Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Preschool: Where Have the Animals Been?
2026-01-16 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about animal tracks and signs through story, craft, and activities. Best for ages 3-5. Program is inside, with optional outdoor scavenger hunt.

Preschool: Animal Winter Homes
2026-01-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about different animal homes in Ohio with a naturalist. Listen to a story, take a hike, make a craft and meet some live animals. Dress for both indoor and outdoor activities. Most of the program will be indoors. Meet inside the nature center. Ages 3-5.
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.

For Adults 50+: Frigid Fungi
2026-01-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile hike to look for and learn about some winter fungi.

Sunset and S'mores
2026-01-16 16:30 - 17:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us by the lakes at Quarry Trails Metro Park and enjoy a s’more while enjoying the setting sun! Use entrance 2319 Quarry Trails Drive to find the closest parking lot to the program, and meet at the Kingfisher Shelter.

Night Hike
2026-01-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 1.5-mile interpretive hike through the wetlands at dusk. Meet at the Wet Prairie, 1378 Darby Creek Dr.

Owl Prowl
2026-01-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a hike in the Edward S. Thomas Nature Preserve. Learn about Ohio’s Owls and take a guided hike through the twilight woods as we listen for owl calls. Please dress for the weather!

Owl Prowl
2026-01-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1.25-mile hike while we learn about owls and search the forest for Barred Owls.

Winter Tree ID
2026-01-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and take a 1 mile hike and learn to how to identify 10 trees.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the road back to the Lake Area parking lot.

Scioto Audubon Winter Hike
2026-01-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Winter Scavenger Hunt
2026-01-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
BRRRRR! It’s cold outside! It’s hard to believe animals stay outside all winter long, and secretly plants are growing in anticipation for spring! Grab a scavenger hunt from the nature center and hit the trails! Learn fun facts about winter adaptations of plants and animals while you try to complete your scavenger hunt.
Once you’re ready to call it a day, swing back to the nature center to redeem your prize!
This program is geared for ages 3-12, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Barn Shelter, rain or shine!

Fiber at the Farm Series - Spinning
2026-01-17 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, 1/17/26 Part 2 of a series of 6: Spinning
Learn about spinning and various types of drop spindles and wheels. Learn how to use a drop spindle. This program is for adults and meets in the farmhouse from 1-3pm. Limited materials provided.

Sunrise Hike
2026-01-18 07:30 - 08:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park for a approx. 2-mile hike to watch the sun rise at the park. Trails are mostly paved.

Rocky Fork Winter Hike
2026-01-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Rocky Fork Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Glow Archery
2026-01-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy the thrill and fun of GLOW 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+.

Handprint Snowflake Craft
2026-01-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
No hand is alike, just like no snowflake is! Stop by the Nature Center to make a snowflake craft with your hand print.

Day Off School: Tree ID
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy your day off of school by getting outside and learning a little more about the trees all around us! We will have stations for tree ID, testing your memory, and giving you a guide to go out and identify the trees yourself on a self guided hike!
The hike will follow the Red Oak Trail (approximately 0.6 miles) which is a gravel trail. Layers, and closed toed shoes are advised.
This program is geared for ages 8-14, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Day Off School: I-Spy Hike
2026-01-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by the Lake Trail between 12-2pm to take the I-Spy Challenge! Spot all of the critters hidden in the woods and win a prize!

Day Off School: Snowflakes
2026-01-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by to make some “cool” paper snowflakes and explore the beauty of snow crystals.

Meet the Cold Bloods
2026-01-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let our Nature Center’s cold blooded ambassador animals warm your heart as you learn more about them with an up close look!

Deep Stretch Yoga with Naomi
2026-01-19 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!

Navigation Devices
2026-01-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
This class we will be learning about different navigation and communication devices! Meet at The Grove lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park. This class will be indoors.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2026-01-21 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.

Homeschoolers: Nature Detectives
2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Look for signs of wildlife and play a game while going on a half-mile hike with a naturalist.

Winter Bird Hike
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Look for wintering birds in the meadow and forest on a 1.5 mile hike on paved and crushed gravel trails. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them; some will be available to borrow. All ages.
Meeting location: Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park. After you enter the park, pass the nature center and continue straight down the main park road. Continuing down the main park road, toward the back of the park. Look for a sign which says “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the ” Big Meadows” sign, take the first ROAD on the LEFT (it’s just after the crosswalk). TURN LEFT into the first lot. Look for the large playground. Naturalist will meet you near the shelter located next to the large playground.

Disc Golf - Classes and Games
2026-01-22 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

Winter Habitat Builders
2026-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about different habitats forest critters take shelter in during the winter and then use various materials to build your own winter habitat fit for the forest! Ages 8+.

For Adults 50+: Winter Along The Big Darby
2026-01-23 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.

Lantern Hike
2026-01-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a lantern-lit 1.5-mile guided hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve while we look for nocturnal wildlife.

Winter Birding
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist to watch birds from the Nature Center and on a half-mile hike.
