Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

The Big Splash
2024-07-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Try canoeing, look for critters in a table-top pond, slide down a water slide or get wet in the squirt zone. Three Creeks Metro park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

A Hunting We will Go
2024-07-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing 10am-4pm
All ages
Pick up a scavenger hunt list at the farmhouse and enjoy searching for items around the farm.

Pokémon Go Hike!
2024-07-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Enjoy Pokémon Go! Community Day at Homestead Metro Park! Bring you own device to access Pokémon Go! and hike around the park with park staff to find different Pokémon! Meet at the Homestead Nature Center.

Happy Tails & Trails (Dog Hike)
2024-07-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Bring your dog for a 1.5 mile hike. Please bring your own drinking water for your dog. Leashes must be shorter than 6 feet. Near the end of the hike, we will stop for the optional cool down in the Olentangy River.
Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

Built to Bake
2024-07-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Learn how a wood burning stove works and browse through our collection of 19th century cookbooks, while we prepare baked goods.

Summer Sunday Splash
2024-07-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by anytime between 1-3pm for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station. 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Tree Identification For Kids
2024-07-14 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Tree identification is fun and kids can learn the basics a short walk. Best suited for kids age 6 and older. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Creek Hike @ The Hundred Acre Wood
2024-07-14 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Hike about 2 miles to explore the creek. Wear shoes that can get wet. Recommended ages 6 and up. Hike is rugged and steep. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Meet the Artists: Gillie 50+ Senior Center
2024-07-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Artists from the Gillie 50+ Senior Center will be available to discuss their artwork on display in the Innis House.

Drop in: S'morses & Wildlife!
2024-07-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center to make a S’more by the campfire and learn about wildlife in the park! Meet on the back deck of the nature center anytime between 5-7pm. Free. Limited supply of smores.
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.

Toddler Hike
2024-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Come out for a staff led Toddler Hike at Homestead Metro Park! We will be walking on paved trail, so strollers are welcome! We will go as far as the group can within the hour. Meet at the nature center parking lot.

Nature Kids: Crazy for Crayfish
2024-07-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and wade in the water in search of crayfish and other creek critters.

Dino Archery
2024-07-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy dino themed archery at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Meet at the archery range. Free and fun, all equipment provided. Ages 8+.

Bison
2024-07-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist to learn about bison. Expect a short walk to the bison pasture.

Summer Children's Programs: Runners
2024-07-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover some of Ohio’s best runners and what gets them on the move. Participate in activities to learn more about these speedy animals. Geared for ages 8 and younger.

Try It! SUP
2024-07-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park. First come first served. All equipment provided. Ages 10+
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances-
* The closest parking lot to the paddling launch area is off of Trabue Road. 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.

50+ Tree Hike
2024-07-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 miles to identify trees and enjoy the forest.

SUP Dawgs!
2024-07-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out to Quarry Trails for a SUP session and stay for a hot dog! Equipment and food provided. Vegetarian option hot dogs provided. Real dogs welcome too! SUP ages 10+. Address: Quarry Trails Metro Park, Lake Area
2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH 43228

Evening Tree ID Walk
2024-07-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take an easy, 1-mile walk with stops to learn how to identify trees along the way. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Preschool: Fireflies
2024-07-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about these flashy insects through story, song, craft, and activities.

Preschoolers: Over and Under the Pond
2024-07-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about what animals live over and under the pond through a story, activity and craft.

Try It! Kayaking
2024-07-17 15:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed time and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for participants of all ages, with an adult, on a first come first serve basis. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances-
* The closest parking lot to the paddling launch area is off of Trabue Road. 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.

Intro to Rock Climbing
2024-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us for Intro to Rock Climbing at Scioto Audubon Metro Park and learn the basics of rock climbing with instructors!! Closed toed shoes recommended, free and fun, all equipment provided. Meet at the Scioto Audubon Rock Climbing Wall.

For Adults: Nature Ramble
2024-07-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll walk about 2-miles, stopping along the way to learn about what we observe. Wear shoes suitable for some muddy areas if we’ve had recent rain. Meet at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Adults 50+: Picnic at the 100 Acre Wood
2024-07-18 10:30 - 12:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Pack your lunch to munch after an easy, 1.5-mile stroll through the forest. Bring something to drink and a chair or blanket to sit on.
Meet at 5280 Cambria Way. Park along the street. There are no restrooms at this location.
