Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Turkey Trek
2024-11-30 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 miles through the park to see if we can find any turkeys left after Thanksgiving.

Turtle Time
2024-11-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Meet our animal ambassadors and learn about the turtles of Ohio.

Indoor Amusements
2024-12-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing at the farmhouse between 10am-4pm.
Try some indoor games and toys and challenge your mind with some 19th century puzzles.

Walk In The Woods
2024-12-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Get some fresh air and exercise on a 3-mile walk through the woods. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Winter Hike Kick-Off
2024-12-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for the winter hike kick-off at Highbanks Metro Park! Grab some hot chocolate and roam around Highbanks to look at the lights, and grab your winter hike card for the season.

Toddler Hike
2024-12-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Bring your toddler to Scioto Grove Metro Park for a slow-paced hike through the park! Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Area. Trail is paved and stroller friendly.
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Try It! Archery
2024-12-03 17:30 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy the thrill and fun of archery this winter while being toasty warm inside at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course!! Archery will be indoors at the Golf Course Pro Shop! All equipment provided, fun and free! Ages 8+.
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Preschool: Cozy Drinks
2024-12-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-12-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Cozy up in the Innis House as we sip some cocoa and discover some of the plants used to make our favorite warm beverages.

Leave No Trace! Talk and Walk
2024-12-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
In celebration of World Wildlife Conservation Day, learn how to be the best park advocate while out playing in the parks! Whether you like to hike, bike, or kayak, the Leave No Trace principles help guide us in the best practices to keep the greenspaces we love beautiful. Join us at Scioto Grove Metro Park, Arrowhead Picnic Area to learn more about Leave No Trace, and go for a short hike afterwards!
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Star Gazing
2024-12-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s check out the night sky and make a star chart to take home. We do not promise a cloudless night, but there will be activities regardless. Meet at the Nature Center Overflow Lot.

Holiday Bike Ride!
2024-12-05 17:30 - 18:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a holiday bike ride around Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Feel free to join if you have your own bike, and register only required if you need to borrow a bike/helmet. Bikes are sized for adults only. Meet at the Glacier Ridge Maintenance Area, park at the bridle trail lot adjacent to the Red Maintenance barn (first parking lot on the left when entering the park) . Trails will be pavement
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Pie Iron Cooking
2024-12-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Pie irons? Pudgy pies? Toastie irons? Regardless of what you grew up calling them, or are brand new to using them, join us to make recipes and learn tips and tricks. Meet at the campfire in Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Preschool: Hunters & Gatherers
2024-12-06 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-12-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about how those in the past were able to put food on their table by playing various hunting and gathering games! Best for ages 3-5.

Metro Parks Hiking Club:Friday Fitness Hike
2024-12-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Watercolor Tea Bag Art Demonstration
2024-12-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Watch as artist of the month, Nancy Simmons, demonstrates how she uses watercolors and recycled tea bags to create unique works of art that are enhanced by the stain and texture of each tea bag.

Luminary Hikes
2024-12-06 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-12-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Take a self-guided 1/2-mile walk through the woods and fields as luminaries light your way. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and have your winter hike card stamped.
Find more information about Winter Hikes here.

Lantern Hike
2024-12-06 17:30 - 18:30 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for an after dark adventure on this two mile lantern hike! Some lanterns will be available to borrow. Meet at the Tall Pines area! 6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport, OH 43125
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2024-12-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike along the Buttonbush Trail under the twinkling lights and stop by the Nature Center to enjoy a cup of cocoa around the campfire. The Canopy Walk and Nature Center will be open late to explore

Night Hike
2024-12-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 1.5-mile hike through the wetlands, and see what nocturnal critters we can find. Meet at the Wet Prairie, 1378 Darby Creek Dr.

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2024-12-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-12-07 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 2-mile round trip mostly off-trail hike to learn about bald eagles and observe the nest from below. Sometimes we see eagles and sometimes we don’t! Dress for off-trail walking. No Pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Adventure 101: Shelter Building
2024-12-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Our “Adventure 101” educational series includes everything from guest speakers to interactive outdoor skill lessons! Participants are encouraged to take notes and ask questions
From tarps to knots, we will go over everything shelter building during this hands on class! We will provide all of the equipment and instruction necessary, and we will go over some education tidbits and instruction regarding the best shelter types to utilize and when to use them. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Birdfeeder Craft
2024-12-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about different foods that can be used to attract birds to your yard and build a simple bird feeder to take home.

Christmas is Coming
2024-12-07 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
All ages
Help decorate the farmhouse in Victorian style. String popcorn and make an ornament to take home.

Greeting Card Workshop
2024-12-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a relaxing afternoon making greeting cards for the holidays or any occasion. Supplies will be provided.

Cocoa & Cryptids
2024-12-07 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Walk under the twinkling lights and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate. Use your cellphone to get a picture or two with Bigfoot and the Grinch!
