Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

Animal Senses
2025-06-30 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Meet a naturalist in Big Meadows to learn about animals of the meadow, their senses, and how they use them to survive in their habitat. Stay afterwards to take a self guided stroll through the Big Meadows area to see what animals you can spot! Ages 6+ recommended. Program will be entirely outdoors.
Meeting Location Oak Coves 3rd parking lot: The Oak Coves picnic area is your first LEFT after entering the park. Once you turn left into the Oak Coves picnic area, we will be in the third parking lot. Meet the naturalist at the bulletin board. Follow the orange program signs. If the parking lot is full, the Oak Coves picnic area has 4 other parking lots within 5-8 minutes walking time of the meeting location.

Toddler Tuesday: Summer Colors
2025-07-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Summer sure is hot, but there’s LOTS of colors to look for and find! Join us for a fun story about summer colors, a fun activity, and a short hike!
This program is geared for ages 2-4. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Family Creeking
2025-07-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Explore the Olentangy River to look for some of the animals that live in the river. Be prepared to get wet! Shoes required in the river for your safety. Please no flip flops. Limited supply of buckets and nets. All animals will be released back into the river at the end of the program. Don’t forget a towel and complete a change of clothes to dry off after the program. All ages.
Meet in Big Meadows. Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the picnic area in front of the Nature Center (or inside if the weather is bad) to meet a few of our animal ambassadors.

Drop-in: Turtle Time
2025-07-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Stop by the Nature Center to learn about turtles and meet our animal ambassadors.

Adaptive Adventures: Freedom and Family Day
2025-07-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Come have a day of play and celebration with your families at our fully wheelchair accessible and all ability inclusive playground! Pack a picnic, grab the kiddos and come have some fun! Located at Blendon Woods Metro Park! 10am-3pm.

Indicator Species
2025-07-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Learn about the environmental warning signs that our native wildlife give. Join us on a 1.5-mile walk. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr. Ages 8+.

Try it! Archery
2025-07-02 16:00 - 17:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction provided. Ages 8+.

Night Hike
2025-07-02 20:30 - 21:30 | 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 Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Red, White, and Boom! at Scioto Audubon
2025-07-03 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join Metro Parks at Scioto Audubon Metro Park for Red, White, and Boom! The park will be open from 6:30 am and close following the conclusion of the fireworks. Please reference the following for what you need to know before arriving:
Parking:
Parking is free and first come, first served at the park. Parking spaces cannot be saved, so once you leave, the spot will become available to the next vehicle. If parking capacity is reached within the park, the park will close to incoming cars (you can still park outside and walk in). Please remember that as the fireworks end, it may take a few minutes to exit the park due to traffic. Rangers will be directing traffic, so please follow their directions.
Saving a viewing spot:
You may set up a roped-off viewing area for your family starting at noon on Tuesday, July 2. Viewing areas are not allowed to be larger than 20×20 feet. This will not be allowed at the water tower, climbing wall, shelters, or within parking lots or other paved areas.
Activities:

Metro Parks staff will have kids activities from 4-8pm, and include tram rides, rock climbing and more! Please feel free to bring your own climbing equipment, as the climbing wall will be open for all.
The climbing wall and water tower observation decks will close at 9pm on Wednesday, July 3.
The boat ramp will open at 8am on Wednesday, July 3 for those wishing to enjoy fireworks from a canoe, kayak or other small boat on the Scioto River.
The dog park will be open for pets to enjoy. All pets must remained leashed inside the park, unless inside the gates of the dog park.
The Greenway Trails will be open to the public. Both the Olentangy and Scioto Trails can be accessed from the north end of the park.

Security:
The park will be patrolled by Metro Parks Rangers and Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies during the event. Please be sure to follow all directions and find them if you have any questions or concerns while at the park. They are there to maximize your safety and enjoyment! If you have any concerns during the event, please call the rangers at 614-620-1865.
Per Metro Parks Rules and Regulations, the open possession, display or consumption of alcohol is not permitted on parks property. Drones and fireworks are also not permitted on Metro Parks property.
Click here for more details about Scioto Audubon and a map of the park. If you have any questions prior to the event, please email info@metroparks.net or call 614-895-6249.

