Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Family Campout
2023-07-07 19:00 - 2023-07-08 08:00 (America/New_York) | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Registration required.
Who’s ready for a stellar night in the park after dark?!
Bring your own camping gear and enjoy a relaxing evening in the park. We’ll have games, a campfire, smores and lantern strolls. Participants must register using the following link: bit.ly/SHNcampout

Yoga in the Park
2023-07-06 18:30 - 19:30 | OH
Join us for 45 min of relaxing outdoor yoga. All levels of experience welcome! Bring a yoga mat, towel, and a block if you have one. Meet behind the ranger station. Signs will direct you to the nature center if weather is uncooperative.

July 4th Frenzy
2023-07-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Who stole the Declaration of Independence? Set off on our 0.5-mile escape trail to find out who did it. Make stops at different stations along the way and solve problems to unlock clues that will enable you to successfully solve the mystery. Bring the family, a group of friends or co-workers. Challenge each other to see who can complete the trail the fastest or use it as a team building activity. Afterwards, create a 4th of July craft and make a s’more!

Red, White and Boom!
2023-07-03 14:30 - 22:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join Metro Parks at Scioto Audubon Metro Park for Red, White and Boom! The park will be open from 6:30am and close following the conclusion of the fireworks. Please reference the following for what you need to know before arriving:
Parking:
Parking is free and first come, first served at the park. Parking spaces are not allowed to be saved, so once you leave, the spot will become available to the next vehicle. If parking capacity is reached within the park, the park will close to incoming vehicles (you will still be able to park outside the park and walk in). Please remember that as the fireworks end, it may take a few minutes to exit the park due to traffic. Rangers will be directing traffic, so please follow their directions.
Saving a viewing spot:
You may set up a roped off viewing area for your family starting at 12pm on Sunday, July 2. Viewing areas are not allowed to be larger than 20×20 feet. This will not be allowed at the water tower, climbing wall, shelters, or within parking lots or other paved areas.
Activities:

Metro Parks staff will have kids activities from 3:30 to 7:30pm, and include tram rides, rock climbing and more! Please feel free to bring your own climbing equipment, as the climbing wall will be open for all.
The climbing wall and water tower observation decks will close at 9pm on Monday, July 3.
The boat ramp will open at 8am on Monday, July 3 for those wishing to enjoy fireworks from a canoe, kayak or other small boat on the Scioto River.
The dog park will be open for pets to enjoy. All pets must remained leashed inside the park, unless inside the gates of the dog park.
The Greenway Trails will be open to the public. Both the Olentangy and Scioto Trails can be accessed from the north end of the park.

Security:
The park will be patrolled by Metro Parks Rangers and Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies during the event. Please be sure to follow all directions and find them if you have any questions or concerns while at the park. They are there to maximize your safety and enjoyment! If you have any concerns during the event, please call the rangers at 614-620-1865.
Per Metro Parks Rules and Regulations, the open possession, display or consumption of alcohol is not permitted on parks property. Drones and fireworks are also not permitted on Metro Parks property.
Click here for more details about Scioto Audubon and a map of the park. If you have any questions prior to the event, please email info@metroparks.net or call 614-895-6249.

Witches Hollow Hike
2023-07-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a 2-mile backcountry hike to Witches Hollow. Crossing Clear Creek will be required to access this area, bring a change of shoes. Meet at the Barnebey Hambleton area, 620 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.

Morning Dog Walk
2023-07-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Beat the heat and bring your pup for a 2.5 mile walk along the Greenway Trail. We’ll makea few stops along the way to learn about (or sniff!) interesting things we discover. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Trails Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Family Creeking
2023-06-30 11:00 - 12:30 | OH
Explore the Olentangy River to look for some of the animals that live there. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes required in the river for your safety. Please no flip flops or crocs. Limited supply of buckets and nets. All animals will be released back into the river at the end of the program. Don’t forget a towel and complete a change of clothes to dry off after the program.
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.

