Backpacking Series: Week 6 - Shakedown Hike
2025-04-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-03 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | 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 long 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 weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. Meet at Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park
This week we will be going on a backpacking preparation hike! Expect the hike to be approx. a mile in length. Bring a pack and equipment to test your strength and endurance on the trail in a real life backpacking senario! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

For Adults: Warbler Wander
2025-04-30 08:30 - 10:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist as we look for migrating warblers on trails around the nature center. Hike will be close to one mile with many stops. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them; some will be available to borrow. Ages 18+
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.

COSI Science Festival - Fantastic Fungi
2025-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Be a scientist! Learn to use iNaturalist to record scientific observations and then set out on a 1.25-mile hike to observe, identify and record mushrooms and other fungi around Blacklick Woods.

COSI Science Fest: Plant & Animal Exploration at Slate Run Metro Park
2025-05-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Join COSI and Metro Parks for this hands on experience. Become a scientist by helping us record species in the park! We will look high and low for plants and animals, from treetops to under rocks in the creek. Dress for the weather and wear footwear that can go for a 1.5-mile walk, go off-trail some, and maybe even get wet!
Program begins at 6:30pm with a quick intro. Running a few minutes late? Hike down the Five Oaks trail and you should find us. We hope to be actively recording species on- and off-trail until 8:30pm.
Download iNaturalist ahead of time if you plan on using that platform (cell service is spotty at Slate Run Metro Park.) Program is for all ages!

Migration Mania
2025-05-02 08:00 - 09:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1.5-mile accessible bird hike to look for some spring songbirds. All experience levels welcome. Trail is crushed gravel and paved. Ages 8+. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hikes
2025-05-02 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.

Sprout A Buzz with COSI
2025-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us to learn about and catch interesting insects, and the trees and plants that host them. COSI will be joining us for this fun science excursion! Take home a free tree to plant, or help us plant it in the park! Help us list some of the insects found in our park for others to find on their next visit! Meet by the Nature Center, 1415 Darby Creek Dr. Bug catching equipment provided.

For Adults 50+: Outdoor Adventure Day
2025-05-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Bring lunch and something to drink and join us for a fun-filled day of archery, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. All equipment is provided.
Meet at Darby Bend Lakes at the first shelter on your right at 2755 Amity Rd., Hilliard

Adventure at the Lake with Brave Wilderness
2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join the Brave Wilderness team for a Blendon Bioblitz as we search for wildlife around Thoreau Lake. Download iNaturalist before you come to help contribute to the data. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy.

Guided Nature Hike with COSI
2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join the naturalist for a fun and interactive citizen science program! Using iNaturalist, we’ll observe Glacier Ridge’s biodiversity on a guided hike. We will be partnering with COSI for this experience as part of the COSI Science Fest!
Please dress for hiking – pants, closed toed shoes, tick repellent.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine.

Birding And Breakfast
2025-05-03 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

Spring Plant Sale
2025-05-03 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-04 08:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Purchase plants for your garden. A selection of perennial plants and herbs for sale. Must-have natives, new varieties and old favorites. Best selection available on Saturday. Sponsored by The Inniswood Volunteers, Inc. and the Herb Society of America, Central Ohio Unit.

Spring Migration Bird Hike
2025-05-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the trails for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more on this 1.25-mile guided hike.

