023-12-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Warm up inside the holiday-decorated Nature Center with hot cocoa and enjoy fun activities for kids including a holiday themed scavenger hunt. Then, hike on your own along the 1/4 mile twinkling lights trail around the Nature Center. Don’t forget to pick up your winter hike cards or get your card stamped inside the Nature Center. The Nature Center will be open late until 7pm.
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.

Star-Gazing Hike
2023-12-13 18:30 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy the stars on this slow-paced hike through the park at Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Meet at the Dog Park Parking Lot and hike with a staff member to the solar field to stargaze

For Adults 50+: Cookie Decorating
2023-12-12 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join naturalist and baker extraordinaire, Shannon, as we sprinkle on the holiday magic with a cookie decorating class that will get you icing like a pro in no time. You’ll learn the basics of designing festive treats such as a snowman, pine tree and gingerbread man. It’s the perfect way to get your sweet tooth in the spirit of the season. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will have fun, get to share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end, and of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge

Candlelight Yoga
2023-12-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a relaxing slow yoga flow at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Perfect for beginners, and those who want a peaceful practice after a long day! Free and fun. Meet at The Grove indoor facility.

Spectacular Snowflakes
2023-12-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Visit us to learn about these fantastical, frosty flurries! Learn through a short story about snowflakes, then create a chilly craft to take home!

Rugged Rock Hike
2023-12-11 10:00 - 12:30, 2023-12-09 10:00 - 12:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take in views of sandstone outcroppings on a rugged 4-mile backcountry hike. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Be prepared for elevation gain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

Light Up Your Night
2023-12-10 17:30 - 19:00, 2023-12-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stroll on your own through an illuminated Inniswood. Stop at the Gardens Entrance to try an activity to add to the fun.

For Adults: Guided Conifer Hike
2023-12-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1-mile hike learning about conifers and their cones. Trail is crushed limestone with some hills. This program counts as part of the winter hike series. Meet at 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. 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.

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2023-12-10 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 2-mile mostly off-trail hike to learn about bald eagles and visit their nest site. If we’re lucky, we might see an eagle or other wildlife so bring binoculars if you’d like. Wear clothes suitable for off-trail walking – conditions may be muddy, brushy, etc. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Luminary Hikes
2023-12-09 17:00 - 18:30, 2023-12-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Take a self-guided 1/2-mile walk through the woods and fields as luminaries light your way. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and have your winter hike card stamped.

For Families: Highbanks' Santa's Workshop
2023-12-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center between 1-4pm and enjoy fun holiday activities during Highbanks’ Santa Workshop. Stroll outside and look for items on the holiday light scavenger hunt. Play indoor holiday themed games and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. . Santa will be at the nature center from 1-4pm. Please bring your own camera if you would like a picture with Santa. Santa will be leaving promptly at 4pm to get back to the North Pole. The elves have been busy in Santa’s workshop, don’t forget to stop in and enjoy making a small craft ( limited supplies) . Limited parking at the nature center. Additional parking in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. This program is generously funded by Friends of Metro Parks Tad Jeffrey Grant. FREE! All ages
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.

Waterfowl Hike
2023-12-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike to the blinds and beyond to see what ducks are on the lake.

Night Hike
2023-12-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Walk on our paved trail on this 0.8-mile hike for a sensory night hike experience. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Shelter Building and S'mores
2023-12-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Practice building different tarp shelter structures among the trees at Scioto Grove Metro Park! While building your dream shelter, stop and enjoy a toasty s’more and warm up by the campfire. Free and fun, all supplies provided. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Preschool in the Garden: Holly Jolly
2023-12-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us as we celebrate the holidays by learning about our evergreens, making festive decorations, and going on a short hike.

For Adults 50+: The Swamp in Winter
2023-12-03 15:30 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take an easy 2-mile stroll in the swamp forest. Stay after the program to enjoy the winter lights.
Meet at the Nature Center
