Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Try it! Archery
2025-08-16 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-08-19 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction provided. Ages 8+.

Evening Hike
2025-08-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll go on a 2-mile hike, enjoying the woods and hopefully observing bats or other creatures as the sun sets. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Alphabet Walk
2025-08-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 10am – 4pm
All ages
Explore the farm while learning 26 facts about tools, animals, and life in the 1880s.

Tram Ride
2025-08-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Ride our open-sided Tram while you learn about Sharon Woods in style! Tram leaves every half-hour and is wheelchair accessible. Tram is free to ride, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Summer Fungi
2025-08-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Bring the family to learn about mushrooms and search the trails for fungi on this 1.25-mile hike.

50+ Off Trail Hike
2025-08-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for a casual interpretive hike as we explore the less-traveled areas of the park. Prepare for mud; sturdy shoes recommended.

Concert: Whiskey Business Duo
2025-08-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Acoustic duo Jesse Michael Barr & Emily Syring will play a wide range of covers: 70s, 80s, 90s Mo-town, Soul, Classics to contemporary Pop/Folk/Alternative. Limited seating provided or bring a chair.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-08-18 08:00 - 09:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
**Please note, this hike will start earlier than usual, at 8am instead of 10am**
Join us on an exploratory hike at Three Creeks 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 last parking lot in the Confluence Area of Three Creeks Metro Park. Use address 3860 Bixby Rd.

Outdoor Yoga with Naomi
2025-08-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at Scioto Grove Metro Park for free outdoor yoga in the park, perfect for any level! Yoga will take place at The Grove Lodge. We will be outdoors on the deck weather permitting. In the case of rain, we will be indoors the lodge! Bring your own mat!

Music with Joanie Calem
2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Joanie Calem, local folk musician, singer/song-writer, and storyteller, for an hour long music and story program. Audience members are welcome to sing or dance along as Joanie takes us through “Adventures Outside!” The program will be targeted to our youngest guests, but all ages are welcome! Age 3-7.. Meet at nature center. indoor program,
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.

Preschool Storytime
2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Preschool Ages 3-6
Program begins at 10am behind the farmhouse.
Enjoy a story about farm animals and do a craft.

Story Time
2025-08-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us for a story and craft about pollinators.

Homeschoolers: Exploring Insects
2025-08-19 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Catch, identify and release insects while discovering their vital role in the world. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Bat Brigade
2025-08-19 20:30 - 21:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
We are the night. Well, let’s at least explore the night with one of our most famous nocturnals, bats, on this 1-mile hike. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Preschoolers: Going Buggy
2025-08-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Catch and learn about insects, spiders and other tiny creatures. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-08-20 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.

Off-trail Exploration
2025-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist and go off the trail along the Mud Run to explore everything from fungi in the woods to flowers in the fields.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-08-20 15:00 - 18:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
No Registration Required! Enjoy kayaking at Turtle Pond at Three Creeks Metro Park! Solo sit-in kayaks will be available to ages 10+, and a couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages with an adult. All equipment and instruction provided. Note: this park has multiple entrances, Turtle Pond is at the main entrance 3860 Bixby Rd. Groveport.

Campfire Cooking
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a meal around the campfire at Scioto Grove, and learn how to make your own campfire treat! All materials and equipment will be provided, free and fun! Program will take place at the quarry pond, behind the archery range.

Sweet Summer Splash
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Celebrate the end of summer with creek fun and popsicles! Wade into the water, search for bugs, and enjoy a sweet treat after your adventure! Wear close-toed shoes. Meet at the Stream Side Classroom.

Preschoolers: Just Ducky
2025-08-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your little quackers to learn all about ducks through activity, song and story. Even meet a live duck!

Kayak the Lake
2025-08-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Come out to Sharon Woods Metro Park Schrock lake 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.

Ultraviolet Night Hike
2025-08-22 20:30 - 21:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Use a Blacklight to see the hidden colors of the night. A limited number of UV flashlights will be available to borrow.

For Adults 50+: Nature Ramble
2025-08-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy 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

Creeking
2025-08-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by ready to get wet and muddy while you explore Spring Creek with our Naturalist. Meet at the Natural Play Area and follow the trail to the creek. Shoes must be worn in the creek (closed-toed shoes are best). Bug spray is highly recommended.

Bark Bash
2025-08-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
What is Bark Bash?
Bark Bash is the dog event of the summer for you and your canine friends! The second annual Bark Bash will take place at Prairie Oaks Metro Park on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The four-legged frolic gets underway at 10am and will keep you and your dogs fully active and engaged in fun until 3pm!
Activities Include:

Stand-up paddling and kayaking with your pup and Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure. Limited canine lifejackets will be available, but you can also bring your own!
Tie-dye a bandana for your four-legged friend with Friends of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Take a stroll through the marketplace that includes canine vendors dedicated to all of your pup’s needs, clubs and organizations dedicated to canine wellbeing, and more.
Take a hike with your pup or explore the off-leash dog beach area of the park.
Stage performances by the Franklin County Sheriff’s K-9 units and Performance Dogs of Ohio.
Cool off in one of the ice castles sponsored by Atlas Butler.

Admission to Bark Bash is free, and all dogs must remain on a leash unless in a specified off-leash area. Attendees are encouraged to bring water and waste bags to ensure a clean and safe environment for all.
Have questions? Contact Metro Parks at info@metroparks.net

Drop In: Build a Butterfly Feeder
2025-08-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Drop by anytime between 1-230pm and get creative making your own butterfly feeder to take home. Meet inside nature center. All ages are welcome.
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.

Prehistoric Park
2025-08-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Discover what was living at Blacklick Woods over the course of time. Can you find all of the prehistoric animals during this half-mile, self-guided hike?
