Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Winter Solstice: Sunset
2024-12-21 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate the longest night of the year by watching the sunset at Schrock Lake. Enjoy a campfire, snacks and learn some information about the science and meaning of this annual event.

Woodpecker Walk
2024-12-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike to learn about Ohio woodpeckers and search the trails for them.

Campfire Coffee
2024-12-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Down for an adventure and want to stay caffeinated? Come out to learn how to make campfire coffee! Staff will have all the equipment and ingredients necessary for participants to brew their own caffeinated beverage. Meet at the base of the sled hill parking lot (second parking lot on the left at the bottom of the sled hill). Feel free to bring your own mug/tumbler, disposable cups will be available
Use the Dublin Rd Park entrance: 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH

Winter Nature Crafts
2024-12-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by and create some of your favorite crafts this winter using items from nature!

Winter Mushrooms
2024-12-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a 1-mile walk to look for fungi that enjoy the cold weather.

Kids Discovery Hike
2024-12-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1-mile hike to explore the park, look for signs of animals, and play a game!
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.

Holiday Bike Ride!
2024-12-22 17:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy the season with this Holiday Bike Ride to see the downtown lights! Meet at the Scioto Audubon Park Office (first parking lot after the dog park). Only register for this program if you need to borrow a bike/helmets, bikes are sized for adults only. Join us without registering if you are bringing your own bike! Mileage will vary, this ride will take 1 hour and you will end back at the Park Office.

Winter Wildlife Hike
2024-12-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy an evening hike with the naturalist! We will look for nocturnal animals and signs where animals have been. Lanterns with red covers will be provided if needed, please no bright lights!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Storytime: Bring Your Teddy
2024-12-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your favorite teddy and we’ll read some stories about bears as we sip hot cocoa. Bring a cup with a lid.

Gifts for Wildlife
2024-12-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Happy Holidays for all! Help celebrate this festive season with native wildlife as we create some gifts for our furry and feathered friends!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Cocoa & Cryptids
2024-12-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Walk under the twinkling lights and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate. Use your cellphone to get a picture or two with Bigfoot and the Grinch!

Turkey Display
2024-12-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
It’s everything you ever wanted to know about wild turkeys! Drop by the nature center to learn all about November’s favorite bird!

Tots on Trails
2024-12-27 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.

Hike to the Bird Blind
2024-12-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist on a 3 mile to the wetland bird blind to look for some ducks! Trail will be a mixture of crushed limestone and dirt. Parts of the Wetland Spur trail may be muddy. Expect hills, roots, and rocks on the trail. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them! Some will be available to borrow. All ages.
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.

Let it Snow!
2024-12-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about why and how it snows and then become a scientist and conduct an experiment of making a snowstorm in a jar! Best for ages 5+

Conifer Scavenger Hunt
2024-12-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Search the Gardens for some of Inniswood’s most interesting conifer trees then warm up in the Innis House with some hot cocoa.

Sunset and S'mores
2024-12-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy watching the sunset while eating a toasty s’more around a warm campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Basin Parking Lot, all equipment provided.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several separate park entrances. 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.

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2024-12-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike along the Buttonbush Trail under the twinkling lights and stop by the Nature Center to enjoy a cup of cocoa around the campfire. The Canopy Walk and Nature Center will be open late to explore

Adventure Book Club!
2024-12-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
NEW LOCATION!!! Join us for our Monthly Adventure Book Club! No registration necessary, all are welcome. This months book is “Endurance: Shackelton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing.
We will meet at the end of each month to discuss a different book. Meet at The Quarry Trails park office lobby

Adventure 101: Gear
2024-12-28 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
From clothing, to backpacks, sleeping bags, and more, learn what gear you might need while adventuring outdoors, and get a chance to see what gear our instructors use! Meet at the Scioto Grove Arrowhead Picnic area.

Winter Forest @ The Hundred Acre Wood
2024-12-28 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Experience the peaceful winter forest on this rugged 1.5-mile off-trail hike. Wear sturdy shoes. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Winter Hike Series: Hot Cocoa & Twinkling Lights
2024-12-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Warm up inside the holiday decorated nature center with hot cocoa. Hike on your own along the 1/4 mile twinkling lights trail around the nature center. Pick up your winter hike cards or get your cards stamped inside the nature center. Fun activities for kids inside the nature center including a holiday themed scavenger hunt. Nature center is open late tonight until 7pm. Meet at nature center.
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.

Bike-It!
2024-12-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a bike ride around Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Feel free to join if you have your own bike, and register only required if you need to borrow a bike/helmet. Bikes are sized for adults only. Meet at the Glacier Ridge Maintenance Area, park at the bridle trail lot adjacent to the Red Maintenance barn (first parking lot on the left when entering the park) . Trails will be pavement

Campfire Cooking
2024-12-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Cozy up and bring your appetite as we learn how to cook over the campfire! We will have a variety of food options and utensils to practice campfire cooking, feel free to bring your own utensils and tools to use!
Meet at the Buckeye area at Walnut Woods Metro Park- 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH 43125

Smoked, Salted, Pickled, and Preserved
2024-12-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 1-3pm.
Learn how fruits, vegetables, and meats were preserved before the days of artificial refrigeration. The smokehouse will be in operation.

Frigid Fungi
2024-12-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike and search the trails for mushrooms that are around in the winter.

Tree Cookie Decorating
2024-12-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Put your art skills to use! Join a naturalist to paint on small slabs of cut tree limbs. All supplies are included, great for kids and adults!

Owl Prowl
2024-12-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join the naturalist for a 1.5-mile hike to look and listen for owls. The trail is unimproved, ages 8+. Meet at the back of this area near the restrooms and bulletin board.

Winter Crafts
2024-12-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Stop by the nature center to make crafts to take home.

Try It! Archery
2024-12-31 17:30 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy the thrill and fun of archery this winter while being toasty warm inside at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course!! Archery will be indoors at the Golf Course Pro Shop! All equipment provided, fun and free! Ages 8+.
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.
