Summer 2016 - Metro Parks

Transcription

Summer 2016
Your Metro Parks
SAT JULY 23
10am to 7pm
HIGHBANKS
BIG MEADOWS PICNIC AREA
Bring your family for a free celebration of summer,
help your kids connect with nature and put smiles
on their faces. Enjoy playing in the creek, climbing
sentatives from several organizations will have
activities and be available to talk about your
outdoor adventures. WBNS10TV news anchors
will be joining in the day’s fun adventure.
Photos by Da
face painting and other outdoor events. Repre-
n Bissonette
on rocks and up trees, sack races, scavenger hunts,
Summer 2016
Parkscope
8
Nature Apps
Naturalists review some of their favorite apps
to help you get more out of a visit to a park.
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Pawpaw
Native Americans valued pawpaw as a
fruit and the largest fruit in Ohio is now
making a comeback.
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Outdoor Movie Series
Don’t miss our free summer series of
movies on the big screen outside, including Star Wars – The Force Awakens.
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Metro Parks Guide
Your complete guide to the Metro Parks
system with map, directions to parks
and park hours.
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Metro Parks Summer Programs
A park-by-park listing of programs for all
ages in June, July and August.
Back
cover
Metro Parks Album
A quarterly gallery of images from some
of the area’s best photographers.
A serenade on Big Darby Creek, by John Nixon
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Caterpillars
There are about 3,000 different species
of caterpillars to discover in Ohio.
The confluence at Three Creeks, by Carey Sherrill
Cover Photo: Great blue heron at Pickerington Ponds,
by Laurie Fausnaugh
Established in 1945, Metro Parks operates
19 parks in seven Central Ohio counties.
Metro Parks protects more than 27,000
acres of land and water and offers yearround recreational and educational oppor
tunities for youth and adults. Facilities
and programs are available to the public
free-of-charge—made possible by voter
support of the 2009 Metro Parks levy.
Metro Parks is a separate political subdivision of the state of Ohio organized under
Ohio Revised Code, Section 1545. Metro
Parks’ Board of Park Commissioners,
composed of three citizens who serve
three-year terms without compensation,
governs the Park District. Board members
are appointed by the Judge of the Probate
Court of Franklin County.
Metro Parks’ Board of Park Commission
ers meets monthly. Meetings are open
to the public. Visit metroparks.net for
meeting time, dates and location.
Board of Park Commissioners
Greg S. Lashutka
Jim McGregor
J. Jeffrey McNealey
Executive Director
Tim Moloney
www.metroparks.net 3
Tim Moloney, Executive Director
4 Parkscope
Virginia Gordon
s I explore our Metro Parks with my two young sons and we talk with visitors or I read friends comments on our Facebook page, I am
amazed at just how important the parks are to them. Some come daily for walks, others to watch wildlife, some participate in programs,
while others play with their children or grandchildren. These visitors see themselves as part of the park experience. I feel they share a sense
of pride and ownership in our 19 parks and I call them Champions of the Metro Parks.
Earlier this year Metro Parks’ two longtime Champions, Robert “Tad” Jeffrey and Howard “Mac” Albin, passed away.
Tad Jeffrey proudly served as a Commissioner on the Park
Board for 16 years and was instrumental in transforming the
park system. His contributions and commitment to Columbus and
Franklin County have been transforming not only for the park
system, but have helped make Central Ohio one of the most livable
places in the Midwest for its parks and network of trails. During
his tenure as a commissioner, Metro Parks more than doubled its
acreage, opened five new parks, increased educational programming, became an active participant in the Central Ohio Greenways
Trail System and secured additional state and federal dollars. His
fiscal stewardship and belief in using tax payer dollars prudently
boded well with the voters of Franklin County, resulting in successful passage of its park levies.
Going off trail and bushwhacking through the woods was one
of Tad’s delights. He felt that visitors should be able to have similar
challenges to more fully discover the subtleties of the outdoors and
Robert “Tad” Jeffrey on the Creekside Meadows Trail at Clear Creek.
convinced his fellow park commissioners and staff to establish
Off-Trail Areas at several parks. Tad was the visitors’ eyes and ears, having walked nearly every trail and canoed every waterway in the park
system. I would usually hear from Tad after one of his weekend forays about what he had seen in the park. It might be how impressed he was
when a ranger helped find someone lost on a trail or that we need a directional sign at a trailhead. My Monday mornings will never be the
same without his “Weekend Reports” coming in.
We also lost a champion who dedicated his adult life to working to preserve Big and Litle Darby creeks, conducting field research in the
Darby Watershed and educating others about Central Ohio’s most precious and vital natural resource. Howard “Mac” Albin spent nearly 35
years working for Metro Parks as a naturalist and aquatic ecologist.
There has never been a person who understood the total ecology
of the Darby Creeks more than Mac. His knowledge was revered
and sought after by both experts and children alike. Over the
years, Mac shared his love and knowledge of the native aquatic life
in the streams with thousands of youth and adults.
When I joined Metro Parks, I was completely taken in by his
passion for the ecology of Battelle Darby Creek and all of our
parks. He was a true field naturalist. I would catch myself waiting
on the next words to come out of his mouth, to then be surprised
when he would let nature take over without saying a thing.
Fellow staff talked about his love of researching and documenting the behavior of a particular species. Mac would wait patiently,
sometimes hours, to capture the right image of a rainbow darter
or spend a winter morning waist deep in the creek to monitor the
breeding ritual of the river red horse sucker.
We will miss these two fine gentlemen. n
Howard “Mac” Albin with a clubshell mussel in Little Darby Creek.
Ken Browne
Champions of Metro Parks
A
Photos by park staff & volunteer photographers
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1. Bruce Simpson
2. Scott Felker
3. Karen Ricker
4. Virginia Gordon
5. Fred Miller
6. Nic Smith
7. Bill McCracken
8. Laura Canegali
9. Andrea Krava
10. Cheryl Blair
11. Dan Bissonette
Show the humble caterpillar some love
6 Parkscope
Ralf Niehaus
M
Adam Brandemihl
A black swallowtail caterpillar uses bird dropping camouflage to hide from predators in plain sight.
Bruce Simpson
any people wouldn’t give caterpillars a second thought. They can
eat our gardens, chew holes in
clothes, and sting our children, so what
good are they?
Actually caterpillars are an incredibly diverse group of animals and only a
few cause any problems for humans. In
fact, they are a vital component of our
ecosystem.
There are approximately 3,000 species
of moths and butterflies in Ohio, and each
one has its own caterpillar, or larva. Caterpillars are just one stage in these insects’
life cycle, which begins with an egg. The
caterpillar hatches from the egg and begins
eating immediately, sometimes consuming
its own eggshell.
These larvae fill a very different role in
nature than their adult counterparts, which
can only drink fluids through a straw-like
mouth. Instead, each caterpillar species has
a unique mouth which can chew certain
foods, usually only a few types of leaf.
However, some species can eat other
insects, bore through wood, and even chew
on wool. Once they have reached full size,
the caterpillar turns into a helpless pupa;
depending on the species, this may be
tucked away somewhere hidden, inside a
silk cocoon, or out in the open as a chrysalis. The butterfly or moth emerges after its
metamorphosis is complete.
Though all insects have six legs, caterpillars appear to have more. Their abdomens
are adorned with “prolegs,” which are
more flexible than their true legs. Tiny
hooks on the prolegs latch onto branches,
allowing their true legs to be used for
grasping food.
With so many different species, it can be
hard to identify a caterpillar that you find.
To simplify things, caterpillars are divided
into families that share similar traits. The
following examples are some you are likely
to find in the parks.
There are only two groups of butterfly
caterpillars you are likely to see. Swallowtail caterpillars usually start their lives
looking like a bird dropping. Some of them
will later change into a more alarming
Kids love to handle caterpillars, especially
larger species like the cecropia silk moth.
snake-like appearance, complete with false
eyespots and a stinky forked tongue.
Brushfoots, or nymphalids, include the
poisonous monarchs, with their vibrant
warning stripes, and the spiky painted
ladies that are often raised in classrooms,
among many others. Most other butterfly caterpillars are either well hidden or
inconspicuous.
The tiger moths are a subgroup of the
largest moth family, the owlets. They are
often brightly colored and furry, like the
woolly bear, which folklore has credited
with being able to change its color to adapt
to upcoming weather conditions.
Actually, if you see an all-black or allorange woolly bear, it does not mean that
the weather will be more or less severe: you
are probably just looking at a different species of tiger caterpillar.
The tobacco hornworm is a large green
caterpillar with diagonal stripes and a red
horn on its posterior. They can be very
Sparrows and other native birds need huge
numbers of caterpillars to feed their young.
destructive to tomatoes and other plants in
the nightshade family. However, few of them
make it to adulthood because of predators.
Most hornworms are not pests and
will eventually turn into sphinx moths,
including interesting species like the hummingbird moths and the beautiful green
pandorus sphinx.
The inchworm’s loopy movement is
known to everyone. But many people are
not aware that these are the caterpillars
of geometer (literally “earth-measurer”)
moths. Inchworms have fewer prolegs than
other caterpillars, which makes them less
secure when on a branch.
Frank Kozarich
Annette Boose
Stephanie Moon
The hairs of the hickory tussock moth caterpillar can cause a rash in some people.
Their strange locomotion makes them
very fast, though, and they are masters of
camouflage, appearing to be a small twig
when at rest.
The giant silkmoth family includes the
largest caterpillars in North America. The
biggest is the hickory horned devil which
looks like a six-inch dragon or a green
spiky hot dog.
Others in this group include one seemingly adorned with Christmas lights, the
cecropia, and the electric-green caterpillar of the popular luna moth. Once these
caterpillars reach adulthood, the moths
must survive off the energy they had stored
as larvae, since their mouthparts atrophy
after they pupate.
Introduced accidentally to the eastern
USA in 1869, gypsy moth caterpillars can
cause big problems for our forests. They
feed on over 250 species of hardwood tree
leaves and can reach such high numbers
that they will completely defoliate acres of
forest, killing the trees and changing the
environment.
They have few predators because of their
irritating hairs. Highbanks had a major
infestation in 2009 and you can still see the
effects along the southeast section of the
Dripping Rock Trail. Fortunately they were
eradicated using a non-toxic method but
we are keeping watch in case they return.
Often mistaken for gypsy moths, the colorful eastern tent caterpillar can reach high
numbers in the spring. They form colonies
within a silken tent, mostly on cherry trees.
Craig Biegler
A field search for caterpillars, butterflies and other insects is a major fun part of Bugstravanza, which returns on August 30 this year at a new location, Walnut Woods Metro Park.
Woolly bear caterpillar
Hickory horned devil caterpillar
Usually they don’t cause enough damage
to injure the tree, although young saplings
may be in danger.
While most caterpillars are safe to
handle, a few have a painful sting. A good
rule to follow is to stay away from any that
look furry or spiky.
Even if the caterpillar has no venom
some people are sensitive to the hairs and
can develop a rash. In particular, members of the slug caterpillar family, like the
saddleback caterpillar, have a particularly
painful sting that can leave a welt for days.
Since most caterpillars are adapted to
eat only a few types of leaf, the incredible
diversity of caterpillars is supported by
our native plant species. However, when
we maintain 42 million acres of pesticidefilled lawn in the United States and invasive
plants run wild, there are fewer opportunities for caterpillars to thrive.
Although you may not be interested in
caterpillars, imagine how their absence
affects other wildlife. For example, a single
chickadee nest requires approximately
5,000 caterpillars for all of its nestlings to
survive.
The typical manicured lawn with nonnative shrubs and trees will not support
such a massive load of caterpillars. But a
single native oak tree can support over 500
species of moths and butterflies.
If each female moth or butterfly lays an
average of 100 eggs, there would be enough
caterpillars to feed ten chickadee nests.
Plant a patch of native wildflowers and
you’ll support more birds.
Please plant responsibly, and remember
that all of these plants and animals also
help support our own existence on this
planet.
If you want to learn more, two excellent
books are “Caterpillars of Eastern North
America” by David Wagner, and “Bringing
Nature Home” by Doug Tallamy.
If you are interested in observing
caterpillars, we will be raising some at the
Highbanks Nature Center this summer and
on August 20 we’ll go hunt for them after
dark.
Also, Bugstravaganza is returning after
a long hiatus and will be held at Walnut
Woods Metro Park on August 30. n
Craig Biegler, Highbanks Naturalist
Metro Parks develops nature
games on the TaleBlazer app
S
Christine Thompson
martphone apps have become a part of our daily lives. They
make everything from checking email to making dinner
reservations quick and easy. But did you know that there are
some fantastic apps that can make your time spent in nature even
more enjoyable? Nature apps are shortcuts to a vault of nature
knowledge.
Field guides are great to have in your backpack while hiking.
They cover myriad subjects like birds, trees, astronomy, mammals,
fish, insects and so on.
Unfortunately, field guides can be heavy and putting them all
into a backpack to go on a hike in one of the many wonderful
Metro Parks can be quite arduous and rather cumbersome.
To some, apps have started to take the place of traditional field
guides. Many field guides are available as an app, with nearly all
of the same information you would find in the printed version.
These field guide apps also have some advantages over their ink
and paper versions.
Families can share fun and discovery in Metro Parks using the gps
feature on smartphones to geocache and find hidden treasure.
8 Parkscope
For example, many nature
apps feature animal sounds
and calls, which can be
handy identification tools.
Short videos and 3D renderings are other items that you
will find in your downloaded field guide that the
heavy bound version cannot
provide.
Apps are practical in the
field and often great cures
for boredom for anyone with
an interest in nature. They
Metro Parks has created games
are useful tools for identififor Highbanks and Slate Run
cation, general information
Farm on the TaleBlazer app,
and serve diverse educational
with more parks to come.
purposes.
