Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

WAG! Fest (now Bark Bash in 2024)
2023-08-26 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Join us for the largest single day dog event in the nation! Bring your pooch for a day of shopping, swimming and exploring.

Canning, Pickling, and Preserving
2023-08-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
All ages
The farm ladies will demonstrate how to preserve the garden produce using traditional 19th-century methods.

Poison & Venom Hike
2023-08-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn how to identify the toxic plants and animals you can find on a 1-mile hike.

Adults: Fantastic Fern Off-Trail Hike
2023-08-27 13:30 - 15:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for an off-trail ravine exploration focusing on ferns and their unique habits and habitats. This hike will involve traversing slippery rocks, climbing over logs, walking rustic footpaths through the woods, and walking in the ravine stream. Please wear close-toed footwear that is able to get wet and long pants for walking through vegetation. Hike will be approximately 2 miles.
Meet in Oak Coves Picnic Area next to Restrooms.

Family Tram Rides
2023-08-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hop on board the Metro Parks Tram for an informative ride around the park. Tram Stop is at the Nature Center. Ride lasts about 30 mins. No food or pets, please.

Music in the Gardens: High Street Stompers
2023-08-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join this Dixieland band for a fun, foot stomping concert. Seating is limited. Feel free to bring a blanket or chair.

Introductory Tai Chi
2023-08-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join instructor Midge Krause for an introductory tai chi class.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2023-08-29 10:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding 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-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
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.

Winnowing Rock Hike
2023-08-30 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Learn about the history of Clear Creek on a 4-mile backcountry hike to Winnowing Rock. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Be prepared for elevation gain and a steady up-hill climb. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

Olentangy Scenic River 50th Anniversary Celebration
2023-08-30 17:30 - 20:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Celebrate the Olentangy River’s 50th Anniversary of Scenic designation with Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves and various community partners. Learn about the unique attributes of the river and the importance of the surrounding landscape for preserving water quality. Community partners include Scenic Rivers and Preserves, OSU, Ohio Division of Forestry, Delaware Preservations Parks, Friends of the Lower Olentangy (FLOW), and Highbanks Metro Park. Fun activities for the whole family! Participants are welcome to go into the river and explore. Don’t miss seeing the fish of the Olentangy through an electroshocking demonstration (all fish are unharmed and released at the end of the program).
Meeting location notes: Highbanks Metro Park. Meet in the Big Meadows Picnic Area 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. “

Full Moon Hike
2023-08-30 20:00 - 22:00 | 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.

5-Mile Hike on the Greenway
2023-09-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for a 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail (meets at Heron Pond). We won’t stop too often but will enjoy being outdoors and sharing good company. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Heron Pond bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd, Columbus

Yoga in the Park
2023-09-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for 45 mins of relaxing outdoor yoga. All levels of experience welcome! Bring a yoga mat, a towel and a block if you have one. Meet by the Ranger Station. Will meet in the Nature Center if weather is rainy.

Five on the Farm: Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge
2023-09-08 11:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-09 11:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-10 11:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 11am- 3pm
Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge
All ages
Bring a picnic to eat at Slate Run Park, then come to the farmhouse for an opportunity to complete at least 4 more activities for the Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge.

Try It! Archery
2023-09-08 16:00 - 17:30, 2023-09-11 02:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy free and fun archery at the range! All equipment and instruction provided. Open to ages 8+. Meet at the archery range at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Winnowing Rock Hike
2023-09-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Learn about the history of Clear Creek on a 5-mile backcountry hike to Winnowing Rock. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Be prepared for elevation gain and a steady up-hill climb. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

Pawpaw Hike
2023-09-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about Ohio’s State Native Fruit as we search the woods for pawpaws. on a 2-mile hike. Trail is crushed gravel and includes hills. Due to the terrain and legth of hike, age 10+ suggested.
Meeting Location Oak Coves: The Oak Coves picnic area is your first LEFT after entering the park. Once you turn left into the Oak Coves picnic area, we will be in the THIRD parking lot. This parking lot has a bathroom AND playground. Meet the naturalist in front of the bulletin board. If the parking lot is full, the Oak Coves picnic area has 4 other parking lots within 5-8 minutes walking time of the meeting location.

Movie Night! Top Gun: Maverick
2023-09-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring a chair and join us for a movie night at your favorite Metro Parks! All events are free and start at dusk.

Forest Bathing
2023-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist in some good ol’ nature therapy! Feel free to bring something to sit on that’s easy to carry as we take a short hike and practice some quiet, stress-relieving techniques surrounded by trees. Meet at the Ranger Station, best for ages 7+.

Outdoor Inclusive Adventure
2023-09-10 11:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
The event, co-hosted by Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and the YMCA of Central Ohio, is a day of fun and inclusive activities for visitors of all abilities! Visitors will be able to kayak and canoe, fish, hike, and enjoy lawn games and sensory play. Activity supplies, lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

Broomcorn & Broom making
2023-09-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Help clean broom corn and watch broom making.

Nature Tram
2023-09-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a tram ride through the park.

Yoga
2023-09-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a relaxing yoga flow in the park at Scioto Grove Metro Park. The class will meet outside on the deck of The Grove Facility, unless weather forces us inside the facility. Free and fun!

Ladies Night Rock Climbing
2023-09-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Hey ladiesss! Come out to Scioto Audubon Metro Park and try rock climbing for free at the climbing wall! All equipment provided. All are welcome. We recommend wearing tennis shoes.

Solar Eclipse 2024 : What, When, & How To See The 4/8/2024 Solar Eclipse
2023-09-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
On April 8, 2024, North America will experience its second total solar eclipse in 7 years and, yes, the path of totality will be moving right through Ohio. After that, it won’t be until 2044 that such an event will visit the lower 48 states again. If you are the right location at the right time, you will experience over 4 minutes of totality (darkness). In this program, you will come to better understand how a solar eclipse works and how to optimize your chances to view this event when the time comes. We will explore the path of totality as it moves across the United States and Ohio, weather trends that may impact viewing, safety, observing tools, and various ways to improve your chances to view the event. Informational indoor program- no solar viewing during the program. Ages 10+. Advance registration required sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054DAEAB29AAF49-solar
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.

SciotoFest
2023-09-15 17:00 - 2023-09-16 17:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Scioto Fest will be bigger and better than ever this year. All the fun begins at Scioto Audubon Metro Park at 5pm on Friday, September 15, 2023 with Yappy Hour, Try It! climbing wall programs, river floats, food trucks, Nocterra and Land Grant beer, plus a DJ and live bands.

Movie Night! Pan's Labyrinth
2023-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
