Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Toddler Hike
2024-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Bugs & Blooms
2024-07-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 2-mile hike to search the fields for blooming flowers and the bugs that visit them.

Preschool: Creeking
2024-07-19 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-07-19 11:00 - 12:00 | OH
Let’s explore the Big Darby Creek and meet some of the animals that live there. We will be getting in the water. Closed-toed shoes required: Old tennis shoes work best. Nets and buckets provided. Trail is crushed gravel and unimproved in parts, which might not be navigable in a stroller. Program for ages 3-5. Meet at Indian Ridge.

For Adults 50+: Nature Origami
2024-07-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Follow directions to make some nature-themed origami at the Nature Center. Materials provided.

Try it! Kayak and SUP
2024-07-19 15:00 - 18:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding and kayaking for free at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes. SUPs and Solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided.

50+ SUP
2024-07-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy SUP or Standup Paddle Boarding at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes. Ages 50+ only, free and fun. Meet at Lake 1 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.

Backcountry Hike - Dog Friendly
2024-07-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a guided 3.5 mile dog friendly hike on public and backcountry trails. All dogs are required to be on a leash. Meet at the Park Office, 185 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.

Science Saturday: H2Olympics
2024-07-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for our second installation of Science Saturday summer series! This month we are focusing on water and its properties. Why does water flow together? How does a stream clean itself and how can we help? Come join us for some fun experiments with water!
Please bring a towel – getting wet is part of the fun!
Meet at the wind and solar lot. This program is geared towards ages 5-10.

Turtle Shellebration
2024-07-20 12:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Celebrate turtles! Drop by for activities, crafts, and to meet our ambassador turtles.

Horse Powered Grain Threshing
2024-07-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm in the barnyard
See how horses power machinery that separates grain from straw.
Weather and crop permitting.

For Families: Decomposer Hike
2024-07-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike and learn about the important role decomposers play in an ecosystem.