Many nature apps offer
quizzes or games to test your newfound knowledge while simultaneously offering a degree of entertainment value. Others, like
many birding apps, even provide local updates about uncommon
birds sighted in a given area, proving helpful to many birders
tracking those “life birds.”
Other apps can provide a fun way to explore the outdoors. MIT
developed an app called TaleBlazer that allows people to play an
augmented reality game while exploring an area. Metro Parks’
education staff used the TaleBlazer app to develop interactive
games for visitors to play while at Highbanks or Slate Run Farm.
The Highbanks game lets people become the Park Manager for
a day and decide how to best manage the park for wildlife and
visitors. Visitors will make tough decisions and if they don’t do
well, they can be fired!
This game will also be adapted to play at Battelle Darby Creek
and Sharon Woods Metro Parks. In the TaleBlazer game at Slate
Run Farm the players find themselves transported back in time
to the 1880s farm. By moving around the farm and answering a
series of questions, players try to convince the farmer they belong
back in the 1880s.
Another great way to use an app is to discover new areas of a
park through Geocaching. Using the gps on a smartphone, people
search for hidden containers, known as caches, like a treasure
hunt. This can be a great way to get out and hike to new places
or engage kids on a walk in the woods. Those looking to explore
all the Metro Parks this summer can try the 2016 Metro Parks
GeoTrail as a way to find caches hidden in all the parks.
Download these nature apps via Google Play for Android devices
or the App Store for Apple products. Most are relatively inexpensive, especially in comparison to printed field guides. And some
nature apps are free.
A free bird app called Merlin, by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
will assist with local bird identification and birding basics. It can
also be helpful for many bird enthusiasts to locate a rare snowy
owl that could be passing through the area that would otherwise
be missed.
After an app is downloaded, it is advantageous to take time to
learn how to use it. Many apps have a tutorial or some sort of basic
instruction to assist you in how to use it. These instructions can be
helpful and will allow you to become very proficient when using
the app, especially out in the field.
Consider nature apps to discover new places and advance your
knowledge of various nature-based topics. They are shortcuts to
a wealth of information and best of all, they stay right with you in
your phone as you enjoy exploring your Metro Parks.
Tips to help select the right nature app:
•Read the reviews and ratings before the app is downloaded
•Consider the size of the app, the more MB it is the more space it
will use on your phone
•Go with a trusted source. For example, National Geographic and
Audubon Guides are just a few of the many reputable sources
that offer nature apps.
A few naturalist favorite apps:
•National Geographic Birds of North America
•The Audubon Guides
•Merlin by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
•Outsmart Invasives
•REI’s National Parks
•TaleBlazer by MIT
•Geocaching.com or cgeo.org
Check the program pages for more information on the following
related programs:
June 15, noon: Lunchtime Chat: Geocaching at Sharon Woods
July 29, 6-9pm: Geocaching Treasure Hunt at Sharon Woods
Aug 9, noon: Lunchtime Chat: Tech Talk at Sharon Woods
Aug 20, 6pm: Family Geocaching at Glacier Ridge n
Beth Renner, Blacklick Woods Naturalist and
Jill Snyder, Highbanks Senior Naturalist
Mike Fetherolf
Metro Parks GeoTrail 2016
The 2016 GeoTrail highlights the trees and forests of Metro Parks. We invite you to participate in this year’s Geocache
hunt that includes a variety of cache types and difficulty levels.
The first 100 teams to find any 15 GeoTrail caches are eligible to receive a special edition Metro Parks Geocoin. If you
find all 20 GeoTrail caches, you can solve the puzzle and unlock the coordinates for the Bonus Cache.
How to participate:
• Go to metroparks.net to find complete instructions, download and print the GeoTrail page, and find the cache codes.
• Go to geocaching.com to sign up for a free membership, create a cache handle and download the cache coordinates.
• At the Geocaching Celebration, 10am on Sept 10 at Blendon Woods’ Hickory Grove Reservable Shelter, geocoins will
be awarded to the first 100 cache teams completing the GeoTrail. Carry on the hunt for the Bonus Cache even after
the Geocaching Celebration. GeoTrail ends October 31.
L
ook 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 September, these foul-smelling flowers will have
developed into a delicious, nutritious edible
fruit. Dig a little deeper into the history of
the pawpaw and you’ll discover even more
surprises.
Some have called pawpaw (Asimina
triloba) the “forgotten fruit.” As our largest
wild fruit, it was once a cherished food foraged by Native Americans, then by colonists
and settlers moving through the eastern
United States.
But as farms and cities began to replace
the forests where pawpaw grow, these wild
fruits dwindled in importance.
Not everyone has forgotten about the
pawpaw though, and with renewed interest
in finding local foods, pawpaw is finding its
way back into our lives.
Pawpaw trees thrive in rich soils near
streams throughout forests of the eastern
United States. They grow in many of our
Metro Parks, and are easily found on our
Greenway trails.
You may have heard the term “pawpaw patch,” which describes the plant’s
tendency to send up sprouts from the root,
10 Parkscope
resulting in many trees that come from the
same plant.
These small, shrub-like trees are a member of the family of plants called Annonaceae. Many plants in this family, such as
custard apples, are tropical. Pawpaw is the
only known member of this family found as
far north as Ohio.
There’s certainly nothing tropical about
the climate in Central Ohio. So how did this
tropical tree spread its range into Ohio and
Ontario, Canada? Scientists have suggested
pawpaw were originally dispersed by large
mammals, such as ground sloths, before
the last ice age.
Fossils showing a plant very similar to
our current pawpaw were found in Mississippi. After the glaciers receded, it is likely
that early Native Americans expanded the
ranges of many useful plants, including
pawpaw.
Even if it was humans that helped spread
pawpaw as far north and west as they
would grow, these plants rely on much
smaller critters to produce fruit.
In early spring, the downward-pointing
wine-red flowers appear before the leaves,
among last years’ twigs. These putridsmelling flowers attract pollinators like flies
and beetles. If the flowers are pollinated,
Allison Shaw
Bryan Knowles
Pawpaw makes a comeback as a popular fruit
Pawpaw fruit is served at the annual Pawpaw Festival Tasting in southern Ohio.
pawpaw fruits will develop in clusters. The
fruit ripens in fall, usually in September
here in Ohio. Wild mammals such as raccoons, opossum, and black bear enjoy the
fruits, which are rich in protein and many
other nutrients.
Pawpaw offer more than nectar and fruit
to wildlife. If you have been lucky enough
to encounter a zebra swallowtail butterfly
along the trails, it was because of the huge,
oblong-shaped pawpaw leaves.
Zebra swallowtail caterpillars feed on
these tropical-looking leaves, which are
usually around a foot long. Another insect,
a moth called Talponia plummeriana,
feeds on pawpaw flowers while in the larval
Allison Shaw
caterpillar stage. Most plants have developed ways to protect themselves from being
eaten, and pawpaw is no different. There
are chemicals in the pawpaw plant that can
be harmful, but these insects have developed ways to deal with the toxins.
As the largest edible fruit indigenous to
the United States, it’s not hard to see why
it was useful to Native American tribes. A
pawpaw tree could provide plenty of fruits
for eating, while the inner bark of the plant
could be used to make rope.
The name “pawpaw” was coined by
Hernando de Soto in 1541 during an expedition to the lower Mississippi valley. Noticing the fruit’s resemblance to papayas from
the Caribbean, he borrowed the Arawakan
name for papaya fruits, “pawpaw,” although in fact the two fruits are unrelated.
Presidents George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson were both said to have
enjoyed pawpaws. And this fruit can even
be credited for saving the expedition of
Lewis and Clark, who dined on pawpaws on
their 1806 return voyage when their food
supplies were drastically low.
How did a fruit once enjoyed by US
presidents fall into obscurity in Ohio, where
it grows naturally? The answer lies in the
pawpaw’s short shelf life, which makes selling the fruit difficult. Pawpaw was not developed for production as other non-native
fruits were. But in recent years, there has
been an ebb and flow of pawpaw popularity.
In the 1960s, a resurgence of eating
naturally came into vogue, helping to bring
native plants like pawpaw into the spotlight. Euell Gibbons’ cookbook, “Stalking
the Wild Asparagus” (1962) includes a
recipe for making a parfait out of papaw.
The pawpaw has recently become more
popular with those who enjoy native fruits
and is sold commercially by nurseries who
highlight their use as a wonderful shade
tree.
Pawpaw enthusiasts have created
festivals to celebrate the fruit in Kentucky
and North Carolina. More locally, the Ohio
Pawpaw Festival is in its 17th year.
Many people do not realize that the
pawpaw was designated as Ohio’s state native fruit, signed into state history in 2009
by then-Governor Ted Strickland. However,
the pawpaw is still obscure to many, as an
A girl hides amidst the huge leaves of a pawpaw in the natural play area at Sharon Woods.
internet search for pawpaw brings up many
photos of papaya fruit.
People have a variety of responses to the
taste, which also depends on the ripeness
of the fruit. Pawpaws have many fans but
some dislike the taste and others are even
allergic. Pawpaw fruits have a custard-like
consistency and taste ranges from mango
to banana to indescribable.
Regardless of taste, pawpaw fruits do
have many human benefits, and pack a
nutritional punch. They are high in vitamin
C, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese,
potassium and amino acids.
South Korea has been studying the health
benefits of pawpaws and parts of the tree.
The studies range from chemotherapeutic
and anti-tumor uses, to uses for skin care
and perfumes. Many universities in the
United States have been studying propagation and pollination.
Where can one procure such a wild,
tropical item? The best answer is either at
a local farmer’s market or online. Frozen
pulp is available from a variety of sources.
Prices are high due to the short shelf life of
the pawpaw. You can expect prices from $1
per fruit to $25 per pound. Many cultivated
varieties are available and much research
has been devoted to flavor development and
fruit size.
Collecting is prohibited in the Metro
Parks, as any fruits that grow in the parks
are left for wildlife. However, there are a
variety of places in Ohio, such as hunting
areas and state forests, where collecting
wild-grown fruit is allowed.
Many landowners do not even realize
that they have pawpaw growing on their
property. A visit to a friend or relative’s land
may yield a few pawpaw. Nurseries also sell
the saplings as wonderful pest-resistant
shade trees.
Hopefully you will have a chance to enjoy
the pawpaw soon, either by relishing the
shade of its tree during a nature walk, or by
tasting the tropical goodness at a farmer’s
market. n
Colleen Sharkey, Inniswood
Environmental Educator and Allison
Shaw, Sharon Woods Naturalist
Stephen Willford
METRO PARKS BIKE TOUR 2016
Enjoy a family-friendly series of rides with park rangers as you explore Metro Parks bike
trails. All rides include a long and a short route for those experienced and those just
starting out. A patch for anyone completing three of the four rides.
GLACIER RIDGE
Sat July 9, 9am
Start at picnic area bulletin board
OHIO DOMINICAN
Sun July 17, 1pm
Organized with Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries
Meet at Ohio Dominican East Campus
2600 Airport Drive
Columbus
BATTELLE DARBY CREEK
Sat July 30, 9am
Start at Cedar Ridge picnic area
THREE CREEKS
Sat August 6, 9am
Start at Confluence Trails area
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
Don’t miss our summer series of
blockbuster movies outside on the big
screen — and all FREE
Movies begin at dark, with nature
activities beforehand.
POPCORN PROVIDED. Please bring
blankets, seating, other snacks, drinks
and bug repellant.
Please note that the movies and programs will be
canceled in the event of rain or storms
GOOD DINOSAUR
Sat June 11, 8:30pm
Glacier Ridge
HONEY I SHRUNK
THE KIDS
Fri July 15, 8:30pm
Highbanks
WALL-E
Sat Aug 27, 7:30pm
Sharon Woods
THE FORCE AWAKENS
Sat Sept 3, 8pm
Highbanks
METRO PARKS NEWS
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Web: metroparks.net
E-mail: info@metroparks.net
Information: 614.891.0700
Reservations: 614.508.8111
Fax: 614.895.6208
InfoLine: 614.508.8000
For help visiting facilities or with
activities, please call 614.891.0700.
Park hours for Summer 2016
Park
Battelle Darby Creek
Blacklick Woods
Blendon Woods
Highbanks
Scioto Audubon
Sharon Woods
Three Creeks
Hours
6:30am to 10pm
Chestnut Ridge
Clear Creek
Glacier Ridge
Heritage Trail
Homestead
Pickerington Ponds
Prairie Oaks
Rocky Fork
Scioto Grove
Slate Run
Walnut Woods
6:30am to dark*
Inniswood Metro Gardens
7am to dark
Innis House is open Tuesday through Friday,
8am to 4:30pm and Saturday and Sunday
11am to 4pm
Slate Run Living Historical Farm
Tue-Thu, 9am to 4pm
Fri & Sat, 9am to 6pm
Sun, 11am to 6pm
(Open Mon July 4, noon to 6pm)
Nature Centers
Blacklick Woods
Blendon Woods
Highbanks
For nature center hours, go to website
metroparks.net
Walden Waterfowl Refuge
at Blendon Woods
Daily 6:30am to 8pm
Inniswood Metro Gardens
Call 614.895.6216
Call 614.833.1880
For information about Metro Parks
print or electronic publications
contact Virginia Gordon (vgordon@
metroparks.net) or Peg Hanley
(hanley@metroparks.net)
Programs with a phone symbol & require advance registration.
Go to Programs & Activities/Upcoming Programs at
metroparks.net or call 614.508.8111.
Registration for summer programs begins at 8am on Wed May 25
METRO FIVE-0 for age 50 and older, color-coded by degree of difficulty:
LEVEL 1 (easy, fully accessible) LEVEL 2 (slow pace, less than 1-mile hike)
LEVEL 3 (up to 2-mile hike, moderate pace)
LEVEL 4 (hike over two miles at strenuous pace)
(* 1/2 hour after local sunset)
Metro Parks reserves the right to photograph
and videotape all activities, events, programs
and facilities for publicity purposes.