Central Ohio Folk Festival
2025-05-03 10:30 - 18:00, 2025-05-04 10:30 - 17:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Two day event celebrating folk music!
More info at:https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/festival.html
Saturday May 3
1030-6pm Festival & activities
7-930pm- Richard Shindell
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).
Festival highlights:
35 performances on 3 stages featuring an invigorating mix of folk/roots/Americana music. Attendees will experience a sweeping range of genres — from singer-songwriter, old-time, bluegrass, blues, Irish, Celtic, and Americana, to neo-country, progressive stringband, reggae, and even an improv jam band featuring some of the festival artists. In typical folk style, the songs and lyrical themes often reflect the struggles and triumphs of everyday people.
A giant folk music sing-along will open the festival at 11 am Saturday with a focus on songs by well known folk heroes (think John Prine, Bob Marley, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan), plus a poignant song circle will close the fest on Sunday.
30+ music workshops covering all levels. Just a few topic examples: songwriting, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. There are even beginner workshops with loaner instruments available.
Our Youth Folk Tent serves kids and youth with music, storytelling, and workshops. Workshop offerings include making a drum out of wooden box frames (and using them)!
The festival also features an “Instrument Petting Zoo” — an in-demand favorite — where children can try out various folk instruments. There are also hands-on arts and crafts for kids. Plus…festival mascot Darby Duck will be on hand to charm the young and young-at-heart.
2 drum circles where everyone, young and old alike, is invited to pound on a drum or other rhythm instrument to a mesmerizing beat.
Ongoing open jam tents, each with a different thrust: bluegrass, old-time, folk-mix, pure song, and one dedicated to encouraging the beginner.
Sunday opens with an 11 am performance by Mark Hunter (aka C LA C I), known and acclaimed locally as the lead singer for The Ark Band. He’ll be bringing everyone together at the festival’s “Songs of the Spirit” slot, presenting acoustic roots storytelling music — reggae style.
The festival offers a festival store, beer gardens featuring Nocterra craft beer, and food trucks on site.
The variety of choices is mind-blowing! Saturday and Sunday afternoons, at any one time, festival-goers will have their choice of attending any one of more than a dozen different activities: a true embarrassment of riches! So many choices, so little time!
Produced by –– The Columbus Folk Music Society in cooperation with The Metro Parks. Co-sponsored by WCBE 90.5 FM
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area 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.

Heirloom Gardening
2025-05-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm.
Learn about the preservation of antique plant varieties and help plant the garden, weather permitting.

Spring Migration
2025-05-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Search for warblers and other spring migrants on a guided bird walk with the Clear Creek Naturalist and retired Metro Parks Resource Manager, John Watts. Bring binoculars. Meet at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot: 23833 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge (39.589033, -82.577590).

Hidden Wetland Hike
2025-05-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us on an off trail adventure through the woods to our hidden wetland! We will look for wildlife and talk about the importance of restoration.
Please dress for hiking – pants, closed toed shoes, tick repellent.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine.

For Adults: Science Sunday - Stream Quality Monitoring and Macroinvertebrates
2025-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Lindsey Krusling from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves as we learn about what lives in Ohio waterways during this session about Stream Quality Monitoring and Macroinvertebrates. This session will feature an outdoor learning experience. We will be riding the tram to access the creek. Please bring shoes that can get wet. Meet at Beech Maple Lodge.

5-Mile Hike on the Alum Creek Trail
2025-05-04 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for an (almost) 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail (meets at Heron Pond). We won’t stop too often, but will enjoy being outdoors and sharing good company. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Heron Pond bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd, Columbus

Eagle Hikes
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
This is the last Sunday to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100 Acre Woods! Hike 1.5 mi. on flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

For Adults 18+: Afternoon Tea
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join the naturalist to discover what plants naturally grow in your yard that can be used in creating wildcrafted teas and enjoy some tea time refreshments.
Meet at the Nature Center at 1415 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway 43119

Star Wars Archery
2025-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
May the 4th be with you! Enjoy Star Wars themed targets at the Scioto Grove Archery range. Equipment and basic instruction provided. Recommended for ages 8+ only.

Preschool: The Best Nest
2025-05-05 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about what makes the best nest for baby birds with this classic story.

Morning Cardio Hike
2025-05-06 10:00 - 10:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a fast-paced, staff-led Cardio Hike at Quarry Trails Metro Park!
Meet at the Lakes Area. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive.

Toddler Tuesday: Moms in Nature
2025-05-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
In honor of Mothers’ Day this month, we are learning all about the moms in nature! Learn about what makes a good mom in nature and what makes a bad mom! We will enjoy a puppet show followed by a craft.
This program is geared for ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Preschool: Down in the Dirt
2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover what’s living in the soil! Come prepared to stick your hands in the dirt and get muddy.
