Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Older Homeschoolers: Skull Study
2025-10-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-14 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about mammals, their skulls, and learn how to use a dichotomous key to identify them.

Preschool: Autumn Apples
2025-10-14 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-10-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Preschoolers can learn about this yummy fall fruit through age-appropriate science experiments, games, and a craft. Kids will be able to taste test locally grown apples.

Carve A Pumpkin For The Park
2025-10-14 15:30 - 18:00, 2025-10-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We need your help! Stop by and carve a pumpkin or two for our October 17th “Pumpkin Walk Around The Pond.” We’ll provide the pumpkins and have some carving tools but feel free to bring your own. All pumpkins will remain at the park and will be composted by an area farmer after the Friday walk. Meets at Confluence Area shelter, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Foothills Hike
2025-10-14 17:30 - 18:30 | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Join us for a hike at the foothills of the Appalachia, Chestnut Ridge Metro Park!! This hike will have steep terrain, hiking boots are recommended. We will hike for approx. 2.5 miles. Meet at the first parking lot to the right after entering Chestnut Ridge.

Preschool: Oaks and Acorns
2025-10-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Come learn about the amazing oak tree and the acorns they leave everywhere! We will read a story, enjoy fun activities, and go on a short hike to find oak trees!
This program is geared for ages 3-6. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Metro Parks Hiking Club Fitness Hike
2025-10-15 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.

Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
2025-10-15 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
Join us at the inclusive playground shelter house for a story about pumpkins!! We will use our senses to explore pumpkins and then end with a pumpkin craft!
*Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families

Barktoberfest
2025-10-16 16:30 - 19:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Fun for you and your canine best friend! Costume contest registration from 4:30-6; judging and parade at 6:15. Prizes awarded! Food trucks! Also accepting donations of puppy/kitten Food, cat litter, & any large non-fabric dog toys for the local shelter.

Candlelit Yoga
2025-10-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a relaxing evening of yoga by candlelight at Scioto Grove Metro Park. We will be inside at The Grove lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park. Free and fun for all levels! Bring your own mat

Costume Lantern Hike!
2025-10-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
No Registration Required! Enjoy a lantern illuminated hike through the Tall Pines area at Walnut Woods Metro Park! Wear your best costume and plan to hike approx. 2 miles! Use address 6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport.

Storytime
2025-10-17 10:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun with early literacy in the park! These 30-40min programs are aimed at kids 2-5yrs. Children and their grownups will enjoy books, rhymes, songs and fun while arousing curiosity about the natural world.

Big Birds
2025-10-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s fly around the Nature Center to talk about the bigger birds like the owls, hawks and herons that we have on display!

For Adults: Fall Color Walk
2025-10-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about how trees change colors and some basic tree identification this half-mile hike.

Ghost Stories and S'mores
2025-10-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us around the fire at Quarry Trails Metro Park to enjoy a delicious s’more, and hear a ghost story or two! Meet at the lower Sled Hill parking lot. Free and fun!

Pumpkin Walk Around The Pond
2025-10-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take an easy 1/2 mile walk around Turtle Pond to look at the pumpkins and pick up treats at stops along the way. Costume wearing is encouraged! Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

RidgeFest
2025-10-18 12:00 - 16:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Celebrate the season with our annual fall festival, RidgeFest! We have partnered with local organizations to celebrate the uniqueness of Glacier Ridge. Join us for a fun day filled with games, hay rides, and much more!
Enjoy food from Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, Grater’s Ice Cream, and Cupzilla!
This festival is geared for all ages. Please follow signs for parking.

Weird, Wild, and Whimsical: Victorian Trade Cards
2025-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins directly at 1pm with a short introduction till 1:30 pm.
Followed by a display that will be up till 3 pm.
Meet behind the Farmhouse.
Join us for a journey into the world of Victorian trade cards, which were a primary source of advertising from the early 1800s into the early 1900s. Check out a display of original and reproduction trade cards of the 1880s.

Fireside Learning: Animal Adaptations
2025-10-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Huddle around the fire and learn how different animals are going to stay warm throughout the winter! Meet at the Nature Center Overflow Parking.

Zombie Archery!
2025-10-18 14:30 - 16:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment provided. Ages 8+.

Spiders!
2025-10-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about spiders and go on a short hike to spot as many as we can. Hike will be about 1 mile with multiple stops on paved and dirt trails. Bring a flashlight or headlamp if you have one. All ages.
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.

(Not so) Spooky Hike
2025-10-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Explore the fall forest and learn about some animals that are associated with Halloween on this half-mile hike. Discover facts that reveal these animals aren’t so “spooky” after all.

Meet the Artists
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artists from Blendon Senior Center and view their artwork on display in the Innis House.

Autumn Leaf Art
2025-10-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Create beautiful temporary works of art using only natural fallen leaves. Meet at the Natural Play Area.

50+ Fall Foliage Hike
2025-10-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Enjoy the beauty of fall and the leaves changing color at Slate Run Metro Park! Hike will be approx. 1.4 miles long over hilly terrain. Hiking boots recommended. Meet at the Buzzard’s Roost parking area.

Night Hike
2025-10-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forests and prairies under the starlight. Meet at the Indian Ridge Picnic Area, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.
