Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Preschool: Flowers
2026-04-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about flowers through story, activities, and craft. Program best for ages 3-5 and will be both indoors and outdoors.

Dating Darters
2026-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Discover how colorful our small fish can get as we do our own dance in the water to catch some darters during their breeding season. Closed toed shoes required. 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Warbler Wander
2026-04-25 08:00 - 09:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Hike portions of the Coyote Run and Multi-Use trails while searching for warblers. Hike will be about 1.5 miles with many stops. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them, some will be available to borrow. 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.

For Adults: Intro to Nature Journaling
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Take a guided hike to learn the basics of nature journaling. Bring your own sketchbook. Barnebey-Hambleton Picnic Area, 620 Clear Creek Road SW in Lancaster (39.600092, -82.631611)

Sheep on the Farm
2026-04-25 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.

Rescue or Retreat: When to Help Wildlife
2026-04-25 15:30 - 16:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn what to do when you see injured and abandoned wildlife, or if becoming a permitted rehabber is right for you. Note that this program does not qualify as wildlife rehabilitation training for the purposes of Ohio permitting. Best for ages 8+.

City Nature Challenge
2026-04-25 16:00 - 17:00 | 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.

Spring Migration Bird Hike
2026-04-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1.5-mile hike while we search the forest for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more.

For Adults 50+: Bald Eagles, Osprey and Sandhill Cranes
2026-04-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Search for these amazing avians and hear about their success stories on a 2-mile walk on the Killdeer Trail.
Meet at the Wood Duck Picnic Area parking lot at 4150 Bowen Rd., Canal Winchester.

Sunday in the Swamp
2026-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the Buttonbush swamp to scoop up slimy critters.

Eagle Hike @ Hundred Acre Wood
2026-04-26 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Hike 1.5 miles along a dirt trail to spy on the eagles at their nest. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way. Park along the street.

Children’s Garden Day
2026-04-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for an afternoon of fun as we explore garden herbs with a variety of hands-on activities. Plus visit with baby animals and staff from Slate Run Farm.

Little Hikers Club
2026-04-26 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bring your little hiker and let’s go on a 1-mile hike with stops along the way for a story and game! Trail is stroller friendly. Meet us at the Ranger Station.

For Adults 50+: Sunrise Hike
2026-04-27 07:30 - 09:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Join us for a approx. 3-mile sunrise hike at Slate Run Metro Park. Terrain will be hilly. Meet at Buzzards Roost Picnic Area.

Nature Detectives with COSI!
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Grab a magnifying glass and hiking shoes and get ready to investigate the woods with us! Get to know a little more about the wonderful ecosystems here in Ohio.
We will hike approximately 1.5miles on mixed terrain trails (gravel, paved, and dirt). All detective supplies will be provided. Please bring closed toed shoes, layers (it’s always windy!), and a sense of adventure!
This program is geared for ages 6-16, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

COSI Science Festival - Fantastic Fungi BioBlitz
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:30 | 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 off on a 1.25-mile hike to observe, identify and record mushrooms and other fungi around Blacklick Woods.

Tots on Trails
2026-04-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Share a slow-paced, half-mile hike with your toddler and discover nature together.

Sand Volleyball and S'mores
2026-04-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us for a s’more over the campfire and play sand volleyball at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! All equipment and ingredients will be provided. Park at the climbing wall.

Adventure at the Lake with Brave Wilderness
2026-04-30 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.

Birding and Breakfast
2026-05-02 08:00 - 10:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, 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 Walnut Woods Buckeye Area picnic shelter, 6716 Lithopolis RD, Groveport

Bank Run Event Center Showcase
2026-05-16 15:30 - 21:00 | Bank Run Metro Park Event Center, 1570 Rohr Rd., Lockbourne, OH, 43137, United States
Welcome to the first event at the Bank Run Metro Park Event Center!
Join us Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Bank Run Metro Park Event Center for a 5k race, concert, beer with Friends of Metro Parks, food trucks, and more!
Address:
1570 Rohr Road, Lockbourne, Ohio
Schedule:
3:30 pm: 5k Registration & Check-in starts
4 pm: 5k Race
4:30 pm: Bands – the Fabulous Johnson Brothers and The Pretty Filth

Bark Bash
2026-08-22 10:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
What is Bark Bash?
Bark Bash is the dog event of the summer for you and your canine friends! The second annual Bark Bash will take place at Prairie Oaks Metro Park on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The four-legged frolic gets underway at 10am and will keep you and your dogs fully active and engaged in fun until 3pm!
Activities Include:

Stand-up paddling and kayaking with your pup and Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure. Limited canine lifejackets will be available, but you can also bring your own!
Tie-dye a bandana for your four-legged friend with Friends of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
Take a stroll through the marketplace that includes canine vendors dedicated to all of your pup’s needs, clubs and organizations dedicated to canine wellbeing, and more.
Take a hike with your pup or explore the off-leash dog beach area of the park.
Stage performances by the Franklin County Sheriff’s K-9 units and Performance Dogs of Ohio.
Cool off in one of the ice castles sponsored by Atlas Butler.

Admission to Bark Bash is free, and all dogs must remain on a leash unless in a specified off-leash area. Attendees are encouraged to bring water and waste bags to ensure a clean and safe environment for all.
Have questions or want to be a sponsor? Contact Metro Parks at info@metroparks.net
