08/24/2023
Ready to learn a new skill? Try your hand at archery through a Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure program, or bring your own equipment to Scioto Grove Metro Park to try your aim at the 3D archery course 🏹
📸 Virginia Gordon
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
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Metro Parks is a public agency serving the citizens of Central Ohio since 1945. metroparks.net
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Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks (Metro Parks) is a public agency serving the citizens of Central Ohio by providing a regional system of clean, safe, natural area parks. Metro Parks features 19 outstanding natural area parks with more than 200 miles of trails and over 27,000 acres of land in seven Central Ohio counties. The mission of Metro Parks is to conserve open spaces, while providing
places and opportunities that encourage people to discover and experience nature. Annually, more than 8 million people enjoy quality outdoor times in the parks, and more than 180,000 people participate in free nature education programs. Created on August 14, 1945, Metro Parks is an independent political subdivision of the state of Ohio organized under Ohio Revised Code Section 1545 to conserve natural resources and provide natural area parks for people to enjoy. Metro Parks is a separate subdivision of the state of Ohio and is not under the administration of any other governmental unit. The tremendous growth and enduring popularity of Metro Parks is due to the strong support of the community - as voters, as volunteers and as visitors. Metro Parks’ primary funding source is the 10-year, 0.75 mill levy approved by Franklin County voters in 2009. The levy provides a sound financial base for operating and improving existing parks, as well as acquiring additional land for future preservation. Metro Parks has three designated categories of revenue: public sources (taxes, local government funds and government grants), operational fees (earned income), and other revenue (donations, interest income, etc).
08/22/2023
Let's play a game of I-Spy! Can you spot the damselfly in the prairie?
Hint: it's orange
What's difference between dragonflies and damselflies? Dragonfly wings stick straight out, perpendicular to their body at rest, while most damselflies wings fold straight back in line with their body!
08/21/2023
You may have seen signs at some of our parks indicating an "old-growth forest," but you left wondering "what's an old-growth forest?"
The definition of old-growth forests isn't precise, but generally these forests contain trees a varying stages of life, extensive biodiversity in plants and animals, and abundant amounts of growth and decay.
Seasonal Naturalist Caton helps us understand old-growth forests in this blog: https://bit.ly/44heQXd
Old-Growth Forests - Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System - CATON WILLIAMSON Blacklick Woods Seasonal Naturalist Old-growth forests are ecosystems at their best. I have found that a walk through one of these
08/19/2023
Happy Honey Bee Day to some of our favorite pollinators 🐝
Did you know? Honey bees can beat their wings 11,400 times per minute. The beating of their wings is what makes the buzzing noise!
📸 Mindi McConnell
08/17/2023
What cool things can you find in Metro Parks? Aquatic Ecologist Andrew tells us all about it:
https://bit.ly/45dZXWj
As Seen in Your Metro Parks - Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System - ANDREW BOOSE Aquatic Ecologist Working in the Metro Parks gives us the opportunity to observe plants and animals on a regular basis. While there are
08/16/2023
Happy Tell A Joke Day! What's your favorite nature related joke or pun? Here's ours: Why is the mushroom always invited to parties? Because he's a fungi 🍄
📸 gill bolete mushroom by Andrew Boose
08/16/2023
Mark your calendars 📆 Just one month from today is Scioto Fest! Join us for music, climbing, beer and tons of fun on September 15 & 16 at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
Find more details by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3RKdz5o
08/14/2023
A peaceful scene at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park to start your week 🦌
📸 Wanda Brunty
08/14/2023
Ohio Wildlife Center released a pair of mink at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park last week! They quickly took to their new home and started fishing and playing 🎉
08/11/2023
Tall things are happening at Scioto Grove Metro Park! How tall you ask? It's about 100 feet to the top of the new fire tower 🔥 Join us Tuesday, August 15 at 10 a.m. for refreshments and a chance to climb to the top of this cool new feature!
Read more: https://conta.cc/3DMEvw2
08/10/2023
Running towards the weekend like 🏃
This great blue heron was caught taking off at Three Creeks Metro Park!
📸 Chris Childers
08/09/2023
The best way to explore is to bring out your inner child 🔎 Check out any one of our eight natural play areas and climb trees, build forts, wade in creeks and more!
📸 Cindy Decker
08/08/2023
A turkey, a cardinal and some finches walk up to the bird feeder...
This group of feathered friends appeared to be having an important meeting at the Blendon Woods bird feeders!
📸 Honour Lackey
08/07/2023
Now is the perfect time to head to your nearest prairie and check out all the prairie flowers 🌼 Chicory is just one of the flowers you might find!
