Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Lantern Hike
2025-03-27 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy a Lantern Hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park! Lanterns will be provided. Hike will be approx. 2-miles on paved, flat terrain. Perfect for all ages! Meet at the Tall Pines Area of Walnut Woods Metro Park.

Preschool: Wetland Wonders
2025-03-28 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-03-28 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about wetlands and the animals that live there through story, craft, and activities. Meet at the Nature Center.

Friday Storytime
2025-03-28 10:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun with early literacy in the park! These 30-40min programs are aimed at kids 2-5yrs. Children and their grownups will enjoy books, rhymes, songs and fun while arousing curiosity about the natural world.

Beaver Hike
2025-03-28 18:00 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and come on a 1.5 mile hike to learn about beavers and look for signs of them.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roads back to the lake area parking lot.

Woodcock Wander
2025-03-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Ever heard a strange MEEEP when you hike in the evenings? Come learn about the bird with the goofy strut and the infamous call. After we learn a little about the birds, we will hit the trails and try to find some woodcocks!
There may be off trail hiking, please wear appropriate hiking attire.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Sunset and S'mores
2025-03-28 19:30 - 20:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy watching the sunset while eating a toasty s’more around a warm campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Basin Parking Lot, all equipment provided.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several separate park entrances. 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.

Sunrise Sounds
2025-03-29 07:00 - 08:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Sunrise at 7:20! Hike around the field to listen for Woodcocks, then hike to the pond to see who is up early.

Budding Buddies
2025-03-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Spring is in the air, and signs are on the ground. Let’s meander and check out all the interesting spring wildflowers that are starting to bloom in various colors and shapes! Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Early Wildflower Walk
2025-03-29 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-03-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Enjoy a guided walk through the woods and fields looking for early wildflowers and signs of spring. Walk will go off trail, please dress appropriately.

Backpacking Series: Week 1- Shelter, Sleep Systems and Packs
2025-03-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure Backpacking Series is BACK!! Join us for a 6 week series followed by an overnight backpacking opportunity in the parks! Attendance is required to at least ONE of the backpacking classes/programs to be eligible to attend the overnight trip later in the spring. This series is for those of all backpacking abilities, from beginner to novice backpackers.
Week 1: Shelter and Sleep Systems – Creating a comfortable home away from home in the backcountry is not as simple as pitching a tent. Join us as we explore how to set yourself up for success. Prepare to hike off-trail as we cover site selection following Lean No Trace principles and practice setting up a the shelter. We have gear for demonstration, but you are encouraged to bring your own. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Walk Into Spring
2025-03-29 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy a 2.5 mile hike with stops along the way to observe and learn about signs of spring. Please wear shoes suitable for some mud. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Signs of Spring
2025-03-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve and search for early signs of spring.

Kids: Meet the Woodwinds with Zephyr Chamber Winds
2025-03-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for a one hour, educational, music program with Zephyr Chamber Winds. This program will include a 30 minute musical performance followed by a 30 minute instrument “petting zoo” – designed to introduce young listeners to the instruments, how they work, and how they sound!
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.

Twilight Hike
2025-03-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Experience Clear Creek at twilight on a 5-mile guided hike. Bring a headlamp and be prepared to hike in low light conditions. Terrain is steep and uneven, wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot: 23833 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge (39.589033, -82.577590).

Cowboy Campfire Coffee!
2025-03-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Howdy Y’all! Come out to the Lower Sled Hill at Quarry Trails Metro Park to learn how to make Cowboy style Campfire Coffee! All ingredients and equipment will be supplied, feel free to bring your own reusable mug or cup and fill it up with some warm and toasty fire brewed coffee.
Use the 2600 Dublin Rd. Park entrance.

Trash to Treasure
2025-03-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Learn about the importance of recycling and leave with some crafts made from recycling materials!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Eagle Hikes
2025-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us Sundays in March to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100AcreWoods. HIke 1.5 mi. on flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

Bike-It!
2025-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a bike ride around Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Feel free to join if you have your own bike, and registration is 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 Red Maintenance barn (first parking lot on the left when entering the park) . Trails will be pavement.
Register to borrow a bike and helmet.

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2025-03-30 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about our national bird then go on a 1.5 mile round trip walk to observe them in the nest. Wear shoes and clothes suitable for mud. No pets, please. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meets at Madison Christian Church parking lot, 3565 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Adventure Book Club!
2025-03-31 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for our Monthly Adventure Book Club! No registration necessary, all are welcome. This months book is “Riverman: An American Odyssey” by Ben McGrath.
We will meet at the end of each month to discuss a different book. Meet at The Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Drinks will be provided!

Backpacking Series: Week 2- Water
2025-03-31 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking! Classes will be held weekly for 6 weeks, followed by an overnight trip. This series will be geared toward the upcoming spring backpacking season. Gear will be provided for demonstration purposes, but you are highly encouraged to bring your own gear to improve your hands-on experience. Attendance at all classes is NOT required—you may attend as many or as few classes as you would like. The overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Meet at Arrowhead picnic area unless otherwise stated.
One of the most important considerations for backpacking is where you will get clean, drinkable water. We will cover all of the important information you need to keep yourself hydrated and healthy on the trail. Participants will have the opportunity to practice treating water. We will provide a few filtering devices to share, however you are encouraged to bring your own treatment system so that you can practice on the tools you’ll actually be using once you hit the trail. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Toddler Tuesday: Rabbits!
2025-04-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Hop on over to Homestead Metro Park where we will be learning about the cottontails that call Ohio home! We will read a short story, make a craft, and enjoy a short hike around the park!
This program is geared for ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Preschool: Tiny Treasures
2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us on a treasure hunt through the gardens looking for all things tiny!

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hikes
2025-04-04 10:00 - 11:00 | 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.

For Adults 50+: National Walking Day
2025-04-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
April 4th is National Walking Day, so come on out and take a hike to celebrate! This hike will count towards the Step Into Spring Challenge. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Try It! Archery
2025-04-04 16:30 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at the Scioto Grove Metro Park Archery Range for a fun, free day of archery! All equipment provided. Recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to try with parental supervision.

Woodcock Watch
2025-04-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about the American woodcock before heading out on a 1-mile hike. Search the fields to observe the unusual courtship of the American woodcock. May include off-trail hiking.
Ages 5+
Meeting location notes- Nature Center: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak coves toward the nature center.
