Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

For Adults 50+: Woodpecker Wander
2025-11-01 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy a fun hike centered around wonderful woodpeckers and how important they are! We will hike the Red Oak Trail (approximately 0.8 miles) and look for woodpeckers and their habitats!
Binoculars will be provided. Please wear layers and comfortable shoes.
The trail is not paved and contains a mix of gravel and dirt.
This program is geared for ages 50 and up. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

For Adults 50+: Walk the Dog
2025-11-01 10:30 - 12:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 2.5-mile walk with your leashed canine friend on the easy Kestrel and Monarch trails.
Meet at the Park Office at 6723 Lithopolis Road, Groveport, Oh 43125.

Saturday Sketch
2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Get in touch with your artistic side! Learn about nature journaling and how to draw some of the animals you might find in the parks. All skill levels welcome. Ages 10+.

A Stitch in Time
2025-11-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm at the farmhouse
All ages
Watch or help as we mend, do handiwork, and use the treadle sewing machine.

Early Evening Wildlife Walk
2025-11-01 17:30 - 18:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll walk a park trail to look for creatures like deer, owls and more. Plan on being patient and quiet to have the best chance of observing wildlife on this 1-mile walk. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Ohio Day
2025-11-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Visit the Nature Center to learn about Ohio native animals and meet some animal ambassadors.

National Bison Day
2025-11-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Celebrate our national mammal with us! We will have a guided hike to the bison at 2pm, and will have staff out with activities and props from 1-3pm.

5-Mile Alum Creek Greenway Hike
2025-11-02 13:30 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Let’s enjoy autumn with an almost 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway. We’ll get some exercise and make an occasional stop for water or if we see anything interesting. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Three Creeks Heron Pond Area bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd.

Meet Children’s Author & Help Wildlife!
2025-11-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join Ohio book author Jess Leibson as she reads part of her new children’s chapter book Kit the Keystone. Learn about a fictional beaver and real conservation actions we can all do to help protect wildlife. Afterwards we will head outside to plant native wildflowers to help the park’s wildlife in the spring. Wear old clothes and be prepared to walk off trail.
Book description: “When Kit the tiny baby beaver is born, they soon discover that they are incredibly special. Kit is a keystone species, who can create spaces for other animals to live in and thrive. But Kit’s peaceful life at Stillwater Pond takes a dramatic turn when a new plant takes over, causing Kit to embark on an epic keystone adventure.”
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.

For Adults 50+: Off The Beaten Path - Hike To The Apple Barn
2025-11-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Chestnut Ridge, 8445 Winchester Rd NW, Carroll, OH, 43112, United States
Take a moderate 3-mile hike on and off trail to visit the old apple barn and learn a little history of the area on the way. We’ll also sample heirloom apples and treats made from them.
Meet at the first parking lot on the right.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-11-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Quarry Trails Metro Park during this week’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 Lakes Area parking lot. Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr.

Toddler Tuesday: Hi-BEAR-nation
2025-11-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Snuggle up and get ready for winter with us! We are learning all about hibernation with the book The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. Enjoy snacks and crafts with us that help us learn how to get ready for hibernation!
This program is geared towards ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Preschool: Storybook Trail
2025-11-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Preschoolers can take a guided walk down our Storybook Trail. Along the way we will read the book and play some fun games. Trail is suitable for strollers.

Drop In: Animal Signs
2025-11-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Drop in to the nature center anytime between 11-1 to learn about clues our wildlife leave behind in the forest . Our wild friends might leave behind tracks, chew marks, nests, scales, fur, or feathers! Learn about the signs animals leave behind and how to decipher them. Includes both indoor and outdoor activities. Come try out your new detective skills! Ages 3+.
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.

Full Beaver Super Moon Hike
2025-11-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a brisk 4-mile hike through forests and fields. Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Drive.

Lantern Hike
2025-11-04 17:30 - 18:30 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
No Registration Required! Join us for a staff led lantern hike through the Tall Pines area of Walnut Woods Metro park. Limited Number of jar lanterns will be available at a first come first served basis, bring a flashlight or headlamp for extra light!

Beaver Moon Hike
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate the November full moon on this 2-mile hike.

Preschool: Woollybears
2025-11-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a story and craft to learn about woollybear caterpillars and how they survive the winter. Then take a walk in search of these fuzzy friends as they prepare for the cold.

Homeschoolers: Get Ready For Winter Walk
2025-11-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join a 1-mile walk to learn the science behind migration, hibernation and adaptation – all ways animals survive winter. Strollers are not suitable for this walk. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Homeschool: Fort Ancient Hike
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1-mile walk to the Fort Ancient Mound, learn a little about life for the Fort Ancient people, and throw an atlatl spear and more during this historic experience. Best for ages 6-12. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Fast-Paced Full Moon Hike
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adults can take a fast-paced hike through the nighttime forest. Not suitable for strollers or slow walkers.

For Adults 50+: Autumn Hike
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Join us for a staff-led hike throughout the beautiful Slate Run Metro Park! Meet at Buzzards Roost picnic area. Terrain is hilly, and composed of gravel, hiking boots are recommend.

Homeschool: Compass Class
2025-11-06 11:00 - 12:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Homeschoolers can learn how to use a compass and navigate in the woods. If you have a compass please feel free to bing it along!

Try It! Archery
2025-11-06 16:30 - 18:00 | 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+.

Night Hike
2025-11-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for a hike after dark at Scioto Grove Metro Park! The hike will be approx. 2-miles. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic area.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hike
2025-11-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 miles on natural and gravel surface trails; moderate pace; stairs and hills.

Autumn Archery
2025-11-07 15:00 - 16:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