Metro Parks does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, religion, gender, age, nationality or disability in employment, services, programs or activities.
Metro Parks Map &
Hoover Reservoir
O’Shaughnessy
Reservoir
Trail
Sunbur
y Rd
to Erie
Ohio
Brevelhymer Rd
Blackl
Cre
ek
Winch
es te
r Rd
Richardson Rd
Cre
ek
Walnut
Big
y
Duvall Rd
Cre
ek
Slate Run
Farm and Park
Seven miles
116
south of
Lancaster on
US 33
Rd
Waterloo Rd
W
inc
he
Slou
gh Rd
33
ster R
d
Mason Rd
674
po
lis
High St
loo
St
Amanda
Northern Rd
t
er
Hill R
d
n Rd
e
ho
Wright Rd
Rd
256
Wa
Lit
317
Cre e k
Pickerington
Ponds
Wright Rd
Bowe
Bl a
ck
lic
Rd
ick
Pickerington Rd
Hamilton Rd
te
rP
i
k
Norton Rd
he
ckl
Bowen Rd
Gender Rd
by
Bix
104
Greenway Trails
inc
Three
Creeks
Rd
Bla
Lon
g
s
t
Walnut
Woods
62
reek Trail
kC
London Groveport Rd
Battelle
Darby Creek
rb
Brice Rd
W
r
po
ove
Gr
Ave
Scioto
Grove
70
Lithopolis-Winchester Rd
x
Wilco Rd
m Creek Trai
l
ick Creek
Wo
Ga rthi
len ng
a R ton
d
Alu
R
Schleppi Rd
ork
Hamilton Rd
k
Williams Rd
270
71
Spangler Rd
Parsons
Cree
3
665
14 Parkscope
t Cree
Dr
104
23
71
Rd
tom
ot
Livingston Ave
eek
y
Scioto Trail
d
Da
yB
70
62
270
Main St
Alum Cr
Rd
arb
R
ire
Alk
u
aln
Big W
ity
Am
Big
k
Cree
Little Darby
k
e
& Golf Courses
317
40
Scioto
Audubon
a il
Tr
Darby Creek Trail
Blacklick Woods
Trail
I-670
40
Broad St
as
Ch
r
Cher
ot
Scioto Trail
670
p
m
Ca
670
16
er
70
Darby Creek Dr
D
270
Creek
3
be
h
Hig ike
eP
Fre
3
o
Riv
Ro
Blendon 161
Woods Dublin-Granville Rd
Alum
St
315
Homestead
Prairie
Oaks rts Rd
Cleveland Ave
d
Sci
Amity Rd
Georgesville Rd
to D
arb
yR
Darby Creek Trail
High
Scio
33
Morse Rd
Rd
270
Dublin
Heritage
Trail Park
ty
Plain Ci
rail
Olenta n gy T
d
n
Rd
Avery
e n Ru
yd
Ha
71
er
Olentangy Riv
Amity Pike
Tra
il
e
Inniswood
161
23
Rock y
Rd
ag
W a lnu
t St
Dempsey Rd
ing
Cross
Tuttle
Blvd
Rocky Fork
Hempstead Rd
E. Schrock Rd
161
62
F
Main St
270
Tuttle
Rd
Rd
rit
Sharon
Woods
is P k w y
Park Rd
y
Cosgra
He
ar
Highbanks
Post Rd
161
Pol
257
Rd
e
Croy
Hyland
y
tar
me e
Ce Pik
Powell Rd
750
Harlem
v
si de Dri
Glacier
Ridge Brock Rd
605
23
R iver
33
71
Alum Creek
Reservoir
674
Perrill Rd
Winchester Rd
Chestnut
Ridge
Neiswander Rd
Marcy Rd
Clear Creek
Cl
C l ear
C
6)
d (C R 11
e a r Cre r e e k R
ek
To
Lancaster
33
& Directions
BATTELLE DARBY CREEK
1775 Darby Creek Dr
Galloway 43119
39.90346 -83.20914
From I-270 take W Broad St (US 40)
exit west. Go about 5 miles on Broad
St to Darby Creek Dr. Turn left onto
Darby Creek Dr and go 3 miles to main
park entrance on right.
Nature Center
1415 Darby Creek Dr
39.91618 -83.21127
Entrance is on right 1 mile before
main park entrance. (Indian Ridge
Picnic Area is 1 mile south of the main
entrance on the right).
BLACKLICK WOODS
& GOLF COURSES
6975 & 7309 E Livingston Ave
Reynoldsburg 43068
39.94595 -82.80999 (park)
39.94577 -82.80152 (golf course)
From I-270, take the E Main St/
Reynoldsburg exit. Go east on Main St
to Brice Rd and turn right. Take Brice
Rd to Livingston Ave and turn left.
Entrance is about 1.5 miles on the
right. Golf course is 1⁄4 mile beyond
the park entrance.
BLENDON WOODS
4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd
Westerville 43081
40.07987-82.88470
From I-270, take State Route 161 exit
(30B) toward New Albany onto
E Dublin-Granville Road. Go 1.6 miles
then take the Little Turtle Way exit and
turn right. Go to Old SR 161 and turn
right. Entrance is 1/2 mile on left.
CHESTNUT RIDGE
8445 Winchester Rd NW
Carroll 43112
39.81027-82.75365
From I-270, take US 33 east toward
Lancaster. Go about 11 miles and turn
right on Winchester Rd. Entrance is
about 3 miles on the left.
CLEAR CREEK
185 Clear Creek Rd
Rockbridge, 43149
39.59776-82.54892
From I-270, take US 33 about 32 miles.
Turn right on Clear Creek Rd (CR 116).
Picnic areas, facilities and trails are
located along Clear Creek Rd for the
next seven miles.
GLACIER RIDGE
9801 Hyland Croy Rd, Plain City 43064
40.15628-83.18510
Take I-270 toward Dublin. Take 33/161
west (exit 17B) toward Marysville. Follow 33/161 west to the 161/Plain City/
Post Rd exit. Turn right at the light and
then immediately left on Hyland Croy
Rd. The Honda Wetland Education Area
is 1 mile north on the left (7825 Hyland
Croy Rd). Main entrance 2 miles further
north.
HERITAGE PARK and TRAIL
7262 Hayden Run Rd, Hilliard 43026
40.05951-83.19585
From I-270 take Tuttle Crossing Blvd
west, go 0.7 miles, turn left on Wilcox
Rd. Go 1.1 miles, turn right on Hayden
Run Rd. Entrance is about 2.7 miles on
right.
HIGHBANKS
9466 US 23 N, Lewis Center 43035
40.15283-83.01837
From I-270, take US 23 North about 3
miles. Entrance on the left, just before
Powell Rd.
HOMESTEAD
4675 Cosgray Rd, Hilliard 43026
40.05130-83.18125
Take I-270 turn west onto Cemetery Rd.
Go 2.1 miles (just past intersection with
Main St) and turn right on Scioto Darby
Rd. Go 0.9 miles to Cosgray Rd and turn
right. Entrance 1.2 miles on left.
INNISWOOD
940 S Hempstead Rd, Westerville 43081
40.10086-82.90357
From I-270, take SR 3/Westerville Rd
south to Dempsey Rd and turn left.
Go about 1 mile to Hempstead Rd and
turn left. Turn again on Hempstead Rd
as it jogs right just past the Blendon
Township Complex. Entrance is about
100 yards on the right.
PICKERINGTON PONDS
7680 Wright Rd, Canal Winchester
43110
39.88451-82.79878
From I-270 take US 33 east toward
Lancaster about 3 miles. Take the Canal
Winchester/SR 674/Gender Rd exit.
Turn left onto Gender Rd, go about 1
mile and turn right onto Wright Rd. Go
about 1 mile to Bowen Rd and turn left.
Glacier Knoll picnic and parking area is
about 1⁄4 mile on left.
PRAIRIE OAKS
SHARON WOODS
3225 Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson 43162
39.98824-83.26421
Main Entrance: From I-270, take I-70
west to the Plain City-Georgesville
Rd/SR 142 exit and go north on SR
142 about 0.8 miles. Entrance on
right
6911 Cleveland Ave, Westerville 43081
40.11399-82.94904
From I-270, take Cleveland Ave North .
Entrance about 1⁄2 mile on left
Spring Hollow Lodge
1069 W Main St, Westerville 43081
40.12539-82.96728
Cannot be accessed from Sharon
Woods entrance). Continue north on
Cleveland Ave, past the main park
entrance to Main St and turn left. Go
about 1.5 miles and turn left into park.
Sycamore Plains Trail
2009 Amity Rd, Hilliard 43026
39.98887-83.23883
From Route 142 (Plain City-Georgesville Rd) go 1⁄4 mile south of I-70
exit. Turn left on High Free Pk. Go
about 1 mile to Roberts Rd and turn
left. Go about 1 mile on Roberts Rd
to Amity Rd and turn left. Entrance
on left
Darby Bend Lakes
2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard 43026
40.00294-83.24881
From I-270, take I-70 west to the
West Jefferson/Plain City exit, turn
right onto Plain City-Georgesville
Rd/SR 142. Go 2.25 miles to Lucas
Rd (passing main park entrance) and
turn right. Cross Big Darby Creek
and turn right at the stop sign onto
Amity Rd. Entrance about 0.5 miles
on right.
ROCKY FORK
SLATE RUN FARM and PARK
1375 SR 674 North
Canal Winchester 43110
39.75719-82.82787
Lancaster to the Canal Winchester/SR
674 exit. Turn right onto Gender Rd/
SR 674 and go about 2 miles until it
dead-ends into Lithopolis Rd. Turn left
and go about 1⁄2 mile to SR 674. Turn
right, go about 4 miles to the entrance
on the right.
Slate Run Wetlands:
39.76573-82.86716
Continue past main park entrance 1⁄2
mile to Marcy Rd and turn right. Go 3
miles to Winchester Rd and turn right.
Wetlands entrance is about 2 miles on
the right.
7180 Walnut St, Westerville 43081
40.11217-82.79785
From I-270 take exit 30 to SR 161/
New Albany, go 3 miles and take
New Albany Rd exit, turn left and follow as it veers right on New Albany
Rd East. Go 0.5 miles and turn left on
SR 605 (New Albany Condit Rd). Go
1.4 miles, turn right on E. Walnut St.
Entrance 0.7 miles on left.
THREE CREEKS
SCIOTO AUDUBON
Lancaster. Go about 1.3 miles then
turn right on Hamilton Rd/SR 317. Go
2.7 miles and turn left onto Main St/
Groveport Rd.
400 W Whittier St, Columbus 43215
39.94426-83.00335
From I-71, take the Greenlawn Ave
exit east 1/3 mile and turn left on S
Front St. Go 1/4 mile and turn left on
W Whittier St. Entrance is 1/3 mile
on left.
SCIOTO GROVE
5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City 43123
39.85574-83.02798
From I-71, take Exit 100, Stringtown
Road and go east about 1.2 miles.
Turn right on OH104/Jackson Pike.
Entrance 1.4 miles on left.
3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport 43125
39.87307-82.89911
From I-270, take US 33 east towards
Lancaster about 1 mile. Turn right on
Hamilton Rd and go about 1.25 miles
to Bixby Rd and turn right. Entrance is
about 0.75 miles on the right.
WALNUT WOODS
for Buckeye Area
6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport 43125
39.84087-82.85560
Go 2 miles to Lithopolis Rd and turn
right. Entrance is 0.75 miles on left. Park
office across road at 6723 Lithopolos Rd.
for Tall Pines Area
6833 Richardson Rd, Groveport 43125
39.83909-82.86892
Go 1.4 miles to Richardson Rd turn
right. Entrance about 1.1 miles on right.
FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNT
Every day 9am–8pm
Enoy a fun and educational
nature based scavenger hunt.
JUNE
METRO FIVE-0: Level 4
CATCH THE CURRENT
03 Fri & 37096
Enjoy a 4-hour canoe trip on
Big Darby Creek. Canoes,
equipment and return transportation provided. Age 50
and older
BROWN BAG SPECIAL:
COLD-BLOODED CRITTERS
03 Fri 11:30am
Learn about the lives of some
of our native reptiles and amphibians. Ranger Station X
FAMILY YOGA
04 Sat 2pm
Practice various kid-friendly
yoga poses while learning
about animals and plants.
Bring a mat or blanket.
CATCH THE CURRENT:
05 Sun & 37091
equipment and return transportation provided. Paddlers
must be 14 or older and riders
8 or older.
WILD KRATTS MOVIE MATINEE:
ATTACK OF THE
TREE EATING ALIENS
06 Mon 10am
Go on a creature adventure
with the Kratt brothers as they
investigate why the forest
around the kids’ clubhouse is
dying.
PRESCHOOLERS: GOIN’ BATTY
07 Tue 9:30 or 11am
Discover the interesting life
cycle of these nocturnal flyers
through story, song and craft.
BISON
10 Fri 7pm
Take a 1-mile hike to see
North America’s largest land
mammal.
16 Parkscope
Meet at nature center unless otherwise noted (1415 Darby Creek Drive)
For information on programs at Battelle Darby Creek in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
PHOTO GROUP:
SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
11 Sat 10am
Discover how to photograph
people in social settings such
as events and parties. X
YOGA
11 Sat 11:30am
Learn yoga movements in an
outdoor setting to rejuvenate
your mind and body. Bring a
mat and/or blanket.
Ranger Station X
CATCH THE CURRENT
12 Sun & 37097
equipment and return transportation provided. Paddlers
must be 14 or older and riders
8 or older.
