Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Music in the Gardens: High Street Stompers
2024-08-25 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
This New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz band plays music for all ages, and is sure to keep your toes tapping and fingers snapping. Seating is limited, feel free to bring a lawn chair.

Ultraviolet Night Hike
2024-08-25 20:00 - 21:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a hike to see who glows after dark.

Mammals of Ohio
2024-08-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about Ohio mammals and their adaptations on this 1.25-mile hike.

Nature Tram
2024-08-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-08-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Hop on the tram and enjoy a guided ride through the park.

Monarch March
2024-08-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1-mile walk while we search for monarch caterpillars and butterflies.

Bat Brigade
2024-08-27 20:30 - 21:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
We are the night. Well, let’s at least explore the night with one of our most famous nocturnals, bats, on this 1-mile hike. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Winnowing Rock Hike
2024-08-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a guided 5-mile backcountry hike to Winnowing Rock. 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.

Preschoolers: Who Lives Here?
2024-08-28 10:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by the shelterhouse and learn which animals live in Sharon Woods through games and a craft.

Homeschoolers: Back to School
2024-08-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike and discover the different ways animals think and learn.

Adventure Book Club!
2024-08-28 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 “The Sun is a Compass” by Caroline Van Hermert. 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
2024-08-29 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.

Sunset SUP and S’mores
2024-08-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and enjoy the sunset on a Stand Up Paddle Board and enjoy a little sweet treat! SUPs are for ages 10+, both inflatable and hard paddle bards will be available to use, first come first served!
Free instruction, equipment, and life jackets provided
Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes (Prairie Oaks Metro Park)
2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026

Storytime
2024-08-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Introduce your little ones to nature with stories, songs, and large motor activities.

Dog Days of Summer
2024-08-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
After a hot summer, our dogs deserve some fun, so come celebrate your furry friends with us! We will have treats, crafts, and kiddie pools set up to spoil the fur babies! Be sure to bring a towel!
This program is geared towards all ages. Meet at the dog park.

Un-Nature Hike
2024-08-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist on a forested scavenger hunt, looking for things that don’t belong! Great for kids, 0.4mile walk.

Friday Night Fishing
2024-08-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop a line in Schrock Lake and see if you can catch a fish. Please bring your own pole or borrow one of ours. No fishing license is required; catch and release.

Sunset & S'mores
2024-08-30 19:30 - 20:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come meet at the sled hill parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and follow the road back to the Sled Hill parking lot, the second gravel parking lot on your right. Enjoy the sunset and a s’more!

Bat Hike
2024-08-30 20:30 - 21:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about bats and take a 1.5-mile hike to look for our flying mammals in the evening sky. During the bat hike, we will try to see as many bats foraging as possible.
Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

Outdoor Adventure Run Club!
2024-08-31 08:00 - 09:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us for a fun morning of running the trails at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park! Loops will be mapped out, feel free to run at your own pace!
Meet at the Ranger Station
1775 Darby Creek Drive Galloway, OH 43119

Family Creeking
2024-08-31 10:00 - 12:30 | OH
Take a short walk to the creek and wade in the water to find critters. Meet at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge.

Butterfly Weekend
2024-08-31 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-01 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
It’s our annual butterfly extravaganza! Drop by the nature center 10am-1pm Labor Day Weekend. We will have a daily puppet show, crafts, games, butterfly hunt and even a daily butterfly release! See our Facebook page for more information.

All in a Day's Work
2024-09-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 10am-4pm
Visit a display and play a matching game to learn about 19th century occupations and the history of Labor Day.

Drop In: Weather Experiments
2024-09-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center to join a naturalist explaining weather experiments. Learn about thunderstorms, tornados, lightning, rainbows and more!
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.

Darling Dragonflies
2024-09-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist to learn about dragonflies through stories and create a darling dragonfly craft! For ages 5+.

Backpacking Series: Week 2- Water & Waste
2024-09-01 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 discussing all things water and waste! From water filtration to purification, proper hydration and leave no trace waste principles. Water gear will be available for demonstrative purposes, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gear (if they have any) to try out and learn more about them. Back country water skills are a tricky task, but we are here every step of the way!
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!

Labor Day Canoe and Kayak the Lake
2024-09-02 11:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy the Labor Day holiday from a kayak or canoe!! Fun and Free! First come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided. Canoes and tandem kayaks are open to all ages with an adult. Solo, sit in kayaks for ages 10+, max weight of 275Ibs. 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH.
