Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Victorian Valentines
2025-02-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-14 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Stop by the farmhouse and create your own Victorian valentine.

Great Backyard Bird Count Weekend
2025-02-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
The great Backyard Bird Count is a worldwide birdwatching event, ongoing since 1998. Stop by the Nature Center to help us count birds, and learn how you can participate at home to help contribute to this important citizen science project. Hike to the lake to Count ducks daily at 11am. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee or cocoa too.

Three Creeks Winter Hike
2025-02-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Three Creeks Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm in the Confluence Area.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Birding for Beginners
2025-02-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Want to expand your knowledge of birds while also aiding in a citizen science project? Join us for a morning of beginner bird watching as we walk around Glacier Ridge and collect data for Cornell’s Great Backyard Bird Count. No birding experience is necessary!
Binoculars and bird ID books will be provided.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

For Adults: Wildlife Date Night
2025-02-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Love is in the air here at Homestead! Grab your special someone and join us for an evening of live animals, refreshments, crafts, and trivia! We will raffle off artwork done by our animal ambassadors, making the perfect Valentines’ gift!
This program is geared for ages 18+. Meet at the Lakeside Pavilion, our enclosed shelter. The pavilion will be heated with open fires, but please dress warmly, as the building is not insulated.

Valentine's Day Bird Food Craft
2025-02-14 17:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the lobby and make a heart shaped bird food craft to take home. All supplies provided.
Use the address 2600 Dublin Rd Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway towards the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the Park office will be on your left. Additional parking available at the dog park.

Preschool: Whooo Loves Owls
2025-02-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-14 09:30 - 10:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about owls through story, activities, and a cute heart-shaped craft. Best for ages 3-5.

Heart Healthy Walk
2025-02-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Take a stroll around the farm grounds to learn facts about the wonders of human and animal hearts. Enjoy a winter visit with the animals.

Valentine's Day Hike
2025-02-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Fall in love with the trails on a guided hike. Choose from two distances, 4 or 6-miles. Both hikes will start together. Trails at Clear Creek are rugged and steep. Be prepared for elevation gain and a moderate pace. Meet at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot: 23833 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge (39.589033, -82.577590).

Morning Lake Hike!
2025-02-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy the beauty of the lakes in the morning sunlight, as we hike around Prairie Oaks Metro Park. We will hike approx. 2-miles on easy to moderate trails. Meet at the Lake 3 parking lot (near the restroom) at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd.

Campfire Cooking
2025-02-12 17:30 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a meal around the campfire at Quarry Trails! All materials and equipment will be provided, free and fun! Meet at the lower sled hill parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Rd.

Full Moon Hike
2025-02-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a brisk 4-mile hike through forests and fields. Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Drive.

Preschoolers: Owls
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about owls through a story, activity and a craft.

Galentine's Day Archery and S'mores
2025-02-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy Galentine’s Day with Archery, while getting the chance to enjoy a s’more around the campfire at Blacklick Woods Golf Course! Archery is for ages 8+. All other activities are open for all ages! Free and fun, all equipment provided

Trail Running
2025-02-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Join us for a beginner-friendly intermittent trail run. We will have intervals of walking and running, perfect for adventurers who want to try trail running! Wear comfortable shoes with treads and bring hydration. We will be trail running on the Benua loop, a moderate 1.9 mile trail with some elevation change. Meet at the Park Office, please keep in mind that the Park Office is a 10-minute drive from the entrance of the park. You may lose cell service upon entering the park so please plan accordingly.

50+ Off-trail Hike
2025-02-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Enjoy an off-trail hike through Slate Run Metro Park! Meet at the Buzzards Roost Picnic area. We will be hiking over uneven and unimproved terrain, with steep incline. Hiking boots and trekking poles are recommended.

Run With a Ranger
2025-02-10 09:00 - 09:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher Shelter and come on a 1.5 Mile run with a Ranger!
Use the address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway back to the lake area parking lot.

For Adults 50+: Beat The Winter Blues
2025-02-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join drum circle facilitator Iggy Garcia for a freestyle drumming program. Drums and percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. No drumming or musical experience necessary. All are welcome to play or enjoy watching and feeling the rhythm of the group. The drum circle is beginner friendly and informal and you may come and go at any time during the program.
From Iggy: Together in the drum circle we will open up the space for all kinds of rhythmic beats to unfold in a magical harmonious way! It’s a great way to charge yourself up with positive energy and good vibrations.
Meet at the Highbanks Nature Center Multi Purpose Room.

For Adults Only: Felt Bird Craft
2025-02-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Chase away the winter blahs with a cheery felt bird craft! We provide all of the supplies. No sewing experience necessary; we will use hot glue, needle & embroidery floss and scissors for assembly.

Annual Quilt Show
2025-02-09 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-08 11:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
View quilts, wall hangings, and quilted items with a “flora and fauna” theme made by the Columbus Metropolitan Quilters. Members will be available to answer questions on Saturdays and Sundays. The exhibit can be viewed when Innis House is open, Tuesday-Friday 8am-4:30pm and weekends 11am-4pm.

Quarry Trails Winter Hike
2025-02-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Quarry Trails Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Owl Prowl
2025-02-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve to search for roosting owls.

Coffee & Birds
2025-02-09 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.

For Adults: Valentine Date Night
2025-02-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for an early valentine date night. Go on a scavenger hunt, play games, make gourmet smores, and meet some animal ambassadors. All are welcome to bring significant others, friends and family! 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. Age 18+

For Adults 50+: Winter Wildlife Walk
2025-02-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Say hello to the eagles and look for other winter wildlife residents as we walk 2-miles on the easy Killdeer Trail.
Meet at the Wood Duck Picnic Area Parking Lot at 4150 Bowen Rd., Canal Winchester.

Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure - OPEN HOUSE
2025-02-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Have you ever wondered who or what Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is and what programs we offer? On February 8th, join us at Scioto Grove Metro Park, The Grove lodge, to learn more about who we are, what we do, what programs and equipment we offer, try a new skill, and of course gather FREE SWAG! Information tables highlighting different recreation activities will be around for you to wander through and Program staff will be available for any questions you may have! Complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided while you meander amongst the tables and activities.
1-4pm, February 8th. The Grove lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park