STREAM QUALITY
MONITORING WORKSHOP
12 Sun 2pm
Learn how to become a stream
quality monitoring volunteer
for Division of Watercraft’s
Scenic Rivers Program.
Indian Ridge Bulletin Board
PRESCHOOLERS: GOIN’ BATTY
17 Fri 11am or 1pm
Discover the interesting life
cycle of these nocturnal flyers
through story, song and craft.
CHASING CATERPILLARS
18 Sat 10am
Take a short walk to look for
caterpillars grazing on native
plants.
FULL STRAWBERRY
MOON HIKE
20 Mon 9pm
Take a brisk 4-mile hike
through fields and forest.
Ranger Station
LATE NIGHT
AT PLEASANT VALLEY
25 Sat 8pm–midnight
The Pleasant Valley Area and
pet trail will be open for fishing, hiking, and stargazing.
Pleasant Valley Bulletin Board
X
SELDOM SEEN DARBY #1
26 Sun 9am
Discover the wonders of
nature off the beaten path in
different areas of the park in
our summer series. You will
earn a button for each of the
three Seldom Seen programs
you attend. Ranger Station
ARCHERY
26 Sun 2–4pm
Stop by anytime to learn to
shoot a compound bow.
Age 8 and older X
FIREFLIES
27 Mon 8:30pm
Summon nature’s natural
fireworks with lights on a
half-mile hike.
JULY
YOGA
02 Sat 11:30am
mat and/or blanket.
Ranger Station X
MAMMALS DISPLAY
02Sat 1-4pm
03Sun1-4pm
See skin, scat, skulls and skeletons of Ohio’s mammals past
and present. X
COLD-BLOODED CRITTERS
04 Mon 1–4pm
View a display of amphibians, reptiles and other coldblooded creatures. X
BISON FOR KIDS
05 Tue 10am
mammal. Age 3-12
PHOTO GROUP:
GETTING YOUR PHOTOS
INTO PARKSCOPE
09 Sat 10am
Discover how the magazine is
created and how your photos
might be published. X
CANOE FLOAT
09 Sat 6:30–8:30pm
Take a canoe out on the lake.
Age 50 and older
CANOE FLOAT
10 Sun 1–4pm
PRESCHOOLERS:
CREEK ADVENTURES
12 Tue 9:30 or 11am
Wade in the creek and discover what critters live there.
Ranger Station
BROWN BAG SPECIAL:
MAMMALS
15 Fri 11:30am
See skins, scat and skulls
of Ohio’s native mammals.
Ranger Station
MIDWEST PHOTO AND
METRO PARKS PRESENT
16 Sat & 37356
Learn about photo composition and take a trip to the
prairie to photograph bison.
Sony cameras and equipment will be available as loan
equipment and staff from our
sponsors will be here to answer questions. Sponsored by
Midwest Photo Exchange. Go
to MPEX.com for more details
and follow the link.
FAMILY CREEKIN’
17 Sun 1pm
Catch and release aquatic
wildlife in Big Darby Creek.
Ranger Station
STOP BY SCIENCE:
WAY COOL WATER CRITTERS
17 Sun 2–4pm
Stop by anytime and get a
close up look at dragonfly
nymphs, hellgrammites, snails
and other underwater creatures. X
NATIONAL MOTH WEEK:
MOTH DISPLAY
23-31 Sat-Sun 9am-8pm
Celebrate National Moth Week
and see a display of native
moths.
STEP BACK IN TIME
24 Sun 1pm
Explore the Fort Ancient
culture on a 2-mile hike to one
of their prehistoric mounds.
PRESCHOOLERS:
CREEK ADVENTURES
29 Fri 11am or 1pm
Wade in the creek and discover what critters live there.
Ranger Station
METRO PARKS
BIKE TOUR 2016
30 Sat 9am
Join us for a family-friendly
bike experience and choose a
long or a short route depending on how experienced you
are as a biker. Cedar Ridge
Picnic Area (See page 12 for
other rides in the series.)
LATE NIGHT
AT PLEASANT VALLEY
pet trail will be open for fishing, hiking and stargazing.
X
31 Sun 9am
MOTH MANIA
31 Sun 8:30pm
Set up lights to lure in these
native nocturnal wonders.
Cheryl Blair
SECRETS OF
THE SPIDER’S WEB
18 Mon 10am
with the Kratt brothers as they
attempt to uncover the secret
to spider silk.
AUGUST
A PRAIRIE MORN
06 Sat 9am
Ramble through the tall grass
prairie to see colorful flowers
and wildlife. Age 50 and older
BISON
07 Sun 1pm
mammal. X
VOYAGE OF THE
BUTTERFLIER XT
08 Mon 10am
with the miniaturized Kratt
Brothers as they embark on
the monarch butterfly’s 2,000
mile migration.
PRESCHOOLERS:
BEES PLEASE
09 Tue 9:30 or 11am
Discover the many types of
bees that live around us and
what we can do to protect
them.
ARCHERY
12 Fri 6:30pm
Learn to shoot a compound
bow. Age 8 and older X
FINDING MUSSELS
13 Sat & 37047
Join mussel expert Tom Watters to learn about the reintroduction of endangered mussels
in Big Darby Creek and go
looking for them in the water.
PHOTO GROUP:
IMAGE REVIEW
13 Sat 10am
Enjoy a discussion and review
of member images. X
YOGA
13 Sat 11:30am
mat and/or blanket.
Ranger Station X
ARCHERY FOR KIDS
13 Sat 1–3pm
Learn to use a compound bow.
Age 8 and older X
CANOE FLOAT
14 Sun 11am–2pm
Children must fit into a life
jacket to ride.
STREAM QUALITY
MONITORING WORKSHOP
16 Tue 6:30pm
Learn how to become a stream
quality monitoring volunteer
for Division of Watercraft’s
Scenic Rivers Program.
FULL STURGEON MOON HIKE
18 Thu 8:15pm
Ranger Station
FAMILY CREEKIN’
19 Fri 6:30pm
Catch and release aquatic
wildlife in Big Darby Creek.
Ranger Station
PRESCHOOLERS: BEES PLEASE
26 Fri 11am or 1pm
Discover the many types of
bees that live around us and
what we can do to protect
them. X
MORE THAN A S’MORE
27 Sat 5pm
Learn the basics of cooking
and fire safety on a campfire.
We’ll share some of our favorite recipes and have samples
to try.
LATE NIGHT
AT PLEASANT VALLEY
pet trail will be open for fishing, hiking and stargazing.
X
28 Sun 9am
MIGRATING MONARCHS
28 Sun noon
Discover the amazing life cycle
of the king of butterflies and
their 2,000-mile journey to
Mexico.
CANOE FLOAT
21 Sun 11am–2pm
See Aug 14
Blacklick Woods
JUNE
YOGA IN THE PARK
01 Wed 10am
Bring your mat and learn basic
yoga techniques.
Beech Maple Lodge
BEEKEEPING
02 Thu 2pm
Discover what the buzz
is about and learn about
beekeeping. X
BIOLUMINESCENCE DISPLAY
04-05 Sat-Sun 8am–8pm
Uncover the science behind
organisms that produce light.
X
FUNGI WALK
04 Sat 2pm
Search for mushrooms on a
1.5-mile hike and learn fun
facts about fungi. X
GRANDPARENTS &
GRANDKIDS:
SCAVENGER HUNT
06 Mon 10am
Grab your grandchildren or
your grandparents and enjoy
this fun scavenger hunt. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
WHITE-TAIL WONDERS
08 Wed 10am or 1pm
Learn about Ohio’s largest
mammal through stories,
activities and crafts.
Beech Maple Lodge X
LENS & LEAVES
CAMERA CLUB
09 Thu 7pm
Learn photographic techniques
and view photographs taken
by members. Non-members
welcome.
Beech Maple Lodge X
MONARCH HUNT
11 Sat 1pm
Join local monarch butterfly
enthusiast Sarah Dalton to
search the milkweed fields for
monarch caterpillars. X
18 Parkscope
Meet at nature center unless otherwise noted
FAMILY CREEKING
12 Sun 2pm
Take a 2-mile walk to Blacklick
Creek and see what critters
live there.
FIREFLIES
02 Sat 9pm
Learn about these illuminating
insects on a catch-and-release
program. X
POLLINATORS
13 Mon 10am
Learn about pollinators and
take a 1-mile walk to try to
find some. Age 50 and older X
STREAM QUALITY
MONITORING
07 Thu 10am
Take a 2-mile walk to Blacklick
Creek and conduct a survey of
macroinvertebrates to measure
creek health.
WILDFLOWER WALK
15 Wed 2pm
Enjoy a 2-mile walk and learn
about wildflowers. X
ANIMAL FATHER’S DISPLAY
18Sat 8am–8pm
19 Sun 8am–8pm
Discover the best dads in the
animal kingdom. X
5K RUN
19 Sun 8:30am
Join park staff on a 3.1-mile
run. Ash Grove Picnic Area
NATURE KIDS: BLUEBIRDS
20 Mon 10am or 1pm
Learn about bluebirds and
other native cavity nesting
birds. Age 6-12 X
GOING BATTY
25 Sat 8:30pm
Watch for bats flying and
catching insects.
Ash Grove Picnic Area X
HABITAT TREK
29 Wed 11am
Take a 2-mile hike to explore
different habitats and learn
about the plants and animals
that call them home.
Age 50 and older
JULY
STARS AND STRIPES DISPLAY
02Sat 8am–8pm
03Sun8am–8pm
Learn about animals that represent America with the colors
of the stars and stripes. X
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
08 Fri 6–8pm
Enjoy nature crafts, games
and a campfire.
DRAGONS AND DAMSELS
10 Sun 2pm
Explore the world of these
carnivorous insects and learn
to identify them.
KID’S FISHING DAYS
12 Tue & 37737 / 37738
Help the rangers catch goldfish at Ashton Pond. Bring a
bucket if you want to take fish
home. Ashton Pond X
PRESCHOOLERS: FROGS
13 Wed 10am or 1pm
Hop out to learn all about
these amphibians and try to
find them on a short walk.
Beech Maple Lodge X
YOGA IN THE PARK
13 Wed 4pm
yoga techniques.
Beech Maple Lodge
KID’S FISHING DAYS
14 Thu & 37739 / 37740
Help the rangers catch goldfish at Ashton Pond. Bring a
bucket if you want to take fish
home. Ashton Pond X
LENS & LEAVES
CAMERA CLUB
14 Thu 7pm
See June 9
BEE DISPLAY
16Sat 8am–8pm
17Sun 8am–8pm
See what the buzz is all about
as you learn about honey bees.
X
RUCK-A-BOUT
16 Sat 9am
Bring your weighted pack and
join park staff on a 4-mile
ruck. Ash Grove Picnic Area
PRESCHOOLERS: BEES
16 Sat 2pm
Make a craft to learn about
bees and their importance. X
NATURE KIDS: NIGHT HIKE
18 Mon 8pm
Take a half-mile hike and
discover nocturnal sights and
sounds. Age 6-12 X
THERMOREGULATION
20 Wed 2pm
Learn how animals keep cool
in the heat of summer. X
MOTH MANIA
23 Sat 9–11pm
View moths and other nocturnal insects to kick off National
Moth Week. X
CATERPILLARS
27 Wed 2pm
Learn how to find, feed and
raise these cool critters. X
KIDS, PARENTS &
GRANDPARENTS:
SUMMER FUN
28 Thu 10am–noon
Make a craft and enjoy other
fun activities.
HISTORY OF BLACKLICK
WOODS DISPLAY
30Sat 8am–8pm
31Sun 8am–8pm
Discover the history of
Blacklick Woods, the first
Metro Park, and the surrounding areas. X
AUGUST
METRO FIVE-0: Level 1 BEES
03 Wed 3pm
Learn about our new hive,
how to care for honey bees,
and enjoy a taste of honey. X
YOU CAN EAT THAT
06 Sat 2pm
Take a 1-mile walk to discover
what wild edible plants are
available in summer and try
some samples. X
BUTTERFLY WALK
08 Mon 2pm
Search for these beautiful
insects on a 2-mile walk. X
PRESCHOOLERS: ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARTIFACTS
10 Wed 10am or 1pm
Learn about the job of archaeologists and dig to uncover
ancient relics.
Beech Maple Lodge X
YOGA IN THE PARK
10 Wed 4pm
yoga techniques.
Beech Maple Lodge
LENS & LEAVES
CAMERA CLUB
11 Thu 7pm
Learn photographic techniques
and view photographs taken
by members. Non-members
welcome.
Beech Maple Lodge X
SPIDERS
13 Sat 2pm
Learn how to find and identify
spiders. X
SUNDAY FUNDAY
FAMILY ADVENTURE
14 Sun 2pm
Enjoy an amazing race-style
adventure run.
Age 8 and older
ANIMAL COVERINGS
15 Mon 2pm
Learn about scales, feathers
and fur. X
WALK AND ROLL
18 Thu 10am
Bring your stroller or a baby
backpack for a 2-mile walk
through the woods. X
Blendon Woods
JUNE
BIRD WALK
04 Sat 8am
Explore the park in search of
breeding birds on a walk of
up to 2.5 miles. Binoculars
available.
BACK IN TIME TOYS
07 Tue 10am
Try old-style toys made from
wood, rope or metal. Feel free
to bring nostalgic toys of your
own to play with, too.
Age 50 and older X
TOUCH A TURTLE
04 Sat 1 or 3pm
Visit with our turtle and learn
about the fascinating world of
these creatures at our display.
X
WEEKEND KICK-OFF CRAFT
AND STORY: RAINBOWS
10 Fri 1 or 3pm
Hear a story and make a
craft about rainbows.
Age 12 and younger X
WHAT’S THAT BUG?
05 Sun noon–4pm
See our insect collection and
learn more about the diversity
of local insects. X
17-YEAR CICADA SEARCH
12 Sun 11am
Take a 2-mile walk to search
for signs of the emergence of
these insects, which happens
just once every 17 years, and
learn about their extraordinary
life cycle.
