Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

The Big Splash
2025-07-12 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Try canoeing, look for critters in a table-top pond, slide down a water slide or get wet in the squirt zone. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Snakes 10th Birthday Party
2025-07-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Watch our ambassador snake, Marvel, and his brother, Chico turn 10 this year! They’ll be out enjoying hot rocks and taking a swim in our living stream!

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your lunch and join us at the picnic area across from the Nature Center for a 30 min nature chat.
Saturdays:
7/5 – Box Turtles
7/12 – Spiders
7/19 – Birds of Prey
7/26 – Bats

Blacklick Creek Exploration
2025-07-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Blacklick Creek and then wade in the water in search of crayfish, frogs, fish, and insects.

Creek Hike at 100 Acre Wood
2025-07-12 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Take a rugged off-trail wander through the shale stream. Steep descent into the ravine; climbing over fallen trees required. Wear sturdy shoes that can get wet. 6yrs+ Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Evening Tram Rides
2025-07-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Ride along the electric tram with us, AT NIGHT! We will keep our eyes peeled for dusk and evening activity as we travel through the entire park!
We will have rides at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm (lasting about 50 mins, with a stop at the wetlands). The tram seats approximately 18-20 people, so it will be first-come, first-served! We will be giving out tickets 30 minutes before each ride to reserve your seat.
This program is for all ages. We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flagpole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Turtle Trek
2025-07-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and take a 1.5 mile hike to look for turtles.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the road back to the Lake Area lot.

Built to Bake
2025-07-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 1-3pm
Learn how a wood burning stove works and browse through our collection of 19th century cookbooks, while we prepare baked goods.

For Kids: Tree Identification
2025-07-13 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Tree identification is fun and kids can learn the basics on a short walk. Best suited for kids age 6 and older. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-13 13:30 - 16:30, 2025-07-16 15:00 - 17:30 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy Darby Bend Lakes at Prairie Oaks Metro Park from a kayak! Kayaks are solo, sit in kayaks with a max weight of 275 lbs for ages 10+. Some tandems will be available for all ages with an adult. Water wicking clothing is recommended. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided.

Tree Trek
2025-07-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a 1-mile hike and learn how to identify our most common trees.

Nature Kids: Choose Your Own Adventure Trail
2025-07-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take an adventure through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve and make decisions that will guide your journey.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-07-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us on an toddler adventure to the creek at Blendon Woods Metro Park! We will hike as far as we can in the times listed. Meet at the Nature Center Parking lot. Wear water shoes, and clothes that can get dirty.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed times 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 all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Summer Children’s Programs: Ladybugs
2025-07-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Ladybugs, lady beetles, ladybirds – come learn all about this iconic insect and how they fit into our ecosystem!

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the picnic area in front of the Nature Center (or inside if the weather is bad) to meet a few of our animal ambassadors.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-07-16 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.

Preschool Tram: Follow the Flocks!
2025-07-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us on a fun filled ride around the park looking for birds! We will follow where they go and see if we can spot their homes!
We will have rides at 10am, 10:35am, 11:10am, 11:45am, 1pm, 1:35pm, 2:10pm, 2:45pm, 3:20pm (lasting about 20 mins). The tram seats approximately 18-20 bodies, so it will be first come first served! We will be giving out tickets 30 mins before each ride to reserve your seat. Children sitting in laps will NOT require a ticket, but must sit on the lap the entire tram ride.
This program is geared for ages 3-5. We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flag pole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
2025-07-16 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Come listen to a story about wildlife while we use our senses to feel and interact with wildlife pelts and other nature sensory items! Afterwards we will have a craft! Meet at the Inclusive Playground shelter house at Blendon Woods Metro Park!
* Our Adaptive Adventures Programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families!

For Adults 18+: Cold Blooded Cookies
2025-07-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Naturalist and baker extraordinaire, Shannon, is back by popular demand for another cookie decorating class! Midsummer is an active time for cold blooded critters so it’s the perfect time to learn the basics of designing reptile and amphibian-themed treats such as a frog, snake and turtle. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will have fun, get to share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end, and of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

Summer Evening Bird Walk
2025-07-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1.5-mile stroll to look for some evening birds. Trail is crushed gravel and accessible. Meet at the Kuhlwein Parking Lot across from the Nature Center entrance

For Families: Try It Tae Kwon Do
2025-07-17 10:00 - 10:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join black belt instructors from Tiger Woo’s World Class Tae Kwon Do for a 30 minute Taekwondo lesson. This martial arts class instills confidence, builds strength and agility, and develops coordination. No experience necessary. Please wear comfortable gym attire. Free! Kids ages 4 and older. Meet at Highbanks Metro Park- nature center
Feel free to come to one or all these sessions
Thu 6/26/25 @ 10am “Cooperation”
Thu 7/10/25 @ 10am ” Respect”
Thu 7/17/25 @ 10am “Confidence”
Meeting location notes- Nature Center: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak coves toward the nature center.

Preschool: Vulture View
2025-07-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about nature’s feathered clean-up crew through literature, craft and activities.

For Adults 50+: Nature Ramble
2025-07-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll walk about 2-miles, stopping along the way to learn about what we observe. Wear shoes suitable for some muddy areas if we’ve had recent rain. Meet at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport
