Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

THE Buckeye Tree
2025-09-20 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a short hike and learn all about Buckeye Trees and their history here in Ohio! Wear your best OSU buckeye gear if you like! Meet at Nature Center.

For Adults 18+: Pawpaw Party
2025-09-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Celebrate the pawpaw, an understory tree with the largest edible fruit native to North America. Sample the fruit, try a tasty treat and learn cool pawpaw facts on a nearly 2-mile hike. We will be hiking up and down ravines and over creek beds on an unimproved dirt, grass and gravel trail. Be prepared, we may get a little wet and muddy on this moderate trail. Bring water as there is no potable water available.
Meet at Camp Starview at 9631 Neiswander Rd., Ashville 43103.

Pawpaw Prowl
2025-09-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike to learn about our State Native Fruit and search the trees to find some.

Campfire Starting
2025-09-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by and learn the basics of campfire building. Learn how to light a fire with matches, flint & steel, and a bow drill.

Pawpaw Hike
2025-09-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for a guided hike to learn about Ohio’s tropical fruit and all of its amazing features! Hike will be on crushed limestone surface with some hills.

Backpacking Series: Week 2 - Water & Waste
2025-09-20 08:00 - 09:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-week 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 week’s topic will have two dates to choose from in that week – you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. This series is for all ages and all backpacking abilities, from beginner to experienced backpackers.
Week #2: Water & Waste. One of the most important considerations for backpacking is where you will get clean, drinkable water. We will cover all of the important information you need to keep yourself hydrated and healthy on the trail. Participants will have the opportunity to practice treating water. We will provide a few filtering devices to share, however, you are encouraged to bring your own treatment system to practice with!
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire, & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike!

Date Night: An Evening with Zephyr Chamber Winds
2025-09-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us in the nature center for a one-hour chamber music performance by Zephyr Chamber Winds. This concert is funded by a Friends of Metro Park Grant and is produced in partnership with Zephyr Chamber Winds – a Columbus-based, professional classical chamber music group. This program is adults only, ages 18+.
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.

Scioto Fest
2025-09-19 17:00 - 2025-09-20 16:00 | 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 19, 2024 with Yappy Hour, Try It! climbing wall programs, river floats, food trucks, Nocterra beer, plus a DJ and live bands. Find the full schedule of events here.

Preschool: Monarchs
2025-09-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-19 09:30 - 10:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about monarch butterflies through story, activities, and craft. Best for ages 3-5.

For Adults: Fall Fungi
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate National Mushroom Month by learning about and searching the trails for fungi on this 1.25-mile hike.

Homeschoolers: Going Nutty
2025-09-18 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Walk through the woods in search of nuts, seeds and maybe a fruit or two while discovering the roles they play in Ohio’s ecosystems. Includes science and fun! Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Lantern Hike
2025-09-17 20:00 - 21:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for an after-dark adventure on this two mile lantern hike! Lanterns will be available to borrow on a first come, first serve basis.
Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter.

Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
2025-09-17 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
Come join us for a story about apples at the inclusive playground shelter house! We will use our senses to feel, see, smell, listen, and taste apples!! We will end our time with a craft!
Fidgets will be available for use.
*Our Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Homeschoolers: Ohio Buckeyes
2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn about the Ohio buckeye tree!

Preschool: Bats!
2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Let’s get batty as we learn all about the world’s only flying mammal! We will read a story, have fun with activities, and of course make a beautiful craft
This program is geared towards ages 3-6. Meet at the shelter, rain or shine!

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join other like minded adults for a fast paced fitness hike along gravel and natural surface trails. 2 or 4 mi. Stairs and hills.

Puppy Socialization Adventure Hike
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Introduce your puppy to the outdoors and hiking in the presence of other dogs and people. Puppies should be fully vaccinated and under 1yr old. Hike will be at a slow pace with opportunities for you to practice skills you are working on, so bring favorite treats. Please no retractable leashes; max. six foot leads. This program is not meant to be a “puppy playtime”, but an opportunity for you to teach your puppy how to walk calmly and politely in a new environment. Please leave older dogs at home. Meets Tuesdays in September & October at 6pm, except Sept 30. Hike will conclude by 645pm. Hike will be cancelled in event of inclement weather; see the Rocky Fork Facebook page for up to date information on cancellation.

Evening Kayaking
2025-09-16 16:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed times and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Backpacking Series: Week 3 - Fuel, Fire, & Food
2025-09-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-week 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 week’s topic will have two dates to choose from in that week – you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. This series is for all ages and all backpacking abilities, from beginner to experienced backpackers.
Week #3: Fuel, Fire, & Food. 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 (and try!) a variety of backpacking meals, and learn about proper nutrition when out on the trail.
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire, & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety, & Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike!

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-09-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Scioto Grove 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 Arrowhead Picnic Area.

Sunset with Bison
2025-09-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a less than 1-mile hike to the bison during the evening for some great pictures and views! Meet at Nature Center. Adults only.

Campfire and S'mores
2025-09-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by to make a classic campfire treat. S’mores and roasting sticks will be provided.

Nature Ramble
2025-09-14 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy late summer’s natural abundance and good company as we go on a roughly 2.5-mile walk through fields and forests with frequent stops along the way to learn about what we observe. Bring water and your sense of curiosity. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Outdoor Inclusive Adventure
2025-09-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Join us for a day of outdoor fun and adventure! With the help of our partners at the Y, we are creating a fun, safe place for people of all abilities to explore the outdoors, kayak, fish, play outdoor games and learn new crafts.

Bird Walk
2025-09-14 08:30 - 09:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Come for an early morning stroll while looking for September migrating birds and avian residents. Binoculars will be available. Trails are a mix of paved, crushed limestone, boardwalk, and some turf.

Evening Nature Walk
2025-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll go on a 2-mile hike, enjoying the woods and fields while hopefully hearing and observing wildlife as the sun sets. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Adult Evening Hike
2025-09-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Come out for an evening social hike to the wetland bird blind with a Highbanks naturalist. We’ll meet new people, look for migrating birds, and chit chat as we take a relaxed hike down the Overlook and Wetland Spur trails. Ages 18+. Meet in Oak Coves Picnic Area- 3rd parking lot near bathrooms.
Meeting Location Oak Coves 3rd parking lot: 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. Meet the naturalist at the bulletin board. Follow the orange program signs. 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.
