First time Metro Parks visitor?
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Whatever you enjoy doing outdoors, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks are 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 space, while providing place and opportunities that encourage people to discover and experience nature. Your 20 Metro Parks cover more than 28,500 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 a Metro Park 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.

Metro Parks: your natural mood boosters

ADAM BRANDEMIHL Guest blogger As a psychiatrist, I have seen the positive mental health impacts of consistently spending time in nature, including lower stress levels, improvements in mood and a …Read More

Behind the Parks: Meet Caroline at Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure

Caroline Wagner Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure Programmer Hometown and background I’m from Seven Hills, Ohio, a city of about 12,000 people in Cuyahoga County, and a suburb of Cleveland. I …Read More

Wait…! The Metro Parks has a golf course!?

ERIN WHITMAN Golf Course Generalist YES! Metro Parks does have a golf course. Located right next door to Blacklick Woods Metro Park, Blacklick Woods Golf Course has been serving our …Read More

Wetlands: What are they?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has dedicated May as American Wetlands Month! What are wetlands? Wetlands are areas of ground that remain saturated with water for the majority …Read More

Lodges & Shelters

Find the perfect place for events of all sizes

Information on Lodges & Shelters

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!

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