Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Welcome to Fall Event
2023-09-23 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for a fun family event to celebrate the first day of fall! Enjoy hayrides, campfires & marshmallows, scavenger hunts, and other outdoor activities. Stay afterwards and enjoy the outdoor movie “Minions: Rise of Gru” starting at dark (approx 8:15pm). All ages. FREE!
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area is located 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.

Glacier Ridge Turns 21!
2023-09-23 15:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Come to Glacier Ridge for an afternoon of fall-themed birthday fun!

Backpacking Series: Week #1
2023-09-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-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. Meet at Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
Week 1: Shelter and Sleep Systems – Creating a comfortable home away from home in the backcountry is not as simple as pitching a tent. Join us as we explore how to set yourself up for success. Prepare to hike off-trail as we cover site selection following Lean No Trace principles and practice setting up a the shelter. We have gear for demonstration, but you are encouraged to bring your own. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Fall Equinox Hike
2023-09-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate the first day of fall on a 4-mile backcountry hike. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Be prepared for elevation gain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

Wildflowers Throughout the Season
2023-09-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1-mile walk through an open field and learn what wildflowers are blooming in September.

Nature Journals
2023-09-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us to make your own nature journals and take a small hike to begin to fill the pages!

Adults Only: Archery
2023-09-20 08:00 - 09:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Ages 18+. Come take a shot at archery. Learn the basics, or just get an opportunity to shoot some arrows.

Try it! Kayak and SUP
2023-09-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out to Darby Bend Lakes at Prairie Oaks Metro Park and try out a standup paddle board or kayak! Solo, sit in kayaks will be available with a max weight of 275 lbs, and are open to ages 10+. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages with an adult present. Equipment and instruction provided. First come first served. 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH.

Try It! Archery
2023-09-18 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-09-11 02:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-08 16:00 - 17:30 | 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Five on the Farm: Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge
2023-09-10 11:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-09 11:00 - 15:00, 2023-09-08 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.

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.

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+.

Movie Night! Top Gun: Maverick
2023-09-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States

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.

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.

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.

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

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.
