Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Introduction to Wildflowers and Pollinators
2025-07-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a beginner to wildflower identification and their pollinators one mile walk through the Big Meadow and Dripping Rock trails. Meet at the Big Meadows bathrooms. The trail is paved/crushed limestone, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Ages 6+ 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.

Scavenger Hunt
2025-07-27 09:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Grab a scavenger hunt from the lobby and take a hike. Return your sheet and get a prize!
Lobby is accessed by entering 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and following the roadway back to the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the Park Office will be on your left.

Riddle Me These, Please
2025-07-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 11am-3pm
Pick up a list of riddles at the farmhouse that will have you thinking your way around the farm.

Fossil Frenzy
2025-07-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Take a glimpse back in time to the prehistoric world of Ohio’s Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, dating back to and before the time of dinosaurs. Learn about dinosaurs and other ancient apex predators while participating in a hands-on mock-fossil dig for remains of the creatures that once roamed where you do!
This program is geared for ages 10 and up. Meet at the Wetland Education Pavilion, rain or shine!

Butterfly Hike
2025-07-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the nature center butterfly house for a butterfly talk, then search for butterflies on a 1 mile guided hike.

Try it! Archery
2025-07-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction provided. Ages 8+.

Ohio Tree ID Basics
2025-07-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn the basics of tree identification.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-07-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park during this month’s Toddler Adventure Club! We will hike as far as possible during the time-frame, and staff will have an adventure pack with compasses, maps, and other adventure tools for kids to utilize during the program. Meet at the Buckeye Area of Walnut Woods, 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport OH.

World Nature Conservation Day: Pollinator Gardens 101
2025-07-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn the ins and outs of creating a pollinator garden. Discover what native plants to use and how to get them, all while seeing pollinators in action.

Puppet Shows
2025-07-29 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-07-29 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-29 11:30 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
The Blendon Woods puppets are ready for an adventure! 15-minute show followed by a scavenger hunt.

Summer Children’s Programs: Bullfrogs
2025-07-29 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hop over to Inniswood to discover the amazing adaptations of Ohio’s state frog.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-07-29 10:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park! First come, first served. All equipment provided. SUPs and solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-in kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

What Is It?
2025-07-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 10am-4pm
All ages
Everyday objects familiar to people in the 1880s are a mystery to modern folks. Guess how ours work and what they do.

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the picnic area in front of the Nature Center (or inside if the weather is bad) to meet a few of our animal ambassadors.

For Kids: Orienteering
2025-07-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn the basics of map and compass reading and then go on a fun scavenger hunt to practice your newly learned skills

Adaptive Adventures: Wheelchair Water Games!
2025-07-30 13:00 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Wheelchair Water Games- Come cool off with summer water fun at our Inclusive Playground at Blendon Woods Metro Park! We will have sponges, spray bottles, a wheelchair “car wash”, water shooters and more to cool off in the hot July sun! Bring a friend to play!
* Our Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families!

Tots on Trails
2025-07-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Share a slow-paced, half-mile hike with your toddler and discover nature together.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-08-01 10:00 - 11:00 | 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.

Natural Paints
2025-08-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Paint your worries away with us while you use natural paint to make a masterpiece. Learn about the pigments certain plants, fungi and flowers create and how you can make your own.

Friday Night Fishing
2025-08-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by Schrock Lake for an evening of fishing. Use one of our poles or bring your own. Not fishing license required, all fishing is catch & release.

Evening Mindfulness hike (age 12+)
2025-08-01 18:30 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Relax, recenter and explore nature through a mindful evening hike and creative nature journaling. Hike will be approx. 1-mile on crushed limestone with some hills. Nature journaling supplies provided. Ages 12+ recommended. Meet @ 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.

Summer Bird Hike
2025-08-02 08:00 - 09:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
The early bird gets the worm! Join a naturalist to search for birds using binoculars and field guides. Some binoculars will be available to borrow. Trail will be ~1 mile, flat limestone gravel with some dirt trail, and with frequent stops. All ages. 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.
