Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Run with a Ranger
2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and come on a 3 mile run with a Ranger!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow roadway to the Lake Area lot.

Yoga with Naomi
2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 | 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. Bring your own mat!

Summer Children’s Programs: Cardinals
2025-07-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Calling all cardinal lovers! Discover what’s to love about this familiar feathered friend.

Preschool: Weeds & Wildflowers
2025-07-08 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Preschoolers can learn about the summer wildflowers that grow in our park through a story, games and a simple craft.

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-08 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.

SUP Dawgs!
2025-07-08 14:00 - 17:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out to Quarry Trails for a stand-up paddleboard session and stay for a hot dog! We will also have popsicles to beat the heat – for the first hour, or until they are melted!
Equipment and food provided. Vegetarian hot dogs provided. Real dogs welcome too! SUP ages 10+.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH and meet at the Lake Area.

Morning Archery
2025-07-09 07:00 - 09:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Adults only. Start your day off right with the yoga of shooting sports. Join Ranger Nick for this drop-by experience, all supplies provided. Meet at the Nature Center Overflow Lot.

Creeking Adventure
2025-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Explore the creek, see aquatic life up-close at a stream discovery station and make a craft. Stop by anytime between 10 & 11am. Nets will be provided. Activities will conclude at 12pm. Park at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge (39.59007, -82.59188) and follow the Creekside Meadows trail to fishing access #3. Follow program signs from the parking lot to the fishing access where activities will take place.

For Families: Try It Tae Kwon Do
2025-07-10 10:00 - 10:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join black belt instructors from Tiger Woo’s World Class Tae Kwon Do for a 30 minute Taekwondo lesson. This martial arts class instills confidence, builds strength and agility, and develops coordination. No experience necessary. Please wear comfortable gym attire. Free! Kids ages 4 and older. Meet at Highbanks Metro Park- nature center
Feel free to come to one or all these sessions
Thu 6/26/25 @ 10am “Cooperation”
Thu 7/10/25 @ 10am ” Respect”
Thu 7/17/25 @ 10am “Confidence”
Meeting location notes- Nature Center: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak coves toward the nature center.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-07-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and try stand-up 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 3 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come, first served. Equipment and instruction are provided.

Full Moon Hike
2025-07-10 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.

Fireflies
2025-07-10 21:00 - 22:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about fireflies as you have fun with the summer ritual of catching and releasing these amazing insects. Park closes at 10pm.

The Lorax
2025-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Franklin Soil and water Conservation District through an interactive narration of the Lorax Dr. Seuss story. Kids witness human impacts on the environment and discuss the importance of making wise choices. After the program enjoy making a craft to take home. Ages 3-8 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.

Creek Critter Safari
2025-07-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us for an adventure beneath the surface! Wade into the creek to catch and explore aquatic insects and fish! Discover what these tiny creatures can tell us about the health of our water. Meet at the Ranger Station. Wear close-toed shoes. Ages 8+.

Toads & Abodes
2025-07-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about the toads of Ohio, meet an American toad, and construct a toad abode to take home.

Family Fishing
2025-07-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Back by popular demand (we clearly are all fans of fish), we are hosting another family fishing night! All fishing hooks and supplies will be provided. Bait will be first-come, first-served, so please bring your own bait!
If you need assistance with fishing, we would be happy to help teach beginners and novices!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet near the covered bridge along the trail, rain or shine!

Friday Night Fishing
2025-07-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by Schrock Lake for some evening fishing. Use one of our poles or bring your own. No fishing license required.

Fly Fishing For Beginners
2025-07-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Learn the basics of fly fishing. This will be the first of two programs offered this summer. A second program will be offered in August and will help further develop skills. Equipment provided. Meet at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge (39.59007, -82.59188).

The Big Splash
2025-07-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Try canoeing, look for critters in a table-top pond, slide down a water slide or get wet in the squirt zone. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Snakes 10th Birthday Party
2025-07-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Watch our ambassador snake, Marvel, and his brother, Chico turn 10 this year! They’ll be out enjoying hot rocks and taking a swim in our living stream!

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your lunch and join us at the picnic area across from the Nature Center for a 30 min nature chat.
Saturdays:
7/5 – Box Turtles
7/12 – Spiders
7/19 – Birds of Prey
7/26 – Bats

Blacklick Creek Exploration
2025-07-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and then wade in the water in search of crayfish, frogs, fish, and insects.

Creek Hike at 100 Acre Wood
2025-07-12 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Take a rugged off-trail wander through the shale stream. Steep descent into the ravine; climbing over fallen trees required. Wear sturdy shoes that can get wet. 6yrs+ Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Evening Tram Rides
2025-07-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Ride along the electric tram with us, AT NIGHT! We will keep our eyes peeled for dusk and evening activity as we travel through the entire park!
We will have rides at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm (lasting about 50 mins, with a stop at the wetlands). The tram seats approximately 18-20 people, so it will be first-come, first-served! We will be giving out tickets 30 minutes before each ride to reserve your seat.
This program is for all ages. We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flagpole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Turtle Trek
2025-07-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and take a 1.5 mile hike to look for turtles.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the road back to the Lake Area lot.

Built to Bake
2025-07-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Learn how a wood burning stove works and browse through our collection of 19th century cookbooks, while we prepare baked goods.
