Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Tree Cookie Decorating
2024-12-29 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Wham! Woodpeckers
2025-01-01 09:30 - 10:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us on a 1-mile family walk as we look and listen for these hard working birds. Meet at the Confluence, 8465 Alkire Rd.

Cardio Hike
2025-01-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Happy New Year! Join us for a fast-paced, staff led Cardio Hike to kick off the new year right! Meet at the Lakes area parking lot at Quarry Trails Metro Park.
Use the entrance off of Trabue Rd. (2319 Quarry Trails Drive)

First Day Hike
2025-01-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Start the New Year off by hitting the trails and check Clear Creek off on your Metro Parks Winter Hike card. Choose from a guided 4.5-mile or 7.5-mile hike. Both hikes will start together. The 7.5-mile hike will involve some off-trail hiking. Terrain at Clear Creek is rugged, steep and uneven in places. Bring water and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Meet at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot: 23833 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge. Carpooling is recommended due to limited parking.

Lantern Hike
2025-01-02 17:30 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come on out for a staff-led lantern hike around the lakes at Quarry Trails! Lanterns will be available on a first come first served basis, hike will be approx. 1.5 miles
Meet at the lakes area parking lot, use the entrance off of Trabue Rd. (2319 Quarry Trails Dr.)

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Friday Fitness Hike
2025-01-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on gravel and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Highbanks Adult Hikers
2025-01-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join like-minded adults who enjoy nature for this 2.5-mile hike to the observation deck with a naturalist. Hike will be on crushed limestone and dress for cold weather. Meeting Location Notes: Oak Coves is the first left after entering the park and the meeting location will be by the bathrooms.

Owl Hike
2025-01-03 17:00 - 18:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about Ohio owls on this 1.25-mile hike while we look and listen for them.

Prairie Oaks Winter Hike
2025-01-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm in the Darby Bend Lakes area.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Frigid Fungi
2025-01-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Did you know some fungi can grow in the winter? Join us on a 1.5-mile hike with a naturalist to look for and learn about some winter fungi.

Adventure 101: Shelter Building
2025-01-04 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
Come out and be build some tarp shelters! Learn about the different shelter styles and the different knots used for the perfect shelter. All equipment and instruction will be provided. meet at the arrowhead picnic area at scioto grove metro park

For Adults 50+: Winter Along The Big Darby
2025-01-04 13:30 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Take an easy to moderate 2-mile walk along Big Darby Creek as we enjoy the sights and sounds of the coldest season.
Meet at the Sycamore Plains Area at 2009 Amity Rd., Hilliard.

Off-Trail Wandering
2025-01-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and weather conditions may determine where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Coffee & Birds
2025-01-05 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.

Cowboy Campfire Coffee!
2025-01-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Howdy Y’all! Come out to the Lower Sled Hill at Quarry Trails Metro Park to learn how to make Cowboy style Campfire Coffee! All ingredients and equipment will be supplied, feel free to bring your own reusable mug or cup and fill it up with some warm and toasty fire brewed coffee

Walnut Woods Winter Hike
2025-01-05 10:00 - 13:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Walnut Woods Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm in the Buckeye Area.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Adults: Nature Journaling Winter Wonders
2025-01-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Discover how to use a nature journal to grow your knowledge and deepen your connection with nature even among the harshest months of the year. Learn how to make amazing observations in the winter.

National Bird Day
2025-01-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Celebrate National Bird Day watching bird feeders from the nature center and make your own bird feeder!

National Bird Day: Canada Goose
2025-01-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join the Naturalist to celebrate National Bird Day by viewing our glorious gaggle of Canada Geese. Find out more about this surprisingly interesting bird while we observe our resident flock and learn about their eating habits, parenting behavior and maybe even learn how to all just get along.

For Adults 50+: Hike The Sweetgum
2025-01-05 13:30 - 15:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Meander through a forest of pines, oaks and sweetgums on a 2-mile brisk winter walk. The trail is considered easy.
Meet at the Tall Pines Area at 6833 Richardson Rd., Groveport.

Walking With Woodpeckers
2025-01-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll learn about and look for woodpeckers and other birds on an easy, less than a mile walk. Bring binoculars if you’d like and we’ll have some to share. Meets at the Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Kids: Animal Signs Hike
2025-01-05 14:00 - 15:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Hike 1-mile to search for animal signs with a naturalist.. Plan to hike off-trail along animal trails. Expect to get muddy. Parents may want to bring a change of shoes and clothes for the ride home depending on muddy conditions. Age 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.

Try It! Archery
2025-01-05 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-01-07 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+.

Winter Scavenger Hunt
2025-01-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Celebrate the winter season with a fun scavenger hunt that will lead you around the park! Pick up your scavenger hunt at the barn shelter from 4-6pm and complete the scavenger hunt to earn a prize!
The scavenger hunt trail will take you around the park with less than a 1 mile trail that is a mixed path of pavement, gravel, and dirt.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Preschool: Warm for Winter
2025-01-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn how different animals deal with the cold through a story, craft, and short hike.

Preschoolers: Over and Under the Snow
2025-01-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about winter wildlife through a story, activity and a craft.
