Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Campfire Cooking
2025-04-10 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a meal around the campfire at Quarry Trails, and learn how to make your own campfire treat! All materials and equipment will be provided, free and fun! Meet at the lower sled hill parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Rd.

Drop In Preschool: Clever Chipmunks
2025-04-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
In the spring chipmunks are emerging from their dens and chattering in the forest. Come to learn more about chipmunks by playing games, exploring and searching for them in the forest. Ages 2-6
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.

For Adults: Spring Wildflowers
2025-04-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike through the Walter Tucker Preserve and search for blooming flowers.

Frog Frenzy
2025-04-11 20:00 - 21:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 1-mile round trip walk to a wetland where we’ll listen to and search for mating frogs and toads. Please wear boots if you plan on joining the search as we’ll be wading in cold, shallow water. Some nets will be available to use but bring your own headlamps or flashlights. Note: Temperatures below 45-50 degrees means very few frogs and toads so hope for warm-ish weather! Meets at the Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Autism Acceptance Month Celebration
2025-04-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Come join us at our brand-new inclusive playground at Blendon Woods to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month from 9-11am! Enjoy “quiet hour” in our nature center from 9-10am for those with noise sensitivities. Explore our inclusive playground that is adapted for all abilities and wheelchair accessible! Get creative with a craft and meet an animal ambassador! Open to all ages!

Long Distance Trekking
2025-04-12 10:00 - 12:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Join us for this approx. 5-mile hike at Clear Creek Metro Park! The terrain will be unimproved and steep, hiking boots and trekking poles are recommended. Snacks and water are strongly encouraged! Perfect for intermediate hikers! Meet program staff at the Fern Picnic Area. Note: The picnic area is several minutes down Clear Creek Rd. from the main entrance, so please plan accordingly when planning your arrival. You may lose service when entering the park.

Spring Scrapbooking
2025-04-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Get excited for spring as we try nature-themed scrapbooking! Scrapbooking paper, glue, and other decorative materials will be provided.

Backpacking Series: Week 3- Fuel, Fire, and Food
2025-04-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking! Classes will be held weekly for 6 weeks, followed by an overnight trip. This series will be geared toward the upcoming spring backpacking season. Gear will be provided for demonstration purposes, but you are highly encouraged to bring your own gear to improve your hands-on experience. Attendance at all classes is NOT required—you may attend as many or as few classes as you would like. The overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Meet at Arrowhead picnic area unless otherwise stated.
When it comes to preparing meals for backpacking, there are several options to pick from. We will talk about the pros and cons of various types of backpacking stoves, how much fuel to bring, field maintenance, and safety. We will also make a variety of backpacking meals, and learn about proper nutrition when out on the trail. Bonus! You get to try some tasty meals!!

Meet Morty
2025-04-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by the Nature Center to meet our newest program animal, a European Starling.

Kite Flying
2025-04-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Celebrate National Kite Month at the windiest Metro Park! Color your very own kite and fly it high in the sky!
This program is geared for ages 8 and up. Meet at the Wind and Solar Lot, rain or shine!

Full Moon
2025-04-12 19:30 - 21:30 | 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.

Family Full Moon Hike
2025-04-12 20:00 - 21:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a family friendly guided hike through the night-time woods. Hike is 1 mile, not suitable for strollers.

Adult Fast-Paced Fitness Full Moon Hike
2025-04-12 20:00 - 21:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for an Adult, Fast-Paced Hike through the night-time woods. Not suitable for slow walkers.

Cowboy Campfire Coffee!
2025-04-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Howdy Y’all! Come out to the Lower Sled Hill at Quarry Trails Metro Park to learn how to make Cowboy style Campfire Coffee! All ingredients and equipment will be supplied, feel free to bring your own reusable mug or cup and fill it up with some warm and toasty fire brewed coffee

Plant Natives
2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate Native Plant Month with us! Stop by to learn about the benefits of natives, then plant some seeds for your own garden.

Sheep on the Farm
2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Watch sheep shearing, meet the lambs, and learn about the uses of wool.

Spring Wildflower Walk
2025-04-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile hike through the Walter Tucker Preserve and search for blooming flowers.

Eagle Hike
2025-04-13 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us on Sundays in March to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100 Acre Woods. Hike 1.5 mi. on a flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

Walk Among The Bluebells
2025-04-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the natural history of Virginia bluebells and other spring wildflowers on a 1-mile walk. Please wear shoes or boots suitable for muddy, slippery walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport. Please note that the bluebell bloom period varies from year-to-year so there may or may not be lots of flowers at walk time.

For Adults 18+: Wildlife Adventures Around The World
2025-04-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join world travelers, Deb Bradley and Chris Holmes, as they share their adventures to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands in search of native wildlife.
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

Spring Fungi
2025-04-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.5-mile hike as we learn about fungi and search for mushrooms along the trail.

Yoga with Naomi
2025-04-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at Scioto Grove Metro Park for free yoga, perfect for everyone! Yoga will take place at The Grove Lodge. We will be outdoors on the deck weather permitting, or inside the lodge in the case of rain. Bring your own mat!

Backpacking Series: Week 4- Clothing and Foot Care
2025-04-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
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.
Week #4: Clothing and Foot Care. This week we will learn how to dress properly for being on the trails! We will also cover preventative foot care to keep pesky blisters away, and how best to treat them if needed.
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Preschool: Salamander Room
2025-04-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Read this classic tale of a child’s love for salamanders, then go on a hike to the creek to look for some. Dress for the weather; wear waterproof footwear.Ages 3-6

Adult: 1.5-mile wildflower walk
2025-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Enjoy a leisurely stroll to learn about the ephemeral spring wildflowers. Trail is crushed limestone and can be muddy depending on recent rains.. Earn credit for the Step Into Spring Challenge on this hike. Ages 18+
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.

For Adults 50+: Bluebell Walk
2025-04-15 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the natural history of Virginia bluebells and other spring wildflowers on a 1-mile walk. Please wear shoes or boots suitable for muddy, slippery walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport. Please note that the bluebell bloom time varies from year-to-year so we may or may not see lots of blooming flowers!

Preschool: All About Eggs
2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
The Easter Bunny is not the only one leaving eggs outside, there’s lot of animals who lay eggs in spring. Come learn about the many eggs that you can find at the park with us! We will enjoy a story, a discovery table, a craft, and a short hike.
This program is geared for ages 3-6. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hikes
2025-04-16 13:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Homeschool: The Best Nest
2025-04-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Homeschoolers will study different types of birds nests to find out how they are made, conduct a short experiment and learn how to build their own. Program will include a short hike to look for bird nests.