International Mud Day
2023-06-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have some down and dirty fun at our annual mud day event. Rinse station provided. Follow signs in park for location.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2023-06-27 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-06-26 14:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try standup paddle boarding 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-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances-
* The closest parking lot to the paddling launch area is off of Trabue Road. The address is 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. This is a newly opened entrance. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

For Adults 50+: Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding Try-It!
2023-06-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy the lake from a solo, sit-in kayak or stand up paddleboard! Equipment and instruction are provided. Recommended maximum weight of 275 lbs for kayaks. Life jackets are provided and worn on the water. First come, first serve. Come out anytime during the time listed.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances. 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH has the closest parking lot to the water. This is a newly opened entrance, please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Music in the Gardens: Muleskinner Duo
2023-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a relaxing evening of bluegrass music with Bill Purk and Kenny Hanuska. These skilled musicians play bluegrass tunes from the 1950s through today. Seating is limited so feel free to bring a lawn chair.

Family Tram Rides
2023-06-25 15:00 - 18:00, 2023-06-24 15:00 - 18:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Hop aboard the tram at one of our three “Tram Stops” and enjoy a 30 min narrated tour of the park. Look for “Tram Stop” signs in the following picnic areas: Maple Grove, Schrock Lake and Apple Ridge.
The tram will run continuously from 3-6pm. If you don’t see the tram right away, hang tight at the tram stop and it will be there shortly.

Blacklick Woods Encanto Experience
2023-06-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Come and join the magic of the movie, Encanto. Hike your way through Antonio’s forest, life heavy logs like Luisa, roast s’mores like Julieta, plant a flower like Isabela, make a shapeshifter craft like Camilo and, we don’t talk about this, but you might spot Bruno in the woods.

Fairy House Building
2023-06-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Flutter in to Blacklick Woods to build a fairy house on International Fairy Day. Dressing up as your favorite fairy or mythical creature is encouraged!

Celebrating Pollinators
2023-06-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing from 1-3pm.
Join us as we celebrate National Pollinator Week.
Come learn about beekeeping, gardening for pollinators, and the importance of pollinators in our world.

Night Hike
2023-06-23 21:00 - 22:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forest and prairies under the starlight.

Late Night Climbing
2023-06-23 18:00 - 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.

Try it! Kayaking
2023-06-23 15:00 - 20:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy Darby Bend Lakes at Prairie Oaks Metro Park from a kayak! Kayaks are solo, sit in kayaks with a max weight of 275 lbs. Water wicking clothing is recommended. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
Ages 10+, first come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided.

Summer Solstice Hike and Yoga
2023-06-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Celebrate the Solstice at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Enjoy a 1-mile hike through the woods on the longest day of the year followed by relaxation yoga. Meet at The Grove facility. Free and fun!!

Family Creeking
2023-06-19 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States

Canoe the Lake
2023-06-18 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-18 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-17 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by and take a canoe out for a ride on the lake. Canoes and life jackets provided. We have size infant through adult life jackets, so feel free to bring the whole family!
Please check in at the tent when you arrive to put your name on the list. Boats will be filled on an ongoing basis based on the order of your arrival. Please note that there may be a wait before we can get you in a canoe, but we will do our best to accommodate everyone within the timeframe of the program.
Program is rain or shine. In the event of thunderstorms, the program will shut down for 30 min from the occurrence of thunder and/or lightning.

Father's Day Fish & Chips
2023-06-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us on Father’s Day and Go Fishing Day for some quality time with a father figure in your life. We will provide poles and bait to fish with and chips to snack on, all you need is to show up! Meet at Ashton Pond.

Bats by The Pond
2023-06-17 20:30 - 21:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Discover cool facts about our remarkable bats then gather by the pond as we watch them emerge at sunset to feed on insects and listen to their calls with our special bat detectors. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Bison Baby Shower
2023-06-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Drop by the Summer Bison Pasture anytime between 12-2pm to enjoy some baby shower games and help us celebrate the impending summer arrivals! Follow the signs from the Nature Center parking lot to the Bison Pasture.

For Adults: Camp Under The Stars
2023-06-16 18:00 - 2023-06-17 08:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Experience Clear Creek in a unique way by camping overnight in the park. Space is limited, registration is required to participate. Follow this link for additional details and to register: https://tinyurl.com/328yka5d
