Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Celebrating Pollinators
2024-06-08 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing from 1-3pm.
Join us as we celebrate National Pollinator Month.
Come learn about beekeeping, gardening for pollinators, and the importance of pollinators in our world.

Science Saturday: Metamorphosis
2024-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for our first installation of Science Saturdays! This month we are focusing on metamorphosis. How do other organisms grow and change? Come experience some magical changes with us!
Meet at the wind and solar lot. This program is geared towards ages 6-10.

Wellness in the Gardens: Tai Chi
2024-06-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join the members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society for a demonstration and ‘try-it’ class.

6-Mile Blacklick Creek Greenway Hike
2024-06-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Get out before summer’s heat really hits and go on a 6-mile round-trip hike on the Blacklick Creek Greenway with occasional stops along the way to learn about cool things at Three Creeks. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Road

Birding By Ear For Beginners
2024-06-08 08:00 - 09:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a slow hike to the Lake to practice identifying birdsong. Bring binoculars and download Merlin on your smartphone before arriving. Binocs available to borrow.

Yappy Hour & SUP With Your Pup
2024-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Looking for a new adventure with your furry best friend? Join Friends of Metro Parks and Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure for Yappy Hour Presents: SUP with Your Pup on Friday, June 7th to make new memories, enjoy food and drinks, and learn tips for introducing your dog to paddling. Whether your dog loves it, or thinks you’re a little crazy, you’re both guaranteed to have a fun time trying! And it’s FREE! Standup Paddle Boards will be available from 5-8pm. Yappy Hour hosted by Friends of Metro Parks will be running from 5-8pm. Food and beer will be available for purchase during Yappy Hour, as well as vendors, rescues organizations, and activities to enjoy!Some things to keep in mind:* Every participant (and dog) is required to wear a life jacket. Life jackets will be provided by Metro Parks.* Ages 10+ for SUP* Beer will be available to purchase and enjoy at the event, please plan to enjoy paddling before drinking at the event!* Dogs must be leashed during the event
2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH has the closest parking lot to the water.

For Adults: Summer Fungi
2024-06-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join other adults on this 1.25-mile hike to search for mushrooms and learn about fungi.

Nature Kids: Creek Exploration
2024-06-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and wade in the water in search of fish, crawdads, and insects.

Summer Children's Programs: Jumpers
2024-06-05 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-06-05 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-04 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hop on over to the gardens to learn all about Ohio’s best jumpers. Geared for ages 8 and younger.

Precious Pollinators
2024-06-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Find out about our crawly and fluttering flower friends through a story, game, and craft! Best for ages 6-12.

Try it! Kayaking
2024-06-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed time 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 participants of all ages, with an adult, on a first come first serve basis. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
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.

For Adults 50+: Nature Ramble
2024-06-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll walk about 2-miles, stopping along the way to learn about what we observe. Wear shoes suitable for some muddy areas. Meet at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Kids: Swamp Things
2024-06-04 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about tiny wetland creatures and their adaptations by studying them in our table-top ponds. Suitable for preschool and school-aged kids. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Preschool: Forest Explorer
2024-06-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn how to become a Forest Explorer with stories, songs, crafts, and a short hike! Meet in Nature Center Multi-Purpose Room. For preschoolers aged 3-5.
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.

Toddler Tuesday: Fireflies!
2024-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
The twinkling bugs are in full swing right now! Come learn about these showstopping critters as we read a story, play with lights, and make a craft to take home!
This program is geared towards ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Evening Creeking
2024-06-02 17:00 - 18:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Explore the Olentangy River to look for some of the animals that live there. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes required in the river for your safety. Please no flip flops or crocs. Limited supply of buckets and nets. All animals will be released back into the river at the end of the program. Don’t forget a towel and complete a change of clothes to dry off after the program.
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.

Natural Play Area Open House
2024-06-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Explore the NPA with a naturalist! We’ll have tools to borrow and suggestions for how to have fun!

Sustainable Gardening
2024-06-02 14:00 - 16:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join the Inniswood Garden Society for their annual meeting. Dianne Kadonaga, owner of Sunny Glen Garden, will present “Become the King and Queen of Green: Gardening Your Way to a Zero Waste, Sustainable Lifestyle.” Dianne will share easy ways to implement changes in your garden that will increase biodiversity, support pollinators, and improve resilience to climate change. She will even show how you can reduce pollution, minimize garbage and plastic output, and use existing resources to build soil health and save money. Live like royalty in your own natural garden oasis!
Stay after the presentation to enjoy refreshments in the Gardens. This event is free and open to the public.

Make Hay While the Sun Shines
2024-06-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm.
Watch the farmhands and horses make hay. Weather permitting.

Geocache the Hundred Acre Wood
2024-06-01 15:00 - 16:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Find several geocaches while exploring the forest. Sign up for a free account on geocaching.com before the program. Be prepared for mud.

Forest Bathing
2024-06-01 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 greenery. Ages 7+. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Adventure Book Club!
2024-05-31 17:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for our Monthly Adventure Book Club! No registration necessary, all are welcome. This months book is “Touching the Void: The True Story of One Mans Miraculous Survival” By Joe Simpson. We will meet at the end of each month to discuss a different book.
Bring your own hammock or chair to lounge in the trees and chat about this months reading!
We will meet at the Dog Park Parking lot, use the north entrance off of Dublin/Roberts Rd and follow signage to the dog park!
2600 Dublin Road, Columbus

Swan Hike
2024-05-31 15:00 - 16:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Sled Hill Parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228. Drive to the sled hill parking lot (second parking lot on your right, it’s gravel).
Come on a 2 mile hike to learn about swans and look for them.

For Adults 50+: Outdoor Adventure Day
2024-05-31 11:00 - 14:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Bring lunch and something to drink and join us for a fun-filled day of archery, kayaking and fishing. All equipment is provided.
Meet at Darby Bend Lakes at the first shelter on your right at 2755 Amity Rd., Hilliard

For Adults 50+: Outdoor Adventure Day
2024-05-31 11:00 - 14:00 | OH
