Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Hike Behind the Lake
2023-12-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike behind Thoreau lake through the waterfowl refuge.

Leave it to Beavers
2023-12-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
We’ll give you some fun facts to chew on, a cool craft to make, and you’ll leave with a new appreciation for beavers!

A Victorian Christmas Evening
2023-12-16 16:30 - 18:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 4:30-6:00pm. All ages.
Make decorations and enjoy other seasonal 1880s activities on a special lamplit evening.

Coffee & Birds
2023-12-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-12-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by to enjoy a warm cup and beautiful birds at our viewing windows.

Christmas Bird Count For Beginners
2023-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about our oldest civic science project, then head out to count some birds!

Winter Hike
2023-12-17 16:30 - 17:30 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Enjoy a guided, seasonal stroll as the sun sets over the gardens. The walk will conclude as the gardens are being illuminated with Inniswood’s light display.

Microscopic Hike
2023-12-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a half-mile hike looking closely at the tiny world beneath our feet and collecting a few items to bring back and look at under microscopes. Hand lenses will be provided.

Cocoa & the Grinch
2023-12-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Walk under the twinkling lights and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Take a family photo taken with “The… The… The… Grinch!” Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Winter Solstice Hike
2023-12-21 10:00 - 12:30 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Celebrate the shortest day of the year on a 3-mile backcountry hike to the gorge. Warm up with hot chocolate afterwards. Terrain at Clear Creek is steep and uneven. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Meet at the Park Office: 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster.

For Adults 50+: The Gardens in Winter
2023-12-21 15:30 - 17:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meander along the nature trails on a 1.5-mile walk. The trails are considered easy. Stay after the program to enjoy the winter lights.
Meet at the Gardens Entrance

Winter Solstice Lantern Stroll
2023-12-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate the longest night of the year and stop by anytime between 5-7pm to enjoy a 1-mile self-guided lantern-lit stroll through the winter woods. Our friends from Public Lands will also be on hand passing out hot cocoa to sip while you stroll along the trail!
Bring your own lantern or borrow one of ours. Meet at the Schrock Lake Restroom area.

Evening S'mores
2023-12-21 17:30 - 19:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy a toasty s’more by the Scioto Audubon Climbing Wall! Free and fun, all equipment provided.

Christmas for the Critters
2023-12-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by anytime between 1-4pm and create 3 treats that are sure to please your neighborhood wildlife neighbors. Meet at Spring Hollow Lodge.
Please note: The lodge is not accessible via the main park entrance. Please use this address to locate the lodge: 1069 W. Main St., Westerville, OH 43081

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2023-12-22 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-12-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike along the Buttonbush Trail under the twinkling lights and stop by the Nature Center to enjoy a campfire and hot cocoa.

Hike the Whole Park
2023-12-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy seeing every aspect of Walnut Woods Metro Park on this approx. 5.5-mile hike around the Buckeye Area to the Tall Pines section of the park! The trail will be paved (gravel in some short sections) with mostly flat terrain. Meet at the Buckeye Area, near the dog park. 6716 Lithopolis Rd. Groveport, OH.

Nature Ornaments
2023-12-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Come to the Nature Center and create ornaments made with materials that you can find outside.

Sunset with the Bison
2023-12-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a walk as the sun sets to see our majestic bison herd.

Hootin' Hike
2023-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | OH
Let’s take a short walk to learn about owls and try to find one in our woods. Meet at the Indian Ridge Picnic Area (2705 Darby Creek Drive)

Full Moon Hike
2023-12-26 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.

For Adults: Fast-paced Full Moon Fitness Hike
2023-12-26 17:30 - 18:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Take a fast 2.8-mile hike lit by the light of the full moon. Note: This hike finishes in an hour or less. Leaders keep a good pace on gravel, grass and paved trails. Ages 18+
Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

Holiday Hike
2023-12-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a hike through Scioto Grove Metro Park this holiday season! Hike will be approx. 2-miles, meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area.

Pie Iron Cooking
2023-12-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Pie irons? Pudgy pies? Toastie irons? Regardless of what you grew up calling them, or are brand new to using them, join us to make recipes and learn tips and tricks. Meet at the campfire in Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Day Off School: Cocoa and Cardinals
2023-12-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-12-28 13:00 - 14:00 | OH
Cozy up in the Innis house with hot cocoa and learn about our feathered friends at the feeders.

Preschoolers: New Year's Open House Party
2023-12-29 10:00 - 14:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by this indoor program anytime between 10am-2pm to help us ring in the upcoming New Year with games, crafts and other fun activities. We’ll even practice counting down to 2024, and watch the ball drop and celebrate with a dance party at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Meet at Spring Hollow Lodge (1069 W. Main St.).
Please note: The Lodge is not accessible via the main park entrance off Cleveland Ave. Use the address listed above to navigate to the program.

Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-30 09:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 2-mile hike and join the naturalist to help count birds for the annual Christmas Bird Count.

Frigid Fungi
2023-12-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Did you know some fungi grow in winter? Go on a 1.5-mile hike with a naturalist to look for and learn about winter fungi and try a sample of an edible mushroom.

Smoked, Salted, Pickled, and Preserved
2023-12-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm. All ages.
Learn how fruits, vegetables, and meats were preserved before the days of artificial refrigeration. The smokehouse. will be operating.