📸 Annette Boose
08/05/2023
Happy Disc Golf Day! Celebrate today by heading out to Blendon Woods, Glacier Ridge or Scioto Grove to play a round for fun, or challenge your friends to a competition 🥏
📸 Christopher Shirring
08/05/2023
What's on your Metro Parks summer bucket list? Seasonal Naturalist Sarah shares some things she's hoping to see, learn and do before the summer's over!
https://bit.ly/46SQu8C
My Metro Parks Summer Bucket List - Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System - SARAH FLECKER Seasonal Naturalist, Blacklick Woods The temperatures are rising, the wildflowers are blooming, and the birds are singing. Summer is in full
08/04/2023
The selfie station is on the move 📸 For the month of August, you'll be able to find it at Prairie Oaks Metro Park in the Darby Bend Lakes area! Go take a selfie, and don't forget to tag us (and it counts towards the 75 Year Challenge)!
📸 Kerry Knowles
08/02/2023
We want to give a huge shout-out to the Columbus School Interns (CSIs), who worked hard this summer on a variety of projects at Quarry Trails, Sharon Woods, Battelle Darby Creek, and more 🌳 They had fun learning new skills, exploring nature, and of course, having fun!
📸 Eric Reiner, Steve Studenmund
08/02/2023
Hey there 🐑 This month we have programs with fun names like: "Fire!", "Bugstravaganza!", "After Dark in the Park" and "Pokèmon Adventure"
If you're feeling nosy, and wondering about other cool programs that are happening in August, click here: https://bit.ly/3rNV87N
📸 Honour Lackey
08/01/2023
This Saturday! Learn about bugs at Walnut Woods Metro Park 🕷
BUGSTRAVAGANZA! is at Walnut Woods Metro Park on Saturday, August 5th from 10am -1pm. It's fun, awesome and we hope to see you there!
07/31/2023
Happy to all of our rangers! Not only do they protect the parks, they also help educate visitors, manage wildlife, help with events and so much more 🌳
07/28/2023
Then vs. now: Blendon Woods bird blinds edition 🦆 The first picture is from 1970, and appeared in the Columbus Dispatch Sunday Magazine, the second picture is from June 2023! The bird blinds can be found at the end of the Lake Trail.
07/27/2023
Where's your favorite place to watch the sunset? Maybe it's from your mojo dojo casa house, or maybe you're like us, and your favorite sunset viewing area is Scioto Audubon 🌇 Either way, it only happens once a day, so don't miss it!
07/26/2023
Here's your reminder to stay hydrated during these super hot days 💧 We'd remind the wildlife too, but they do a pretty good job on their own.
Naturalist Scott tells us more about how animals stay cool on hot days: https://bit.ly/3Y6HSah
📸 Frank Kozarich
Stay Cool! How animals cope with the summer heat - Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System - SCOTT FELKER Three Creeks Metro Park Naturalist It’s hot out there! We know you’ll stay cool by finding a shady spot in your favorite Metro Park or
07/26/2023
Need a new conversation starter? Try asking your friends what these lovely creatures are!
Did you know? Crayfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, or mudbugs (whatever you choose to call them) walk forward, but swim backward.
07/22/2023
Happy National Hammock Day! What better way to celebrate than to lay in a hammock, relax, read a book or take a nap 💤
What's your favorite way to hammock?
📸 Kim Strosnider
07/22/2023
Music in the Gardens this Sunday, July 23, 5-7pm.
Seating is limited. Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
07/20/2023
Have you taken a tram ride yet? The Metro Parks tram travels between parks and allows staff to give a brief history of the parks and the cool things you can find along the way 🐞 Find out when the tram will be near you: https://bit.ly/44FrkII
📸 Allison Shaw
07/19/2023
Bee? No - hoverfly! These friends are often mistaken for bees, but their main difference is that hoverflies only have two wings, while bees have four 🐝 Hoverflies are also called flower flies or syrphid flies.
📸 Gabby Power
07/17/2023
This indigo bunting decided to bend the rules by perching on the bison area fence at Battelle Darby Creek!
📸 Travis Crew
07/17/2023
Metro Parks is hiring part-time rangers 🌳 Rangers interact with visitors, help with special events, and so much more! Check out the full job description and apply here: https://bit.ly/3DadYIQ
07/14/2023
Rainy days can only lead to rainbows 🌈 🌦️
📸 Joanie Lis Droughton
07/14/2023
Join Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park and The Nature Conservancy in Ohio for an evening of photography and conservation!
Learn more and RSVP here: https://fb.me/e/1esEmOrqv
07/13/2023
Lights, camera, action 🎬 Metro Parks movie nights are back! Join us at dusk for the movies - don't forget to bring a chair or blanket to sit on!
