Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2024-03-09 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about our national bird then go on a 1.5 mile roundtrip walk to observe them in the nest. Wear shoes and clothes suitable for mud. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meets at Madison Christian Church parking lot, 3565 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Signs of Spring
2024-03-09 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 1.25-mile hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve and search for early signs of spring.

Naturalist March
2024-03-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Join the new Homestead naturalist on a short hike through the park to find wildlife, tracks, and signs of spring. The naturalist will take small groups around the park in shifts. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

Bluebell Trail Clean-Up
2024-03-10 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
It’s time to clean up the floodplain along and adjacent to the Bluebell Trail. Meet at the Confluence Area bulletin board (3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport). Bring work gloves, wear shoes or boots for mud and bring trash grabbers if you have them. We’ll supply the trash bags. No pets, please. In case of flooding program will not be held. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Amphibian Search
2024-03-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 mi on and off trail to look for early spring amphibians.

Growing Dahlias
2024-03-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn how to start and maintain your dahlia tubers with members of the Greater
Columbus Dahlia Society.

Sunset Hike
2024-03-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 2-mile hike to watch the sunset of Blacklick Woods and look for colorful things you can find during the winter. Leashed pets are welcome on this hike.

For Adults: Archery
2024-03-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
For Adults: Archery. Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park and learn to use a compound bow at the Archery Range. Free, all equipment and instruction provided.

Try It! Archery
2024-03-11 14:00 - 15:00 | 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 provided. Recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to try with parental supervision.

Homeschoolers: All About Eagles
2024-03-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-12 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.

Intro To Trail Running
2024-03-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
This program will be centered around Trail Running! From beginners to experienced runners, all are welcome!! Join us for a staff led program including trail running through Scioto Grove Metro Park. This program will cover trail running basics as well as a run/jog on the trails. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter.

Ladies - Fly Fishing 101
2024-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Learn how to fly fish with other adventure ladies at Quarry Trails Metro Park! All equipment and instruction is provided for this program Learn the basics of fly fishing, and then fish on the lake with an instructor! Meet at Lakes Area Parking Lot: 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus, OH

Pie Iron Pi Day
2024-03-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the Nature Center and enjoy Pi Day with a pie made in a campfire.

Orienteering for Kids
2024-03-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Come out and learn the basics of orienteering at Glacier Ridge Metro Park! This class is perfect for children who want to learn how to read a compass and map! Meet at the Shelter House at Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

Birding 100 Acre Wood
2024-03-16 09:00 - 10:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Follow the 1.5 mi natural surface trail out to the eagle nest viewing area. We will hike slowly to look for birds along the way. Prepare for mud! Meet at 5220 Cambria Way

Happy Tails-n-Trails
2024-03-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Bring your canine companion for a 2-mile hike followed by a doggie treat. Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

For Adults 50+: Wild Bees in Your Ohio Backyard
2024-03-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Ohio is home to over 500 species of bees and other pollinators, but most people don’t recognize the identity or importance of these hard-working creatures. Join Denise Ellsworth, Program Director of Pollinator Education at OSU Entomology/Extension, as we focus on common Ohio bees, including their fascinating biology and life histories. We’ll look at some of the amazing pollinators that call Ohio home and discuss ways to plant and tend gardens and natural spaces to favor pollinators.
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge

Drop In: Leprechaun (and more) Trail for Families
2024-03-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Hike on your own along a short trail (1/4-mile) around the nature center looking for hidden leprechauns, shamrocks and other St. Patrick’s day items on a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts will be posted at the beginning of the trail and paper copies are available in the nature center. Stop inside nature center after your hike for a small prize. If the nature center parking lot is full, try playing on the playgrounds in Big Meadows and Oak Coves for a little bit before joining us. All ages.
Meeting location notes- Nature Center
Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. ***Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak coves toward the nature center. “

Pokémon Go! Community Day Hike
2024-03-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy playing Pokémon Go at Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Meet staff members at the Shelter House at Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

For Adults 50+: Duck, Duck, Eagle
2024-03-16 16:00 - 17:30 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
As winter comes to a close, 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

Lookin' for Leprechauns
2024-03-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Who’s ready for a great game of leprechaun hide-and-seek? Find one of the 100 leprechauns we’ve hidden throughout the park’s picnic areas, and return it to the Naturalist Office between 12-4pm for a prize!

St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt
2024-03-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by doing a festive scavenger hunt! We will have fun prizes, a craft, and loads of excitement! Meet at the barn shelter to get started.

Mushroom March Madness
2024-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Crazy for basketball? Get crazy for fungi! From brackets to “seeds”, join a naturalist and learn all about these amazing decomposers.

Hike Behind the Lake
2024-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 1.5 mi on natural surface trails through the Walden Waterfowl Refuge. Prepare for mud!

Hidden in Plain Sight
2024-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about camouflage through a story and games, then become an expert at Leprechaun hide-and-seek through a lucky craft! Ages 5+.

Starting Seeds
2024-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Get your garden growing! Join us to learn the basics to successfully start seeds indoors. We will provide the opportunity to start seeds to take home with you.

Intro to Slackline
2024-03-18 11:30 - 13:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for Intro to Slackline! Slackline, very similar to a tightrope, is a section of webbing pulled taut and supported by two anchors. Feel free to stop by and try it out, as well as ask any questions regarding safety and technique! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area

Deep Dive into Vernal Pools
2024-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Come learn about these precious pools and the secrets they hide inside while meeting some of the animals that live there! Meet at the Honda Wetland Education Area (1 mile south of Glacier Ridge main entrance)