MOVIE NIGHT
19 Fri 7pm
Enjoy the nature movie “Leave
it to Beavers” and learn all
about these fascinating creatures. Popcorn provided.
Beech Maple Lodge X
ANIMAL OLYMPICS DISPLAY
20Sat 8am–8pm
21Sun 8am–8pm
Check out our display to learn
about some amazing animal
feats. X
NATURE KIDS: H2OLYMPICS
22 Mon 10am or 1pm
Discover the many amazing
qualities of water through
hands-on events. Age 6-12 X
BIRTHDAY PARTY:
GRAY RATSNAKE
23 Tue 2pm
Celebrate our gray ratsnake’s
birthday and enjoy a sweet
treat as you learn about Ohio’s
largest snake. X
WATER PURIFICATION
27 Sat 1pm
Learn different ways to purify
water while out in the
wilderness. X
STARRY NIGHT CAMPFIRE
27 Sat 8pm
Hear about late summer
constellations and how to spot
them in the sky. Bring a snack
to cook over the fire.
10K RANGER BIKE RIDE
28 Sun 3pm
Join the park ranger for a
6-mile ride on the Blacklick
Creek Greenway Trail.
ART IN THE PARK:
NATURE SKETCHING
29 Mon 2pm
Have fun drawing flowers,
birds and nature scenes.
Materials provided. X
PRAIRIE WALK
31 Wed 2pm
Take a 2-mile walk to learn
more about the prairie. X
ETCH-A-SKETCH ARTISTRY
12 Sun noon–4pm
See more than 50 of Tim
George’s Etch-A-Sketch drawings, inspired by the Metro
Parks, and try your hand using
one of these unusual and once
very popular mechanical drawing toys. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
CREEK ADVENTURE
15 Wed10am or 1pm
16 Thu 10am or 1pm
Take a walk through the creek
to find rocks, bugs, leaves
and more.
T-SHIRT ART
18 Sat 10am or noon
Create a beautiful work of
art that you can wear. Bring a
white T-shirt for each person
wishing to make one. X
WATER WATER
EVERYWHERE
19 Sun noon–4pm
Play a game about the water
cycle and try science experiments and tricks about the
properties of water. X
SOLSTICE WALK
20 Mon 6:30pm
Take a 2-mile walk in the
official first moments of
summer.
HOT DOGS
26 Sun 11am
Enjoy a 1.25-mile walk with
your dog before it gets too
warm out.
JUST 4 KIDS:
INTERNATIONAL MUD DAY
29 Wed 12:30-2:30pm
Play in the mud and dirt
and we’ll provide water to
clean up with when you’re
done. Make a “dirt cup” to
snack on. Natural Play Area at
Cherry Ridge
JULY
LOOKING FOR TURKEYS
02 Sat 10am
Take a 2-mile walk in the
woods to search for adult and
baby turkeys. Learn how wild
turkeys almost became our
national bird.
BUTTERFLY SEARCH
03 Sun 2pm
Help catch butterflies and
caterpillars to go into the
Monarch Mansion. Nets and
containers provided.
RED, WHITE AND BLUEBIRDS
04 Mon 1–5pm
See nests of bluebirds and
other cavity nesters and learn
about their life cycle. Make a
bluebird craft to take home. X
OFF-TRAIL HIKE
05 Tue 10am
Take a 2-mile off-trail hike
around Thoreau Lake to learn
about the lake and the plants
and animals that call it home.
Age 50 and older
BUTTERFLY SEARCH
16 Sat 2pm
Cherry Ridge Program Area
20 Parkscope
ARCHERY
17 Sun & 37479 / 37482
Learn how to shoot a compound bow. Age 10 and older
Bryan Knowles
RELAXING YOGA
27 Mon 6:30pm
Bring a towel or mat and let
the stress of the day melt
away with an hour of relaxing
yoga. All age groups and levels
welcome. Program will be held
outdoors if weather permits,
follow signs to the location.
PRESCHOOLERS: BATS
21Thu10am or 1pm
22Fri 10am or 1pm
Hear a story, make a craft and
participate in some “batty”
activities. X
JUST 4 KIDS: NATURAL PLAY
AREA TREASURE HUNT
24 Sun 10am
Follow clues on a map to find
hidden treasure. Age 6-12
Natural Play Area
at Cherry Ridge
MONARCHS
24 Sun 1–4pm
Learn what makes monarch
butterflies unique in the insect
world. X
RELAXING YOGA
25 Mon 6:30pm
THE PEOPLE IN THE PARK
27 Wed 10am–noon
Learn about the different jobs
people do at the park and how
we use trucks and tractors.
Age 6-12
WEEKEND KICK OFF
CRAFT AND STORY: FISH
29 Fri 10am or 1pm
Hear a story and make a
craft about fish.
SUMMER SCAVENGER HUNT
30 Sat 2–5pm
Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet
and cross items off your list as
you explore the park. Come
back to the nature center for a
prize when you’re done.
MUD & MADNESS
31 Sun & 37494
Negotiate several muddy obstacles on a 1.5-mile fun family
adventure. Free medallion.
AUGUST
WEEKEND KICK OFF
CRAFT AND STORY: BIRDS
05 Fri 1 or 3pm
Hear a story and make a craft
about birds and what they eat.
BIRD WALK
06 Sat 8am
Take a 2-mile walk along the
woodland trails to look for
birds.
PHOTO PROWL
07 Sun 9am
Learn how to take photos
of birds in the woods, on a
2-mile hike.
BUTTERFLY SEARCH
07 Sun 2pm
PRESCHOOLERS:
TRAM TREASURE HUNT
17Wed 10am or 1pm
18Thu 10am or 1pm
Follow clues on a map to find
hidden treasure during a tram
ride. X
ARCHERY
19 Fri 10am
Sycamore Reservable Area
TRAM TOUR
20-21 Sat-Sun 1–4pm
Get to know the park on a
45-minute tram ride. Rides start
and end at nature center. X
LATE NIGHT HIKE
20 Sat 8:30pm
Take a 2-mile hike and see
what critters come out at dusk.
RELAXING YOGA
22 Mon 6:30pm
MONARCH WEEKEND
27Sat 11am–5pm
28Sun 11am–5pm
See monarch butterflies and
caterpillars in the Monarch
Mansion. Learn about plants
for butterflies, see displays,
and try crafts and activities
all about monarch butterflies.
Get your picture taken with
our monarch life cycle photo
board. Take a hike with the
naturalists at 11:30am and
2:30pm and try to catch wild
monarchs in the field to tag
for research.
Clear Creek
JUNE
CICADAS
03 Fri 1pm
Take a 1-mile hike and learn
about Brood V cicadas and
their once in every 17 years
emergence.
Thomas-Mathias Parking Lot
DOG HIKE
05 Sun 1pm
Enjoy a 1-mile hike with your
dog on our new pet trail.
Creekside Meadows
Parking Lot
FLY FISHING FOR BEGINNERS
19 Sun 1pm
Learn the basics of fly fishing.
Fern Parking Lot
BOOK TALK AND WALK
24 Fri 10am
Join us for a discussion of
“A Walk in the Woods,” Bill
Bryson’s rediscovery of America
on the Appalachian Trail
and then take a 1-mile walk
through the woods. Please try
to read the book beforehand.
Age 50 and older
Barnebey-Hambleton Picnic Area
WINNOWING ROCK
BACKCOUNTRY HIKE
25 Sat 9am
Take a rugged 4-mile backcountry hike through a variety
of habitats, including the cool,
shady, hemlock forest.
Park Office
JULY
AUGUST
FAMILY CREEK EXPLORATION
04 Mon 1pm
Wade in Clear Creek and
discover the critters that live in
the water. Park Office
FLY FISHING
BEYOND THE BASICS
07 Sun 1pm
Wade in Clear Creek and see
if you can catch fish with a fly
rod. Basic knowledge of fly
fishing or attendance at the
June 19 program is required.
Fern Parking Lot
HIKE AND HEAT
09 Sat 7:30pm
Enjoy a 2-mile hike and cook
treats over a campfire.
BUTTERFLY MONITORING
14 Thu 9:30am
Take a 2.5-mile walk and help
to monitor a ridge-top butterfly transect. Age 50 and older
Fern Parking Lot
MOTH MANIA
29 Fri 9:30pm
Search for moths to celebrate
International Moth Week.
JUNE
GRASSLAND BIRDS
04 Sat 8:30am
Search for birds on a 2.5-mile
walk through the grasslands.
FOR KIDS: ARCHERY
07 Tue 10am or 1pm
Learn how to shoot a compound bow. Age 8-17 Energy
Center (at the Windmill)
SUMMER MOVIE SERIES:
GOOD DINOSAUR
11 Sat 8:30pm
Enjoy nature activities followed
by Good Dinosaur (2015, rated
PG) on a big outdoor screen.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Movie starts at 9pm. (See page
12 for more movies) Energy
Center (at the Windmill) X
FOR KIDS: ARCHERY
12 Sun 2pm
See June 7
CREEK CLEAN-UP
20 Sat 10am
Help park staff and volunteers
clean up Clear Creek. Join us
for a cook-out at the shelter
after the hard work is over.
Park Office
Meet at main entrance picnic area bulletin board unless otherwise noted
WALK AND WOOF
17 Fri 7pm
Enjoy a 2.5-mile hike with
your dog.
Gil Sears
Glacier Ridge
HIKE AND CANOE
12 Fri & 36994
Take a 1-mile backcountry hike
and paddle a canoe around
Lake Emily. Age 50 and older
PLANET WATCH &
STARGAZING
18 Sat 9pm
See planets and constellations
using telescopes and binoculars. Energy Center (at the
Windmill) X
FOR FAMILIES:
WETLAND ANIMALS
23 Thu 2pm
Visit with wildlife and discover
animals hiding in the wetland
on a 1-mile hike. Honda Wetland Education Area X
NIGHT BIKE RIDE
24 Fri 8:30pm
Enjoy an 8.5-mile ride through
fields and forest.
JULY
WALK AND WOOF
02 Sat 10am
your dog.
FOR KIDS:
NATURE DETECTIVES
05 Tue 10am or 1pm
Use clues to help solve
some nature mysteries.
Age 5-10 X
METRO PARKS
BIKE TOUR 2016
09 Sat 9am
are as a biker. (See page 12 for
BATS
09 Sat 9pm
Take a 1-mile walk to look for
bats hunting.
FOR KIDS: OLD TIME GAMES
12 Tue 10am or 1pm
Try your skills at games from
the past. Age 5-10 X
FOR KIDS: BACKYARD BIRDS
19 Tue 10am or 1pm
Learn about the birds in your
backyard through hands-on
games and a scavenger hunt.
Age 5-10
TRAM AND CAMPFIRE
29 Fri 6pm
Enjoy s’mores around a
campfire and take a tram ride
through the park.
Red Oak Trailhead X
SUNRISE TRAM RIDE
31 Sun & 37235
Enjoy a morning tram ride as
wildlife waken for the day.
Binoculars recommended. X
NIGHT BIKE RIDE
16 Sat 8:30pm
Enjoy an 8.5-mile ride through
fields and forest.
Highbanks
FRIDAY FEEDINGS
Every Friday 1pm
Watch the naturalist feed the
education reptiles and amphibians and learn what it takes to
care for these animals. X
JUNE
EDUCATOR WORKSHOP:
NATURE ADVENTURE BOX
TRAINING
02 Thu & 37103
Learn to use our Nature
Adventure Boxes to get kids
outside to explore streams and
fields. Designed with educators in mind, so you have the
tools necessary to explore the
park on your own during your
next visit.
Big Meadows Picnic Area
JUNIOR RANGER TRAINING
04 Sat & 37507
Help the rangers perform first
aid, clean up the park and find
a missing person using binoculars and 2-way radios. Snacks,
water and a Junior Ranger hat
or shirt provided. Age 6-10 X
22 Parkscope
AUGUST
FOR KIDS:
WILDLIFE TRAM RIDE
02 Tue 10am or 1pm
Use a scavenger hunt to find
animals along the trail on a
45-minute tram ride. X
ANIMAL OLYMPIC TRAM RIDE
07 Sun 4pm
Learn about the “Olympians”
of the animal world on a
EARLY MORNING
METEOR VIEWING
13 Sat 3:30am
Get great views of meteor
showers before the sun rises.
Energy Center
(at the Windmill) X
CAMPFIRE & S’MORES
20 Sat 5pm
Enjoy s’mores around the
campfire or bring your own
food to cook.
Red Oak Trailhead
FAMILY FUN: GEOCACHING
20 Sat 6pm
Use GPS units to locate critters
hidden in the park.
PRESCHOOLERS:
FOREST DISCOVERY
22 Mon 10am
Learn about forest wildlife and
test your ability to find camouflaged animals. X
NESTING BIRD SEARCH
05 Sun 9am
Join us on a 3-mile hike to
search for active bird nests.
FOREST DISCOVERY TOUR
05 Sun 5pm
Zip through the treetops with
a park naturalist at Camp
Mary Orton's ZipZone Canopy
Tours. For more information
or to make a reservation,
visit zipzonetours.com or
call 614.847.9477. Fees and
restrictions apply.
PRESCHOOLERS:
POLLINATORS BY TRAM
08 Wed & 37514 / 37515
09 Thu & 37516 / 37517
Jump on the tram to search
for hummingbirds and other
pollinators. X
TRAM TIME
Enjoy the sights of the season
as you take a tram tour
through the park. The tram
will run continuously from the
Big Meadows Picnic Area X
STREAM QUALITY
MONITORING
12 Sun 5pm
Become a Stream Quality
Monitoring volunteer for the
Ohio Division of Watercraft
and learn to monitor a state
scenic river.
