Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Tots on Trails
2024-10-31 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: First Friday Fitness Hike
2024-11-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

For Adults 50+: Cookie Decorating
2024-11-01 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Back and sweeter than ever, join naturalist and baking expert, Shannon, with a cookie decorating class that will get you icing like a pro in no time. Just in time for the holiday season, you’ll learn the basics of designing treats such as a mushroom, chipmunk and pumpkin. It’s the perfect way to prepare and wow your friends and family this holiday hosting season. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will have fun, get to share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end, and of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge

National Bison Day- Bison Adaptations
2024-11-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about all the parts of the bison that help them survive. This program includes a craft and a short hike to see the bison in their pasture! Great for ages 5+.

Hike Behind the Lake
2024-11-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 mile off-trail to explore the waterfowl refuge. Not stroller friendly.

National Bison Day
2024-11-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
BISON! Celebrate our national mammal, and a much loved part of our park! Enjoy crafts, games and snacks. Join us for a bison hike @1pm.

Forts, Fire & Fun
2024-11-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Roast marshmallows by the fire, create a craft, or work as a team to build a fort in our natural play area.

A Stitch in Time
2024-11-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
At the farmhouse
All ages
Watch or help as we mend, do handiwork, and use the treadle sewing machine.

Gardening for Butterflies
2024-11-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn what plants will attract butterflies to your yard and how to start some butterfly friendly natives with an easy DIY greenhouse. Bring a clean clear milk jug.

For Adults: Nature Journals
2024-11-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Bring your own journal and discover how to use it to grow your knowledge and deepen your connection with nature.

Meet the Artist: Ginny Baughman
2024-11-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Ginny Baughman, and view her artwork on display in the Innis House.

Turkey Time
2024-11-03 16:30 - 17:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
What time is it? Turkey time, of course! Learn all about turkeys and go on a short walk to look for them. All ages.
Meeting Location Oak Coves 3rd parking lot: The Oak Coves picnic area is your first LEFT after entering the park. Once you turn left into the Oak Coves picnic area, we will be in the third parking lot. Meet the naturalist at the bulletin board. Follow the orange program signs. If the parking lot is full, the Oak Coves picnic area has 4 other parking lots within 5-8 minutes walking time of the meeting location.

Star Party with CETA
2024-11-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
A night of astronomy hosted by Community Enrichment Through Astronomy; an OSU student organization dedicated to making amateur astronomy accessible for everyone in the Greater Columbus area. As Star Party hosts, CETA will provide telescopes and telescope operators, so no equipment or experience is necessary to enjoy the night sky. This event is appropriate for all ages and astronomy knowledge levels. Astronomy is highly weather-dependent, so the Star Party may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Be ready to see the universe like you’ve never seen it before!
Meet at the Wind and Solar Lot between 6-9pm

Toddler Hike
2024-11-04 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.

Hibrrrrrnation
2024-11-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Where do all our fuzzy friends go in the winter? Learn about hibernation and meet some of our educational animals.

Toddler Tuesday: Leaves!
2024-11-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Join us as we discuss fall colors and the many things that leaves can be! We will read a short story, enjoy a short hike, and craft with leaves!
This program is geared towards ages 2-3. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Feed The Stream
2024-11-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Help feed some of the animals in the Living Stream, and learn a little bit about them.

Adventure 101: Campfires
2024-11-05 17:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Our “Adventure 101” educational series includes everything from guest speakers to interactive outdoor skill lessons! Participants are encouraged to take notes and ask questions
Join us for an in-depth & hands on interactive class focused on campfires! Everything from different ways to build the perfect burn, to types of fire starters that we recommend. Come with questions and topics for us to talk about, meet at the arrowhead picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Preschool: Squirrels
2024-11-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn about Ohio’s squirrels and what they’re doing to prepare for winter. Then take a walk to look for squirrels.

Homeschool: Nuts for Nuts
2024-11-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a look at acorns, walnuts and the other nuts of the forest. We’ll learn about this important food by playing a game and making a “nutty” craft. Meet at the Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter

Try It! Archery
2024-11-07 16:00 - 17:30 | 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+.

Preschool: Meet the Animals
2024-11-08 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-11-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Discover the animals of Highbanks and meet some of our educational animals up close and personal. Listen to a story, enjoy a craft and go outside for a self guided scavenger hunt. Ages 3-5. 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.

Lantern Hike
2024-11-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
No Registration Required! Join us for a staff led lantern hike through the Tall Pines area of Walnut Woods Metro park. Limited Number of jar lanterns will be available at a first come first served basis, bring a flashlight or headlamp for extra light!

Cozy Cardio
2024-11-09 08:00 - 09:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bundle up and join a naturalist for a nice hot cup of coffee or tea and take a cool, brisk early morning hike to wake up your senses for the day! Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Duck Hike
2024-11-09 08:00 - 09:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Wander to the lake on the .3 mi paved lake trail to look for early migrating ducks.

Sandstone Maze Hike
2024-11-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a rugged off-trail 4-mile hike to a sandstone maze. Terrain will be steep and uneven, hiking experience and long pants recommended. Be prepared for significant elevation gain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the OLD Park Maintenance Shop, 9935 Opossum Hollow Rd, Rockbridge. Please note there is not a restroom at this meeting location.

Fall Fishing
2024-11-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Fall can be a great time to fish. Join us at Schrock Lake to try and catch a big one! No fishing license required. Bring your own pole or borrow one of ours.

Early Evening Wildlife Walk
2024-11-09 16:30 - 18:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll walk to the confluence of the creeks along the Bluebell Trail to watch for wildlife like beavers, deer and owls. Plan on being patient and quiet to have the best chance of observing wildlife on this 1-mile walk. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.
