Day Off School: Great Backyard Bird Count
2026-02-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual citizen science event that gives data to scientists about birds and their populations! Help us collect valuable data that can be used in future research!
We will provide binoculars, bird ID books, and everything needed to record data! No birding experience is necessary!
We will hike along the Red Oak Trail which is approximately 0.6 miles and has a mixed trail of gravel and dirt.
This program is geared for ages 6-16, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Meet the Critters
2026-02-16 10:30 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Meet some of the nature center ambassador animals and learn about their important job.

Food Chains at Quarry Trails
2026-02-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Who is Commander and Chief at Quarry Trails?! Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and take a 1 mile hike to look for these animals.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the road back to the Lake Area parking lot. We will meet at the shelter.

For Kids: Houseplant How-to
2026-02-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn the basics needs of plants and how to keep them alive indoors, then take home some supplies to get your houseplant collection growing.

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner
2026-02-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for this free and fun DIY activity at Scioto Grove Metro Park! We will be making cleaning spray for yoga mats and other workout equipment. Meet at The Grove lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Candlelight Yoga
2026-02-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a relaxing slow yoga flow at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Perfect for beginners, and those who want a peaceful practice after a long day! Bring your own mat. Meet at The Grove Lodge indoors.

Preschool: B is for Bird
2026-02-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us at Spring Hollow Lodge (1069 W. Main St) to learn all about birds. Enjoy a craft & a silly song.

Ladies Lantern Hike
2026-02-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a ladies-only Lantern Hike at Scioto Grove Metro Park! This staff-led hike will be approx. 2 miles long. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2026-02-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on gravel and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Homeschool: Owl Pellets
2026-02-19 11:00 - 12:30 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Dissect owl pellets & learn about what Ohio Owls are eating at Spring Hollow Lodge (1069 W. Main St).

For Adults: Off-Trail Ramble
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a hike through the winter forest to see what we can find.

Disc Golf Classes and Games
2026-02-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Learn. Play. Connect.
Columbus Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure and Vets Disc Golf Club of Central Ohio offer beginner instruction and interactive games designed for all ages and skill levels. Free, indoor, inclusive! All equipment and instruction provided. Meet at the Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

DIY Firestarters
2026-02-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Learn what makes a good fire starter and make one to take home with you at this free and fun class!
Meet at The Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Story Time
2026-02-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Visit the Nature Center to listen to a story and make a craft.

Hunters Education Course
2026-02-20 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-21 08:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
**Registration required through ODNR, you must attend both sessions. Ages 10+. Pass this two-day course to complete the hunters safety education course and receive your Ohio Hunters Safety Certificate, to buy a hunting license. Register through the ODNR website for this hunter education classroom course: Must attend Friday, 2/20 from 5-9pm, and Saturday, 2/21 from 8-3pm. To register, click here, and search for a course within zip code 43119.

Morning Coffee & Wildlife Watch
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the Nature Center for a warm cup of coffee or tea and watch the birds and wildlife from the windows.

Fly Tying for Beginners
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Get a head start on fly fishing season by learning how to tie your own flies. All supplies provided. Meet at the New Maintenance Shop, 24920 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge (39.59755,-82.55418).

Blacklick Woods Frozen Experience
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Blacklick Woods has turned into the town of Arendelle! Do you wanna build a snowman craft and get lost in the woods on a scavenger hunt? Join us for a Frozen day of fun!

Racing Sled Dogs in the Buckeye State
2026-02-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us for an exciting afternoon of all things sled dogs! Join us and our guest speaker to not only meet the sled dogs, but also learn about the sport of dog sledding, known as mushing, through learning about the training process, seeing the race gear, touring the sled dog trailer, and even watching a live dry land mushing demonstration! Perfect for all ages. Meet us at Indian Ridge.

For Adults 50+: Music in the Lodge with Joanie Calem
2026-02-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join local singer, Joanie Calem, as she leads us on a musical trip through a time tunnel, singing songs that are seldom heard on the radio these days. Joanie will have you singing along to old favorite standards, folks songs from around the world, humorous parodies about the adventures of getting old and some folk tales as well. Feel free to sit back and listen if you aren’t up to singing along.
Meet at the Spring Hollow Lodge.

Owl Prowl
2026-02-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll learn some owl basics then go on a short, quiet walk to try to call in and observe our resident barred owls. We hear and see owls often but this is not guaranteed (especially in windy or bad weather). No pets, please. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Coffee & Birds
2026-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.

Winter Hike Celebration!
2026-02-22 11:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us at Blacklick Woods Golf Course to celebrate the end of winter hikes! Collect your patches here, and visit Friends of Metro Parks. There will be games, food trucks, and other activities.

Science Sunday - Raptors 101
2026-02-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join the Ohio School of Falconry and learn about birds of prey.

Winter Feeder Bird ID
2026-02-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Come learn about how to identify 30+ of the most common birds to visit feeders in the winter.

Maple Time
2026-02-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program on going from 1am – 3pm. Take a short hike through the sugarbush to learn about tapping trees and collecting sap, then go to the Farmhouse to watch sap boiling and sample a sweet maple treat.
Hikes leave at 1:15 am and 2pm from the Farmhouse. If needed, additional hikes will be available.
Sap flow is dependent on weather conditions, all other activities will take place.

Winter Tree ID Walk
2026-02-22 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Discover the fun and challenges of learning to identify trees in winter on an easy 1-mile walk. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Eagle Hike
2026-02-22 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Kick off eagle watch season with us! We will hike 1mi to the overlook on the unimproved trail every Sunday to spy on the bald eagles at their nest site. Trail can be very muddy. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.
