Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

New Years Bird Hike
2026-01-01 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Kick-off the new year with a 1.25-mile guided hike as we search the forest and feeders for winter birds.

Homemade Bird Feeder
2026-01-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Meet at the Park Office Lobby and make a homemade bird feeder to take home!
Use address 2600 Dublin Rd Columbus OH 43228 and follow the roadway towards the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the parking lot will be on your left.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2026-01-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on gravel and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Blacklick Walk & Talk
2026-01-03 09:00 - 10:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Meet on the first Saturday of every month for a moderate to fast-paced hike and to meet like-minded people. This is not an interpretive hike.

Prairie Oaks Winter Hike
2026-01-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm in the Darby Bends Lakes area (2755 Amity Road, Hilliard, OH).
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Off Trail Wandering
2026-01-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and weather conditions will determine where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Winter Fungi
2026-01-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join the naturalist on a 2-mile hike looking for fungi that love cold weather. We will be going off-trail, so wear good hiking shoes and dress for the weather.

January 100 Bird Series- Battelle Darby Creek
2026-01-03 15:00 - 16:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Observing 100 species of birds in Ohio in January is a fun challenge, and reason to get outside in the winter months. Join a naturalist for a 1.5-mile hike as we try to see how many different birds we can observe. Binoculars available to borrow. Trail is a mixture of crushed gravel and paved. Ages 8+, meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Boards, 2705 Darby Creek Dr.

Full Moon Hike
2026-01-03 17:00 - 19:00 | 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.

Wolf Moon Hike
2026-01-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Celebrate the January full moon on this 2-mile hike.

Fast-Paced Full Moon Hike
2026-01-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Take a Fast-Paced hike through the nighttime forest under the full moon. Not suitable for slow walkers or strollers.

Duck Walk
2026-01-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Wander out to Thoreau Lake to look for winter birds and see what waterfowl are using the pond this week.

Walnut Woods Winter Hike
2026-01-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Walnut Woods Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm in the Buckeye Area (6716 Lithopolis Road, Groveport, OH). Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Drop In: Art Journaling (age 16+)
2026-01-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist in creating art journals through upcycling, crafting, and collaging! Supplied journals are provided but limited with recommendation of bringing your own. Drop in to the Nature Center between 12:00 – 2:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room. Program intended for ages 16+.
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.

For Adults 50+: Hike The Sweetgum
2026-01-04 13:30 - 15:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Meander through a forest of pines, oaks and sweetgums on a brisk 2-mile winter walk. The trail is considered easy. Stop by the Buckeye Area (6716 Lithopolis Rd.) by 1pm for refreshments before the hike.
Meet at the Tall Pines Area at 6833 Richardson Rd., Groveport.

Woodpecker Walk
2026-01-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll learn about and look for woodpeckers and other birds on an easy, less than a mile walk. Bring binoculars if you’d like and we’ll have some to share. Meets at the Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Little Hikers Club
2026-01-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bring your little hiker and let’s go on a 1-mile accessible hike with stops along the way for a story and games! Trail is stroller friendly. Meet us at the Ranger Station.

Homeschoolers: Winter Birds
2026-01-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll look for and learn about birds in winter as we visit feeders on an easy 3/4 mile walk. Bring binoculars if you’d like and we’ll have some to share. Meets at the Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Bird Scavenger Hunt
2026-01-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate National Bird Day by stopping by the Naturalist’s Office and picking-up a Bird Scavenger Hunt sheet. Hike any trail in the Park, look for birds and fill our your sheet. Return it to the Office and win a prize!

Deep Stretch Yoga with Naomi
2026-01-05 18:30 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Meet at the Grove Lodge for a deep stretch yoga flow, perfect for all skill levels, at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Yoga will be indoors, bring your own mat!

Preschool: Owls of Ohio
2026-01-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Who, who is calling in the winter woods? Preschoolers will learn about Ohio Owls through games, songs, and a fun craft. Program takes place in Spring Hollow Lodge.

Trailside Bike Maintenance
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
This class will go over trailside bike maintenance, what you should carry for quick repairs, and how to keep your bike in good condition! This class will take place inside The Grove lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Preschool: Woodpeckers
2026-01-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Warm up in the Innis House with a story and craft focusing on the woodpeckers that live at Inniswood, then take a short hike to search for them.

Adaptive Adventures: Cardinal Count
2026-01-07 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Cardinal Count
Cardinals like to hang out behind the shelter house at the inclusive playground in Blendon Woods Metro Park!! Come count how many cardinals you can see! Share our binoculars or bring your own as we hang out in the shelter and count cardinals together!!
*Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Campfire Cooking
2026-01-07 17:00 - 18:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Cozy up and bring your appetite as we learn how to cook over the campfire! All equipment and food will be provided.
Meet at the Tall Pines area of Walnut Woods Metro Park – 6833 Richardson Rd. Groveport OH

Homeschool: Winter Hike
2026-01-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Homeschoolers are invited to dress warmly and join us for a winter hike along the newly opened trail on the north side of the park. Meet at Spring Hollow Lodge.

Feed the Stream
2026-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Come out for a fun Nature Center day and help us feed the Living Stream!
