Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

5-Mile Hike on the Greenway
2025-07-05 08:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for an (almost) 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

A Hunting We will Go
2025-07-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing 10am-4pm
All ages
Pick up a scavenger hunt list at the farmhouse and enjoy searching for items around the farm.

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-05 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

Drop In: Solar Print Craft
2025-07-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the front of the nature center and make a solar print craft to take home. Limited supplies. All ages. Craft will take approx 25 minutes from start to completion..
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.

ROCKS! (and the bugs who like them)
2025-07-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
You don’t need a big net to find cool critters in the water, let us show you how to find things with your hands while looking at fun rocks! Closed toed shoes recommended, 1/4-mile walk.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-06 10:00 - 14:00 | 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.

For Adults: Science Sunday - Lepidoptera
2025-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Chris Kline from Butterfly Conservation Center as we learn about Ohio native butterflies, moths, and caterpillars during this session about Lepidoptera. Meet at Beech Maple Lodge.

Primitive Fire Starting
2025-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn to start a fire using flint and steel. Ages 8+ Meet at the Natural Play Area large group shelter.

Summer Sunday Splash
2025-07-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by anytime between 1-4pm for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station. 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Let's Go Creeking
2025-07-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 1-mile round-trip hike to our creeking area and use nets and hands to search for critters in the creek. For safety, please wear closed-toed shoes. In case of high water or other adverse conditions, an alternate activity will be held. No pets, please. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Crochet Club: Ducks!
2025-07-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Join us for another free crochet session! This time we will be sitting by the water in our Lakeside Pavilion. Come learn about and look for ducks as you create your own duck to take home!
All supplies needed will be provided. No experience necessary, we can teach you the basics of crochet! Feel free to bring your own WIPs as well!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Lakeside Pavilion, rain or shine!

Introductory Tai Chi
2025-07-07 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. This program is geared for adults, children may participate with adult supervision.

Wonderful Wildflowers
2025-07-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile hike on the Multipurpose Trail to learn fun facts about summer wildflowers growing in the fields.

Run with a Ranger
2025-07-07 19:00 - 20:00 | 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.
