Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Open House Creeking
2025-05-26 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by anytime between 12-3pm for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Follow signs from Ranger Station- 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Pond Habitat Hangout
2025-05-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by the frog pond anytime between 1-3 to learn about what’s going on this time of year and why it’s such a special place in the Gardens. Meet at the Frog Talk Walk pond.

Toy Boat Building
2025-05-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 1-3pm.
Meet in front of the barn.
Build a simple wooden boat to sail on the pond.

50+ Hike around the Lakes
2025-05-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lakes at Darby Bend Lakes, Prairie Oaks Metro Park! We will be hiking approx. 2-miles on this beginner friendly hike! Trail is gravel, and mostly flat. 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.

Night Hike
2025-05-27 20:30 - 21:30 | 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.

Fern Hike
2025-05-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Discover and learn about the diversity of ferns found at Clear Creek on a 2-mile hike with guest Naturalist, Nora Steele. Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Meet at the Fern Parking Lot, 22937 Clear Creek Road in Rockbridge (39.59007, -82.59188).

Try It! Kayaking
2025-05-28 15:00 - 19:00, 2025-05-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out to the new Quarry Trails Metro Park and try out a kayak! Solo, sit in kayaks will be available with a max weight of 275 lbs, and are open to ages 10+. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages with an adult present. Equipment and instruction provided. First come first served.
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.

Learn the Ropes
2025-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Have you always wanted to try rock climbing at Scioto Audubon Metro Park? Come to Learn the Ropes and try it out for free! Open to all ages, instruction and equipment are provided. Tennis shoes are the recommended footwear for beginners. Pre-register for a guaranteed spot.
Pre-register for the May 7th program here.
Pre-register for the May 28th program here.

Tots on Trails
2025-05-29 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.

Family Fishing
2025-05-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
New to fishing, or looking for a good spot to bring the family? Join us for Family Fishing! Fishing rods and bait are provided. Please register if you need to borrow a fishing rod.
Meet at Hickory Pond at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Salamander Stroll
2025-05-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Dog Park parking lot. Take a 1 mile hike to learn about salamanders and look for them!
Use address 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway all the way back to the dog park.

For Kids: Who's Under Where?
2025-05-31 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a half-mile hike of searching under rocks and logs to find worms, salamanders, spiders, and other critters.

Fairy Garden Toadstools
2025-05-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by to create your own toadstool decoration to add to a fairy garden or flower pot.

Geocache Kickoff
2025-05-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Dragonfly Day Camp, 685 W. Powell Rd., Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
The 2025 MetroParks Geocaching season officially begins at this kickoff event! Learn about geocaching, an activity that involves finding and logging small containers called geocaches. Learn how to get started geocaching, collect some MetroParks swag, and go on a hike to find your first cache during this event. Note: Dragonfly Day Camp entrance is off Powell Rd (not Highbank’s main entrance on US 23)
Physical address
Dragonfly day camp
685 W Powell Rd
Lewis Center OH 43035

Try It! Archery
2025-05-31 15:00 - 16:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at the Scioto Grove Metro Park Archery Range for a fun, free day of archery! All equipment and instruction provided. Recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to try with parental supervision.

Superhero Run
2025-06-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Climb over obstacles like Spiderman, speed through like Flash and soar through the air like Superman. Dress as a Superhero and join us for a themed half-mile fun run and then make a mask craft. Perfect for young families. Meet at the fitness station in the Nature Center parking lot.

Tram Rides
2025-06-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Ride our open-sided Tram around Sharon Woods and learn about our park in style! Tram leaves Apple Ridge Picnic Area every 1/2 hour. Tram is free to ride, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Darby Darters
2025-06-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Help us find and stock our living stream with the colorful and small fish that live in our creek system. Closed toed shoes required, meet at the bottom of the riffle run trail.

Continual Color Without Continual Hassle
2025-06-01 14:00 - 16:30 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join the Inniswood Garden Society for their annual meeting and garden reception. Featured speaker, Dr. Laura Deeter, is a Professor of Horticulture at the Ohio State University and the Sandy and Andy Ross Endowed Director of the Chadwick Arboretum. Dr. Deeter will discuss different ways to think about color and plant combinations in your garden.

For Kids: Swamp Things
2025-06-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-02 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about tiny wetland creatures and their adaptations by studying them in our table-top ponds. Suitable for preschool and school-aged kids. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Run with a Ranger
2025-06-02 18:00 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and come on a 3 mile run with a Ranger!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow signs to Lake area parking lot.

Summer Children’s Programs: Cardinals
2025-06-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Calling all cardinal lovers! Discover what’s to love about this familiar feathered friend.

Toddler Tram: What’s Out There?
2025-06-03 10:00 - 14:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Hop aboard the electric tram as we ride along the trails of Glacier Ridge Metro Park! We will be on the lookout for the different plants and animals that live at Glacier RIdge while highlighting some of its natural beauty and history!
We will have rides at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. The tram seats approximately 18-20 bodies, so it will be first come first served!
This program is geared for ages 2-4, but all are welcome to attend! We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flag pole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Fairy House Building
2025-06-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Flutter into Blacklick Woods to build a fairy house or a toad abode. Dressing up as your favorite fairy or mythical creature is encouraged!

Evening Kayaking
2025-06-03 16:00 - 20:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
First come first served, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED! 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 served basis. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
*Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances! Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH for the closest parking lot to the paddling launch area.* Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Try it! Archery
2025-06-03 17:00 - 18:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park and try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction is provided. Recommended for Ages 8+.

Preschool + Tram Rides
2025-06-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun on a tram ride aimed at our youngest visitors and their caregivers. Rides at 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30.
