Toddler Time: Storytime Campout
2025-03-18 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Bring your sleeping bag or blanket and join us for an indoor, storytime “campout”. We will learn about nocturnal animals, make nightlights and enjoy other night inspired activities.

Stroller Stroll
2025-03-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Bring your little ones on wheels and enjoy a hike around the park! We will walk along the Marsh Hawk Trail, our 2 mile paved trail!
This program is geared for ages 2-4. Meet at the flagpole in the second parking lot, rain or shine!

Homeschoolers: All About Eagles
2025-03-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-18 13:30 - 14:30 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Learn about the history of America’s national bird and take a 1/2 mile round-trip gravel path walk to observe nesting bald eagles through a spotting scope. Best for kids age 5 and up. No pets, please. Meets at Pickerington Ponds Wood Duck area, 4150 Bowen Rd, Canal Winchester.

Hike to the Swinging Bridge
2025-03-18 17:30 - 18:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a staff-led hike to the famous Scioto Grove Swinging Bridge! The hike will be approx 1.5miles in length and on all natural/gravel trails; be prepared for muddy conditions as this area is in a flood plain.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hikes
2025-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Preschool: Vultures!
2025-03-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Preschool is back in session here at Homestead Metro Park! Join us on the 3rd Wednesday March-May as we learn about different aspects of nature!
This month we will be learning all about vultures! Come listen to a story about these not-so-scary birds, enjoy a craft, and venture out on a short hike to look for some vultures!
This program is geared for ages 3-6. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Pie Iron Cooking
2025-03-19 17:30 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a Pie Iron meal around the campfire at Quarry Trails! Learn how to use a Pie Iron, and make your very own campfire pie. All materials and equipment will be provided, free and fun! Meet at the lower sled hill parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Rd.

Night Hike - Winter Bygones
2025-03-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Winter ends tonight! Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike to herald in the spring equinox. Meet at the Wagtail parking lot, 2914 Georgesville-Wrightsville Rd.

Homeschoolers: Amazing Amphibians
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a short hike to learn about Ohio’s amphibians and meet our animal ambassadors.

Spring Equinox Hike
2025-03-20 10:00 - 12:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate the spring equinox on a 4-mile backcountry hike. This hike will be a repeat of the Green Giants hike route on March 15th. Terrain at Clear Creek is rugged and uneven, be prepared for elevation gain. Meet at the old maintenance shop, 9935 Opossum Hollow Road, Rockbridge (39.59240, -82.54627). Please note there is not a restroom at this meeting location.

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about our national bird then go on a 1.5 mile round trip walk to observe them in the nest. Wear shoes and clothes suitable for mud. No pets, please. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meets at Madison Christian Church parking lot, 3565 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Let’s Get WILD: Wildflower Hike
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Spring has officially arrived so it’s the best time to look for the signs of wildflowers! Join us for a short hike along the Red Oak Trail and learn about some of the common wildflowers here in Ohio.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

For Adults 50+: Wetland Walk
2025-03-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Take a 1.5-mile stroll through the wetlands in search of ducks, sandhill cranes and other creatures enjoying the awakening of spring. Bring binoculars if you have them. The Kokomo trail is an easy grass, dirt and boardwalk trail.
Meet at the Slate Run Wetlands parking lot at 11140 Winchester Rd., Canal Winchester.

Signs of Spring at 100 Acre Wood
2025-03-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 miles on a steep, unimproved trail to search for wildflowers and other signs of spring. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way. Park along the street.

For Adults 50+: Duck, Duck, Eagle
2025-03-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
As spring begins, we’ll check in with the eagles and other things with wings during a 2-mile walk on the easy Killdeer trail. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Meet at the Wood Duck Picnic Area parking lot at 4150 Bowen Rd., Canal Winchester.

For Kids: Nature Journals
2025-03-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Construct a nature journal of your own and learn how to use it to enrich your time in nature.

Welcome to Spring Event
2025-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center between 3-5 pm to take part in some spring family fun! Enjoy spring crafts and games, scavengers in and outside the nature center, and a campfire and s’mores. 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.

Metrological Day
2025-03-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by and celebrate the science of Metrology by doing some simple weather related experiments.

For Adults: Science Sundays - Sustainability
2025-03-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Amy Densborn from Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) as we learn about how we can incorporate sustainability practices into our daily lives to preserve natural resources for future generations. Meet at Beech Maple Lodge.

For Adults 50+: Prairies and Prescribed Fire
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join Metro Parks Resource Management Team to learn about Ohio prairies, our restoration efforts, and the role of fire in maintaining these unique and beautiful ecosystems. Plan for 2 hours with some show and tell of our prescribed fire equipment outdoors, weather permitting.
Meet at the Cedar Ridge Lodge at 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, 43119.

5-Mile Greenway Hike
2025-03-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Let’s enjoy a nearly 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail. We’ll get some exercise and make a few stops along the way for water and if we observe anything interesting. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Heron Pond bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd.

Eagle Hikes
2025-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us Sundays in March to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100AcreWoods. HIke 1.5 mi. on flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

Houseplant Design
2025-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover some creative ways to display your favorite houseplants.

The Art & The Artist
2025-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come on over to the Nature Center and witness our ambassador animals make some art of their own to display in the Nature Center while you learn more about them!

Meet the Artist: Colin Harmon-Ulmer
2025-03-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Colin Harmon-Ulmer and view his photographs on display in the Innis House.

For Families: Frog Frenzy
2025-03-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hop on by to learn about the frogs that inhabit Inniswood.

Backpacking Series: Week 1- Shelter, Sleep Systems and Packs
2025-03-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure Backpacking Series is BACK!! Join us for a 6 week series followed by an overnight backpacking opportunity in the parks! Attendance is required to at least ONE of the backpacking classes/programs to be eligible to attend the overnight trip later in the spring. This series is for those of all backpacking abilities, from beginner to novice backpackers.
Week 1: Shelter and Sleep Systems – Creating a comfortable home away from home in the backcountry is not as simple as pitching a tent. Join us as we explore how to set yourself up for success. Prepare to hike off-trail as we cover site selection following Lean No Trace principles and practice setting up a the shelter. We have gear for demonstration, but you are encouraged to bring your own. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
