Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Summer Children’s Programs: Cardinals
2025-06-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Calling all cardinal lovers! Discover what’s to love about this familiar feathered friend.

Toddler Tram: What’s Out There?
2025-06-03 10:00 - 14:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Hop aboard the electric tram as we ride along the trails of Glacier Ridge Metro Park! We will be on the lookout for the different plants and animals that live at Glacier RIdge while highlighting some of its natural beauty and history!
We will have rides at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. The tram seats approximately 18-20 bodies, so it will be first come first served!
This program is geared for ages 2-4, but all are welcome to attend! We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flag pole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Fairy House Building
2025-06-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Flutter into Blacklick Woods to build a fairy house or a toad abode. Dressing up as your favorite fairy or mythical creature is encouraged!

Evening Kayaking
2025-06-03 16:00 - 20:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
First come first served, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for participants of all ages, with an adult, on a first come first served basis. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
*Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances! Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH for the closest parking lot to the paddling launch area.* Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Try it! Archery
2025-06-03 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-06-07 14:00 - 15:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park and try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction is provided. Recommended for Ages 8+.

Preschool + Tram Rides
2025-06-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun on a tram ride aimed at our youngest visitors and their caregivers. Rides at 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-06-04 14:00 - 18:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and try stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking for free at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes. SUPs and Solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-kayaks have a 275Ibs limit. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come, first served. Equipment and instruction are provided.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-06-06 10:00 - 11:30 | 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.

Bug Bonanza
2025-06-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Drop by the Nature Center Overflow Parking Lot to search for all sorts of insects in our prairies! Nets provided.

Yappy Hour Presents: SUP with your Pup
2025-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a day of dogs, beer, food, and standup paddle boarding at Quarry Trails Metro Park!! Standup paddle boards, and tandem kayaks will be available first come first serve. Human and dog life jackets provided! Meet at the lakes area at Quarry Trails Metro Park!

A Little Sunshine
2025-06-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
If you spend all day in an office working, join us for an after work guided walk relaxing in nature to stretch out those legs and enjoy the quiet of a peaceful park. Meet at the Little Darby Picnic Area for a 3-mile hike.

Bobber Bandits
2025-06-07 08:00 - 10:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
The early fish gets the worm! We’ll have fishing poles and bait for anyone interested in meeting at Pleasant Valley for some fishing! 9020 US Route 62, Orient OH.

Family Tram Rides
2025-06-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hop on the Metro Parks tram for a 30-minute narrated tour of the park. The tram departs from the Nature Center and last picks up at 12 p.m on June 7th, and 6 p.m. on June 22.

Dairy Bingo
2025-06-07 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Find the answers to the questions to complete your Dairy Bingo card. Take a look at our rare heritage shorthorn cattle.

Evening Garden Stroll
2025-06-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Look for plants and animals on an evening stroll through the Gardens. Plus, visit our seasonal garden beds planted with the theme: “Fables & Fairytales.”

Lantern Hike
2025-06-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a 3-mile evening hike to Green Mansions, roast s’mores over a campfire and learn about nocturnal animals found at Clear Creek. Lanterns will be provided for the return hike. Mileage is round trip. Meet at the Park Office, 185 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster (39.594057, -82.622219).

For Kids, Drop In: Bug Hunt!
2025-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Use nets, magnifying glasses, and bug jars to explore the incredible world of insects with a naturalist! Some nets and jars will be provided, feel free to bring your own. Ages 2-12.
Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

Insect Safari
2025-06-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
What’s the BUZZing by your ear or LEAPing over your feet?! Come join us as we learn about the native insects of Ohio, enjoy fun activities, and look for some insects throughout the park!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Meet the Artist: Anna Rose
2025-06-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Anna Rose, and view her artwork on display in the Innis House.

What's in the Water
2025-06-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and take a 1 mile hike to learn what is in the water at Quarry Trails.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive and follow the road back to the Lake area parking lot

Evening Tram Ride
2025-06-08 19:00 - 19:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hop on board the tram for a 30 min narrated tour of the park. Tram boards at the Nature Center.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-06-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park during this month’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 Tall Pines Area of Walnut Woods.

Preschool: Bug Hunt
2025-06-09 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Preschoolers can learn about the bugs that live in our park through storytime & and bug safari. Closed toed shoes and bug spray recommended.

Introductory Tai Chi
2025-06-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join instructor, Midge Krause, for an introductory tai chi class. This program is geared for adults, children may participate with adult supervision.