07/12/2023
Nature camp is in full swing at Metro Parks 🏕️ The kids have been learning about nature, while playing games, making crafts and having fun!
📸 Honour Lackey
07/10/2023
The dog days of summer are in full swing 🐶 Luckily, we have plenty of space for dogs run around, make new friends or cool off!
📸 Sarah Hunter
07/09/2023
July is National Bison Month 🦬 We have some pretty cool bison out at Battelle Darby, including three new baby bison!
07/07/2023
Last but not least - Heritage Trail 🚲 Heritage Trail runs from the historic Old Hilliard district, by Homestead and Heritage Trail Metro Parks, and ends in Plain City!
07/05/2023
Contrary to popular sponge-related cartoons, snails don't usually say "meow" 🐌 In fact, they don't really make any noise...
This snail that was found at Sharon Woods Metro Park is a part of the Polygyridae family, a group of air-breathing, land snails!
📸 Julianna Kuetemeyer
07/01/2023
Happy July! Each week, Metro Parks' Naturalists host programs for all ages, including plenty for kids like Tots on Trails, Storytime and more 🐌 check out all the month has to offer here: https://tinyurl.com/mryf729z
📸 Honour Lackey
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Videos
Spring peepers calling at Walnut Woods Metro Park
Here's a sure sign spring is coming - the calling of spring peepers! 🐸 Turn your volume up and listen to these frogs calling from the vernal pool at Walnut Woods Metro Park. Video: Mindi McConnell
New dog park open at Scioto Audubon Metro Park
No more muddy paws! 🐾 Scioto Audubon Metro Park, in partnership with Ohio Department of Transportation, just opened its new dog park and your pups will love running, jumping and playing on the astroturf! 🐕🐩
Burning Lake now open at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
It's finally open - The Burning Lake area at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park! 🔥 Stop by and test your balance at the playground, search for hidden treasure along the trail or take a moment to admire the wildlife.
Opossum searching for food at Three Creeks Metro Park
Three Creeks Metro Park is full of wildlife preparing for spring and mating season. This opossum is searching for food and a mate in the park. Be kind to our wildlife and observe them from a safe and respectful distance - this is less stressful to them and safer for us ❤️ Video: Scott Felker
Barred owl calling at Walnut Woods Metro Park
Turn your volume up and listen to barred owls calling at Walnut Woods Metro Park 🦉 Video: Mindi McConnell
Wander and Wonder: Dyer Mill Trail
Discover the solitude and winter quiet as you hike the Dyer Mill Trail at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park ❄️
Adventure Starts Here: Central Ohio Hikerbabes
Central Ohio Hikerbabes find joy in hiking together in Metro Parks and reconnecting with each other 🚶 🚶
Wander and Wonder: Metro Parks Annual Winter Hike Series
No matter how far, no matter when, Metro Parks Winter Hikes have a trail for you to enjoy! Hike under the Twinkling Lights in December, start the New Year with New Traditions in January and Warm Your Heart at a park in February. Bundle up, choose your route, grab a friend and go for a hike this winter in your Metro Parks.
Bison kisses at Battelle Darby Creek
Our bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park wish you a very happy Monday with some smooches 😘 Look for them roaming in their winter pasture. Video: Elaine Hall
Come home to Metro Parks
Come home to Metro Parks and begin your outdoor adventure. From a bike ride to a float on the lakes or just a walk in the woods, spend an hour or a day in a park and recharge your mind, body and spirit 😌
Adventure Starts Here: Fall wonders
Look for wildlife preparing for winter and migrating waterfowl as you discover your Metro Parks this fall 🍂
Puffballs At Blendon Woods
We're just helping nature along 🍄 This puffball mushroom is at the stage where its insides have been transformed into millions of spores. When disturbed, the fungi releases its spores which creates new fungi wherever they land. Look for them growing on dead and decaying logs at Blendon Woods Metro Park . Video: Tina Fronk
Wander and Wonder: Solitude at Clear Creek
Embrace the solitude at Clear Creek Metro Park as you fly fish in the gentle waters or traverse rugged trails through forests of hemlock, oak and birch trees.
Wander and Wonder: A doggone good time
We’re PAWS-ITIVE you and your pup will enjoy all that Metro Parks has to offer. So leash up and head out for a tail-waggin’ good time! 🐾 🐾
Adventure Starts Here: The Parable Project
The Parable Project helps kids build a strong connection to each other and nature at Metro Parks.
