Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Handprint Snowflake Craft
2026-01-18 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
No hand is alike, just like no snowflake is! Stop by the Nature Center to make a snowflake craft with your hand print.

Day Off School: Tree ID
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy your day off of school by getting outside and learning a little more about the trees all around us! We will have stations for tree ID, testing your memory, and giving you a guide to go out and identify the trees yourself on a self guided hike!
The hike will follow the Red Oak Trail (approximately 0.6 miles) which is a gravel trail. Layers, and closed toed shoes are advised.
This program is geared for ages 8-14, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Day Off School: Snowflakes
2026-01-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by to make some “cool” paper snowflakes and explore the beauty of snow crystals.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2026-01-21 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.

Homeschoolers: Nature Detectives
2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Look for signs of wildlife and play a game while going on a half-mile hike with a naturalist.

Winter Bird Hike
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Look for wintering birds in the meadow and forest on a 1.5 mile hike on paved and crushed gravel trails. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them; some will be available to borrow. All ages.
Meeting location: Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park. After you enter the park, pass the nature center and continue straight down the main park road. Continuing down the main park road, toward the back of the park. Look for a sign which says “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the ” Big Meadows” sign, take the first ROAD on the LEFT (it’s just after the crosswalk). TURN LEFT into the first lot. Look for the large playground. Naturalist will meet you near the shelter located next to the large playground.

For Adults 50+: Winter Along The Big Darby
2026-01-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Take an easy to moderate 2-mile walk along Big Darby Creek as we enjoy the sights and sounds of the coldest season.
Meet at the Sycamore Plains Area at 2009 Amity Rd., Hilliard.

Lantern Hike
2026-01-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a lantern-lit 1.5-mile guided hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve while we look for nocturnal wildlife.

Winter Birding
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist to watch birds from the Nature Center and on a half-mile hike.

Clear Creek Winter Hike
2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Clear Creek Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Adults 18+: Beat the Winter Blues
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join drum circle facilitator Iggy Garcia for a freestyle drumming program. Drums and percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. No drumming or musical experience necessary. All are welcome to play or enjoy watching and feeling the rhythm of the group. The drum circle is beginner friendly and informal and you may come and go at any time during the program.
From Iggy: Together in the drum circle we will open up the space for all kinds of rhythmic beats to unfold in a magical harmonious way! It’s a great way to charge yourself up with positive energy and good vibrations.
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

For Adults 18+: Winter Cookie Decorating
2026-01-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Naturalist and baker extraordinaire, Shannon, is back by popular demand for another cookie decorating class! Just in case you haven’t had enough sweets, join us for a fun, sugar-filled evening. You’ll learn the basics of designing winter-themed treats such as a pine tree, raccoon and owl. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will follow along with instructions, sip hot cocoa and share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end. Of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

Owl Prowl
2026-01-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for an evening hike to find owls hidden in the forest. We will meet at the shelter house and learn about owls while we wait for the sun to set.
We will walk along the Red Oak Trail and Marsh Hawk Trail (approximately 1 mile) and the trails will be a mix of paved, dirt, and gravel. We may have opportunities to go off trail, please dress in layers and comfortable shoes.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Scioto Grove Winter Hike
2026-01-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Kids: Winter Indoor Survival Game (Ages 7+)
2026-01-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us at the nature center for a discussion on how animals are adapted to survive the winter, and test your skills to see if you can do the same. Participate in our indoor interactive game with a built-in craft to take home. Indoor Program. Ages 7-11.
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.

All About Hibernators Walk
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We don’t know whether Buckeye Chuck will see his shadow on Groundhog Day, but you can discover how groundhogs and other winter sleepers survive on a 1-mile walk. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Tots on Trails
2026-01-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Share a slow-paced, half-mile hike with your toddler and discover nature together.

Wildlife Watch Night
2026-01-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Visit the Nature Center after hours to see what wildlife visit the feeders for an evening snack in the dark.

I-Spy the Night Sky
2026-01-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us as we appreciate the night sky! We will have fun games and activities for kids to help them learn about the night sky in fun and engaging ways. There will also be great information for adults as well! No astronomy knowledge is necessary!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the lawn in front of the Lakeside Pavilion (behind the flagpole). We cannot guarantee a clear sky, but there will be fun activities!

Owl Prowl
2026-01-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1.25-mile hike while we learn about owls and search the forest for Barred Owls.

Blendon Woods Winter Hike
2026-01-31 10:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Adults: Beginner Macrame Plant Hangers
2026-01-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Create a basic cord plant hanger and then practice some simple macrame knots to use in future projects.

Pickerington Ponds Winter Hike
2026-02-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Glacier Ridge Winter Hike
2026-02-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Quarry Trails Winter Hike
2026-02-08 10:00 - 13:00 | OH
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Quarry Trails Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Three Creeks Winter Hike
2026-02-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Three Creeks Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.
