Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Spring Plant Sale
2025-05-04 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Purchase plants for your garden. A selection of perennial plants and herbs for sale. Must-have natives, new varieties and old favorites. Best selection available on Saturday. Sponsored by The Inniswood Volunteers, Inc. and the Herb Society of America, Central Ohio Unit.

Spring Migration
2025-05-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Search for warblers and other spring migrants on a guided bird walk with the Clear Creek Naturalist and retired Metro Parks Resource Manager, John Watts. Bring binoculars. Meet at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot: 23833 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge (39.589033, -82.577590).

Hidden Wetland Hike
2025-05-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us on an off trail adventure through the woods to our hidden wetland! We will look for wildlife and talk about the importance of restoration.
Please dress for hiking – pants, closed toed shoes, tick repellent.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine.

Central Ohio Folk Festival
2025-05-04 10:30 - 17:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Two day event celebrating folk music!
More info at:https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/festival.html
Saturday May 3
1030-6pm Festival & activities
7-930pm- Richard Shindell
A two day family-friendly festival featuring multiple performing stages presenting an array of upbeat folk/roots/Americana music, kids’ & youth programming, and 30+ music workshops (all levels).
Festival highlights:
35 performances on 3 stages featuring an invigorating mix of folk/roots/Americana music. Attendees will experience a sweeping range of genres — from singer-songwriter, old-time, bluegrass, blues, Irish, Celtic, and Americana, to neo-country, progressive stringband, reggae, and even an improv jam band featuring some of the festival artists. In typical folk style, the songs and lyrical themes often reflect the struggles and triumphs of everyday people.
A giant folk music sing-along will open the festival at 11 am Saturday with a focus on songs by well known folk heroes (think John Prine, Bob Marley, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan), plus a poignant song circle will close the fest on Sunday.
30+ music workshops covering all levels. Just a few topic examples: songwriting, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. There are even beginner workshops with loaner instruments available.
Our Youth Folk Tent serves kids and youth with music, storytelling, and workshops. Workshop offerings include making a drum out of wooden box frames (and using them)!
The festival also features an “Instrument Petting Zoo” — an in-demand favorite — where children can try out various folk instruments. There are also hands-on arts and crafts for kids. Plus…festival mascot Darby Duck will be on hand to charm the young and young-at-heart.
2 drum circles where everyone, young and old alike, is invited to pound on a drum or other rhythm instrument to a mesmerizing beat.
Ongoing open jam tents, each with a different thrust: bluegrass, old-time, folk-mix, pure song, and one dedicated to encouraging the beginner.
Sunday opens with an 11 am performance by Mark Hunter (aka C LA C I), known and acclaimed locally as the lead singer for The Ark Band. He’ll be bringing everyone together at the festival’s “Songs of the Spirit” slot, presenting acoustic roots storytelling music — reggae style.
The festival offers a festival store, beer gardens featuring Nocterra craft beer, and food trucks on site.
The variety of choices is mind-blowing! Saturday and Sunday afternoons, at any one time, festival-goers will have their choice of attending any one of more than a dozen different activities: a true embarrassment of riches! So many choices, so little time!
Produced by –– The Columbus Folk Music Society in cooperation with The Metro Parks. Co-sponsored by WCBE 90.5 FM
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area Big Meadows picnic area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.

For Adults: Science Sunday - Stream Quality Monitoring and Macroinvertebrates
2025-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Lindsey Krusling from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves as we learn about what lives in Ohio waterways during this session about Stream Quality Monitoring and Macroinvertebrates. This session will feature an outdoor learning experience. We will be riding the tram to access the creek. Please bring shoes that can get wet. Meet at Beech Maple Lodge.

5-Mile Hike on the Alum Creek Trail
2025-05-04 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for an (almost) 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail (meets at Heron Pond). We won’t stop too often, but will enjoy being outdoors and sharing good company. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Heron Pond bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd, Columbus

Eagle Hikes
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
This is the last Sunday to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100 Acre Woods! Hike 1.5 mi. on flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

For Adults 18+: Afternoon Tea
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join the naturalist to discover what plants naturally grow in your yard that can be used in creating wildcrafted teas and enjoy some tea time refreshments.
Meet at the Nature Center at 1415 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway 43119

Star Wars Archery
2025-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
May the 4th be with you! Enjoy Star Wars themed targets at the Scioto Grove Archery range. Equipment and basic instruction provided. Recommended for ages 8+ only.

