Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Spring Craft
2025-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Stop in at the Lobby at the Park Office to make a spring craft!
Use address 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway towards the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the lobby will be on your left. The Lobby is open 9am-7pm.

Backpacking Series: Week 5- Prep, Safety and Outdoor Ethics
2025-04-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a 6-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 #5: Prep, Safety and Outdoor Ethics. We will learn how to minimize the impact to our environment during this class, and will prepare for our upcoming overnight trip! Plan for a short hike during this class
Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Sheep on the Farm
2025-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Watch sheep shearing, meet the lambs, and learn about the uses of wool.

City Nature Challenge
2025-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us as we search for amazing things! The City Nature Challenge is a worldwide event that has been running for 10 years. Columbus will compete with other cities to see who can find the most species. Download the iNaturalist app if you would like to add your own observations to the project.

Cowboy Campfire Coffee!
2025-04-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Howdy Y’all! Come out to the Lower Sled Hill at Quarry Trails Metro Park to learn how to make Cowboy style Campfire Coffee! All ingredients and equipment will be supplied, feel free to bring your own reusable mug or cup and fill it up with some warm and toasty fire brewed coffee

Dandelion Day
2025-04-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us the learn about this misunderstood wildflower! Sample food made from Dandelions, make a themed craft, and celebrate this introduced beauty.

Flower Power at 100 Acre Wood
2025-04-27 12:30 - 13:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Enjoy a stroll through an old-growth forest and look for spring wildflowers. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Crochet Club: Frogs
2025-04-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Are you a crocheter who enjoys the outdoors and wants to make new friends? Have you always wanted to learn how to crochet with cool nature people? Well we have just the club for you! The Crochet Club will meet monthly to discuss various aspects of nature, share tips, soak up vitamin D, and provide supplies to make a free pattern!
This month we are talking about frogs! We will learn what kinds of frogs that inhabit the park while possibly listening to them sing. A free frog pattern will be provided as well as instructions if needed.
All ages and experiences are welcome! Hooks, yarn, and patterns will be supplied.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!
**Please note: This is an all ages event. Depending on need, we may offer Kid’s Crochet Club specific programs in the future!

Eagle Hike
2025-04-27 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us on Sundays in March to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100 Acre Woods. Hike 1.5 mi. on a flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

Pokémon Go Hike!
2025-04-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
No Registration Required! Enjoy hiking around with Metro Parks staff and looking for Pokémon during our Pokémon Go Hike at Blendon Woods Metro Park! We recommend you download the app prior to the program. Meet by the Ranger Station (first parking lot when you enter the park).

Children's Garden Day
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for an afternoon of fun in the children’s garden with a variety of hands-on activities that are all about birds. Plus visit with baby animals and staff from Slate Run Farm.

Try It! Archery
2025-04-28 15:30 - 17:00 | 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.

Spring Into Yoga
2025-04-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Celebrate the start of Spring with a relaxing yoga class at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Yoga will be at The Grove lodge. We will be outside on the deck, weather permitting, and inside in the case of rain. Bring your own mat! Free and fun!

Backpacking Series: Week 6 - Shakedown Hike
2025-04-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Are you wanting to learn more about backpacking? Join us for a 6-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
This week we will be going on a backpacking preparation hike! Expect the hike to be approx. a mile in length. Bring a pack and equipment to test your strength and endurance on the trail in a real life backpacking senario! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

For Adults: Warbler Wander
2025-04-30 08:30 - 10:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist as we look for migrating warblers on trails around the nature center. Hike will be close to one mile with many stops. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them; some will be available to borrow. Ages 18+
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.

COSI Science Festival - Fantastic Fungi
2025-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Be a scientist! Learn to use iNaturalist to record scientific observations and then set out on a 1.25-mile hike to observe, identify and record mushrooms and other fungi around Blacklick Woods.

COSI Science Fest: Plant & Animal Exploration at Slate Run Metro Park
2025-05-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Join COSI and Metro Parks for this hands on experience. Become a scientist by helping us record species in the park! We will look high and low for plants and animals, from treetops to under rocks in the creek. Dress for the weather and wear footwear that can go for a 1.5-mile walk, go off-trail some, and maybe even get wet!
Program begins at 6:30pm with a quick intro. Running a few minutes late? Hike down the Five Oaks trail and you should find us. We hope to be actively recording species on- and off-trail until 8:30pm.
Download iNaturalist ahead of time if you plan on using that platform (cell service is spotty at Slate Run Metro Park.) Program is for all ages!

Migration Mania
2025-05-02 08:00 - 09:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1.5-mile accessible bird hike to look for some spring songbirds. All experience levels welcome. Trail is crushed gravel and paved. Ages 8+. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hikes
2025-05-02 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.