Butterfly Walk
2025-07-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Flit around with us on a slow-moving 2-mile walk as we look for and identify some beautiful butterflies. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Upcycled Outdoor Craft Series
2025-07-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us at the Nature Center for the first session of our upcycled craft series! Bring an empty and clean 2-liter bottle to create a birdfeeder and learn about different foods and the birds they attract.

A Hunting We will Go
2025-07-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing 10am-4pm
All ages
Pick up a scavenger hunt list at the farmhouse and enjoy searching for items around the farm.

Holiday Paddle the Lake
2025-07-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Join us in celebrating Independence Day at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes! We will be paddling around the lake, and bringing equipment for all ages!! Tandem kayaks and canoes are available for all ages with an adult. Solo sit-in kayaks and stand-up paddle boards for ages 10+. FREE and fun!
*2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH, Lake 1*

Wetland Wonders
2025-07-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us at the wetlands for a fun exploration! We will have nets to dip into the wetlands, samples of aquatic invertebrates to check, and a fun scavenger hunt! Come celebrate at the wetlands before the fireworks!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Honda Wetland Education Pavilion, rain or shine! (The entrance is 2 miles south of our main entrance)

Red White and Blue Bird Hike
2025-07-04 14:30 - 15:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Dog Park Parking lot and come on a 1.5-mile hike to look for red, white, and blue birds in the park!
Use address 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus OH 43228 and follow the park road towards the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the dog park will be on your right.

5-Mile Hike on the Greenway
2025-07-05 08:30 - 22:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us for an (almost) 5-mile hike along the Alum Creek Greenway Trail (meets at Heron Pond). We won’t stop too often but will enjoy being outdoors and sharing good company. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meets at the Heron Pond bulletin board, 3400 Williams Rd, Columbus

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your lunch and join us at the picnic area across from the Nature Center for a 30 min nature chat.
Saturdays:
7/5 – Box Turtles
7/12 – Spiders
7/19 – Birds of Prey
7/26 – Bats

Drop In: Solar Print Craft
2025-07-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the front of the nature center and make a solar print craft to take home. Limited supplies. All ages. Craft will take approx 25 minutes from start to completion..
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.

ROCKS! (and the bugs who like them)
2025-07-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
You don’t need a big net to find cool critters in the water, let us show you how to find things with your hands while looking at fun rocks! Closed toed shoes recommended, 1/4-mile walk.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed times and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

For Adults: Science Sunday - Lepidoptera
2025-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join Chris Kline from Butterfly Conservation Center as we learn about Ohio native butterflies, moths, and caterpillars during this session about Lepidoptera. Meet at Beech Maple Lodge.

Primitive Fire Starting
2025-07-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn to start a fire using flint and steel. Ages 8+ Meet at the Natural Play Area large group shelter.

Summer Sunday Splash
2025-07-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Stop by anytime between 1-4pm for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station. 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Let's Go Creeking
2025-07-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 1-mile round-trip hike to our creeking area and use nets and hands to search for critters in the creek. For safety, please wear closed-toed shoes. In case of high water or other adverse conditions, an alternate activity will be held. No pets, please. Meets at the Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Crochet Club: Ducks!
2025-07-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Join us for another free crochet session! This time we will be sitting by the water in our Lakeside Pavilion. Come learn about and look for ducks as you create your own duck to take home!
All supplies needed will be provided. No experience necessary, we can teach you the basics of crochet! Feel free to bring your own WIPs as well!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Lakeside Pavilion, rain or shine!

Introductory Tai Chi
2025-07-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join instructor, Midge Krause, for an introductory tai chi class. This program is geared for adults, children may participate with adult supervision.
