First time Metro Parks visitor?
We’re glad you’re here!
Whatever you enjoy doing outdoors, Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks has a great place to begin your adventure. Find adventurous things to do, new activities to try and places to explore every day of the year! For seven decades, your Metro Parks have been a treasured natural resource for generations of central Ohioans of all ages and abilities.
Metro Parks are free and belong to everyone… so get out, get active and have some fun.
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Discover & Experience Nature
The mission of Metro Parks is to conserve open spaces, while providing places and opportunities that encourage people to discover and experience nature. Your 20 Metro Parks cover more than 28,900 acres of land and water and are home to more than 2,400 plant and animal species.
Every year more than 12 million people visit Metro Parks to escape into a world teeming with wildlife and rich in recreational and educational opportunities. The tremendous growth and enduring popularity of Metro Parks is due to the strong support of the community – as voters, as volunteers and as visitors.
LIZ CHRISTIAN Social Media & Marketing Specialist UPDATE Wednesday April 1, 2026 was a great day in the life of Metro Parks. With the opening of Great Southern, there are …Read More
SHANNON HEIST Blacklick Woods Naturalist Spring wildflowers are short-lived. They grow when conditions are right – when temperatures are rising and more sun is shining. They complete their entire life …Read More
MARIA BERGMAN Battelle Darby Creek Naturalist It’s springtime in the Metro Parks. The question is always asked: are the salamanders out yet? But what about the rest of the critters? …Read More
Craig Biegler Naturalist, Blendon Woods Craig Biegler is talking with Communications Coordinator, Virginia Gordon About me I grew up in Upper Arlington and went to programs at various Metro Parks …Read More