Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

For Adults: Fall Color Walk
2025-10-17 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about how trees change colors and some basic tree identification this half-mile hike.

Pumpkin Walk Around The Pond
2025-10-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take an easy 1/2 mile walk around Turtle Pond to look at the pumpkins and pick up treats at stops along the way. Costume wearing is encouraged! Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Ghost Stories and S'mores
2025-10-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us around the fire at Quarry Trails Metro Park to enjoy a delicious s’more, and hear a ghost story or two! Meet at the lower Sled Hill parking lot. Free and fun!

RidgeFest
2025-10-18 12:00 - 16:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Celebrate the season with our annual fall festival, RidgeFest! We have partnered with local organizations to celebrate the uniqueness of Glacier Ridge. Join us for a fun day filled with games, hay rides, and much more!
Enjoy food from Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, Grater’s Ice Cream, and Cupzilla!
This festival is geared for all ages. Please follow signs for parking.

Weird, Wild, and Whimsical: Victorian Trade Cards
2025-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins directly at 1pm with a short introduction till 1:30 pm.
Followed by a display that will be up till 3 pm.
Meet behind the Farmhouse.
Join us for a journey into the world of Victorian trade cards, which were a primary source of advertising from the early 1800s into the early 1900s. Check out a display of original and reproduction trade cards of the 1880s.

Fireside Learning: Animal Adaptations
2025-10-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Huddle around the fire and learn how different animals are going to stay warm throughout the winter! Meet at the Nature Center Overflow Parking.

Zombie Archery!
2025-10-18 14:30 - 16:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment provided. Ages 8+.

Spiders!
2025-10-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about spiders and go on a short hike to spot as many as we can. Hike will be about 1 mile with multiple stops on paved and dirt trails. Bring a flashlight or headlamp if you have one. 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.

(Not so) Spooky Hike
2025-10-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Explore the fall forest and learn about some animals that are associated with Halloween on this half-mile hike. Discover facts that reveal these animals aren’t so “spooky” after all.

Meet the Artists
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artists from Blendon Senior Center and view their artwork on display in the Innis House.

Autumn Leaf Art
2025-10-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Create beautiful temporary works of art using only natural fallen leaves. Meet at the Natural Play Area.

50+ Fall Foliage Hike
2025-10-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Enjoy the beauty of fall and the leaves changing color at Slate Run Metro Park! Hike will be approx. 1.4 miles long over hilly terrain. Hiking boots recommended. Meet at the Buzzard’s Roost parking area.

Night Hike
2025-10-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Let’s take a 2-mile interpretive hike through the forests and prairies under the starlight. Meet at the Indian Ridge Picnic Area, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Spooky Scavenger Hunt
2025-10-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Enjoy a not too spooky scavenger hunt around the park at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area to get your activity sheet and instructions.

Adaptive Adventures: Carnival Games
2025-10-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Carnival Games!
Come enjoy the inclusive playground and try your hand at some of our tabletop carnival games! Play a game, win a sticker!
*Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families!

For Adults 50+: Fall Color Hike
2025-10-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 2.5 mile hike with stops along the way to enjoy the last fall color and learn how animals and plants prepare for winter. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport.

Trick-or-Treat Trail
2025-10-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Families will take a half-mile walk along the Buttonbush Trail while collecting treats. Trick-or-treaters and their families are encouraged to wear costumes!

Costume Lantern Hike!
2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
No Registration Required! Enjoy a lantern illuminated hike through the Tall Pines area at Walnut Woods Metro Park! Wear your best costume and plan to hike approx. 2 miles! Use address 6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport.

Preschool: Falling Leaves
2025-10-24 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-10-24 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about fall and leaves through a story, craft and activities. Best for ages 3-5.

For Adults 50+: Campfire Cooking
2025-10-24 12:00 - 13:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Enjoy lunch and dessert over the fire. Make pie iron pizzas, foil packet quesadillas and crescent roll sweet treats. We’ll bring the supplies and you’ll do the cooking! Stay for Seated Nature Journaling at 2pm.
Meet at the Northern Shelter.

For Adults 50+: Seated Nature Journaling
2025-10-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Bring your own journal or notebook as we slow down and engage our senses while exploring and interacting with nature. We’ll use our surroundings and a sampling of natural history objects to observe and document the natural world through writing and/or sketching. We will have a limited supply of journals, pencils and sit-upons. Bring your own chair if you wish. Join us for Campfire Cooking at noon.
Meet at the Northern Shelter.

Cryptid Night Hike
2025-10-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on this 1.25-mile hike to learn about mythical creatures that have been rumored to roam the woods.

Blendon Bones
2025-10-25 12:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Marvel at the inner workings of animals with this display of skeletons, meet our guest taxidermist, and enjoy hands on activities. Event runs Saturday and Sunday 12-3.

Fall Colors Hike
2025-10-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile walk through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve to enjoy the fall foliage.

Fall Colors Hike
2025-10-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Dog Park parking lot and take a 1.5 mike hike to check out the fall colors at Quarry Trails.
Use address 2600 Dublin Rd Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway back to the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the dog park will be on your right.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt
2025-10-25 14:00 - 15:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Wear your favorite Halloween costume and join Jackie O’Lantern the Pumpkin on a Scavenger Hunt in the Park! Meet at the Ranger Station. 1775 Darby Creek Drive.

Turnips, the Original Jack-O-Lanterns: A Turnip Carving Workshop for Adults
2025-10-25 15:00 - 17:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins at 3pm
This program is for adult participants
Meet behind the farmhouse.
Join us to learn about the history of the jack-o-lantern. Try your hand at carving your own historic jack-o-lantern using root crops such as turnips, beets, and potatoes.

Howl-O-Ween
2025-10-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a family friendly look at nighttime animals. Walk a Trick-or-Treat trail, sit around a campfire and listen to not-so-scary ghost stories, play games and make a fun fall craft
