Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Bats
2023-08-23 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
It’s bats! This is us putting up the bat signal to come learn about our park’s bats on this 1-mile hike. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board.

Pokémon Adventure
2023-08-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Did you know that many Pokémon are based on real animals? Take a half-mile hike to learn about some of the fun critters that inspired Pokémon.

Art in the Park
2023-08-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Join the naturalist for an intro art lesson! All materials will be provided.

Family Tram Rides
2023-08-20 15:00 - 17:00, 2023-08-13 15:00 - 17:00, 2023-08-06 15:00 - 17:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hop on board the Metro Parks Tram for an informative ride around the park. Tram Stop is at the Nature Center. Ride lasts about 30 mins. No food or pets, please.

Canoe the Lake
2023-08-20 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-08-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-19 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-08-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-18 18:00 - 20:00 | 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.

Fairy & Troll House Building
2023-08-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Explore the forest and build homes for fairies and trolls! Meet at the Natural Play Area at Cherry Ridge.

Summer Dog Hike
2023-08-20 11:00 - 12:30 | 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. All ages.
Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park. Meet in the Big Meadows Picnic Area area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

After Dark In The Park
2023-08-19 19:00 - 22:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Join us for an evening full of activities and experience Clear Creek after dark! 7:00pm- Naturalist led evening hike along the Lake Trail (1-mile). 8:00pm-S’mores around the campfire. 8:30pm-The amazing world of moths. Meet at the Barnebey-Hambleton area: 620 Clear Creek Road SW, Lancaster.

Preschool Storytime: Animals at Night
2023-08-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for a storytime about animals in the day and night, meet some of our nighttime educational animals at Highbanks, and take a short exploration walk with a naturalist to see what critters are out in the evening. Wear your PJs if you like!
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.

Citizen Science Saturday
2023-08-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about all of the exciting ways YOU can contribute to scientific research outdoors. No experience required!

50+ Evening Ravine Hike
2023-08-18 18:00 - 19:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Take a 2-mile off-trail hike through the ravines at the Hundred Acre Wood property. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2023-08-17 15:00 - 18:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding and kayaking for free at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes. SUPs and Solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided.

Storytime: Lorax
2023-08-17 10:00 - 22:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Listen to a reading of The Lorax and then create a Lorax-themed craft! Ages 2-5.
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.

Nature Kids: Birdwatching
2023-08-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Come learn about common Ohio birds and take a half-mile hike to see what birds we can find.

Ty It! Kayaking
2023-08-15 15:00 - 19:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy Turtle Pond from a kayak! Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. Several tandem kayaks will be available for participants of all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction provided. First come/first serve. Come out anytime during the time listed. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Evening Forest Hike
2023-08-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take in forest views on a 4-mile evening hike. This hike will be a combination of public and backcountry trails. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

Summer Fun Day
2023-08-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy a fun-filled summer afternoon at the park! Borrow a kite or bring your own, play with bubbles, draw with chalk and enjoy summer!

Five on the Farm- Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge
2023-08-12 11:00 - 15:00, 2023-08-11 11:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 11am- 3pm
Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge
All ages
Bring a picnic to eat at Slate Run Park, then come to the farmhouse for an opportunity to complete at least 4 more activities for the Metro Parks 75 Year Challenge.

Movie Night! Zootopia
2023-08-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Bring a chair and join us for a movie night at your favorite Metro Parks! All events are free and start at dusk.

Touch-a-Truck
2023-08-10 16:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Explore the BIG equipment, and learn about the machines that help our park and city run.

Try it! Kayaking
2023-08-09 16:00 - 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. Some tandems will be available for all ages with an adult. 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.

Sunset Relaxation Yoga
2023-08-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Take some time for yourself and enjoy a slow yoga flow while watching the sun set at Scioto Grove Metro Park. If the weather permits we will meet on the deck of The Grove facility, in the case of rain we will meet inside The Grove. Fun and free! Perfect for yogis of all experience levels!

Archery Experience
2023-08-08 11:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Ages 8+. Come take a shot at archery. Learn the basics, or just get an opportunity to shoot some arrows.
