For Kids: Nature Journals
2025-03-22 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Construct a nature journal of your own and learn how to use it to enrich your time in nature.

Welcome to Spring Event
2025-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center between 3-5 pm to take part in some spring family fun! Enjoy spring crafts and games, scavengers in and outside the nature center, and a campfire and s’mores. 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.

Metrological Day
2025-03-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by and celebrate the science of Metrology by doing some simple weather related experiments.

For Adults: Science Sundays - Sustainability
2025-03-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Amy Densborn from Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) as we learn about how we can incorporate sustainability practices into our daily lives to preserve natural resources for future generations. Meet at Beech Maple Lodge.

For Adults 50+: Prairies and Prescribed Fire
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join Metro Parks Resource Management Team to learn about Ohio prairies, our restoration efforts, and the role of fire in maintaining these unique and beautiful ecosystems. Plan for 2 hours with some show and tell of our prescribed fire equipment outdoors, weather permitting.
Meet at the Cedar Ridge Lodge at 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, 43119.

5-Mile Greenway Hike
2025-03-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Let’s enjoy a nearly 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail. We’ll get some exercise and make a few stops along the way for water and if we observe anything interesting. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Heron Pond bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd.

Eagle Hikes
2025-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Join us Sundays in March to check on the progress of the Bald Eagles at their nest at 100AcreWoods. HIke 1.5 mi. on flat, primitive trail. Prepare for mud. Meet at 5225 Cambria Way.

Houseplant Design
2025-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover some creative ways to display your favorite houseplants.

The Art & The Artist
2025-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come on over to the Nature Center and witness our ambassador animals make some art of their own to display in the Nature Center while you learn more about them!

Meet the Artist: Colin Harmon-Ulmer
2025-03-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Colin Harmon-Ulmer and view his photographs on display in the Innis House.

For Families: Frog Frenzy
2025-03-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hop on by to learn about the frogs that inhabit Inniswood.

Backpacking Series: Week 1- Shelter, Sleep Systems and Packs
2025-03-24 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-03-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure Backpacking Series is BACK!! Join us for a 6 week series followed by an overnight backpacking opportunity in the parks! Attendance is required to at least ONE of the backpacking classes/programs to be eligible to attend the overnight trip later in the spring. This series is for those of all backpacking abilities, from beginner to novice backpackers.
Week 1: Shelter and Sleep Systems – Creating a comfortable home away from home in the backcountry is not as simple as pitching a tent. Join us as we explore how to set yourself up for success. Prepare to hike off-trail as we cover site selection following Lean No Trace principles and practice setting up a the shelter. We have gear for demonstration, but you are encouraged to bring your own. Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Archery, Boardgames, and Campfires
2025-03-26 16:00 - 17:30 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy Archery, play a boardgame, and eat a s’more at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course this spring! Archery is recommended for ages 8+, but boardgames and s’mores are available for all ages. Meet at the Pro Shop. Free and all equipment provided!

Tots on Trails
2025-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Share a slow-paced, half-mile hike with your toddler and discover nature together.

Preschool: Wetland Wonders
2025-03-27 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-28 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-03-28 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about wetlands and the animals that live there through story, craft, and activities. Meet at the Nature Center.

For Adults 50+: Falls, Lake and Turtle Cove
2025-03-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Hike about 2-miles past the falls, around the lake and by Turtle Cove. Most of the paths are considered easy but we will be going up and down stone stairs to get to the trail.
Meet at the Waterfall Entrance at 2158 Old Dublin Rd., Columbus.

Vernal Pool Exploration
2025-03-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist in the Nature Center to explore amphibians and macroinvertebrates that live in vernal pools! Ages 6+.

Lantern Hike
2025-03-27 19:30 - 21:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy a Lantern Hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park! Lanterns will be provided. Hike will be approx. 2-miles on paved, flat terrain. Perfect for all ages! Meet at the Tall Pines Area of Walnut Woods Metro Park.

Friday Storytime
2025-03-28 10:00 - 10:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Have fun with early literacy in the park! These 30-40min programs are aimed at kids 2-5yrs. Children and their grownups will enjoy books, rhymes, songs and fun while arousing curiosity about the natural world.

Beaver Hike
2025-03-28 18:00 - 18:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Kingfisher shelter and come on a 1.5 mile hike to learn about beavers and look for signs of them.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Drive Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roads back to the lake area parking lot.

Woodcock Wander
2025-03-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Ever heard a strange MEEEP when you hike in the evenings? Come learn about the bird with the goofy strut and the infamous call. After we learn a little about the birds, we will hit the trails and try to find some woodcocks!
There may be off trail hiking, please wear appropriate hiking attire.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

Sunset and S'mores
2025-03-28 19:30 - 20:30 | 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.

Sunrise Sounds
2025-03-29 07:00 - 08:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Sunrise at 7:20! Hike around the field to listen for Woodcocks, then hike to the pond to see who is up early.

Budding Buddies
2025-03-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Spring is in the air, and signs are on the ground. Let’s meander and check out all the interesting spring wildflowers that are starting to bloom in various colors and shapes! Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Early Wildflower Walk
2025-03-29 11:00 - 12:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Enjoy a guided walk through the woods and fields looking for early wildflowers and signs of spring. Walk will go off trail, please dress appropriately.

Walk Into Spring
2025-03-29 13:30 - 15:00 | 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
