Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

For Adults 50+: Walk Off The Turkey
2023-11-24 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Ascend 150 feet through the woods to the top of the ridge on a 1.5 mile moderate to difficult hike.
Meet in the 2nd parking lot close to the bulletin board and restrooms

Happy Tails-n-Trails
2023-11-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Bring your canine companion for a 2-mile hike followed by a doggie treat. Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

Fall Fungi
2023-11-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.5-mile hike through the forest to look for and learn about mushrooms.

Treetop Turkeys
2023-11-25 17:00 - 18:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about Blendon’s largest resident bird on a 1.5-mile hike to look for them roosting in the trees.

Greeting Card Workshop
2023-11-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a relaxing afternoon making greeting cards for the holidays or any occasion. Supplies will be provided.

Orienteering and Compass Basics
2023-11-30 17:30 - 18:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that mixes adventure with the serenity of nature! This program will cover the basics of orienteering, an overview of the equipment used as well as a real world orienteering practice on the trails! Meet at the Grove Lodge, equipment and instruction are free!

Winter Hike Kick-Off
2023-12-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Join us for the winter hike kick-off at Homestead Metro Park! Grab some hot chocolate and roam around Homestead to look at the lights, and grab your winter hike card for the season.

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2023-12-01 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-12-08 17:00 - 19:00 | 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 campfire and hot cocoa.

Caffeine Cruise
2023-12-02 08:00 - 09:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist for a brisk, 2-mile morning hike through prairie meadows followed by a warm cup of coffee and/or hot tea! Meet at Nature Center.

Christmas is Coming
2023-12-02 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.

Creature Feature Night Hike
2023-12-02 17:00 - 18:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Bundle up for a 1-mile hike through the dark winter woods to learn about nature’s night shift and the animals that call the park home.
This is will a true night hike, so please leave your flashlights at home. Meet near the Schrock Lake Restrooms.

Coffee & Birds
2023-12-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by to enjoy a warm cup and beautiful birds at our viewing windows.

For Adults 50+: Darby Creek in Winter
2023-12-03 11:00 - 12:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Hike 2-miles up and down hills, through the forest and along Big Darby Creek. The trails are considered moderate to difficult.
Meet at the Cedar Ridge Area Ranger Station at 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway

Holiday Hike
2023-12-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for a Holiday Hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park! Hike will be approx. 2 miles long. Meet at the Tall Pines area, 6833 Richardson Road, Groveport, OH.

Off-Trail Wandering
2023-12-03 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and if there is flooding it might limit where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Adults 50+: The Swamp in Winter
2023-12-03 15:30 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take an easy 2-mile stroll in the swamp forest. Stay after the program to enjoy the winter lights.
Meet at the Nature Center

Preschool in the Garden: Holly Jolly
2023-12-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-12-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us as we celebrate the holidays by learning about our evergreens, making festive decorations, and going on a short hike.

Shelter Building and S'mores
2023-12-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Practice building different tarp shelter structures among the trees at Scioto Grove Metro Park! While building your dream shelter, stop and enjoy a toasty s’more and warm up by the campfire. Free and fun, all supplies provided. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Luminary Hikes
2023-12-08 17:00 - 18:30, 2023-12-09 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.

Night Hike
2023-12-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Walk on our paved trail on this 0.8-mile hike for a sensory night hike experience. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Waterfowl Hike
2023-12-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike to the blinds and beyond to see what ducks are on the lake.

Rugged Rock Hike
2023-12-09 10:00 - 12:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take in views of sandstone outcroppings on a rugged 4-mile backcountry hike. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Be prepared for elevation gain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

For Families: Highbanks' Santa's Workshop
2023-12-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center between 1-4pm and enjoy fun holiday activities during Highbanks’ Santa Workshop. Stroll outside and look for items on the holiday light scavenger hunt. Play indoor holiday themed games and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. . Santa will be at the nature center from 1-4pm. Please bring your own camera if you would like a picture with Santa. Santa will be leaving promptly at 4pm to get back to the North Pole. The elves have been busy in Santa’s workshop, don’t forget to stop in and enjoy making a small craft ( limited supplies) . Limited parking at the nature center. Additional parking in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. This program is generously funded by Friends of Metro Parks Tad Jeffrey Grant. FREE! All ages
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. 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.

Light Up Your Night
2023-12-09 17:30 - 19:00, 2023-12-10 17:30 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stroll on your own through an illuminated Inniswood. Stop at the Gardens Entrance to try an activity to add to the fun.

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2023-12-10 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 2-mile mostly off-trail hike to learn about bald eagles and visit their nest site. If we’re lucky, we might see an eagle or other wildlife so bring binoculars if you’d like. Wear clothes suitable for off-trail walking – conditions may be muddy, brushy, etc. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Adults: Guided Conifer Hike
2023-12-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1-mile hike learning about conifers and their cones. Trail is crushed limestone with some hills. This program counts as part of the winter hike series. Meet at nature center.
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. 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.