Monarch on Monarch Trail at Walnut Woods
It's monarch migration time at Walnut Woods Metro Park. These butterflies are slurping nectar to store up energy for the trip. Video: Mindi McConnell
Quarry Trails Metro Park opening in fall 2021
Let your imagination run wild when you visit Quarry Trails Metro Park this fall! Spend an adventurous morning mountain biking, paddle boarding on the water or just gazing at a 25-foot waterfall. Video: Ricart Automotive
Red-tailed hawk release at Highbanks Metro Park
Thank you, Ohio Wildlife Center for getting this red-tailed hawk back into the wild! The hawk was found injured near Highbanks Metro Park and was released back into the park last week after making a full recovery ❤️ Video: Jen Moore
Beech blight aphids at Blacklick Woods
Jess McClintock filmed beech blight aphids on a beech tree at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. They may look like they're dancing, but they shake to ward off predators when the branch is disturbed. Amazing!
Monarch chrysalis at Blacklick Woods
If you've never seen a caterpillar transition into its chrysalis, you're in for a treat! 🐛 Naturalist Shannon recorded a monarch caterpillar going through the process at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. By shedding its skin, it reveals the intermediate stage between caterpillar and butterfly. The monarch will spend about 10-14 days in its chrysalis before emerging as a butterfly.
Wander and Wonder: Discover nature through programs
Discover critters in the creeks or watch bats take to the night sky during a park program. Metro Parks is your adventure destination.
Adventure Starts Here: Adaptive Sports Connection at Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Adaptive Sports Connection helps veterans connect with each other and nature while biking at Glacier Ridge Metro Park 🚲
Quarry Trails Metro Park 2021
Quarry Trails Metro Park - opening this fall! Video: Ricart Automotive
Eastern tiger swallowtails puddling at Clear Creek
Eastern tiger swallowtails typically fly solo, but occasionally you can see a group of males gather together to drink water from damp soil. This is called puddling. Take a walk along the water at Clear Creek Metro Park and you may see them 💦 Video: Katie Bennett
Great golden digger wasp at Three Crees
Three Creeks Metro Park had an exciting visitor to its pollinator garden - the great golden digger wasp! 🐝 It may look sweet here, but this voracious predator paralyzes its prey with venom and then feeds them to its young 😮 Video: Scott Felker
Raccoon at Highbanks
What a little rascal! Chrissy Hoff captured a young raccoon lapping up a sweet treat at the nature center at Highbanks Metro Park. This ingenious critter figured out that if it tilts the hummingbird feeder, it can get to the good stuff faster 🤭
Threshing at Slate Run Living Historical Farm
The Percheron horses at Slate Run Metro Park and Living Historical Farm are made for working 🐴 Come see them in action tomorrow from 1-3 as they power the threshing machine and finish harvesting wheat 🌾 Video: Dave Trotter
Hellbender eats shed skin at Battelle Darby Creek
In an effort to conserve resources, hellbenders (and other amphibians) eat their shedding skin. It provides a great source of nutrients. Stop by the nature center at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park to see this in action! 💦 Video: Craig Biegler
Adventure Starts Here: Paddling Big Darby Creek
Take it easy and glide down Big Darby Creek and explore one of the most scenic rivers in the world.
Robins feeding at Blendon Woods
You can find incredible things at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Patrick Kelly recorded a robin feeding its babies. Fun fact: Parent robins will eat their babies fecal sacs for the first couple of days after hatching. They give the worms and insects to their young. Babies can't fully digest their food, so the fecal sacs provide nutrients for the parents 😳
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Comments
These great photos of our Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks capture the magic of our amazing parks!
Spring 2022 public programs are now open for registration! Follow the link to register today! City of Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Department KSM Sports and Fitness Indoor Facility Athletic Republic Dublin Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Northwest FC Resolute Sports Complex
https://columbus.soccershots.com/search?st_t=1071%2C1072&st_ti=1431%2C1437
https://columbus.soccershots.com/search?st_t=1071%2C1072&st_ti=1431%2C1437
❤️ It's time for the free Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure February programs at Scioto Grove Metro Park! Meet at the Arrowhead Picnic area.
❤️ Learn more bit.ly/FCMprograms.
❤️ Learn more bit.ly/FCMprograms.
What animal makes this tiny straight line tracks? It’s like they were under the snow. Ty
The New Quarry Trails.
Battelle Darby Wetlands
All of our Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks are amazing in the winter and the waterfall at Quarry Trails is particularly splendid in this cold weather.
Tall Pines @ Walnut Woods Metropark....
Photo by Beth Armstrong
Photo by Beth Armstrong
Oh to be a kid and not care about the cold or snow 😜
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Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
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Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
I love our Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and it is an extreme honor to be appointed to serve as the next Commissioner!
Whoa! Cincinnati is THIRD in the nation for green space per capita. Shout out to Cincinnati Parks as well as our friends at Summit Metro Parks, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, Five Rivers MetroParks, Cleveland Metroparks and Metroparks Toledo for contributing to Ohio's conservation efforts.
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