Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Birding for Beginners
2025-02-15 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Want to expand your knowledge of birds while also aiding in a citizen science project? Join us for a morning of beginner bird watching as we walk around Glacier Ridge and collect data for Cornell’s Great Backyard Bird Count. No birding experience is necessary!
Binoculars and bird ID books will be provided.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Three Creeks Winter Hike
2025-02-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Three Creeks Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm in the Confluence Area.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Great Backyard Bird Count Weekend
2025-02-15 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-16 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
The great Backyard Bird Count is a worldwide birdwatching event, ongoing since 1998. Stop by the Nature Center to help us count birds, and learn how you can participate at home to help contribute to this important citizen science project. Hike to the lake to Count ducks daily at 11am. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee or cocoa too.

Victorian Valentines
2025-02-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Stop by the farmhouse and create your own Victorian valentine.

Heart Healthy Walk
2025-02-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Take a stroll around the farm grounds to learn facts about the wonders of human and animal hearts. Enjoy a winter visit with the animals.

Adventure 101: Fire Building
2025-02-15 13:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Conifer ID
2025-02-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn the basics of identifying conifers and get to know some of Inniswood’s evergreens.

For Adults: Valentine's Hike
2025-02-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
February is known as the month of love and it’s not just humans that are caught by Cupid’s arrows. Join us for a hike through the Nature Preserve as we look for and learn about how animals show their love.

Coffee & Birds
2025-02-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by to enjoy a warm cup and beautiful birds at our viewing windows.

Owl Prowl
2025-02-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve to search for roosting owls.

For Adults: Science Sunday - Invasive vs Native
2025-02-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Mikaela Mohr from Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District to learn about the importance of native plants.

Couple's Hike
2025-02-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Get in the spirit of Valentine’s day and bring someone special with you to enjoy a peaceful 2-mile forest hike! Ages 18+. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

For Kids: Exploring Herbs
2025-02-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop in and visit different stations including hands-on discovery, herbal treats, and plant your own. Learn about herbs and how they are helpful to humans and animals.

Food Chains at Quarry Trails
2025-02-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Who is the commander and chief of Quarry Trails? Find out who is at the top of the food chains at Quarry Trails and take a one-mile hike to look for them.
Meet at the Kingfisher Shelter- use the address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive and follow the roadway to the Lake Area parking lot.

Learn How to Tap a Maple Tree
2025-02-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins at 1:30. Meet at Buzzards Roost Picnic Area.
Take a short walk to the sugarbush and learn how to tap a maple tree.

Day off School: Backyard Birds
2025-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Celebrate the day off school with us as we learn about the birds in our backyards. We will learn about some of the common birds you may see this time of year and go on a short hike to look for them. As we hike, we will practice our research skills by collecting data for The Great Backyard Bird Count.
Binoculars and bird ID books will be provided.
This program is geared for ages 7-15. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Glow Archery!
2025-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy Archery with a twist!!! Glow Archery is indoors at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course! Shoot at themed targets, and enjoy the glowing lights of the range! Archery is recommended for ages 8+. Free and fun, all equipment provided.

Couples Lantern Hike
2025-02-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Ignite your night and join us for a couples date night stroll through the woods on this 1.5-mile lantern-lit hike through the Walter Tucker State Nature Preserve.

Paint & Sip
2025-02-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us for an evening of painting. Follow along with step-by-step instructions to paint two ‘love’ birds in a tree. Materials and instruction will be provided. Beer and wine available for purchase, card payment only.

Lantern Hike
2025-02-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for an after dark adventure on this two mile lantern hike! Some lanterns will be available to borrow. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Wednesday Fitness Club
2025-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 | 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.

Homeschoolers: Year of the Snake
2025-02-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate the Year of the Snake by learning about their adaptations and the different snake species in Ohio.

Pie Iron Cooking
2025-02-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a Pie Iron meal around the campfire at Quarry Trails! Learn how to use a Pie Iron, and make your very own campfire pie! All materials and equipment will be provided, free and fun! Meet at the lower sled hill parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Rd.

Highbanks Adult Hikers
2025-02-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join like-minded adults who enjoy nature for approximately 2-3 miles. Hike will be on crushed limestone. Prepare for possible snow and cold weather. 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.

Wild Wetland Walk
2025-02-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Muskrats, coyotes, owls and salamanders. Discover more about the elusive animals that also live in the wetlands. Trail less than a mile of wet or muddy grass- boots recommended. Wet Prairie, 1378 Darby Creek Dr.
