Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Duck Walk
2026-01-04 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Wander out to Thoreau Lake to look for winter birds and see what waterfowl are using the pond this week.

Walnut Woods Winter Hike
2026-01-04 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 (6716 Lithopolis Road, Groveport, OH). Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Drop In: Art Journaling (age 16+)
2026-01-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist in creating art journals through upcycling, crafting, and collaging! Supplied journals are provided but limited with recommendation of bringing your own. Drop in to the Nature Center between 12:00 – 2:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room. Program intended for ages 16+.
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.

For Adults 50+: Hike The Sweetgum
2026-01-04 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 brisk 2-mile winter walk. The trail is considered easy. Stop by the Buckeye Area (6716 Lithopolis Rd.) by 1pm for refreshments before the hike.
Meet at the Tall Pines Area at 6833 Richardson Rd., Groveport.

Woodpecker Walk
2026-01-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:00 | 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

Little Hikers Club
2026-01-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bring your little hiker and let’s go on a 1-mile accessible hike with stops along the way for a story and games! Trail is stroller friendly. Meet us at the Ranger Station.

Homeschoolers: Winter Birds
2026-01-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll look for and learn about birds in winter as we visit feeders on an easy 3/4 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

Bird Scavenger Hunt
2026-01-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate National Bird Day by stopping by the Naturalist’s Office and picking-up a Bird Scavenger Hunt sheet. Hike any trail in the Park, look for birds and fill our your sheet. Return it to the Office and win a prize!

Deep Stretch Yoga with Naomi
2026-01-05 18:30 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Meet at the Grove Lodge for a deep stretch yoga flow, perfect for all skill levels, at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Yoga will be indoors, bring your own mat!

Preschool: Owls of Ohio
2026-01-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Who, who is calling in the winter woods? Preschoolers will learn about Ohio Owls through games, songs, and a fun craft. Program takes place in Spring Hollow Lodge.

Trailside Bike Maintenance
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
This class will go over trailside bike maintenance, what you should carry for quick repairs, and how to keep your bike in good condition! This class will take place inside The Grove lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Preschool: Woodpeckers
2026-01-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Warm up in the Innis House with a story and craft focusing on the woodpeckers that live at Inniswood, then take a short hike to search for them.

Adaptive Adventures: Cardinal Count
2026-01-07 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Cardinal Count
Cardinals like to hang out behind the shelter house at the inclusive playground in Blendon Woods Metro Park!! Come count how many cardinals you can see! Share our binoculars or bring your own as we hang out in the shelter and count cardinals together!!
*Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Campfire Cooking
2026-01-07 17:00 - 18:00 | 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! All equipment and food will be provided.
Meet at the Tall Pines area of Walnut Woods Metro Park – 6833 Richardson Rd. Groveport OH

Homeschool: Winter Hike
2026-01-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Homeschoolers are invited to dress warmly and join us for a winter hike along the newly opened trail on the north side of the park. Meet at Spring Hollow Lodge.

Feed the Stream
2026-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come out for a fun Nature Center day and help us feed the Living Stream!

Disc Golf - Classes and Games
2026-01-08 14:00 - 15:30 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn. Play. Connect.
Columbus Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure and Vets Disc Golf Club of Central Ohio offer beginner instruction and interactive games designed for all ages and skill levels. Free, indoor, inclusive! All equipment and instruction provided. Meet at the Pro shop @ The Blacklick Woods Golf Course

Roving Raptors
2026-01-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
The chilly air makes great weather to watch for raptors! Meet the naturalist at the barn shelter to learn fun facts about the raptors of Ohio! Grab a raptor scavenger hunt and try to find some all on your own! After your hunt, stop back at the shelter to get a prize!
This program is geared for ages 3-12, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Board Games & S'mores
2026-01-09 16:30 - 17:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for board games next to a toasty campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Kingfisher Shelter at the Lakes area – use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr.

Wild Ones: Annual Native Seed Swap
2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join Wild Ones Columbus for their annual native seeds swap. If you have native seeds to share, please label them with the Latin name and common name. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but remove as much stem as possible. Bringing seeds is not required. Bring bags or envelopes to store seeds.

Sharon Woods Winter Hike
2026-01-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Kids: Where Do The Animals Go?
2026-01-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn about how animals survive the winter.

Fiber at the Farm Series- Fiber & Fiber Prep
2026-01-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Join us as we explore fiber arts twice a month during January, February, and March. This is a series of six programs for adults, however, you are free to make the ones that interest you and fit your schedule. Programs will include a presentation and demonstration, as well as opportunities for hands on learning. Enjoy a warm beverage and feel free to bring a fiber project to work on after the main program. Programs will start at 1pm.
Saturday, 1/10/26 Part 1 of a series of 6: Fiber and Fiber Prep.
Explore a variety of plant and animal fibers, their uses, and how they are prepared. Topics such as washing, carding, and combing will be covered.
This program is for adults and meets in the farmhouse from 1-3pm.

Try It! Archery
2026-01-10 14:00 - 15:30 | 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+.

January 100 Bird Series- Prairie Oaks
2026-01-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Observing 100 species of birds in Ohio in January is a fun challenge, and reason to get outside in the winter months. Join a naturalist for a 1.5-mile hike as we try to see how many different birds we can observe. Ages 8+. Meet at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Alkire Rd.

Lantern Hike
2026-01-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for an after dark adventure on this approx. two-mile lantern hike! Some lanterns will be available to borrow on a first come first serve basis. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter.
