Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Growing Vegetable Soup Story Walk
2024-05-17 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-19 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Happy Tails-n-Trails
2024-05-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Bring your canine companion for a 2-mile hike followed by a doggie treat. Meet at the Apple Ridge Bulletin Board.

Spring Fungi
2024-05-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Search the trails and learn about fungi and how to identify them on this 1.5-mile hike.

Adults: Mushrooms and Wildflower Hike
2024-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 2-mile hike looking for spring fungi and wildflowers. Learn about the importance of fungi to the ecosystem and learn some basic identification. Trail will include both unimproved and crushed limestone gravel. Hike includes portions of the unimproved Coyote Run Trail and portions of the Dripping Rock Trail. Please expect some hills. Due to the unimproved trail conditions, trail is not recommended for wheelchairs.
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.

Heirloom Gardening
2024-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 1-3pm.
Learn about the preservation of antique plant varieties and help plant the garden, weather permitting.

The Buzz About Bees
2024-05-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about the different kinds of bees that live in Ohio and find out what you can do the help them.

Big Birding Morning
2024-05-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 2-mile hike to look for migratory birds. Trail will be unimproved and hilly in areas. All experience levels welcome. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow. Ages 18+. Program meets at the back of the Indian Ridge Picnic Area near the restrooms and bulletin board. 2705 Darby Creek Drive.

Beginner Birding
2024-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join fellow beginner birders and learn the basic backyard birds from inside the nature center. Then take your knowledge outside and look for birds on a half-mile hike. Limited supply of binoculars available to borrow.

Inniswood Book Club
2024-05-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us for a discussion on Stephanie Barron’s novel, “The White Garden: A Novel of Virginia Woolf.”

Dating Darters
2024-05-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come check out how colorful our small fish can get as we do our own dance in the water to catch some darters during their breeding season. Closed toed shoes required.

Wild About Food
2024-05-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop by the Nature Center to taste some recipes highlighting wild edible plants.

Pokémon Community Day
2024-05-19 14:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Gotta catch them all! Enjoy a Pokémon-themed day at Blacklick Woods. Find Pokémon hidden on the trail while participating in Pokémon Go Community Day, meet fellow trainers, enjoy an “Appletun” pie, and create a Pokémon-themed craft. You do not need to play Pokémon Go to enjoy the activities!

Prepping for Paddling
2024-05-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Get ready for paddling season with this on-land course designed to teach you the basics of being on the water! We will go over water safety, proper paddle technique, and practice the basic kayak paddling strokes from shore. Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Area at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Chatty Birds
2024-05-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Birds make all kinds of songs, and you will too! We will learn about some common birds, listen to their songs, and make our own bird call maker. Once we finish our craft, we will put your bird calls to the test on a short hike.
This program is geared towards ages 8-11. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!
PLEASE NOTE: The craft is not suitable for children under 7.

Preschoolers: Gone Birding
2024-05-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-22 13:00 - 14:00
Learn about birds and birdwatching through stories, an activity and crafts.

Preschoolers: Swamp Things
2024-05-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Learn about the small creatures that make their homes in ponds and wetlands. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Close-up Nature photography
2024-05-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn to use your cell phone or camera to take awesome close up pictures.

For Adults: Butterfly Survey
2024-05-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Explore 2-miles of fields and trails along the Multi-purpose Trail looking for butterflies while helping a naturalist with a butterfly survey. Butterfly knowledge or identification skills are not necessary.

Full Moon Hike
2024-05-23 19:30 - 21:30 | 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.

Full Moon Hike
2024-05-23 20:00 - 22:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us for a 2 mile hike of Glacier Ridge during the full moon! We will have red lights for those that need them, but please no bright lights!
This program is geared for ages 15 and up. We will meet at the shelter house and leave once the sun has set.

Preschool: A Warbler's Journey
2024-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about the incredible journey made by these tiny birds through literature , activities and craft.

Nature for your Mental Health
2024-05-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us as we learn tools and tips to help rejuvenate our minds and bodies with the help of the natural world.
