Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Try It! SUP
2023-06-14 16:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Have you ever wanted to try Standup Paddle Boarding? Come out to Darby Bend Lakes at Prairie Oaks Metro Park to try it! Free and fun, all equipment provided. Ages 10+. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, use address 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH.

Adult: Off-trail Ravine Geology Hike
2023-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
JUST ADDED!!! Join a geologist on an 2.5-mile off-trail hike in the ravine. Learn the story about the discovery of the prehistoric shark fossil found right here in a Highbanks ravine. Explore the geology and fossils of Highbanks while hiking in a picturesque ravine. Please wear closed-toed shoes. The hike will be in the water of the ravine . Expect to get wet and encounter muddy, rugged conditions as we climb over logs and rocks. Program will last approx. 2.5 hours. Don’t forget your complete change of clothes in case you get wet. Hiking stick encouraged. Program length approx 2 hours. Hiking will be 2-miles total. Not wheelchair friendly. Ages 16+. Meet location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area. Big Meadows is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with playground. Meet near restrooms. Age 16+

Late Night Climbing
2023-06-09 18:00 - 23:30, 2023-05-26 18:00 - 23:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy Late Nights at the Climbing Wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! On the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, the climbing wall lights will stay on until midnight for open climb. Please bring your own gear.

Yappy Hour: SUP with Your Pup
2023-06-09 16:00 - 21:00 | 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 9th 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 4-9pm with Yappy Hour hosted by Friends of Metro Parks running from 5-8pm. Food and beer will be available for purchase during Yappy Hour, as well as vendors and activities to enjoy for free!
Some things to keep in mind:
* Every participant (and dog) is required to wear a life jacket. Please provide your own canine life jacket if you own one. Human life jackets provided by Metro Parks. Some dog life jackets will be available to borrow.
* Ages 10+ for SUP
* Beer will be available to purchase and enjoy at the event, you are unable to participate in watersports after purchasing beer so 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. This is a newly opened entrance, please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Yoga in the Park
2023-06-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for 45 minutes of relaxing outdoor yoga. All levels of experience welcome! Bring a yoga mat, a towel, and a block if you have one.

Neotoma Valley Hike
2023-06-07 09:00 - 22:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
2023 marks the 100th year since Ed Thomas conducted the first breeding bird survey in Neotoma Valley. Join us for birding and to learn about the history of this unique area on a 1-mile hike. Meet at the Thomas Mathias Parking Lot, 24950 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge.

For Kids: Swamp Things
2023-06-06 13:30 - 14:30, 2023-06-06 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. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Adults 50+: An Evening In The Gardens
2023-06-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for guided tours of the gardens and an opportunity to plant and take home a plant for your own garden.
Meet at the Gardens Entrance.

National Trails Day: Hike & Campfire
2023-06-03 19:00 - 21:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate National Trails Day with an evening hike and roasting s’mores around a campfire. The hike is family friendly and 3-miles round trip.The campfire will take place at the halfway point of the hike. Bring a flashlight for the return hike. Meet at the Park Office, 185 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.

Dog Hike
2023-06-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join the naturalist on a 1.5-mile summer hike along river and field with your canine friend. Treats and water breaks provided throughout. All ages.
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.

Creeking Open House
2023-06-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Follow the signs along the Ripple Rock trail to meet the Naturalists at the creek. Borrow our nets, jars and viewers to see what you can find! Wear shoes that can get wet.

For Adults: Fast-paced Full Moon Fitness Hike
2023-06-02 21:00 - 22:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Take a fast-paced 2.8 mile hike through the moonlit forests and fields of the park. Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

Chalk and S'mores
2023-05-31 15:00 - 17:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy a tasty s’more while channeling your inner Bob Ross with chalk at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! Meet at the climbing wall. Free and fun! Chalk and s’more supplies provided.

Open House Creeking
2023-05-29 12:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Explore the Big Darby Creek with the naturalists! Follow the signs from the ranger station at Cedar Ridge down to the creek and join us anytime between 12am – 4pm to look for some of the critters that call Darby Creek home. Visitors are welcome to get in the creek, or just observe some of the animals we have caught from the shore. Limited supply of nets and buckets provided. Dress to get wet!