Sprout A Buzz with COSI
2025-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join us to learn about and catch interesting insects, and the trees and plants that host them. COSI will be joining us for this fun science excursion! Take home a free tree to plant, or help us plant it in the park! Help us list some of the insects found in our park for others to find on their next visit! Meet by the Nature Center, 1415 Darby Creek Dr. Bug catching equipment provided.

For Adults 50+: Outdoor Adventure Day
2025-05-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Bring lunch and something to drink and join us for a fun-filled day of archery, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. All equipment is provided.
Meet at Darby Bend Lakes at the first shelter on your right at 2755 Amity Rd., Hilliard

Adventure at the Lake with Brave Wilderness
2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join the Brave Wilderness team for a Blendon Bioblitz as we search for wildlife around Thoreau Lake. Download iNaturalist before you come to help contribute to the data. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy.

Guided Nature Hike with COSI
2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join the naturalist for a fun and interactive citizen science program! Using iNaturalist, we’ll observe Glacier Ridge’s biodiversity on a guided hike. We will be partnering with COSI for this experience as part of the COSI Science Fest!
Please dress for hiking – pants, closed toed shoes, tick repellent.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine.

Birding And Breakfast
2025-05-03 08:00 - 10:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for a potluck breakfast at the picnic shelter then go bird watching after. Beginners to experts are welcome to participate and we’ll have some loaner binoculars available. If you are able, please bring a breakfast dish to share with the group. If you’ve never done birding and breakfast before, it’s great fun! Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area picnic shelter, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport

Spring Plant Sale
2025-05-03 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-04 08:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Purchase plants for your garden. A selection of perennial plants and herbs for sale. Must-have natives, new varieties and old favorites. Best selection available on Saturday. Sponsored by The Inniswood Volunteers, Inc. and the Herb Society of America, Central Ohio Unit.

Spring Migration Bird Hike
2025-05-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the trails for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more on this 1.25-mile guided hike.

Central Ohio Folk Festival
2025-05-03 10:30 - 18:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Two day event celebrating folk music!
More info at:https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/festival.html
Saturday May 3
1030-6pm Festival & activities
7-930pm- Richard Shindell
A two day family-friendly festival featuring multiple performing stages presenting an array of upbeat folk/roots/Americana music, kids’ & youth programming, and 30+ music workshops (all levels).
Festival highlights:
35 performances on 3 stages featuring an invigorating mix of folk/roots/Americana music. Attendees will experience a sweeping range of genres — from singer-songwriter, old-time, bluegrass, blues, Irish, Celtic, and Americana, to neo-country, progressive stringband, reggae, and even an improv jam band featuring some of the festival artists. In typical folk style, the songs and lyrical themes often reflect the struggles and triumphs of everyday people.
A giant folk music sing-along will open the festival at 11 am Saturday with a focus on songs by well known folk heroes (think John Prine, Bob Marley, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan), plus a poignant song circle will close the fest on Sunday.
30+ music workshops covering all levels. Just a few topic examples: songwriting, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. There are even beginner workshops with loaner instruments available.
Our Youth Folk Tent serves kids and youth with music, storytelling, and workshops. Workshop offerings include making a drum out of wooden box frames (and using them)!
The festival also features an “Instrument Petting Zoo” — an in-demand favorite — where children can try out various folk instruments. There are also hands-on arts and crafts for kids. Plus…festival mascot Darby Duck will be on hand to charm the young and young-at-heart.
2 drum circles where everyone, young and old alike, is invited to pound on a drum or other rhythm instrument to a mesmerizing beat.
Ongoing open jam tents, each with a different thrust: bluegrass, old-time, folk-mix, pure song, and one dedicated to encouraging the beginner.
Sunday opens with an 11 am performance by Mark Hunter (aka C LA C I), known and acclaimed locally as the lead singer for The Ark Band. He’ll be bringing everyone together at the festival’s “Songs of the Spirit” slot, presenting acoustic roots storytelling music — reggae style.
The festival offers a festival store, beer gardens featuring Nocterra craft beer, and food trucks on site.
The variety of choices is mind-blowing! Saturday and Sunday afternoons, at any one time, festival-goers will have their choice of attending any one of more than a dozen different activities: a true embarrassment of riches! So many choices, so little time!
Produced by –– The Columbus Folk Music Society in cooperation with The Metro Parks. Co-sponsored by WCBE 90.5 FM
Meeting location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area Big Meadows picnic area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.

Heirloom Gardening
2025-05-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm.
Learn about the preservation of antique plant varieties and help plant the garden, weather permitting.
