Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-07-25 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park! First come, first served. All equipment provided. SUPs and solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-in kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Kayak the Lake
2025-07-24 16:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us ON Schrock Lake and learn to use a kayak. Solo kayaks will be available with a max weight of 275lbs and open to ages 10+. Tandem kayaks for all ages with an adult. Equipment and instructions provided.

Fins, Feathers and Fur
2025-07-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Our nature center is chock full of all sorts of interesting native wildlife- follow us around as we give a mini lesson on the species found inside.

Mud Day
2025-07-24 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-23 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-07-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Kids of all ages can play in the giant mud pit. Wear old or easily cleaned clothing! Water will be available for basic clean-up. It’s probably a good idea to bring some protective newspapers, bags, etc for your car seats as well. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Paddle the Peninsula
2025-07-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy paddling around the Scioto Audubon Peninsula in a kayak! All equipment provided. Ages 10+ for solo sit-in kayaks. Solo sit-in have a weight capacity of 275 pounds. Some tandems will be available for all ages with an adult on a first come first serve basis. Meet at the boat ramp at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!

Adaptive Adventures: Inspecting Insects
2025-07-23 15:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Inspecting Insects- Come inspect some insects at our inclusive playground at Blendon Woods Metro Park! We will be hanging out by the shelter house with live insects, bug viewers, magnifying glasses, insect books and more!
*Our Adaptive Adventure programs are programs designed with individuals with disabilities and their families!

Summer Children’s Programs: Buckeyes
2025-07-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Nuts for buckeyes? Join us to learn more about Ohio’s beloved state tree.

50+ Wildflower Walk
2025-07-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adults can join our Naturalist for a walk around out prairies and meadows in the Apple Ridge Picnic Area and learn about our fabulous summer wildflowers.

Magical Moths
2025-07-22 21:30 - 23:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Celebrate National Moth Week with us! Join us on an adventure in the woods as we set up a moth trap and identify the magical moths of Glacier Ridge!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the picnic area in front of the Nature Center (or inside if the weather is bad) to meet a few of our animal ambassadors.

Try it! Disc Golf
2025-07-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of disc golf but didn’t know where to start? Join us at Try it! Disc Golf to learn how to play! We will use the first few baskets at the Blendon Woods Disc Golf Course, and discs will be available to borrow on a first come first serve basis. Plan to arrive at the start of the program. Meet at the Disc Golf Course.

Relaxation Yoga
2025-07-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
No Registration Required! Enjoy a relaxing yoga session on the deck of The Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Bring your own mat. Instruction provided.

Introductory Tai Chi
2025-07-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join instructor, Midge Krause, for an introductory tai chi class. This program is geared for adults, children may participate with adult supervision.

For Kids: Going on a Bug Hunt
2025-07-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1-mile trek through the prairie catching insects and learning about their adaptations.

Concert: The High Street Stompers
2025-07-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a concert by The High Street Stompers. This New Orleans-style dixieland jazz band plays music for all ages, and is sure to keep your toes tapping and fingers snapping. Limited seating provided or bring a chair.

Drawn to Water
2025-07-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let the flowing water inspire you! Bring a journal or sketchbook and join us for a relaxing sketch session along the creek as we capture the sights of the creek in the summer. Adults only. Meet at Indian Ridge Picnic Area.

Fungi Hike
2025-07-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about the world of fungi as we take a walk to find some in the park.

Blacklick Creek Exploration
2025-07-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and then wade in the water in search of crayfish, frogs, fish, and insects.

Creeking
2025-07-20 11:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by our Natural Play Area and come ready to get wet and muddy as we explore Spring Creek and discover what lives there. Meet at our Natural Play Area and follow the trail to the creek. Shoes must be worn in the creek.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed times and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Blacklight Hike
2025-07-19 20:30 - 22:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn all about fluorescence and use blacklights to illuminate glowing creatures in the dark! Hike will be approximately 1 mile on a flat trail of asphalt and crushed limestone. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blacklights. A limited supply will be available. Program will end at 945pm; the park closes at 10pm. Meeting Location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located 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.

Cicadian Rhythm
2025-07-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Hike 1.5-miles and learn all about periodical and annual cicadas and how they can sing so loud!

100 Acre Wood Off-trail Hike
2025-07-19 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Explore the hidden gem of the Metro Parks. We will attempt to reach less-traveled areas of the park. Hiking may be strenuous and muddy, so wear sturdy shoes. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Science Saturday: All About Bees
2025-07-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Get your buzz on with this month’s Science Saturday! We will be peeking into the fascinating world of honeybees including their laborious process of transforming nectar to honey, the hierarchy of a bee colony, and what else goes on inside a hive, complete with hands-on activities!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Wind and Solar lot, rain or shine!

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your lunch and join us at the picnic area across from the Nature Center for a 30 min nature chat.
Saturdays:
7/5 – Box Turtles
7/12 – Spiders
7/19 – Birds of Prey
7/26 – Bats
