Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Try it! Archery
2024-08-05 16:30 - 18:00, 2024-07-29 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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+.

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.

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.

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.

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

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+.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Summer Children's Programs: Swimmers & Divers
2024-07-31 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-31 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-30 10:00 - 11:00 | 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.

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.

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.

Toddler Hike
2024-07-29 10:00 - 11:00 | 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.

Spiders!
2024-07-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about different kinds of spiders, find out which ones to watch out for, and see some live examples. A short walk to look for wild spiders will follow.

Summer Sunday Splash
2024-07-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by anytime between 1-3pm for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station. 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Blacklick Creek Exploration
2024-07-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and use nets to catch fish, crayfish and insects.

Try It! Kayaking
2024-07-28 12:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed time and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for participants of all ages, with an adult, on a first come first serve basis. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
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.

Cattail Basket Weaving
2024-07-28 12:00 - 14:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Learn how to weave your own basket using cattails! We will teach you how to harvest the cattails ethically, how to dry them, and how to make a simple cattail basket that you will love!
This program is geared for ages 16 and up. Meet at the Wetland Education Building (2 miles south of the main entrance), rain or shine!

Growing Vegetable Soup Story Walk
2024-07-28 10:00 - 16:00 | OH
Program on-going from 10am-4pm
Enjoy the “Growing Vegetable Soup” Story Walk and try to find the stuffed vegetables hidden around the house. Afterwards, check out the garden to see what vegetables are growing.

50+ Kayaking
2024-07-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy kayaking on the lakes at Quarry Trails Metro Park. 50+ only, all equipment and instruction provided. The Lake Area parking lot is at 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228.

Hike Behind the Lake
2024-07-27 16:00 - 17:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 mile off-trail to explore the waterfowl refuge. Prepare for mud and ticks; long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended.
