Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

World Migratory Bird Day
2024-05-11 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about the wonders of bird migration with games, crafts and activities. Talk to the naturalists and volunteers about bird watching opportunities at Blendon Woods.

I-Spy Nature Challenge
2024-05-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Who’s ready for a great game of I-Spy? Stop by the Naturalist Office between 12-4pm to pick up your challenge sheet, and see how much wildlife you can spot in the park to win a prize!
Please note the program ends at 4pm. You must return your challenge sheet by this time to earn your prize.

Archery Fest!
2024-05-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all archers! The King and Queen have called for a competition of their finest archers to compete in an archery competition on May 11th from 12pm-4pm at Prairie Oaks Metro Parks, Darby Bend Lakes! Enjoy a fun and free Archery Fest, with activities for all ages.
– Try It! Archery
– Archery Tournament (register at the event)
– Plastic Axe Throwing
– Atlatl
– DIY Activities
– and Food Trucks!

Nature's Bad Moms
2024-05-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.5-mile hike and learn about Ohio animals that are not the best mothers.

Migration Mania
2024-05-12 08:00 - 10:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile hike as we search the forest for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more.

Mother’s Day Craft
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Celebrate the people who make the world go round: moms! We will have a craft table set up at the barn shelter to make a gift to say thanks for all moms do.*
This program is for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!
*While supplies last

Sunday in the Swamp
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the swamp to scoop up some slimy critters.

Craft and Plant
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate public gardens and an important person in your life by creating a special card and planter.

Drop In: Mother's Day Spring Crafts
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the Nature Center and make a handmade craft for Mom! Open house style program stop in anytime between 1-3pm, while supplies last.
Meeting location notes- 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.

Geology Hike
2024-05-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for an on and off-trail hike to explore some of the geologic highlights of the park.Hike will be rugged, approx 2.5 mi, in and along the stream. Wear shoes that can get wet and be prepared for poison ivy and ticks.

Try It! Archery
2024-05-15 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.

Owl Prowl
2024-05-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the forest for signs of Barred Owls and learn about Ohio owls on this 1.5-mile hike.

Growing Vegetable Soup Story Walk
2024-05-17 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-19 11:00 - 15:00 | OH
Program on-going from 11am-3pm
Enjoy the “Growing Vegetable Soup” Story Walk and try to find the stuffed vegetables hidden around the house.

Salamander Stroll
2024-05-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Dog Park Parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Rd Columbus Oh 43228 and follow the sign back to the dog park.
Learn about salamanders and take a 1 mile hike to look for them.

Homeschoolers: Swamp Things
2024-05-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about tiny wetland creatures and their adaptations by studying them in our table-top ponds. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Introduction To Rucking
2024-05-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Rucking is a form of exercise that combines walking/hiking with weight training! Learn about the tips and tricks of this interesting and cost-effective exercise routine! The program will consist of basic introduction and history of Rucking as well as the opportunity to practice rucking on your own! We recommend that you bring your own backpack for the practice portion of the program!

Late Nights at the Climbing Wall
2024-05-17 20:00 - 23:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy Late Nights at the Climbing Wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! On the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, the climbing wall lights will stay on until midnight for open climb. Please bring your own gear.

Night Hike
2024-05-17 21:00 - 22:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forests and prairies under the starlight. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Happy Tails-n-Trails
2024-05-18 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.

Spring Fungi
2024-05-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the trails and learn about fungi and how to identify them on this 1.5-mile hike.

Heirloom Gardening
2024-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm.
Learn about the preservation of antique plant varieties and help plant the garden, weather permitting.

Adults: Mushrooms and Wildflower Hike
2024-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 2-mile hike looking for spring fungi and wildflowers. Learn about the importance of fungi to the ecosystem and learn some basic identification. Trail will include both unimproved and crushed limestone gravel. Hike includes portions of the unimproved Coyote Run Trail and portions of the Dripping Rock Trail. Please expect some hills. Due to the unimproved trail conditions, trail is not recommended for wheelchairs.
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.

The Buzz About Bees
2024-05-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about the different kinds of bees that live in Ohio and find out what you can do the help them.

Big Birding Morning
2024-05-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 2-mile hike to look for migratory birds. Trail will be unimproved and hilly in areas. All experience levels welcome. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow. Ages 18+. Program meets at the back of the Indian Ridge Picnic Area near the restrooms and bulletin board. 2705 Darby Creek Drive.

Beginner Birding
2024-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join fellow beginner birders and learn the basic backyard birds from inside the nature center. Then take your knowledge outside and look for birds on a half-mile hike. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow.

Inniswood Book Club
2024-05-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a discussion on Stephanie Barron’s novel, “The White Garden: A Novel of Virginia Woolf.”

Dating Darters
2024-05-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come check out how colorful our small fish can get as we do our own dance in the water to catch some darters during their breeding season. Closed toed shoes required.

Wild About Food
2024-05-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by the Nature Center to taste some recipes highlighting wild edible plants.