Preschool: The Best Nest
2025-05-05 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about what makes the best nest for baby birds with this classic story.

Morning Cardio Hike
2025-05-06 10:00 - 10:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a fast-paced, staff-led Cardio Hike at Quarry Trails Metro Park!
Meet at the Lakes Area. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive.

Toddler Tuesday: Moms in Nature
2025-05-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
In honor of Mothers’ Day this month, we are learning all about the moms in nature! Learn about what makes a good mom in nature and what makes a bad mom! We will enjoy a puppet show followed by a craft.
This program is geared for ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Preschool: Down in the Dirt
2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover what’s living in the soil! Come prepared to stick your hands in the dirt and get muddy.

Learn the Ropes
2025-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Have you always wanted to try rock climbing at Scioto Audubon Metro Park? Come to Learn the Ropes and try it out for free! Open to all ages, instruction and equipment are provided. Tennis shoes are the recommended footwear for beginners. Pre-register for a guaranteed spot.
Pre-register for the May 7th program here.
Pre-register for the May 28th program here.

Growing Vegetable Soup Story Walk
2025-05-09 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program on-going from 10am-4pm
Enjoy the “Growing Vegetable Soup” Story Walk and try to find the stuffed vegetables hidden around the house.

For Adults 50+: Chair Yoga
2025-05-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Yoga instructor, Margaret McCullough from North YMCA, for chair Yoga intended to improve balance and muscle strength through Yoga poses. We will be either seated or standing to do the poses. No floor activities. We use gentle stretches and muscle strengthening exercises for the entire body. Bring your lunch for after the program, enjoy nature journaling and join us for the For Adults 50+ Mindfulness Walk at 1pm.
Meet at the Mansion Shelter

For Adults 50+: Mindfulness Walk
2025-05-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Take a one mile walk with a naturalist to learn and practice several techniques for bringing mindfulness into your relationship with nature, with the goal of feeling more present in the world around you. The path will be some pavement and some dirt/crushed limestone. Easy walking, but some hills. Come to the For Adults 50+ Chair Yoga program at 11am and bring your lunch and enjoy nature journaling between programs.
Meet at the Mansion Shelter

Try It! Archery
2025-05-09 16:00 - 17:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at the Scioto Grove Metro Park Archery Range for a fun, free day of archery! All equipment and instruction provided. Recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to try with parental supervision.

Friday Night Fishing
2025-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by Schrock Lake for our first fishing program of the season. Use one of our poles or bring your own. No fishing license required, all fishing is catch-and-release.

For Adults 50+: Music in the Park with David Smith
2025-05-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Sing along or just sit back and relax as you tune in to the acoustic stylings of musician David Smith. David plays and sings rock songs of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and beyond and has performed at local venues alongside his sons. Enjoy some treats before the music starts. There are picnic tables in the shelter or feel free to bring your own chair.
Meet at the Mansion Shelter

Family Bird Hike on World Migratory Bird Day
2025-05-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bird watching is the fastest growing hobby in the US! Get your whole family involved in this fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Beginner Birding
2025-05-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Give birding a try as we watch birds at the feeders and set off on a half-mile hike to see what we can find on the trail. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow.

Archery Fest!
2025-05-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all archers! The King and Queen have called for a competition of their finest archers to compete in an archery competition on May 10th from 12pm-3pm at Prairie Oaks Metro Parks, Darby Bend Lakes! Enjoy a fun and free Archery Fest, with activities for all ages. Food trucks will be available. Use address: 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
Activities include:
– Try It! Archery
– Archery Tournament (register at the event)
– Try it! Archery
– Knighting ceremonies
– Plastic Axe Throwing
– Atlatl
– DIY Activities (Flower crowns, arrow quivers, and more!)

Big Sit
2025-05-10 12:30 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by the Cedar Ridge Overlook and join us for a “big sit” as we look for spring birds, and list how many we can find. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow. Ages 8+, all experience levels welcome.

Spring Tram Ride
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Hop on the tram to learn about the cultural and natural history of Blacklick Woods on this tour.

Adult: Mindfulness Hike
2025-05-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Take a one mile walk with a naturalist to learn and practice several techniques for bringing mindfulness into your relationship with nature, with the goal of feeling more present in the world around you. The path will be some pavement and some dirt/crushed limestone. Easy walking, but some hills. Age 18+
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.

50+ Bird Walk
2025-05-11 08:30 - 10:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike on the trails to search for migratory birds