STORYTIME
20 Mon 10am
Hear stories about frogs, toads
and other amphibians. X
PICNIC IN THE PARK
13 Mon & 37528
Take in the sights and sounds
of summer with a tram ride
around the park. Bring a sack
lunch. Tea and dessert provided. Age 50 and older X
PARASITIC PLANTS
25 Sat 10am
Take a 2-mile hike to check
out some of the most unusual
plants in Ohio.
FAMILY CAMP OUT
17 Fri & 37532
Pitch your tent and spend
the night at the Dragonfly
Daycamp. Roast s’mores over
the campfire and take a night
hike. Enjoy a camp breakfast
and fish in the pond before
you depart.
EAT YOUR INVASIVES
19 Sun 3pm
Get rid of invasive plants and
have a snack on them. X
HOWL AT THE FIREFLY MOON
20 Mon 8:30pm
Bring your dog for a 3.5-mile
hike and look for fireflies.
TWILIGHT HIKE
AND CAMPFIRE
26 Sun 8pm
Enjoy a 1.5-mile hike as the
sun sets and roast marshmallows around the campfire.
Dragonfly Daycamp
29 Wed 10am–noon
Get down and dirty as you
make mud pies and dirt dessert, dig for worms and paint a
muddy mural.
FIREFLY FRENZY
01 Fri 9pm
Learn about the different kinds
of fireflies and what those
blinking lights mean on a
half-mile hike.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE
02-04 Sat-Mon 10am–7pm
Enjoy a display of red, white
and blue animals and plants
along with some other patriotic critters. X
MOTH MANIA
09 Sat 9pm
Learn about these night-flying
insects and look for them
under the lights.
PRESCHOOLERS: RIVER FUN
13Wed & 37580 / 37582
14Thu & 37583 / 37585
Wade into the river for a closer
look at its creatures.
HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS
15 Fri 8:30pm
Learn about the science
behind the story, followed by
an outdoor screening of the
movie. Movie begins at dark.
Bring your own seating. (See
page 12 for more movies)
17 Sun 5pm
See June 5
(Age 50 and older)
STORYTIME
18 Mon 10am
Enjoy stories about animals
in summer. X
HOWL AT THE MOON
19 Tue 8:30pm
Enjoy a 3.5-mile hike with your
dog and learn about ticks and
other summer pests.
10TV AND METRO PARKS
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
23 Sat 10am–7pm
Bring your family for a free celebration of summer, help your
kids connect with nature and
put smiles on their faces. Enjoy
playing in the creek, climbing on
rocks and up trees, sack races,
scavenger hunts, face painting
and other outdoor events. Representative from several organizations will have activities and
be available to talk about your
outdoor adventures. WBNS10TV
news anchors will be joining
in the day’s fun adventure. See
page 2
Dan Bissonette
JULY
FIREFLY FIRE
29 Fri 8:30pm
Enjoy a campfire and chase
fireflies. Bring seating.
Northern Reserve Picnic Area X
AUGUST
STREAM QUALITY
MONITORING
02 Tue 6:30pm
Become a Stream Quality
Monitoring volunteer for the
Ohio Division of Watercraft
and learn to monitor a state
scenic river.
RIVER EXPLORATION
04 Thu 10am
Wear your old shoes and explore the Olentangy River.
WETLAND WANDER
06 Sat 7pm
Take a 3-mile on- and off-trail
hike to search for dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies
and other animal life at the
wetland.
ARCHERY
08 Mon 3–5pm
Dragonfly Day Camp X
PRESCHOOLERS:
CATERPILLARS
09 Tue & 37610 / 37611
10Wed & 37612 / 37613
Meet and learn about some
different kinds of caterpillars. X
STORYTIME
15 Mon 10am
Enjoy stories about insects. X
MANAGER'S MONARCHS
16 Tue 10am
Meet park managers and take
a short hike to look for monarch caterpillars and eggs as
you learn about this amazing
butterfly.
HOWL AT THE MOON
18 Thu 8:30pm
dog and learn about ticks and
other summer pests.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
19 Fri 7–9pm
Enjoy campfire fun and explore
nature at night through
displays, games and crafts. X
CATERPILLAR HIKE
20 Sat 9pm
Hunt for caterpillars as they
come out of hiding at dark.
21 Sun 5pm
Zip through the treetops with
a park naturalist at Camp
Mary Orton’s ZipZone Canopy
Tours. For more information
or to make a reservation,
visit zipzonetours.com or
call 614.847.9477. Fees and
restrictions apply.
HIKE TO THE GIANTS
27 Sat & 37617
Hike four miles off-trail to the
300-year-old giant sycamores
along the Olentangy River.
HIKE TO THE GIANTS
28 Sun & 37766
Hike four miles off-trail to the
300-year-old giant sycamores
along the Olentangy River.
Age 50 and older
Homestead
Meet at barn shelter unless otherwise noted
JUNE
WILDLIFE NIGHT HIKE
10 Fri 9pm
Take a 1-mile hike and search
for animals awake at night.
FOR KIDS:
NATURE DETECTIVES
08 Fri 10am or 1pm
Use clues to help solve some
nature mysteries. Age 5-10
Pine Pavilion X
PHOTO NATURE
SCAVENGER HUNT FOR KIDS
19 Sun 1–3pm
Pick-up a scavenger hunt to
try your luck at capturing the
perfect photo. Age 8-16
DOG WALK & PLAYTIME
10 Sun 10am
your dog, with a stop-off at
the Heritage Trail Dog Park for
doggie playtime.
FOR KIDS: GO FISH!
21 Tue 10am or 1pm
Learn the basics of fishing and
then try your hand at catching
the big one. Age 5-10
Amphitheater X
15 Fri 10am or 1pm (Pine
Pavilion)
17 Sun 1pm (Barn)
FOR FAMILIES: POND LIFE
25Sat 10am
28 Tue 10am
Use nets to dip in the pond to
discover who lives here.
FOR KIDS: BACKYARD BIRDS
22 Fri 10am or 1pm
Learn about birds in your backyard through hands-on games
and a scavenger hunt.
Age 5-10 Pine Pavilion X
JULY
FOR FAMILIES: BACKYARD
BIRDS SCAVENGER HUNT
24 Sun 1pm
Pick-up a scavenger hunt to do
in the park and come back to
the nature center to claim
a prize. X
WILDLIFE NIGHT HIKE
03 Sun 9pm
Take a 1-mile hike and discover
what animals are awake at
night.
SUNNY SUNDAYS
Every Sunday 1:30–3:30pm
Members of the Herb Society of America, Central Ohio
Unit, will be in the Herb Garden to answer questions. X
THREE SISTERS’ GARDEN
03 Fri & 36935
Learn the history of a
Three Sisters’ Garden and
how to create your own
containing three types of
companion plants: corn,
beans, and squash.
Age 18 and older
24 Parkscope
All performances at the Amphitheater X
THE ANIMAL SHOW
THE VENTRILOQUIST
Thu June 16 7pm
Animals from the Columbus
Zoo in a wild performance.
Thu July 28 7pm
Comedy ventriloquist Mike
Hemmelgarn has all the voices
and a favorite dummy.
THE JUGGLER
Thu July 7 7pm
A fun performance by comedy juggler Matt Jergens.
Sponsored by
AUGUST
FOR KIDS: GO FISH!
09 Tue 10am or 1pm
Learn the basics of fishing
and then try your hand at
catching the big one.
Age 5-10
Amphitheater X
DOG WALK & PLAYTIME
15 Mon 6:30pm
dog, with a stop-off at the
Heritage Trail Dog Park
for doggie playtime.
THE ROCK BAND
Thu Aug 4 7pm
Expect an interstellar performance by the quirky kids rock
band The Shazzbots.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
21 Sun 2pm
Learn the basics of nature
photography and try your skills
on a scavenger hunt.
Age 8-16 X
27 Sat 1pm
PRESCHOOLERS: A BUG’S LIFE
31 Wed 10am or 1pm
Explore the fascinating world
of our creepy crawlies and take
a short hike to catch insects.
Meet at Innis House unless otherwise noted. (Look for our Garden Ambassadors, in yellow shirts,
Sundays noon to 4pm. They can answer your gardens-related questions)
Inniswood
JUNE
SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
JUNIOR GARDEN VOLUNTEERS
04 Sat & 36936
Help with summer garden cleanup.
Age 11-17
ONCE UPON A GARDEN DESIGN
05 Sun 2pm
The Inniswood Garden Society
invites you to attend their annual
meeting with horticulture expert,
Laura Deeter. Learn how to plan,
organize and create your dream
garden.
CAN YOU SEE ME?
07 Tue 10am or 1pm
08 Wed10am or 1pm
Discover the ways plants and
animals show off or hide away.
Age 8 and younger
Education Pavilion X
WILD ONES: LIVING IN
HARMONY WITH WILDLIFE
11 Sat 10am
Karen Norris, Wildlife Communication Specialist with Ohio Division of
Wildlife, shares what homeowners
can do to attract wildlife with native
plants, using natural versus artificial
feeding stations. There will also be
discussion on how to cope with
wildlife in your yard. X
MEET THE ARTIST
12 Sun 2–4pm
Meet Bruce Simpson and view
his photography artwork. X
EVENING GARDEN WALK
12 Sun 7pm
Take a guided stroll through
the gardens.
Gardens Entrance X
NATURE’S TOUCH
14 Tue 10am or 1pm
15 Wed10am or 1pm
Learn about textures of plants
and animals using your sense
of touch. Age 8 and younger
HYPERTUFA
TROUGH WORKSHOP
17 Fri & 37028
18 Sat & 37029
Make a hypertufa trough for
your garden. All materials
provided. Fee $20
Age 18 and older X
WELLNESS IN THE GARDENS:
TAI CHI
18 Sat 10am
The Taoist Tai Chi Society of
the USA invites you to a “try
it session” and demonstration
of Taoist Tai Chi™ internal arts
of health. This ancient Chinese
moving meditation incorporates slow natural movements
that promote balance, flexibility, strength and relaxation.
Education Pavilion
MUSIC IN THE GARDENS:
HIGH STREET STOMPERS
19 Sun 3–5pm
First of three great music concerts for the summer. See box
INTRODUCTORY TAI CHI
20 Mon 1pm
Learn the first few moves of
this ancient Chinese moving
meditation from instructor,
Midge Krause. All fitness levels
welcome.
Education Pavilion
THE NOSE KNOWS
21 Tue 10am or 1pm
22 Wed 10am or 1pm
Put your nose to the test and
discover the many ways smell
helps plants and animals.
Age 8 and younger
GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES
25 Sat 2pm
Learn how to attract butterflies
to your garden and how to
create a home for them.
Age 50 and older
Gardens Entrance
EVENING GARDEN WALK
26 Sun 7pm
the gardens.
Gardens Entrance X
FOLLOW NATURE’S DRUM
28 Tue 10am or 1pm
29 Wed 10am or 1pm
Explore the sounds of nature
through sensory activities and
crafts. Age 8 and younger
JULY
JUNIOR GARDEN
VOLUNTEERS
09 Sat & 36937
See June 4
MEET THE ARTIST
10 Sun 2–4pm
Meet Waneita Depner and
view her watercolor and oil
artwork. X
CAN YOU SEE ME?
12 Tue 10am or 1pm
13 Wed 10am or 1pm
Discover the ways plants and
animals show off or hide away.
Age 8 and younger
HERBAL DYES
13 Wed 7pm
Learn the basics of dyeing
natural materials such as wool,
cotton and linen. Sponsored by
the Herb Society of America,
Central Ohio Unit X
FROGS AND TOADS
15 Fri & 37036
Frogs, toads and aquatic
organisms can reduce pests
in your yard and be a joy to
watch. Learn how to attract
them to your garden.
Age 18 and older X
MUSIC IN THE GARDENS:
THE ARK BAND
17 Sun 3–5pm
Second of three great music
concerts for the summer.
See box
EVENING GARDEN WALK
17 Sun 7pm
the gardens with an
educator as you wrap up
visiting gardens on the
Westerflora Garden tour.
Gardens Entrance X
Music in the Gardens
HIGH STREET STOMPERS
SUN JUNE 19 3–5PM
This New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz band plays music for
all ages and is sure to keep your toes tapping and your
fingers snapping. Education Pavilion
THE ARK BAND
SUN JULY 17 3–5PM
Enjoy reggae music designed to entertain, educate and
enlighten people from all walks of life. Education Pavilion
HANG TIME
SUN AUGUST 21 3–5PM
This professional guitar duo is like a human jukebox,
playing a wide variety of music. Education Pavilion
18 Mon 1pm
Learn the first few moves of
this ancient Chinese moving
meditation from instructor,
Midge Krause. All fitness levels
welcome. Age 50 and older
Education Pavilion
INTRODUCTORY FLOWER
ARRANGING WORKSHOP
29 Fri & 37043
31 Sun& 37044
Make your own cut-flower
arrangement while discussing
various techniques. All materials provided. Fee $20
Age 18 and older X
NATURE’S TOUCH
19 Tue 10am or 1pm
20 Wed 10am or 1pm
See June 14
EVENING GARDEN WALK
31 Sun 7pm
See June 26
WELLNESS IN THE GARDEN:
YOGA
23 Sat 10am
Be in balance with nature as
Joy Lawrence, registered yoga
teacher & licensed massage
therapist of Pure Joy Massage
and Yoga, presents a gentle
hatha yoga class. Bring a yoga
mat. Education Pavilion
SIGNS OF INSECTS
23 Sat 2pm
Search for insects and their
signs on trees and plants.
Age 50 and older
Gardens Entrance
THE NOSE KNOWS
26 Tue 10am or 1pm
27 Wed 10am or 1pm
Put your nose to the test and
discover the many ways smell
helps plants and animals.
