Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Summer Fungi
2024-06-10 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Bring the family to learn about mushrooms and search the trails for fungi on this 1.25-mile hike.

For Kids: All About Bats
2024-06-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-06-11 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the world’s wonderful bats through activities and stories. Suitable for pre-school and school-age children. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Summer Children's Programs: Runners
2024-06-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-11 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-06-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-12 13:00 - 14:30 | OH
Discover some of Ohio’s best runners and what gets them on the move. Participate in activities to learn more about these speedy animals. Geared for ages 8 and younger.

Try it! Archery
2024-06-11 17:00 - 18:30 | 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+.

Preschoolers: Froggy Frenzy
2024-06-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-06-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about frogs and their fascinating life cycle through stories, activities and crafts.

Wetland Safari
2024-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Calling all explorers! Join us for a discovery walk on the wetlands boardwalk! We will be looking for animals above the water and below!
This program is geared for ages 6-9. Meet at the Wetland Education Building (2 miles south of the main entrance), rain or shine!

Sunset SUP and S'mores
2024-06-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Come out and enjoy the sunset on a Stand Up Paddle Board and enjoy a little sweet treat! SUPs are for ages 10+, both inflatable and hard paddle bards will be available to use, first come first served!
Free instruction, equipment and life jackets provided
Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes (Prairie Oaks Metro Park)
2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 4

Puzzles, Pleasures, and Pastimes
2024-06-15 10:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 10 am- 3pm
Try games, riddles, and activities that Victorian families did for fun and relaxation.

Try it! Kayaking
2024-06-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-19 14:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed time and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for participants of all ages, with an adult, on a first come first serve basis. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several park entrances-
* The closest parking lot to the paddling launch area is off of Trabue Road. The address is 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. This is a newly opened entrance. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

For Kids: Butterflies
2024-06-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn all about butterflies and use a net to catch them. Ages 5 and up.

Twilight Hike
2024-06-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
What creatures emerge in the evening, and why? We’ll go on a hike to learn about and look for crepuscular critters. Hike will be about 2 miles on unimproved trail. Trail may be muddy and rugged in spots. Expect hills. Program will end at 9:45pm, park closes at 10pm.
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.

Family Creeking
2024-06-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Explore the Olentangy River to look for some of the animals that live there. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes required in the river for your safety. Please no flip flops or crocs. Limited supply of buckets and nets. All animals will be released back into the river at the end of the program. Don’t forget a towel and complete a change of clothes to dry off after the program.

Fathers’ Day Event
2024-06-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
How did the celebrity dad stay cool on Father’s Day? Because he had so many fans! Be your dad’s biggest fan this Fathers’ Day and celebrate with us as we go fishing and make some fun crafts.
This program is for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

I-Spy
2024-06-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Test your observation skills with this fun, fully accessible game along the paved lake trail.

Meet the Artist: Patty Sykes
2024-06-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Patty Sykes, and view her artwork on display in the Innis House.

Father's Day Fishing
2024-06-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet in the Kingfisher Shelter use the address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228.
Come and go fishing. Bait and a limited number of poles are provided. You may bring your own!

Talking With Fireflies
2024-06-16 21:00 - 22:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1-mile hike and learn how fireflies communicate with one another. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Meet the Animals
2024-06-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Meet some of the reptiles and amphibians that live in the park. 45 minute, outdoor presentation with live animals. Meet in the hammock nook, on the left-hand side before you reach the Nature Center. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

Nature Kids: Who's Under Where?
2024-06-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a half-mile hike of searching under rocks and logs to find worms, salamanders, spiders and other critters.

Summer Children's Programs: Flyers
2024-06-18 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-18 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-06-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover the plants and animals that take flight in the gardens. Participate in activities to learn more about these garden flyers. Geared for ages 8 and younger.

Morning SUP
2024-06-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy the lovely morning air from a Stand Up Paddle Board on the Lake! SUPs are first come, first served, ages 10+. All equipment, life jackets and instruction provided. Come out to this free and fun program!!
Darby Bend Lakes, Prairie Oaks Metro Park Lake 1
2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026