Canoe and Kayak the Lakes
2023-05-29 11:00 - 16:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy the lakes from a canoe or kayak on Memorial Day!
Canoes are open to all ages with a minimum of one adult per canoe. Solo, sit-in kayaks provided, open to ages 10+. Kayaks max. weight of 275lbs.
Life jackets are provided and worn while on the water. Visitors are welcome to bring their own Type III life jacket.
Equipment and instruction is provided. No pre-registration, first come/first serve. Free and fun!
Darby Bend Lakes portion of Prairie Oaks Metro Park. 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026

Try It! Kayaking
2023-05-27 10:00 - 15:00, 2023-05-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out to the new Quarry Trails Metro Park and try out a 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.
2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH has the closest parking lot to the water. This is a newly opened entrance, please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Adventure Hike
2023-05-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Experience the backcountry on a 7-mile adventure hike. Participants should be able to keep a moderate pace and have experience hiking over difficult terrain. Long pants are recommended. The hike will include a creek crossing (Clear Creek); bring a change of shoes. Meet at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge.

For Kids: Fishing Fun
2023-05-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by between 10am-12pm to go fishing in Schrock Lake. Learn how to cast, bait a hook and then try to reel in a big one! Bring your own pole or borrow one of ours.

Sunset Stroll on the Golf Course
2023-05-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy special access to walk the paths on the Golf Course. Select Evenings Only. Please check in & Check out with a staff member in the Pro Shop.

Spring Fungi
2023-05-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the trails and learn about fungi and how to identify them on this 1.5-mile hike.

For Adults: Off-Trail Hike to Hidden Wetlands
2023-05-26 10:00 - 23:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join the naturalist for an off-trail hike! Meet by the shelter house, located by the restrooms and flagpole.

For Adults: Wildflower Stroll
2023-05-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a relaxing evening stroll on the Scenic River Trail to observe and learn about our May blooming wildflowers. Meet in Big Meadows picnic area next to restrooms. Hike will be approximately 1 mile in total, along some paved surface as well as unimproved dirt trail. For ages 16+. Meet in the Big Meadows picnic area by the restrooms; orange Metro Parks program signs will guide towards the meeting location.
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area Big Meadows picnic area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.

Spring Creeking
2023-05-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike about .5 mil to the creek to look for critters under the rocks. Wear shoes that can get wet.

Mud & Madness
2023-05-21 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Navigate several muddy obstacles on a 1.5-mile adventure. Obstacles are a little challenging and a lotta mud but a whole lot more FUN than RUN. Perfect for mud-loving children, adults & families. We will help you hose down afterwards so don’t forget to bring towels! Please refrain from bringing your strollers and pets to this event. Carpooling is encouraged! Please register in advance here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3n67mc

Adults: Bird Walk @ River Bluff
2023-05-20 09:00 - 10:30 | Highbanks River Bluff, 8400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH, 43235, United States
Join a naturalist for a mile hike around riverbluff to listen and look for birds. Terrain will be moderate, but probably muddy. This hike will go on rain or shine, so dress for conditions, and prepare for mud. Tick repellant encouraged. Hike will be approx 1.5 hours. Bring binoculars. River Bluff Area does NOT have restrooms, trash cans or water fountains. Please plan accordingly.
Meeting location notes: River Bluff area is not located at the main area Highbanks. River Bluff entrance is located off 315 on the opposite side of the river as Highbanks main park. River Bluff Area physical address: 8400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus OH 43235

Pawpaws: From Seed to Fruit
2023-05-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join Valerie Libbey with the North American Pawpaw Growers Association for an in-depth session focusing on germinating seeds, hand pollinating flowers, and other resources (where to get trees!) This program begins at 6pm and lasts approximately 2 hours, with an optional hike at the end.
Meeting Location: Spring Hollow Lodge, 1069 W. Main St. Westerville. Please note: Spring Hollow is NOT accessible from the main park entrance on Cleveland Ave.
