Music with Joanie Calem
2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Joanie Calem, local folk musician, singer/song-writer, and storyteller, for an hour long music and story program. Audience members are welcome to sing or dance along as Joanie takes us through “Adventures Outside!” The program will be targeted to our youngest guests, but all ages are welcome! Age 3-7.. Meet at nature center. indoor program,
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.

Preschool Storytime
2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Preschool Ages 3-6
Program begins at 10am behind the farmhouse.
Enjoy a story about farm animals and do a craft.

Story Time
2025-08-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us for a story and craft about pollinators.

Homeschoolers: Exploring Insects
2025-08-19 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Catch, identify and release insects while discovering their vital role in the world. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Try it! Archery
2025-08-19 17:00 - 18:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction provided. Ages 8+.

Bat Brigade
2025-08-19 20:30 - 21:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
We are the night. Well, let’s at least explore the night with one of our most famous nocturnals, bats, on this 1-mile hike. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Preschoolers: Going Buggy
2025-08-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Catch and learn about insects, spiders and other tiny creatures. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-08-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Off-trail Exploration
2025-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist and go off the trail along the Mud Run to explore everything from fungi in the woods to flowers in the fields.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-08-20 15:00 - 18:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
No Registration Required! Enjoy kayaking at Turtle Pond at Three Creeks Metro Park! Solo sit-in kayaks will be available to ages 10+, and a couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages with an adult. All equipment and instruction provided. Note: this park has multiple entrances, Turtle Pond is at the main entrance 3860 Bixby Rd. Groveport.

Campfire Cooking
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a meal around the campfire at Scioto Grove, and learn how to make your own campfire treat! All materials and equipment will be provided, free and fun! Program will take place at the quarry pond, behind the archery range.

Sweet Summer Splash
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Celebrate the end of summer with creek fun and popsicles! Wade into the water, search for bugs, and enjoy a sweet treat after your adventure! Wear close-toed shoes. Meet at the Stream Side Classroom.

Preschoolers: Just Ducky
2025-08-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your little quackers to learn all about ducks through activity, song and story. Even meet a live duck!

Kayak the Lake
2025-08-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Come out to Sharon Woods Metro Park Schrock lake and try out a kayak! Solo, sit in kayaks will be available with a max weight of 275 lbs, and are open to ages 10+. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages with an adult present. Equipment and instruction provided. First come, first served.

Ultraviolet Night Hike
2025-08-22 20:30 - 21:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Use a Blacklight to see the hidden colors of the night. A limited number of UV flashlights will be available to borrow.

For Adults 50+: Nature Ramble
2025-08-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy summer’s natural abundance and good company as we go on a roughly 2.5-mile walk through fields and forests with frequent stops along the way to learn about what we observe. Bring water and your sense of curiosity. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Creeking
2025-08-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by ready to get wet and muddy while you explore Spring Creek with our Naturalist. Meet at the Natural Play Area and follow the trail to the creek. Shoes must be worn in the creek (closed-toed shoes are best). Bug spray is highly recommended.

Bark Bash
2025-08-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
What is Bark Bash?
Bark Bash is the dog event of the summer for you and your canine friends! The second annual Bark Bash will take place at Prairie Oaks Metro Park on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The four-legged frolic gets underway at 10am and will keep you and your dogs fully active and engaged in fun until 3pm!
Activities Include:

Stand-up paddling and kayaking with your pup and Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure. Limited canine lifejackets will be available, but you can also bring your own!
Tie-dye a bandana for your four-legged friend with Friends of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Take a stroll through the marketplace that includes canine vendors dedicated to all of your pup’s needs, clubs and organizations dedicated to canine wellbeing, and more.
Take a hike with your pup or explore the off-leash dog beach area of the park.
Stage performances by the Franklin County Sheriff’s K-9 units and Performance Dogs of Ohio.
Cool off in one of the ice castles sponsored by Atlas Butler.

Admission to Bark Bash is free, and all dogs must remain on a leash unless in a specified off-leash area. Attendees are encouraged to bring water and waste bags to ensure a clean and safe environment for all.
Have questions? Contact Metro Parks at info@metroparks.net

Drop In: Build a Butterfly Feeder
2025-08-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Drop by anytime between 1-230pm and get creative making your own butterfly feeder to take home. Meet inside nature center. All ages are welcome.
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.

Prehistoric Park
2025-08-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Discover what was living at Blacklick Woods over the course of time. Can you find all of the prehistoric animals during this half-mile, self-guided hike?

Weird Nature Trivia Night
2025-08-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Think you know nature? Think again! Join us for a fun evening of wacky, weird, and totally true nature trivia. Compete solo or as a team in this interactive challenge covering interesting natural phenomena—many of them found right here in Ohio!

Moth Night
2025-08-23 19:30 - 23:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Discover the amazing world of moths with Jim McCormac and Chelsea Gottfried, co-authors of “Gardening for Moths.” Following their presentation, we’ll search for caterpillars and visit multiple moth stations for up close views of these unique nocturnal creatures. Bring a flashlight. Meet at the Barnebey Hambleton Area, 620 Clear Creek Road SW in Lancaster (39.600092, -82.631611).

Morning Bird Hike
2025-08-24 08:00 - 09:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the dog park parking lot and come on 1.5 Mile hike to look for birds.
Use address 2600 Dublin Road and follow the roadway all the way till the road forces you to turn left. Once you turn left the parking lot will be on your right.

Cattail Basket Weaving
2025-08-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
There are good cattails, and there are bad cattails. Come learn how to identify invasive cattails and put them to good use by weaving them into a small basket. This craft can last up to two hours.
This craft is not suitable for ages 15 and below.
This program is geared for ages 16 and up. Meet at the Wetland Education Building (2 miles south of the main entrance), rain or shine!

Summer Sunday Splash
2025-08-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by anytime between 1-4pm for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station. 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Tram Ride
2025-08-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Ride our open-sided Tram while you learn about Sharon Woods in style! Tram leaves every half-hour and is wheelchair accessible. Tram is free to ride, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Underground Investigation
2025-08-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Collect bugs that are hiding underground and then make some observations by drawing and writing about them.

For Families: Meet Author Tracy Blom & Bug Hunt
2025-08-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for a fun afternoon with local author Tracy Blom as she reads from her delightful new book, “Lissa Loves Bugs.” Following the reading, we’ll venture into the meadows and forest to discover the fascinating world of bugs ourselves! Be ready for some off-trail exploration. Metro Parks will have a limited number of nets and jars available for our bug hunt. This program is suitable for ages 3 and up. Please meet us at the Highbanks Nature Center.
Meeting Location Notes:** Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Please note that parking in the Nature Center lot can be limited on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, which is about a 10-minute walk from the Nature Center. To get there, follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.

Poison & Venom Hike
2025-08-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn how to identify the toxic plants and animals you can find on a 1-mile hike.
