Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Winter Bird Hike
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Homeschoolers: Nature Detectives
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.

Disc Golf - Classes and Games
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-01-29 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.

Clear Creek Winter Hike
2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Clear Creek Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Adults 18+: Beat the Winter Blues
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join drum circle facilitator Iggy Garcia for a freestyle drumming program. Drums and percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. No drumming or musical experience necessary. All are welcome to play or enjoy watching and feeling the rhythm of the group. The drum circle is beginner friendly and informal and you may come and go at any time during the program.
From Iggy: Together in the drum circle we will open up the space for all kinds of rhythmic beats to unfold in a magical harmonious way! It’s a great way to charge yourself up with positive energy and good vibrations.
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

Campfire Cooking
2026-01-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Come learn about 3 different types of camp cooking (campfire, propane stove, & canned heat). See which style boils water faster and taste test some common campfire foods. The program is outdoors, so please dress for the weather.
Meet at the Naturalist’s Office.

For Adults 18+: Winter Cookie Decorating
2026-01-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Naturalist and baker extraordinaire, Shannon, is back by popular demand for another cookie decorating class! Just in case you haven’t had enough sweets, join us for a fun, sugar-filled evening. You’ll learn the basics of designing winter-themed treats such as a pine tree, raccoon and owl. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will follow along with instructions, sip hot cocoa and share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end. Of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

Owl Prowl
2026-01-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for an evening hike to find owls hidden in the forest. We will meet at the shelter house and learn about owls while we wait for the sun to set.
We will walk along the Red Oak Trail and Marsh Hawk Trail (approximately 1 mile) and the trails will be a mix of paved, dirt, and gravel. We may have opportunities to go off trail, please dress in layers and comfortable shoes.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Hike Behind the Lake
2026-01-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Can’t make it on Winter Hike day? Take a 1.5-miles off-trail hike through the waterfowl refuge with a naturalist. Prepare for mud.

Scioto Grove Winter Hike
2026-01-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Kids: Winter Indoor Survival Game (Ages 7+)
2026-01-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us at the nature center for a discussion on how animals are adapted to survive the winter, and test your skills to see if you can do the same. Participate in our indoor interactive game with a built-in craft to take home. Indoor Program. Ages 7-11.
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.

All About Hibernators Walk
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We don’t know whether Buckeye Chuck will see his shadow on Groundhog Day, but you can discover how groundhogs and other winter sleepers survive on a 1-mile walk. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport
***May be cancelled due to forecasted winter storm, please look at the Three Creeks Facebook page for the most up to date information, or call the Three Creeks ranger at 614-208-2874***

Jurassic Archery
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Go back in time and enjoy the thrill of the Jurassic period while learning archery! Archery will be inside at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course, at the Golf Course Pro Shop! All equipment provided, fun and free! Ages 8+.

Toddler Adventure Club!
2026-01-26 10:00 - 11:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us on an exploratory hike at Hundred Acre Woods during this week’s Toddler Adventure Club! We will hike as far as possible during the time-frame, and staff will have an adventure pack with compasses, maps, and other adventure tools for kids to utilize during the program. Meet at the Hundred Acre Woods trailhead at 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville OH. Free street parking is available along the roadway on both sides.

Run Club!
2026-01-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Interested in joining a running club? Join the Outdoor Adventure Run Clun at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Lakes Area parking lot, in the Kingfisher Shelter. We will run as far as the group is comfortable with during the hour. Trails are mostly paved, with some gravel sections, and with slight elevation.

Board Games & S'mores
2026-01-27 17:00 - 18:00 | 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.

Adventure Book Club!
2026-01-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for our Monthly Adventure Book Club! No registration necessary, all are welcome. This month’s book is “When it All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World” by Jordan Thomas
We will meet at the end of each month to discuss a different book. Meet at The Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Hootin' Hike
2026-01-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a ~1-mile silent walk to learn about owls and try to find one in our woods. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Lantern Hike
2026-01-28 18:00 - 19:00 | 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.)

Tots on Trails
2026-01-29 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.

Try It! Archery
2026-01-29 16:00 - 17:30 | 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+.

Campfire Cooking
2026-01-30 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

Wildlife Watch Night
2026-01-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Visit the Nature Center after hours to see what wildlife visit the feeders for an evening snack in the dark.

I-Spy the Night Sky
2026-01-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us as we appreciate the night sky! We will have fun games and activities for kids to help them learn about the night sky in fun and engaging ways. There will also be great information for adults as well! No astronomy knowledge is necessary!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the lawn in front of the Lakeside Pavilion (behind the flagpole). We cannot guarantee a clear sky, but there will be fun activities!

Owl Prowl
2026-01-31 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.
