Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Meet the Artist: Pam Hartford
2024-05-05 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meet artist of the month, Pam Hartford, and view her watercolor artwork on display in the Innis House.

For Adults 50+: Wildflowers and Other Spring Things
2024-05-05 15:30 - 17:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Hike the moderate 1.1- mile Sycamore Plains trail in search of late spring flowers, large sycamores and wildlife in and around Big Darby Creek.
Meet at the Sycamore Plains Area at 2009 Amity Rd., Hilliard

Invasive Plant Removal
2024-05-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your own gloves or borrow ours to clear invasives and help our native woodland plants. Plan to stay as long or short as you like!

Toddler Time: Hide and Seek
2024-05-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Discover the many ways wildlife hides in nature and take a walk to look for camouflaged animals.

Toddler Tuesday - Flower Frenzy!
2024-05-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Celebrate the beautiful spring flowers by reading a story, planting some seeds, and creating blooming flowers!
This program is geared for ages 2-3. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Homeschoolers: Beginning Bird Watching
2024-05-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn how to use binoculars, use ID books and have fun as you look for birds. We have a limited supply of loaner binoculars but bring your own if you have them. Best for kids 6 years and older but younger siblings are welcome to tag along. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Adults 50+: Bird Watching
2024-05-08 09:00 - 10:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Enjoy an easy 1-mile walk with plenty of stops to observe and learn about residential and migrating birds. We will have some loaner binoculars available but bring your own if you have them. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Chalk and S'mores
2024-05-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy a tasty s’more while channeling your inner Bob Ross with chalk at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! Meet at the climbing wall. Free and fun! Chalk and s’more supplies provided.

Mom and Me Archery
2024-05-09 16:00 - 17:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Celebrate Mother’s Day by treating your parent, or parental figure to a free and fun archery program! All equipment and basic instruction provided. Meet at the Scioto Grove Archery range! Ages 8+.

Night Hike
2024-05-10 21:00 - 22:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Embark on a 1.5-mile hike as we search for nocturnal animals and explore your senses in the dark.

Heritage Breeds Walk
2024-05-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins at 10am. Meet in front of the farmhouse.
Join us for a stroll around the farm to learn about our heritage breeds of livestock and their role on an 1880s farm.

Warbler Walk
2024-05-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Look for migrating spring warblers on a 1.5 mile hike . All experience levels welcome. Please bring binoculars if you have them. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow. Trail conditions may be muddy.
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.

World Migratory Bird Day
2024-05-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about the wonders of bird migration with games, crafts and activities. Talk to the naturalists and volunteers about bird watching opportunities at Blendon Woods.

Archery Fest!
2024-05-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all archers! The King and Queen have called for a competition of their finest archers to compete in an archery competition on May 11th from 12pm-4pm at Prairie Oaks Metro Parks, Darby Bend Lakes! Enjoy a fun and free Archery Fest, with activities for all ages.
– Try It! Archery
– Archery Tournament (register at the event)
– Plastic Axe Throwing
– Atlatl
– DIY Activities
– and Food Trucks!

I-Spy Nature Challenge
2024-05-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Who’s ready for a great game of I-Spy? Stop by the Naturalist Office between 12-4pm to pick up your challenge sheet, and see how much wildlife you can spot in the park to win a prize!
Please note the program ends at 4pm. You must return your challenge sheet by this time to earn your prize.

Nature's Bad Moms
2024-05-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.5-mile hike and learn about Ohio animals that are not the best mothers.

Migration Mania
2024-05-12 08:00 - 10:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile hike as we search the forest for migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos, tanagers and more.

Drop In: Mother's Day Spring Crafts
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the Nature Center and make a handmade craft for Mom! Open house style program stop in anytime between 1-3pm, while supplies last.
Meeting location notes- Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the nature center.

Craft and Plant
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate public gardens and an important person in your life by creating a special card and planter.

Sunday in the Swamp
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the swamp to scoop up some slimy critters.

Mother’s Day Craft
2024-05-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Celebrate the people who make the world go round: moms! We will have a craft table set up at the barn shelter to make a gift to say thanks for all moms do.*
This program is for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!
*While supplies last

Geology Hike
2024-05-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us for an on and off-trail hike to explore some of the geologic highlights of the park.Hike will be rugged, approx 2.5 mi, in and along the stream. Wear shoes that can get wet and be prepared for poison ivy and ticks.

Try It! Archery
2024-05-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us at the Scioto Grove Metro Park Archery Range for a fun, free day of archery! All equipment provided. Recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to try with parental supervision.

Owl Prowl
2024-05-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the forest for signs of Barred Owls and learn about Ohio owls on this 1.5-mile hike.

Growing Vegetable Soup Story Walk
2024-05-17 11:00 - 15:00 | OH
Program on-going from 11am-3pm
Enjoy the “Growing Vegetable Soup” Story Walk and try to find the stuffed vegetables hidden around the house.

Salamander Stroll
2024-05-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Dog Park Parking lot. Use address 2600 Dublin Rd Columbus Oh 43228 and follow the sign back to the dog park.
Learn about salamanders and take a 1 mile hike to look for them.

Homeschoolers: Swamp Things
2024-05-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about tiny wetland creatures and their adaptations by studying them in our table-top ponds. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Introduction To Rucking
2024-05-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Rucking is a form of exercise that combines walking/hiking with weight training! Learn about the tips and tricks of this interesting and cost-effective exercise routine! The program will consist of basic introduction and history of Rucking as well as the opportunity to practice rucking on your own! We recommend that you bring your own backpack for the practice portion of the program!

Late Nights at the Climbing Wall
2024-05-17 20:00 - 23:30 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Enjoy Late Nights at the Climbing Wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! On the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, the climbing wall lights will stay on until midnight for open climb. Please bring your own gear.

Night Hike
2024-05-17 21:00 - 22:00 | 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 Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.