Age 8 and younger
AUGUST
01 Mon 1pm
See July 18
FOLLOW NATURE’S DRUM
02 Tue 10am or 1pm
03 Wed 10am or 1pm
See June 28
JUNIOR GARDEN
VOLUNTEERS
06 Sat & 36938
Help with summer garden
cleanup. Age 11-17
WEED WITH YOUR FORK
06 Sat 2pm
Learn how to identify edible
weeds on a guided walk and
how you can get them out of
your garden and on to your
plate. Age 50 and older
Gardens Entrance
EVENING GARDEN WALK
07 Sun 7pm
See June 26
COMMON
GARDEN PESTS
12 Fri & 37063
Learn about the most
common insects and
diseases affecting your
garden plants.
Age 18 and older X
WELLNESS IN THE GARDENS: OPEN BARRE
13 Sat 10am
Work your muscles
through repetitive, small
movements in this total
body workout taught by
instructor, Sarah Fite.
Education Pavilion
MEET THE ARTIST
14 Sun 2–4pm
Meet Rowena Throckmorton and view her
photography art. X
15 Mon 1pm
See June 20
INNISWOOD
BOOK CLUB
20 Sat 2pm
Join us for a discussion
of this quarter’s book,
“Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”
by Annie Dillard. X
Prairie Oaks
JUNE
PRESCHOOLERS:
BUGS AND BUBBLES
01 Wed 10am
Look for spittle bugs making bubbles and make some
bubbles of your own.
Whispering Oaks Picnic Area X
GET FIT OUTSIDE
04 Sat 10am–noon
Join a certified personal trainer
and parkour instructor for a
fitness class that shows how
to get a complete workout
through running, jumping,
crawling, lifting, throwing
and movement games.
Age 14 and older
MEET A PARK RANGER
15 Wed 10am
Find out how park rangers
keep us safe. Hear a story,
learn some safety tips and
touch a ranger truck.
Prairie View Picnic Area X
KIDS FIRST TIME FISHING
16 Thu & 37360 / 37361
Learn how to cast a pole and
fish in the pond. Poles and
bait provided.
Age 8-15 X
26 Parkscope
MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: HANG TIME
21 Sun 3–5pm
Third of three great
music concerts for the
summer. See box on
page 25
EVENING
GARDEN WALK
21 Sun 7pm
Take a guided stroll
through the gardens.
Gardens Entrance X
Pickerington Ponds
JUNE
PRESCHOOLERS: ALL ABOUT POLLINATORS
16 Thu 10am
Discover the importance of bees, butterflies and
hummingbirds through activities and stories.
Glacier Knoll Picnic Area X
JULY
BATS BY THE BARN
16 Sat 8:30pm
Discover Ohio’s amazing bats through activities
and observations. Park Office
Meet at Darby Bend Lakes unless otherwise noted
For information on programs at Prairie Oaks in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
INTRODUCTION TO FLY
FISHING FOR VETERANS
18 Sat & 36829
Join instructors from Project
Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program (PHW) for an introductory
fly fishing lesson. PHW works
with men and women veterans
with all types of disabilities.
Disabled veterans or those on
active duty receiving treatment
for a disabling condition are
eligible. X
HOT DOG WALK AND DIP
18 Sat 7pm
Take a 1.5-mile walk around
the lakes with your dog and
let it cool off with a dip in the
water at the dog beach.
CREEK TAXI
19 Sun 1–4pm
Enjoy a 2-mile self-guided
float on Big Darby Creek in
your own registered canoe or
kayak. Free return transportation to your vehicle until 4pm.
(If creek conditions are unsafe,
float on Darby Bend Lakes.)
Upper Darby Canoe Access
FLY FISHING WITH LL BEAN
25 Sat & 37480 / 37481
Bring your own fly fishing
gear and wading attire for an
outing in Big Darby Creek. An
LL Bean instructor will share fly
fishing tips and techniques.
LATE NIGHT FISHING
25 Sat 9pm
Darby Bend Lakes and Beaver
Lake are open until midnight
for fishing. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
ROCKING AROUND
06 Wed 10am
Climb on big rocks and paint a
small rock to take home. X
TIME FOR TWO’S
29 Wed 10am
Kids age two will learn about
frogs and catch a tadpole.
CREEKING AND CAMPFIRE
08 Fri 7pm
Take a half-mile walk to the
creek and get wet catching
fish and crawdads. Dry off
around the campfire and roast
marshmallows. Bring something to sit on.
Whispering Oaks Picnic Area X
TADPOLES AT THE
PLAYGROUND
29 Wed 11am–1pm
Have fun on the playground
equipment and enjoy seeing
and playing with tadpoles.
JULY
CREEKING
03 Sun 2pm
Take a half-mile walk to the
creek and get wet catching
fish, bugs and crawdads.
Whispering Oaks Picnic Area
CANOE THE LAKES
04 Mon 1–4pm
Stop by anytime and take a
canoe out for a ride round
Darby Bend Lakes. Children
must fit into a life jacket to
ride.
LEARN TO KAYAK
17 Sun & 37404
Learn the basics of paddling
a kayak from a certified
instructor and practice paddling around on the lakes.
Equipment provided.
Age 16 and older
FULL BUCK MOON HIKE
19 Tue 8:45pm
BUGS AND BUBBLES
AT THE PLAYGROUND
20 Wed 11am–1pm
Have fun on the playground
equipment and also catch
bugs and blow bubbles.
Age 3-7
CREEKING
20 Wed 2pm
See July 3
PRAIRIE WALK
23 Sat 9am
Take a 1.5-mile walk through
the blooming prairie and
learn what makes these
flowers unique.
CANOE THE LAKES
29 Fri 6–8pm
canoe out for a ride round
Darby Bend Lakes. Children
must fit into a life jacket
to ride
LATE NIGHT FISHING
30 Sat 9pm
Darby Bend Lakes and Beaver
Lake are open until midnight
for fishing. X
AUGUST
HOT DOG WALK AND DIP
12 Fri 9am
Take a 1.5-mile walk around
the lakes with your dog and
let it cool off with a dip in the
water at the dog beach.
JUST FOR KIDS:
CREEK FISHING
14 Sun & 37415
Get in the creek and fish for
smallmouth bass. Prior casting and fishing experience
is required. Poles and bait
provided. Age 10-15 X
CRAZY FOR CRAWDADS
14 Sun 2pm
Learn about these armored
crustaceans and get wet looking for them in the creek.
WAG FEST
20 Sat 10am–5pm
See box
GET FIT OUTSIDE
27 Sat 10am–noon
See June 4
CANOE THE LAKES
27 Sat 11am–1pm
See July 4
LATE NIGHT FISHING
27 Sat 9pm
See July 30
PRESCHOOLERS:
CREEK EXPLORERS
31 Wed 9:30 or 11am
Walk a half mile and get wet
finding fish and crawdads.
Rocky Fork
JUNE
FEED YOUR CARNIVORE
11 Sat 10am
Learn reasons why you may
want to feed your meat-eating
pet homemade food, with
recipes and tips. X
MAKE AND TAKE:
GOURD BIRDHOUSES
25 Sat & 37394 / 37395
Meet gourd expert Karen
Kruse and clean and prepare a
gourd that will become a birdhouse. All materials provided.
Age 10 and older (accompanied by an adult) X
DON'T MISS THE
COOLEST DOG DAY EVER!
You’ll find a full day of activities
and treats for the entire family
– including Fido!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
10 AM – 5 PM
PRAIRIE OAKS METRO PARK | DARBY BEND LAKES AREA
WAGFEST.COM
Meet at Millstone Picnic Area Bulletin Board
FIREFLIES
25 Sat 9pm
Search for fireflies in the field,
discover how they glow and
communicate, and try to catch
and release a few.
JULY
FIELD OF FLOWERS
30 Sat 10am
Take a 1-mile walk to discover
what wildflowers and grasses
are coming up.
AUGUST
BIRD WALK
09 Sat 8am
Look for nesting birds on
a walk of up to 2.5 miles.
Binoculars available.
TRAM TOUR
09 Tue 11am or 1pm
45-minute tram ride.
Age 50 and older X
TREE TIME
23 Sat 10am
Learn how to identify trees
on a 1.5-mile hike.
Age 50 and older X
TRAM TOUR
13 Sat 3–5pm
45-minute tram ride. Tram
will run continuously from the
Millstone Picnic Area. X
SUNSET TRAM TOUR
13 Sat & 37421
Watch the sun set and night
fall over the park during a
ROCKY FORK
1ST BIRTHDAY BASH
Sun Aug 14 1–5pm
Celebrate Rocky Fork’s first
birthday with tram tours,
nature activities and games,
decorate your own smash
cookie, and enjoy two
performances by Musical
Mark, songs and familystyle comedy to entertain
and educate kids about the
natural world.
programs with the bird symbol offered by Columbus Audubon
Meet at Grange Insurance Audubon Center unless otherwise noted
Scioto Audubon
June through August
JUNE
JULY
LATE NIGHTS AT
THE CLIMBING WALL
2nd & last Friday of month
The climbing wall will stay open till
midnight on June 10 and 24, July 8
and 29, Aug 12 and 26. Climbers
must bring their own equipment.
Late night fishing also available on
these dates from the dock on the
Scioto River. Climbing Wall
BAT NIGHT
09 Thu 7pm
Learn about bats with the Organization for Bat Conservation.
An echolocation demonstration will amaze and delight as
you search for bats in the park.
Lots of activities and crafts,
plus build a bat house. RSVP
to aboyd@audubon.org with
name, phone number, number
of children and adults.
LEARN THE ROPES
27 Wed & 37873
Instructors will guide beginners through the basics of
knot-tying, climbing and belaying. Scale the 32-foot
climbing wall. Equipment provided.
BIRDWATCHING
FOR BEGINNERS
1st & 3rd Sat 10am
Learn how to use binoculars
and search for birds.
Sharon Woods
JUNE
PRESCHOOL PLUS: THINGS
THAT GO BUMP HIKE
03 Fri 7:30pm
Take a half-mile walk to see
what animals are active.
Age 3-8
Schrock Lake Restrooms X
GO WILD! KIDS CLUB
07 Tue & 36875
Join us for some outdoor
fun and drop a line in
Schrock Lake to see how
many fish you can catch.
Age 5-12 X
FAMILY BIKE RIDE
WITH A RANGER
10 Fri 7pm
Join a ranger for a hilly
4-mile family bike ride
through the woods and
fields.
Maple Grove Bulletin Board
28 Parkscope
LEARN THE ROPES
29 Wed & 37872
Instructors will guide beginners
through the basics of knottying, climbing and belaying.
Scale the 32-foot climbing wall.
Equipment provided.
REBUILDING NATURE’S RELATIONSHIPS AT HOME
04 Thu 7pm
Discover why plants that evolved in concert with native
animals determine the stability and complexity of the local
food webs that support animal diversity. Author Doug
Tallamy will explain why it is important to restore this balance around our residential properties, and what we can
do to make our landscapes living ecosystems again.
LEARN THE ROPES
31 Wed & 37874
See June 29
For information on programs at Sharon Woods in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
PRESCHOOL PLUS:
ANGRY BIRDS
11 Sat 10am–1pm
Drop by to learn about our feathered friends and even try your
hand at a life-sized version of
the Angry Birds game.
Age 3-8
Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter
LUNCHTIME CHAT:
GEOCACHING
15 Wed noon
Enjoy a chat about geocaching
and try to find a cache or two.
Maple Grove Picnic Shelter X
SCHROCK LAKE CELEBRATION
18 Sat noon–4pm
See box
CANOE THE LAKE
19 Sun 11am–3pm
Stop by anytime and take a canoe
out on Schrock Lake. Canoes and
equipment provided. Kids must fit
into a life jacket to ride. Schrock
Lake West Bulletin Board
SCHROCK LAKE CELEBRATION Sat June 18
Kim Strosnider
PRE-K STORYTIME
Every Thurs & Sat 10am
Bring your little ones for a natureinspired story or two.
AUGUST
Noon–4pm
Enjoy canoeing, fishing, games and many
other fun waterrelated activities.
Schrock Lake West
Bulletin Board
FAST-PACED ADULT
FULL MOON HIKE
19 Sun 9:15pm
Take a fast-paced, 2.8-mile
hike along gravel, paved and
natural surface trails.
Apple Ridge Bulletin Board
PRESCHOOLERS:
FIREFLY FRENZY
21 Tue
& 36887 / 36888 / 36889
22 Wed
& 36890 / 36891 / 36892
Learn about our flashy nighttime friends with a story,
craft and game. X
FRIDAY NIGHT FLOAT
24 Fri 7–9pm
canoe out for a ride on Schrock
Lake. Canoes and equipment
provided. Kids must fit into a life
jacket to ride. Schrock Lake West
Bulletin Board
CANOE THE LAKE
25 Sat 9am–noon
See June 19
LUNCHTIME CHAT: BEES PLEASE
28 Tue noon
Learn about honeybees and
Metro Parks’ efforts to promote
these pollinators. Maple Grove
Picnic Shelter X
JULY
LUNCHTIME CHAT:
DAMSELS & DRAGONS
06 Wed noon
Learn about the winged jewels
we call damselflies and dragonflies. Schrock Lake Picnic
Shelter X
FAMILY BIKE RIDE
WITH A RANGER
08 Fri 7pm
See June 10
ARCHERY
09 Sat & 36896 / 36897
/ 36898 / 36899
Aim for a bullseye as you learn
how to shoot a compound
bow. Age 8 and older
Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter X
PRESCHOOL PLUS:
FINDING DORY
10 Sun 11am–2pm
Have some fishy fun as you
decorate T-shirts and try to
catch a big fish in Schrock
Lake. Bring a plain T-shirt.
