Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-08-09 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and try stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking for free at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes. SUPs and Solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit. Meet at Lake 3 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come, first served. Equipment and instruction are provided.

For Adults: 100 Acre Wood Off Trail Hike
2025-08-09 11:00 - 12:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Take a rugged off trail hike through the ravines at the 100 Acre Wood property to see what we can find. Park along street; 5224 Cambria Way.

Hiding in Plain Sight
2025-08-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Follow a naturalist and discover what is hiding right before your eyes when you stop for a closer look. Learn about fungi, slime molds, insects and more on this 1.25-mile hike.

Fly Fishing: Beyond The Basics
2025-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Develop your fly fishing skills and catch fish in Clear Creek. Equipment provided. Experience or attendance at the July 12th beginners program is recommended. Meet at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge (39.59007, -82.59188).

UV Night Hike
2025-08-08 21:00 - 22:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Bring a UV flashlight or borrow one of ours as we search for glowing animals on this half-mile hike.

Touch-a-Truck
2025-08-08 16:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Visitors can stop by to see, touch and explore a variety of Metro Park’s truck, tractors and more.

Bison
2025-08-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come learn about bison, and take a short hike to get a closer look. All ages. Trail is crushed gravel and stroller-friendly

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-08-08 10:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Touch-a-Truck
2025-08-07 16:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Touch, Honk and Explore a variety of different machines and equipment used in a variety of organizations. Cedar Ridge Picnic Area, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Bat Hike
2025-08-06 20:30 - 21:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1-mile hike with a naturalist to search for bats, while learning about their role in the ecosystem.

Dusk to Dark Hike
2025-08-06 20:00 - 21:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 2-mile hike around Scioto Grove Metro Park, enjoying the park as it changes from evening to night. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area.

Kids Tram
2025-08-06 10:00 - 15:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Hop aboard the tram as we drive through the forests! We will be looking for wildlife and talking about cool facts about the park!
We will have rides at 10am, 10:35am, 11:10am, 11:45am, 1pm, 1:35pm, 2:10pm, 2:45pm, 3:20pm (lasting about 20 mins). The tram seats approximately 18-20 bodies, so it will be first come first served! We will be giving out tickets 30 mins before each ride to reserve your seat. Children sitting in laps will NOT require a ticket, but must sit on the lap the entire tram ride.
This program is geared for ages 6-12. We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flag pole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Preschool: Who Lives Here?
2025-08-05 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-08-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Preschoolers can learn about which animals live in Sharon Woods through games, songs and a craft.

For Kids: Catch A Bug
2025-08-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn the basics about insects then grab a net and collect some to observe and identify. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Preschool: Fairy Time
2025-08-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join seasonal naturalist/resident fairy princess Isabel to celebrate a fairy good time! Join us for a short hike, storybook reading and other activities. Fairy costumes encouraged. Recommended ages 3-5. Indoor and outdoor program. Meet @ nature center
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.

Toddler Tuesday: Turtles!
2025-08-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Turtles are a popular topic in our park during the summer months. They enjoy sunbathing at the pond, exploring the prairie, and racing through the water! Join us as we learn all about turtles by reading a story, meeting our ambassador turtles, and visiting our pond to look for some sunbathing turtles!
This program is geared for ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Introductory Tai Chi
2025-08-04 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.

Try it! Archery
2025-08-04 11:30 - 13:00 | 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+.

Fairy House Building
2025-08-03 13:00 - 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.

Crochet Club: Strawberries
2025-08-03 11:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Calling all crocheters! We are hosting another free crochet event! This month we are focusing on the sweetest summer berry – the strawberry!
All supplies needed will be provided. No experience necessary, we can teach you the basics of crochet! Feel free to bring your own WIPs as well!
For our beginners: Our staff is limited, so we appreciate all the patience you have as we make our way around to teach you!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Lakeside Pavilion, rain or shine!

What Is It?
2025-08-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 10am-4pm
All ages
Everyday objects familiar to people in the 1880s are a mystery to modern folks. Guess how ours work and what they do.

Wonderful Wildflowers
2025-08-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1-mile hike through a prairie to search for blooming wildflowers.

Flower Power
2025-08-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come learn about beautiful native plants and enjoy a flower themed craft!

Bugstravaganza: A Celebration of Insects
2025-08-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Celebrate the world of insects and more! See insects up close, catch and release bugs, make crafts, learn about moths, visit a beekeeper, explore the OSU Bugmobile (with bugs from around the world), learn about pollinators and pests and more. All activities are free. Free hot dogs, chips and drinks served from 10:30am-1pm. Walnut Woods Metro Park Buckeye Area, 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport

Hike to the RippleRock
2025-08-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Walk through the creek upstream to find some unique geologic features. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get wet. Best for 6+

Wellness: Hoop for Fitness
2025-08-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn how to control a hula hoop with Tasya Lacy of Hoop Fitness during this fun, low impact, full body workout. Hula hoops provided or bring your own.

Summer Bird Hike
2025-08-02 08:00 - 09:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
The early bird gets the worm! Join a naturalist to search for birds using binoculars and field guides. Some binoculars will be available to borrow. Trail will be ~1 mile, flat limestone gravel with some dirt trail, and with frequent stops. All ages. Meet at nature center
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.
