You Can Eat That: Black Walnut
Launching into wild edible plants may seem complicated, but with a little knowledge and an adventurous mindset, you could be foraging for your own food in no time. Before you get …Read More
Fall Hiking in the parks #4 – October 21, 2016
BLACKLICK WOODS This time of year the Multi-purpose Trail at Blacklick Woods is a sight to behold. Start at the nature center parking lot and enjoy an easy 2-mile walk …Read More
Spiders: The not so spooky Halloween symbol
Ask any kindergartener and they will tell you that spiders have eight legs, eight eyes (most do) and two body parts…and they are way cool. Most adults would not agree …Read More
Fall hiking in the parks #3 – October 14, 2016
HOMESTEAD METRO PARK This spring, staff at Homestead started the conversion of mowed lawn into habitat by seeding native tallgrass prairie. It will take three to five years for the prairie …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat – Ranger Fortman
Movement in the ranger ranks continues. A tip of the campaign hat to Kurt Fortman who was promoted from a ranger at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park to the assistant manager …Read More
BIG RED (part II) — It’s all in the genes
VIRGINIA GORDON Communications Coordinator As reported in part one of our two-part blog post on Big Red, regular park visitor at Blacklick Woods, Karl Hassel, became obsessed with capturing photos …Read More
Fall hiking in the parks #2 – October 7, 2016
SHARON WOODS If you are looking for a leisurely walk that’s chocked-full of fall colors, the fields at Sharon Woods are at their fall-color peak with blooming Goldenrod and New …Read More
Myth busting the hickory tussock moth caterpillar
You may have seen this post somewhere on social media: “POISONOUS CATERPILLAR FOUND IN OHIO— It may look like a woolly worm..but it’s not. This is a venomous caterpillar from …Read More
BIG RED (part I) – The Search for a Legend
VIRGINIA GORDON Communications Coordinator There are some large bucks to be seen at Blacklick Woods, and maybe some of them are related to an impressive beast that once roamed the …Read More
Columbus City Schools Intern Initiative
If you visited a Metro Park this summer, you may have seen a group of high school students staining a deck or trimming alongside a trail. These students were part …Read More
Fall hiking in the parks #1 – Sept 22, 2016
Later this morning, 10:21 am to be precise, fall officially arrives. Fall is a season of sensory splendor and delight in your Metro Parks. Crisp morning air, bright blue and …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat – Rangers Heisey, Knowles, Kaderly and White
A lot of things happening in the ranger ranks over the last few weeks. Mike Heisey, Glacier Ridge Park Manager, retired on August 31, 2016 after 37 years of service to …Read More
Pondering Pawpaws
Look for the dark maroon flowers of the pawpaw tree in early spring and dare to take a whiff. It smells like rotting meat. But believe it or not, by …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat – Rangers Davis and Caldwell
Two of our newer rangers, Dustin Davis at Greenways and Shelby Caldwell at Highbanks, are currently attending the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. They recently passed a crucial step, the physical training …Read More
Rock On at the Community Rock Climbing Festival
Scioto Audubon Metro Park’s climbing wall opened in 2009 and has been a resounding success with visitors, and especially with the climbing community. Our Community Rock Climbing Festival on Saturday September …Read More
Bumble Bustle at Inniswood
Bees can be a polarizing topic for many. I meet visitors all the time that have an aversion to them. People may have had a traumatic experience with a bee, maybe …Read More
Annual Nature Print Contest 2016
Metro Parks, in cooperation with the Lens & Leaves Camera Club, has run an annual nature print contest for more than 25 years. Terrific photographs are entered every year and …Read More
The Cycle Continues
As we have discussed in other issues of the blog, theft from vehicles is the largest criminal problem rangers deal with at Metro Parks. Occurrences are often cyclic. A criminal, or …Read More