Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Fall Equinox Hike
2023-09-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate the first day of fall on a 4-mile backcountry hike. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Be prepared for elevation gain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

Backpacking Series: Week #1
2023-09-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. Meet at Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
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.

Glacier Ridge Turns 21!
2023-09-23 15:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Come to Glacier Ridge for an afternoon of fall-themed birthday fun!

Welcome to Fall Event
2023-09-23 17:00 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join us for a fun family event to celebrate the first day of fall! Enjoy hayrides, campfires & marshmallows, scavenger hunts, and other outdoor activities. Stay afterwards and enjoy the outdoor movie “Minions: Rise of Gru” starting at dark (approx 8:15pm). All ages. FREE!
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area is located 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.

Movie Night! Rise of Gru
2023-09-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Bring a chair and join us for a movie night at your favorite Metro Parks! All events are free and start at dusk.

Terrific Native Trees
2023-09-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us on a walk as we discuss the identifying features and value of Ohio’s native trees.

Backpacking Series: Week 2 Water Sources, Treatment, and Storage
2023-09-25 18:00 - 19:30, 2023-09-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week. Meet at Arrowhead Picnic area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
Week 2: Water Sources, Treatment, and Storage- One of the most important considerations for backpacking is where you will get clean, drinkable water. We will cover all of the important information you need to keep yourself hydrated and healthy on the trail. Participants will have the opportunity to practice treating water. We will provide a few filtering devices to share, however you are encouraged to bring your own treatment system so that you can practice on the tools you’ll actually be using once you hit the trail. Gear will be provided for demonstration purposes, but you are highly encouraged to bring your own gear to improve your hands-on experience. The overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Meet at Arrowhead picnic area unless otherwise stated.

Wine & Canvas
2023-09-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us for an evening of painting. Follow along with step by step instructions to paint a view into the miniature world beneath our feet. All materials will be provided. Wine and beer will be available for purchase with debit or credit card.

Try It! Archery
2023-09-29 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-10-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy free and fun archery at the range! All equipment and instruction are provided. Open to ages 8+. Meet at the archery range at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Spider Eyes
2023-09-29 20:00 - 21:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Go “diamond hunting” and discover how many spiders are watching you! Bring a flashlight or headlamp.

Darby Creek Day
2023-09-30 13:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Celebrate everything that makes our creek great! Talk to many of our partnered organizations for tables of fun. Enjoy music, archery, crafts, meet live animals and splash in the creek. All activities (except the food trucks) are free! Meet us at the Indian Ridge Picnic Area, 2705 Darby Creek Dr, or check out our Facebook page for more information.

Critters and Jitters Campfire
2023-10-01 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Sit around the campfire and learn about the critters that give some people jitters. Live animals included.

Backpacking Series: Week 3 Fuel and Fire
2023-10-02 18:00 - 19:30, 2023-10-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end! Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class. Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week 3: We will talk about the pros and cons of various types of backpacking stoves, how much fuel to bring, field maintenance and safety. We will also cover how to minimize campfire impacts, make our own fire starters, and practice building a fire following Leave No Trace principles. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

After School Archery
2023-10-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take aim at fall themed targets and learn a new skill – archery. Equipment and basic instruction provided.

6-Mile Hike On The Greenway
2023-10-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Get your day off to a good start with 6-mile walk along the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail. We’ll make a few stops along the way but will mostly be walking steadily. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meet at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Forest Bathing
2023-10-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist in some good ol’ nature therapy! Feel free to bring something to sit on that’s easy to carry as we take a short hike and practice some quiet, stress-relieving techniques surrounded by trees. Meet at the Nature Center, best for ages 7+.

Autumn Harvest Time
2023-10-07 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-10-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm
All ages
Help with seasonal activities as the farm prepares for winter.

Geology Hike
2023-10-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join Ohio Geological Survey geologist Mohammad Fakhari on a geologic tour of Blendon Woods Metro
Park. Attendees will learn about the formation of unique geological features of the park. Program will be
cancelled in the case of inclement weather. The program is free and open to all ages. Recommended for participants 14+ due to complex nature of the material covered.
Participants should dress appropriately for this outdoor event; waterproof shoes are recommended. Meet near the natural play area.

Get Ready For Fall Nature Hike
2023-10-08 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll go on a 2-mile or so walk with plenty of stops along the way to discover what the park’s animals and plants are doing to prepare for winter. Great for adults and kids. Meet at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Archery Experience
2023-10-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Ages 8+. Learn how to shoot a bow to defend the park against the spooky invasion of zombies and pumpkins.

Hike & Canoe
2023-10-09 16:00 - 19:00, 2023-10-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take in the colors of fall on a hike and canoe trip. Total hiking distance to and from Lake Emily will be 3-miles. Registration is required to participate. Follow this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/2s43jzzr

Backpacking Series: Week 4 Food
2023-10-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 7-week long series of interactive classes designed as an introduction to backpacking, building up to an overnight trip at the end!
Attendance at all classes is NOT required – however the overnight trip will only be open to those who attend at least one class.
**Each weeks topic will have two dates to choose from in that week so participants can pick the day that works best for them to attend, you don’t need to attend both dates in the week.
Week #4: Food, Calories, Weight, Cooking, Storage, LNT-Waste disposal – Come learn the basic principles behind meal planning while backpacking. We will work together to dish up some tasty food perfect for the trail. Then we will practice Leave No Trace Principles and practice hanging a bear bag.
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Season of the Harvest Yoga
2023-10-10 18:30 - 19:15 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy the changing seasons during this slow yoga flow at Scioto Grove Metro Park! The class will take place at The Grove facility. Weather permitting yoga will take place on the deck. In the case of poor weather the class will take place indoors. Free and fun!

Ghost Stories and S'mores
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Share some of your favorite spooky stories, and learn some new ones while you enjoy s’mores at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter fire ring! Free and fun, all supplies provided!

Spooky Fireside Chat
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Enjoy spooky stories and some Inniswood history around a campfire.