Age 3-8 Schrock Lake West
Bulletin Board X
LUNCHTIME CHAT:
TIME MACHINE TRAM RIDE
12 Tue noon
Travel back in time to uncover the history of the park.
Schrock Lake Picnic Shelter X
FAMILY TRAM RIDES
16Sat 2–6pm
17 Sun 2–6pm
Catch the tram at any of the
yellow “tram stop” signs and
enjoy a tour of the park. X
FAST-PACED ADULT
FULL MOON HIKE
18 Mon 9:15pm
See June 19
PRESCHOOLERS:
GOING BUGGY TRAM RIDE
19 Tue
& 36903 / 36904 / 36905
20 Wed
& 36906 / 36907 / 36908
Climb aboard the tram and
learn about the insects that
live around us.
Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter X
GO WILD! KIDS CLUB
27 Wed & 36876
Take an off-trail adventure
through the natural play area
to splash in Spring Creek.
Age 5-12
LUNCHTIME CHAT:
BUTTERFLIES
28 Thu noon
Learn about the secret lives
of butterflies.
GPS TREASURE HUNT
29 Fri 6–9pm
Search for hidden caches
throughout the park. Bring
your own GPS or use one
of ours.
Apple Ridge Bulletin Board X
AUGUST
FAMILY BIKE RIDE
WITH A RANGER
05 Fri 7pm
Join a ranger for a hilly 4-mile
family bike ride through the
woods and fields.
Maple Grove Bulletin Board
NATURAL PLAY AREA
ADVENTURE: CREEK SAFARI
06 Sat 2pm
Hike off-trail in the natural
play area and enjoy an aquatic
adventure in Spring Creek.
Natural Play Area
PRESCHOOL PLUS:
OLYMPIC FEVER
07 Sun noon–3pm
Get into the Olympic spirit
and see how you stack up
against some of nature’s world
record holders.
Age 3-8
Apple Ridge Bulletin Board
LUNCHTIME CHAT:
TECH TALK
09 Tue noon
Download the free app “TaleBlazer” to play a virtual reality
game and learn new ways to
connect to nature.
FAMILY CAMPOUT
12 Fri & 36914
Bring your camping gear and
enjoy a campfire, night hikes
and stargazing. X
FAST-PACED ADULT
FULL MOON HIKE
17 Wed 8:45pm
See June 19
I SPY NATURE CHALLENGE
20 Sat 1–3pm
Borrow an Adventure Backpack and take the I Spy Nature
Challenge for a chance to win
a prize.
Schrock Lake Restrooms X
PRESCHOOLERS:
PUPPET SHOW
25 Thu
& 36918 / 36920 / 36921
26 Fri
& 36923 / 36924 / 36925
Join the Discovery Forest
Puppets on a summertime
adventure. X
WALL-E
27 Sat 7:30pm
Enjoy family-friendly displays
and activities before we watch
Disney/Pixar’s WALL-E (rated G)
under the stars. Movie begins
at dark. Bring your own seating. Apple Ridge Bulletin Board
Slate Run
MUSIC Bash
Get in the mood for music with three free concerts of classic
rock and bluegrass over the summer. Plenty of seating available at picnic tables, or bring a folding chair. Concert series
sponsored by Friends of Metro Parks. All concerts at Buzzard’s Roost Picnic Area, happening come rain or shine.
JUNE
MUSIC BASH: BLUEGRASS
24 Fri 6–8pm
The Slate Ridge Bluegrass Band will get your feet tapping to
traditional American roots music.
JULY
MUSIC BASH: HITS OF THE 60S AND 70S
15 Fri 6–8pm
Enjoy the smooth vocals of Bill Foley as he covers hits from
the 60s and 70s by Jim Croce, James Taylor, Don McLean and
others.
AUGUST
MUSIC BASH: CLASSIC ROCK
12 Fri 6–8pm
Get your head banging with some classic rock favorites from
the 50s, 60s and 70s performed by Marquis66…
MORNING CHORES
04 Sat & 37618
Join the farmer in feeding
animals and help with other
barnyard chores.
Age 5 and older
THE PURPLE MARTIN,
THE FARMER’S FRIEND
04 Sat 2pm
Learn about these beneficial
insect eaters and what kind of
habitat they need to thrive.
MAKE HAY WHILE
THE SUN SHINES
05 Sun 2–4pm
Watch the farmhands and
horses make hay. If it’s wet
help bale hay in the barn.
KID’S WORK DAY
10Fri 10:30am–noon
11 Sat 10:30am–noon
Pump water, do laundry and
help with other chores that
children did on an 1880s farm.
RIDDLE ME THESE, PLEASE
14-19 Tue-Sun 11am–3pm
Pick up a list of riddles at the
Farmhouse that will have
you thinking your way around
the farm.
MORNING CHORES
18 Sat & 37619
barnyard chores.
Age 5 and older
CHEERS AND CHORES
21 Tue & 37132
Discover what farm children
did for work and play in the
1880s. Age 6-14
TEENS ON THE FARM: LIFE &
WORK ON AN 1880s FARM
23 Thu & 37223
Meet and care for farm animals, try your hand at making
a snack in the pre-electric
kitchen and participate in
some entertainment available
in the 1880s.
30 Parkscope
FAMILY STORYTIME: HOW
DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW
24Fri 10:30am
25 Sat 10:30am
Enjoy a story, help with some
gardening chores and taste
some of the vegetables grown
in the kitchen garden. X
DRAFT HORSE DRIVER’S ED
29 Wed & 37221
Learn about horse care as you
groom, harness and ground
drive the horses. Age 10-17
JULY
MORNING CHORES
02 Sat & 37620
See June 4
COOL DRINKS
FOR A HOT DAY
02-04 Sat-Mon 2–4pm
Enjoy a taste of teas, switchel,
root beer and other refreshing
19th-century beverages. X
DRAFT HORSE DRIVER’S ED
07 Thu & 37222
Learn about horse care as you
groom, harness and ground
drive the horses. Age 10-17
FAMILY STORYTIME:
THE LITTLE RED HEN
08 Fri 10:30am
09 Sat 10:30am
Enjoy a classic story and
activities that show how grain
becomes bread.
BUILT TO BAKE
10 Sun 2–4pm
Learn how a wood burning
cook stove works and browse
through our collection of
19th-century cookbooks, while
we prepare baked goods.
TEENS ON THE FARM: LIFE &
WORK ON AN 1880s FARM
12 Tue & 37224
Meet and care for farm animals, try your hand at making
a snack in the pre-electric
kitchen and participate in
some entertainment available
in the 1880s.
HORSE-POWERED
GRAIN THRESHING
See how horses power machinery that separates grain
from straw. Crop and weather
permitting.
RIDDLE ME THESE, PLEASE
Pick up a list of riddles at the
Farmhouse that will have you
thinking your way around the
farm.
CHEERS AND CHORES
21 Thu & 37134
Discover what farm children
did for work and play in the
1880s. Age 6-14
MORNING CHORES
23 Sat & 37621
See June 4
CANNING, PICKLING
AND PRESERVING
23 Sat 2–4pm
The farm ladies will demonstrate how to preserve the garden produce using traditional
19th-century methods. X
CRAFTS FOR KIDS
28 Thu10:30am–noon
30Sat 10:30am–noon
Try your hand at some takehome crafts from the days before plastic and glue sticks. X
AUGUST
WHEELS ON THE FARM
Play a game of “I Spy” as you
figure out how all the wheels
around the farm work and
what they do.
FAMILY STORYTIME:
THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES
06 Sat 10:30am
Listen to a story, do a craft and
learn about the importance of
bees to farming.
MORNING CHORES
13 Sat & 37622
barnyard chores. Age 5 and
older
CELEBRATING
35 YEARS OF THE FARM
13Sat 2–4pm
14 Sun 2–4pm
Use a self-guided map to tour
the Farm and join in some
activities along the way as we
mark our 35 years of being
open to the public.
PUZZLES, PLEASURES
AND PASTIMES
20Sat 2–4pm
21 Sun 2–4pm
Try games, riddles and activities that Victorian families did
for fun and relaxation. X
ALPHABET HUNT
26-28 Fri-Sun 11am–3pm
Explore the Farm while learning 26 facts about tools,
animals and life in the 1880s.
MORNING CHORES
27 Sat & 37623
See June 4
BROOMCORN HARVEST
28 Sun 2–4pm
Help harvest and clean
broomcorn (weather and
crop permitting) and watch
broommaking.
David Jolley
JUNE
Call 614.833.1880 for information
Meet at Confluence Trails Bulletin Board unless otherwise noted
Three Creeks
JUNE
TRAM TREK
03 Fri 9:30am–noon
Take a tram ride to discover
summer wonders. Rides offered regularly throughout the
morning. Age 50 and older X
IN THE CREEK
04 Sat 10am or 1:30pm
Take a short walk to the creek
and search for critters using
nets, buckets and other tools.
PRESCHOOLERS:
ALL ABOUT POLLINATORS
07 Tue 10am
Discover the importance
of bees, butterflies and
hummingbirds.
BUILD A BEE HOUSE
11 Sat 9:30am
Learn about our native bees
and their habitat and then
build your own bee house.
Bring clean 15-ounce cans for
your bee house. X
NATURE FAIR
11 Sat 2–4pm
Enjoy nature displays, learn
about bees, go on a scavenger
hunt, participate in a kids fishing derby and more. A City of
Groveport Community Affairs
Department event.
Heritage Nature Center,
551 Wirt Road, Groveport
FISHING AROUND THE POND
14 Tue 7pm
Cast a line and try to catch a
fish. Poles and bait available.
Age 15 and younger
Heron Pond bulletin board
SUMMER’S EVE FUN WALK
17 Fri 7:30pm
Use sight, sound, taste, touch
and smell to explore nature on
a fun and easy 1-mile walk.
CAMPFIRE BUILDING 101
18 Sat 10am
Learn all the tricks to building great campfires for your
outdoor adventures.
For information on programs at Three Creeks in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
HOMESCHOOLERS:
POLLINATOR TIME
21 Tue 10am
Discover the importance of
pollinating insects as you
explore their habitat and learn
what we can do to help them.
Age 6 and older
RIDE WITH A RANGER
22 Wed 6pm
Join a ranger for a relaxing
10-mile bike ride.
25 Sat 1–3pm
Celebrate the joy of getting
muddy by playing in the natural play area’s giant mud pit.
JULY
BARKING AND BREAKFAST
02 Sat 9am
Enjoy breakfast snacks for you
and your dog then take a brisk
3-mile walk. X
WOMEN’S
OUTDOOR WORKSHOP
09 Sat 9am
Learn the basics of fire building, outdoor cooking and
camping skills in a 4-hour
workshop. You’ll also learn
how to change a tire, jump
start a car and be safe on
outdoor adventures. Lunch
provided. Women age 16 and
older (age 16 and 17 must be
accompanied by a parent or
legal guardian)
PRESCHOOLERS: BATS
12 Tue 10am
Learn about bats through
games, activities and stories.
Heritage Nature Center,
551 Wirt Road, Groveport
LIGHTNING BUG NIGHT RIDE
15 Fri 9pm
Take a 6-mile bike ride with
frequent stops to watch and
learn about lightning bugs.
IN THE CREEK
17 Sun 2pm
See June 4
RIDE WITH A RANGER
20 Wed 6pm
Join a ranger for a relaxing
10-mile bike ride.
PRESCHOOLERS: BATS
21 Thu 10am
Learn about bats through
games, activities and stories.
LEAFY TREE HIKE
24 Sun 2pm
Learn to identify trees using
leaves and other characteristics
on a 2-mile walk.
BATS BY THE POND
27 Wed 8:30pm
Discover fun facts about bats
and take a short stroll to the
pond to watch them hunting.
AUGUST
CREEKING AND CAMPFIRE
06 Sat 5:30pm
Take a short walk to the creek
to search for critters then toast
hot dogs and marshmallows
around a campfire.
METRO PARKS
BIKE TOUR 2016
06 Sat 9am
are as a biker. (See page 12 for
BARKING AND BREAKFAST
07 Sun 9am
Enjoy breakfast snacks for you
and your dog then take a brisk
3-mile walk. X
FLOAT THE POND
07 Sun 1–3pm
Take a canoe out for a ride on
Heron Pond. Children must be
at least 40 inches tall to ride.
Heron Pond
CALLING ALL KIDS: BUG HUNT
09 Tue 10am
Use nets to catch, identify and
learn about bugs.
NATURAL PLAY AREA:
BUILD A FORT
14 Sun 2pm
Use things from the forest to
build your own fort.
PRESCHOOLERS:
CREEPY CRAWLIES
16 Tue 10am
Catch and learn about insects,
spiders & other tiny creatures.
RIDE WITH A RANGER
17 Wed 6pm
See July 20
OWLS BY BIKE
20 Sat 8:30pm
Take a 6-mile ride with stops to
try and call in owls.
BIKE AMONG THE BUGS
27 Sat 8:30am
Enjoy a relaxing 6-mile ride
with stops along the way to
learn about awesome insects.
MUD & MADNESS
27 Sat & 37946
Negotiate several muddy obstacles on a 1.5-mile fun family
adventure. Free medallion.
Walnut Woods
JULY
BUGSTRAVAGANZA!
30 Sat 10am-1pm
Bees, butterflies and beetles, oh, my! Celebrate insects and
their relatives with activities and displays for children and
adults. Representatives from different organizations will help
you learn about pollinators, discover creek life, share information on insect pests, see insects up close and provide crafts
and games for kids of all ages. Buckeye Area
Parkscope
Metro Parks Album
Clockwise from left:
Bushy tailed red fox, by Mary Howell; Royal
catchfly and ashy sunflower at Battelle Darby
Creek, by Mac Albin; Bridge over
ravine at Highbanks, by Terrence Peck.

Summer 2016 - Metro Parks

Transcription

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