Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

City Nature Challenge
2025-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us as we search for amazing things! The City Nature Challenge is a worldwide event that has been running for 10 years. Columbus will compete with other cities to see who can find the most species. Download the iNaturalist app if you would like to add your own observations to the project.

Sheep on the Farm
2025-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Watch sheep shearing, meet the lambs, and learn about the uses of wool.

Backpacking Series: Week 5- Prep, Safety and Outdoor Ethics
2025-04-26 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 6-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end!
Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class.
**Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week #5: Prep, Safety and Outdoor Ethics. We will learn how to minimize the impact to our environment during this class, and will prepare for our upcoming overnight trip! Plan for a short hike during this class
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Spring Craft
2025-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Stop in at the Lobby at the Park Office to make a spring craft!
Use address 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway towards the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the lobby will be on your left. The Lobby is open 9am-7pm.

Adventure 101: Backpacking with your Dog
2025-04-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Want to learn some tips and tricks for backpacking with your dog? Join us for this Adventure 101 class to learn how to safely explore with your pup! Dogs are welcome at this program! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Migratory Bird Hike
2025-04-26 09:00 - 22:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the forest for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more on this 1.5-mile hike.

Birding Hike
2025-04-26 08:00 - 09:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Enjoy a morning of spring birding on this 1.5-mile hike. All experience levels welcome. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow. Trail is a mixture of unimproved and crushed gravel. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Evening Hike
2025-04-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for an evening stroll around Quarry Trails Metro Park on this approx. 2-mile guided hike! Trail will have gravel and paved sections. Meet at the Lake Area. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive.

For Adults: Nature Journaling
2025-04-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Discover how to use a nature journal to grow your knowledge and deepen your connection with nature. Bring your own sketchbook.

Preschool: Baby Birds
2025-04-25 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-25 09:30 - 10:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about baby birds through story, activities, and craft. Program meets at the Nature Center and is best for ages 3-5.

Tots on Trails
2025-04-25 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.

Friday Storytime
2025-04-25 10:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun with early literacy in the park! These 30-40min programs are aimed at kids 2-5yrs. Children and their grownups will enjoy books, rhymes, songs and fun while arousing curiosity about the natural world.

Invasive Species Archery!
2025-04-24 16:30 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Learn about common invasive species that are found in the Metro Parks, and take aim at themed targets during this Invasive Species Archery program! Hate honeysuckle? So do we! Free and fun! Ages 8+ recommended. Meet at the Scioto Grove Archery Range

Earth Day Tree Planting
2025-04-24 16:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the first parking lot when you come in the North/Mountain bike entrance and plant a tree!
Use address 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and park in the first parking lot that will be on your left.

Evening Bluebell Walk
2025-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the natural history of Virginia bluebells and other spring wildflowers on a 1-mile walk. Please wear shoes or boots suitable for muddy, slippery walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport. Please note that the bluebell bloom time varies from year-to-year so we may or may not see lots of blooming flowers!

Evening Hike to the Waterfall
2025-04-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a hike to see the waterfall at Quarry Trails Metro Park! The hike will be approx. 1.5 miles, on paved trail with some incline. We will meet at the Lake Area, use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive.

For Adults: Wildflower Walk
2025-04-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a 2-mile walk through the park to search for a variety of spring flowers. Ages 16+.

Ohio Native Plants
2025-04-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Learn about the importance of native plants, identifying invasive plants, and even take home some natives to help your house blossom!
This program is geared for ages 12 and up. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Earth Day Trot!
2025-04-22 17:30 - 18:30 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for a fast paced hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park this Earth Day! Enjoy the beauty of the Tall Pines area while getting your steps in for the day!! We will hike approx. 2+ miles depending on group preference. Trail is mostly paved and flat. Dog friendly!

Earth Day Extravaganza
2025-04-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with us by making some fun crafts to celebrate the Earth! We will have kid friendly and adult friendly crafts. Get outside and celebrate our favorite planet!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Lakeside Pavilion, rain or shine!

Earth Day-Upcycling
2025-04-22 14:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate Earth Day and learn about how upcycling can help reduce and reuse. Visitors can make their own reusable shopping bag (while supplies last), play some games, and meet a local artist who uses recycled/found objects.

Dating Darters
2025-04-22 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. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Eagle Hike
2025-04-20 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us on Sundays in March to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100 Acre Woods. Hike 1.5 mi. on a flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

Easter Traditions
2025-04-20 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Display and craft up from 1-3pm
Learn about using natural dyes for eggs and make a card or decoration.

Off Trail Exploration
2025-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a rugged 2 hour off-trail wander through the ravines at Blendon Woods to look for the park’s special geological features as well as spring flowers, birds and other critters. Wear sturdy shoes. 6yrs+

Spring Wildflower Walk
2025-04-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn about spring wildflowers on a half-mile walk along the Boardwalk Trail.

Backpacking Series: Week 4- Clothing and Foot Care
2025-04-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 6-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end!
Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class.
**Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week #4: Clothing and Foot Care. This week we will learn how to dress properly for being on the trails! We will also cover preventative foot care to keep pesky blisters away, and how best to treat them if needed.
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park
