Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Gifts for Wildlife
2024-12-23 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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!

Cocoa & Cryptids
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!

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.

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
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

Adventure Book Club!
2024-12-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
NEW LOCATION!!! Join us for our Monthly Adventure Book Club! No registration necessary, all are welcome. This months book is “Endurance: Shackelton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing.
We will meet at the end of each month to discuss a different book. Meet at The Quarry Trails park office lobby

Adventure 101: Gear
2024-12-28 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
From clothing, to backpacks, sleeping bags, and more, learn what gear you might need while adventuring outdoors, and get a chance to see what gear our instructors use! Meet at the Scioto Grove Arrowhead Picnic area.

Winter Forest @ The Hundred Acre Wood
2024-12-28 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Experience the peaceful winter forest on this rugged 1.5-mile off-trail hike. Wear sturdy shoes. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Winter Hike Series: Hot Cocoa & Twinkling Lights
2024-12-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Warm up inside the holiday decorated nature center with hot cocoa. Hike on your own along the 1/4 mile twinkling lights trail around the nature center. Pick up your winter hike cards or get your cards stamped inside the nature center. Fun activities for kids inside the nature center including a holiday themed scavenger hunt. Nature center is open late tonight until 7pm. Meet at nature center.
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.

Bike-It!
2024-12-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a bike ride around Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Feel free to join if you have your own bike, and register only required if you need to borrow a bike/helmet. Bikes are sized for adults only. Meet at the Glacier Ridge Maintenance Area, park at the bridle trail lot adjacent to the Red Maintenance barn (first parking lot on the left when entering the park) . Trails will be pavement

Campfire Cooking
2024-12-29 13:00 - 14:00 | 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! We will have a variety of food options and utensils to practice campfire cooking, feel free to bring your own utensils and tools to use!
Meet at the Buckeye area at Walnut Woods Metro Park- 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH 43125

Smoked, Salted, Pickled, and Preserved
2024-12-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 1-3pm.
Learn how fruits, vegetables, and meats were preserved before the days of artificial refrigeration. The smokehouse will be in operation.

Frigid Fungi
2024-12-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike and search the trails for mushrooms that are around in the winter.

Tree Cookie Decorating
2024-12-29 14:00 - 16:00 | 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.
