Junior Naturalist Hike
2026-04-01 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-07 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy spring break on this 1-mile hike while we search for early signs of spring.

Preschool: Bumble Bees
2026-04-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Get to know bumble bees through a story, hands-on activities and a hike.

Great Southern Metro Park Grand Opening
2026-04-01 16:00 - 18:00 | Great Southern Metro Park, 125 Williams Rd., Columbus, OH, 43207, United States
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks (Metro Parks) will officially open its 21st park, Great Southern Metro Park, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 4 to 6 pm. The new 70-acre park, located at 125 Williams Road in Columbus, expands outdoor recreation opportunities in south Columbus and provides new access to the Scioto River corridor.
A signature feature of the park is its 230-yard obstacle course, designed to offer a fun and engaging fitness challenge. An adjacent fitness station provides additional workout opportunities, while the park also includes an overlook deck, playground, prairie and spaces for picnicking. Paved and gravel trails accommodate walking and running, biking is available on three paved trails, and pets are welcome on all trails.
The park will be open year-round from 7:30 a.m. to dark.
The April 1 celebration will feature a ribbon cutting, carnival games, hot air balloon, tram rides, drinks provided by G & J Pepsi, and more!

Fast-Paced Full Moon Hike
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board for a fast-paced hike through the nighttime woods. Hike not suitable for slow walkers or strollers.

Full Moon Hike
2026-04-01 19:30 - 20:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a brisk 4-mile hike through forests and fields. Meet at the Ranger Station.

Pink Moon Hike
2026-04-01 20:00 - 21:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate the April full moon on this 2-mile hike.

Chalk it up to Animal Tracks
2026-04-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s make some chalk animal tracks leading visitors to our nature center. Drop by anytime between 9-4pm for supplies.

Preschoolers: Birds!
2026-04-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn all about birds through literature, craft and activities.

I Spy Photo Scavenger Hunt
2026-04-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to pick up a scavenger hunt and then search the trails with a list of items to photograph. Once you’ve captured them all, return to the Nature Center to earn a small prize.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Fitness Hikes
2026-04-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on gravel and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Animal Party
2026-04-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
It’s spring break and our animal ambassadors couldn’t be more excited! Join the animal ambassadors at the shelter to meet them and learn more about these native Ohio animals!
This program is geared for ages 6-16, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Barn Shelter, rain or shine!

Day Off School: Raindrops and Rainbows
2026-04-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Create rainbows, take a trip through the water cycle and more at this open house event. Meet at the Greenhouse Multipurpose Center.

Friday Night Fishing
2026-04-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by Schrock Lake for some evening fishing. Use our poles or bring your own. No fishing license required, all fishing is catch-and-release.

Night Hike
2026-04-03 20:00 - 21:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 1-mile interpretive hike through the forest.

Blacklick Walk & Talk
2026-04-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Meet the first Saturday of every month for a fast-paced hike and to meet like-minded people. This is not an interpretive hike.

Potato Planting
2026-04-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm
Help plant potatoes (conditions permitting) and learn about the importance of potatoes throughout history.

Easter Traditions
2026-04-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Display and craft up from 1-3pm
Learn about using natural dyes for eggs and make a card or decoration.

Drop in: Squirrel World
2026-04-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Drop by the nature center anytime between 1-3 to learn more about our nutty neighbors. Includes themed activities, a scavenger hunt, and a craft to take home. Geared toward families.
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: Ten-Mile Trek
2026-04-04 14:00 - 17:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Spend the afternoon with a naturalist for a 10-mile hike to meet fellow hikers and get bite-sized nature lessons! Expect a brisk walking pace with short stops along the way. Adults only. Meet at the Ranger Station.

Eagle Hike @ Hundred Acre Wood
2026-04-05 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.

Early Spring Walk
2026-04-05 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy a 2.5 mile hike with stops along the way to observe and learn about signs of spring. Please wear shoes suitable for some mud. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Toddler Adventure Club
2026-04-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for a short toddler friendly, exploratory hike at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Kingfisher shelter house, use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive, Columbus 43228

Toddler Tuesday: Frogs!
2026-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
If you listen closely, you can hear a RIBBIT! Join us on our first Toddler Tuesday of the year to learn about frogs of Ohio with a short story, craft, and a hike to listen for the singing frogs!
This program is geared towards ages 2-4. Meet at the Barn Shelter, rain or shine!

Spring Break Kids Hike
2026-04-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll go on a 1-mile hike to learn and explore along the way. Trail is not stroller friendly. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

How to Make Your Garden Pop with Dahlias
2026-04-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join the Central Ohio Unit of the Herb Society of America for their public meeting with presenters Linda and Jeff Laine from The Greater Columbus Dahlia Society. Learn how to plant, maintain and over-winter dahlias.

Homeschool: Basket Weaving
2026-04-09 11:00 - 12:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Students meet at Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter to learn the basics of basket weaving. Each student will make their own small basket. This program is not suitable for very young children, as some reading is required.

Adult: 1.5-mile wildflower walk
2026-04-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Enjoy a leisurely stroll to learn about the ephemeral spring wildflowers. Trail is crushed limestone and can be muddy depending on recent rains. Ages 18+
Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.
