Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Watercolor Tea Bag Art Demonstration
2024-12-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Watch as artist of the month, Nancy Simmons, demonstrates how she uses watercolors and recycled tea bags to create unique works of art that are enhanced by the stain and texture of each tea bag.

Gifts for Wildlife
2024-12-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, 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 shelter house, rain or shine!

For Adults 50+: The Gardens in Winter
2024-12-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meander along the nature trails on a 1.5-mile walk. The trails are considered easy. Stay after the program to enjoy the winter lights.
Meet at the Gardens Entrance

Cocoa & Cryptids
2024-12-20 17:00 - 18:00, 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!

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2024-12-20 17:30 - 19:30, 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

Winter Solstice-Sunrise
2024-12-21 07:30 - 09:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate the shortest day of the year by watching the sun rise over Schrock Lake. Enjoy a camp fire, snacks and some information about the science and meaning behind this annual event.

Hike Behind the Lake
2024-12-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Enjoy the first day of winter on this 1.5-mile hike through the waterfowl refuge.

Adventure 101: Shelter Building
2024-12-21 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
Learn the best practices to safely adventure solo during this class! Instructors will discuss their own solo adventuring experiences, and how they set themselves up for success on the trails!

Winter Crafts
2024-12-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn to craft beautiful, unique snowflakes that will add a festive touch to your home and bring some winter magic indoors.

Pokémon Go! Hike
2024-12-21 15:30 - 16:30 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Enjoy Pokémon Go! at Homestead Metro Park! Bring your own device to access Pokémon Go! and hike around the park with park staff to find different Pokémon! Meet at the Homestead Barn Shelter.

Winter Solstice Sunset Saunter
2024-12-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist on a 3-mile walk to see the bison as the sun sets. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Winter Solstice: Sunset
2024-12-21 16:30 - 18:00 | 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.

A Victorian Christmas Evening
2024-12-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 4:30-6:00 pm at the farmhouse.
Make decorations and enjoy other seasonal 1880s activities on a special lamplit evening.
Enjoy popcorn and a hot drink.

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!

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.
