Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Embark Dog Hike
2024-02-17 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Bring your pup out for a 2-mile hike around Glacier Ridge Metro Park! Meet at the Shelter House. Dogs must be leashed.

Inniswood Book Club
2024-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a conversation of this quarter’s book “Uprooted” by Paige Dickey. Please try to read the book before the program.

Live animals with Ohio Wildlife Center
2024-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Meet live animals from Ohio Wildlife Center during a 45 min indoor presentation. Show your love for the Ohio wildlife animals by donating a needed item to help with their care.
Guests are invited to donate items the care and rehabilitation of injured, orphaned, or displaced wildlife and the public education programs offered by Ohio Wildlife Center. Wish list items include: mouse/rat/hamster food, dry erase markers, permanent markers, scotch tape, clear packing tape, dog toys, bird toys, gallon zip lock bags, dry dog food, dary cat food, wet dog food, dry cat food, pet puzzler feeders and forever stamps.
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.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2024-02-18 09:30 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn how easy it is to participate in citizen science! We will count birds at our window and talk about how you can get involved. Drop by 930-1030.

Inniswood Quilt Show
2024-02-18 11:00 - 16:00, 2024-02-24 11:00 - 16:00, 2024-02-25 11:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
View quilts made by the Columbus Metropolitan Quilters. Members will be available to answer questions on Saturdays and Sundays. The exhibit features quilts, wall hangings, and quilted items with a “flora and fauna” theme.

Targeting Love
2024-02-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Adults only. Aim for a good time at this Valentine’s-themed archery experience.

Frigid Fungi
2024-02-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Did you know some fungi can grow in the the winter? Go on a 1.5-mile hike with a naturalist to look for and learn about some winter fungi.

For Kids: Winter Sensory Hike
2024-02-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Practice sensory skills while learning more about the pieces of an ecosystem during a guided hike with activities to engage our senses with nature. Dress for being outdoors for 1 hour. Program geared toward ages 5-12
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.

I'm Lichen It!
2024-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about mosses and lichens then make your own mini-habitat to take home. 6+yrs

Survival Skills! For Kids
2024-02-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Practice and learn survival skills geared toward kids! In this section we will be learning Fire Building and Safety as well as Shelter Building techniques! You will also receive a set of Quick Survival Skills Flashcards to take home.
Meet at the Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park; We will be both inside and outside for the duration of the program.

Archery, Board Games, and Campfires at the Golf Course
2024-02-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy a Try it! Archery program while getting the chance to play some board games in the Pro Shop, and enjoy a s’more around the campfire at Blacklick Woods Golf Course! Archery is for ages 8+. All other activities are open for all ages!

Twilight Skunk Cabbage Search
2024-02-22 17:30 - 18:30 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Venture off-trail into the swampy woods in search of this smelly wildflower. Terrain will be uneven and wet. Meet at Spring Hollow Lodge (1069 W. Main St., Westerville, OH 43081)- we will be meeting there, but the program will be outdoors.

Microscope Exploration
2024-02-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Use microscopes to investigate the smallest creatures living in our vernal pools. Ages 8+.

Sunset and S'mores
2024-02-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Enjoy watching the sunset while eating a toasty s’more around a warm campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Basin Parking Lot, all equipment provided.
Quarry Trails Metro Park has several separate park entrances. 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.

Snow Moon Hike
2024-02-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate the February full moon on this 2-mile hike. Leashed pets are welcome on this hike.

Coyotes Among Us
2024-02-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-02-25 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the amazing, adaptable coyote on a 1 to 2-mile mile hike. Some walking may be done off trail if conditions allow. Bring binoculars if you’d like. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Heron Pond Area bulletin board, 3400 Williams Road

Maple Time
2024-02-24 11:00 - 14:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Take a short hike through the sugarbush to learn about tapping trees and collecting sap, then go to the Farmhouse to watch sap boiling and sample a sweet maple treat.
Sap flow is dependent on weather conditions, all other activities will take place.

Full Moon Hike
2024-02-24 18:00 - 20:00 | 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.

Winter Hike Celebration!
2024-02-25 11:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us at Blacklick Woods Golf Course to celebrate the end of winter hikes! Collect your patches here, and visit Friends of Metro Parks. There will be games, food trucks, and other activities.

Are the Eagles Back Yet?
2024-02-25 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Hike about 1.5 mi on the unimproved trail at 100 Acre Wood to see if the Bald Eagles have returned to their nest. Prepare for mud! Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Paddling 101
2024-02-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Want to learn about paddling? This in-class session will cover many aspects of paddling, from the basics of equipment recognition to water safety! Led by an ACA (American Canoe Association) Certified Kayaking Instructor!
Held at The Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park

For Adults: Invasive Species Hike
2024-02-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about the non-native plants and animals plaguing OH, and what you can do to help.

For Adults: Nature Preserve Stroll
2024-02-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a walk with a naturalist through the Walter Tucker State Nature Preserve looking for plants and animals from our earliest spring wildflower to Barred Owls.

LEAP Year
2024-02-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Jump over to the Nature Center and learn about some of our animals that love to show off their hops.

Leapin' Lantern Stroll
2024-02-29 18:30 - 19:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by between 6:30-7:30 pm to celebrate Leap Day with a self-guided lantern-lit stroll through the Nature Preserve. Borrow one of our lanterns or bring your own. Meet near the Schrock Lake Restrooms.

Timberdoodle Trek
2024-03-01 18:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a short hike to look for American Woodcocks doing their amazing mating display. Trails may be a mixture of crushed gravel and unimproved. Meet at the Nature Center. Ages 8+.

For Adults: Metro Parks Hiking Club
2024-03-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join like minded individuals as we hike 2 miles along the Spring Creek Trail with limited stops. Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.
