Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Toddler Hike
2024-07-29 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy a hike at Walnut Woods on this slow-paced, stroller friendly Toddler Hike! The trail will be paved, and we will hike as far as we can within the hour. Meet at the Tall Pines Area at Walnut Woods Metro Park. 6833 Richardson Rd. Groveport.

Nature Kids: Animal Olympics
2024-07-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
How would you compete against a grasshopper in the long jump? Learn fun facts about Ohio animals and their abilities as you compete against them and make your way through each Olympic event.

Try It! Archery
2024-07-29 15:30 - 17:00, 2024-08-05 16:30 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment provided. Ages 8+.

Prairie Prowl
2024-07-30 09:00 - 10:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Spot the colors of the prairie and learn how to identify different prairie wildflowers on this 2-mile walk.

Summer Children's Programs: Swimmers & Divers
2024-07-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn about the best wild swimmers and divers around Ohio, including muskrats, frogs, diving beetles, and minks. Participate in games and crafts themed around these swimming and diving animals. Geared for ages 8 and younger.

Adventure Book Club
2024-07-31 18:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for our Monthly Adventure Book Club! No registration necessary, all are welcome. This months book is “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston. We will meet at the end of each month to discuss a different book. Bring your own hammock or chair to lounge in the trees and chat about this months reading! We will meet at the DOG PARK PARKING LOT, past the maintenance are/park office 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus

First Friday Fitness Hike
2024-08-02 09:00 - 22:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi on gravel and natural surface trails. Moderate pace; some hills and stairs.

Alphabet Walk
2024-08-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 10am – 4pm
All ages
Explore the farm while learning 26 facts about tools, animals, and life in the 1880s.

Rock on! Art in the Park
2024-08-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Check out some cool nature and try your hand at painting on different mediums. Rocks and paper provided. Ages 6+, meet at the Redbud Shelter, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

For Kids: Twilight Hike
2024-08-02 20:00 - 21:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 2-mile hike on unimproved trails to learn about the creatures that emerge as the sun sets.
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.

Bugstravaganza!
2024-08-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Celebrate insects and other small creatures. Learn about bees, make crafts, see live bugs from around the world at the OSU Bugmobile, discover moths and butterflies, learn about pollinators and pests, catch and release bugs and more. Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be provided from 10:30am-1pm. Walnut Woods Metro Park Buckeye Area, 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport OH.

Science Saturday: Cool Chemistry!
2024-08-03 11:00 - 13:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for our final installation of the Science Saturday summer series! This month we are focusing on chemistry and how fun it can be. We will have stations set up to try to do some fun experiments as well as a large demonstration with elephant toothpaste at 11:30, 12, and 12:30!
This program is geared towards ages 6-12. Meet at the wind and solar lot.

Primitive Fire Building
2024-08-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn to start a fire using flint and steel. S’mores prize if you succeed! Recommended for 8+.

Family Tram Rides
2024-08-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Hop aboard the Metro Park Tram and enjoy a 30-minute, narrated tour of the park.

Fairy House Building
2024-08-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Calling all fairy house construction workers! The Blendon Woods fairies are in desperate need of new homes. Collect natural materials to create your own house for fairies or trolls.

Intro to Tai Chi
2024-08-05 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.

Toddler Tuesday: Snakes!
2024-08-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Hidden all around are these limbless reptiles! Learn why you shouldn’t fear these awesome animals with us as we read a story, do a craft, and even meet some snakes that live at the park!
This program is geared towards ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

For Kids: Nature Ramble
2024-08-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 1-mile hike through the woods, stopping to learn about late summer nature as we go along. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Junior Naturalist: Radio Telemetry
2024-08-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Junior Naturalist- 4 part summer series for ages 8-14. During this series, kids will learn some “naturalist skills”. If kids attend 3/4 programs, they can earn a prize. This week, we will be learning how naturalists use radio signals to find animals and what information this can provide. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Nature Kids: Choose Your Own Adventure Trail
2024-08-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take an adventure through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve and make decisions that will guide your journey.

For Adults: Hiking Club
2024-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us on this social hike and meet like-minded adults who enjoy the outdoors. This month we will be hiking approx 2.5-mile Overlook Trail. Hike will be moderately paced and includes uneven terrain, steps and hills. Limited interpretive stops. Age 18+
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: Caterpillar Crawl
2024-08-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn about caterpillars, butterflies, and the plants they need through a story, craft, and hike.

Stream Study
2024-08-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Ease back into the school mode while learning about water chemistry and watershed health. Prepare to get wet. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

For Families: Taekwondo
2024-08-07 12:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join black belt instructors from Tiger Woo’s for a 30 minute Taekwondo lesson on “Confidence”. This martial arts class instills confidence, builds strength and agility, and develops coordination. No experience necessary. Please wear comfortable gym attire. Age 4-Up. Free!
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.
