Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Bat Tram
2024-09-22 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Learn about bats while taking a tram ride around the park! The tram will be equipped with detectors to allow us to hear the bats.
Seating is limited to the first 18 people.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter at 8:30pm. We will leave when it is dark and will return to the shelter at 10pm.

Toddler Hike
2024-09-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out an enjoy a staff-led hike for your little ones! We will travel as far as the group can within the hour, all trails will be suitable for strollers! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Backpacking Series: Week 6- Shakedown Hike!
2024-09-23 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-09-29 13:00 - 14:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? 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. Meet at Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park
This week we will be going on a backpacking preparation hike! Expect the hike to be approx. a mile in length. Bring a pack and equipment to test your strength and endurance on the trail in a real life backpacking senario! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
Fall Backpacking Series:
Week 1: 4 Essentials & Site Selection
Week 2: Water & Waste
Week 3: Fuel, Fire & Food
Week 4: Clothing & Foot Care
Week 5: Prep, Safety and Outdoor Ethics
Week 6: Shakedown Hike

Preschool Storytime: Apples
2024-09-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins at 10am behind the farmhouse.
Enjoy a story about apples and try some samples.

Homeschoolers on the Farm: Birds
2024-09-24 13:30 - 14:30 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins at 1:30 PM
Meet in front of the farmhouse
For students ages 6 and up
Learn about birds and discover why they were so important on an 1880s farm.

Dino Archery
2024-09-24 17:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Take aim at dinosaur themed and regular targets. Open to all experience levels and ages 8+. Participants should have the strength to pull back a compound bow on their own and follow safety instructions. Equipment and instruction are provided!

For Adults 50+: Archery
2024-09-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy free and fun archery at the range! Compound bows, arrows, and instructions are provided.
Meet at the Archery Range

Fall Hike
2024-09-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Search for signs of fall on a 4-mile backcountry hike. Terrain at Clear Creek is rugged and steep, wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office, 185 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.

For Kids: Nature Journals
2024-09-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Construct a nature journal and learn different ways your journal can be used out in nature.

Adventure Book Club!
2024-09-25 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 “Pink Boots and A Machete: My Journey From NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer” by Mireya Mayor. 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

Tots on Trails
2024-09-26 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.

Storytime
2024-09-27 10:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun with literature in the park. Introduce your little one to nature with stories, songs and large motor activities.

Try It! Climbing
2024-09-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us for a late night climb! Outdoor Adventure will be down at the Scioto Audubon Climbing Wall from 10-11pm with equipment and climbing instruction. Try out the climbing wall under the lights at night! Closed toes shoes recommended, no flip flops. Free and Fun!

Minecraft!
2024-09-27 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Go on a scavenger hunt to look for things from Minecraft in Darby’s woods! Followed by a short craft. Best for ages 5+.

Glow Bocce
2024-09-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
No Registration Required!! Enjoy night time Bocce at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! Glow bocce balls will be provided on a first come first serve basis. Meet at the bocce courts next to the restrooms.

Night Hike
2024-09-27 20:30 - 22:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forests and prairies under the starlight. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Late Nights At The Climbing Wall
2024-09-27 21:00 - 23:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy Late Nights at the Climbing Wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! On the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, the climbing wall lights will stay on until midnight for open climb. Please bring your own gear.

Nature No-Nos
2024-09-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn about some wild plants and animals, like poison ivy and venomous snakes, that are best left alone.

Homemade Bird Food Craft
2024-09-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher Shelter. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228. Make a homemade bird food craft to take home!

Outdoor Movie Night - Migration
2024-09-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join Metro Parks at Glacier Ridge Metro Park for a FREE screening of Migration. Movies start at dark. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on the lawn!
Movie Synopsis:
“A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, their well-laid plans quickly go awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The experience soon inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.”
Movie rated PG

Potato Harvest
2024-09-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm near farmhouse
Help harvest potatoes (weather permitting) and learn about their place in history.

Campfire and S'mores
2024-09-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by for some afternoon fun around the fire. S’mores and roasting sticks will be provided.

For Adults: Fall Phenology
2024-09-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike and learn about how plants and animals change their habits in the fall.

Meet the Artist: Sue Breeden
2024-09-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet Inniswood’s artist of the month, Sue Breeden, and view her photography on display in the Innis House.

Sunday Evening Bird Walk
2024-09-29 17:00 - 18:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1.5 mile, accessible hike to look for fall birds. All skill levels welcome. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow. Trail is paved, and includes one hill. Ages 12+.

Preschool Tram Ride
2024-10-01 10:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Enjoy the fall colors on a tram ride around the park. Tram boards at the Nature Center.

Fall Foliage Hike
2024-10-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Join us for a lovely fall hike through the trails at Prairie Oaks Metro Park! Enjoy the start of central Ohio’s fall foliage. Meet at Darby Bend Lakes, Lake 1 Shelter House, the group will go as far as they can within the hour

Homeschoolers: Tree Identification
2024-10-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Using a simple key, students will learn the basic skills of tree identification and get tips for starting a leaf collection. Program is for school-age kids but younger siblings are welcome to tag along. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Preschool: Spiders
2024-10-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn about our 8-legged friends and how they help us in and out of our gardens.
