Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2023-06-26 14:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding and kayaking for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park. First come first served. All equipment provided. SUPs and Solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
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.

Music in the Gardens: Muleskinner Duo
2023-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a relaxing evening of bluegrass music with Bill Purk and Kenny Hanuska. These skilled musicians play bluegrass tunes from the 1950s through today. Seating is limited so feel free to bring a lawn chair.

Family Tram Rides
2023-06-25 15:00 - 18:00, 2023-06-24 15:00 - 18:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Hop aboard the tram at one of our three “Tram Stops” and enjoy a 30 min narrated tour of the park. Look for “Tram Stop” signs in the following picnic areas: Maple Grove, Schrock Lake and Apple Ridge.
The tram will run continuously from 3-6pm. If you don’t see the tram right away, hang tight at the tram stop and it will be there shortly.

Blacklick Woods Encanto Experience
2023-06-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Come and join the magic of the movie, Encanto. Hike your way through Antonio’s forest, life heavy logs like Luisa, roast s’mores like Julieta, plant a flower like Isabela, make a shapeshifter craft like Camilo and, we don’t talk about this, but you might spot Bruno in the woods.

Fairy House Building
2023-06-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Flutter in to Blacklick Woods to build a fairy house on International Fairy Day. Dressing up as your favorite fairy or mythical creature is encouraged!

Celebrating Pollinators
2023-06-24 13:00 - 15:00 | 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 Week.
Come learn about beekeeping, gardening for pollinators, and the importance of pollinators in our world.

Night Hike
2023-06-23 21:00 - 22:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forest and prairies under the starlight.

Late Night Climbing
2023-06-23 18:00 - 23:30, 2023-06-09 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.

Try it! Kayaking
2023-06-23 15:00 - 20:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy Darby Bend Lakes at Prairie Oaks Metro Park from a kayak! Kayaks are solo, sit in kayaks with a max weight of 275 lbs. Water wicking clothing is recommended. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
Ages 10+, first come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided.

Summer Solstice Hike and Yoga
2023-06-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Celebrate the Solstice at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Enjoy a 1-mile hike through the woods on the longest day of the year followed by relaxation yoga. Meet at The Grove facility. Free and fun!!

Family Creeking
2023-06-19 11:00 - 12:30 | 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: 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.

Canoe the Lake
2023-06-18 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-18 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-17 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by and take a canoe out for a ride on the lake. Canoes and life jackets provided. We have size infant through adult life jackets, so feel free to bring the whole family!
Please check in at the tent when you arrive to put your name on the list. Boats will be filled on an ongoing basis based on the order of your arrival. Please note that there may be a wait before we can get you in a canoe, but we will do our best to accommodate everyone within the timeframe of the program.
Program is rain or shine. In the event of thunderstorms, the program will shut down for 30 min from the occurrence of thunder and/or lightning.

Father's Day Fish & Chips
2023-06-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us on Father’s Day and Go Fishing Day for some quality time with a father figure in your life. We will provide poles and bait to fish with and chips to snack on, all you need is to show up! Meet at Ashton Pond.

Bats by The Pond
2023-06-17 20:30 - 21:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Discover cool facts about our remarkable bats then gather by the pond as we watch them emerge at sunset to feed on insects and listen to their calls with our special bat detectors. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Bison Baby Shower
2023-06-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Drop by the Summer Bison Pasture anytime between 12-2pm to enjoy some baby shower games and help us celebrate the impending summer arrivals! Follow the signs from the Nature Center parking lot to the Bison Pasture.

For Adults: Camp Under The Stars
2023-06-16 18:00 - 2023-06-17 08:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Experience Clear Creek in a unique way by camping overnight in the park. Space is limited, registration is required to participate. Follow this link for additional details and to register: https://tinyurl.com/328yka5d

Try It! SUP
2023-06-14 16:00 - 20:00 | 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+

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.
