PKSC-Autumn-2015-web

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Autumn 2015
Your Metro Parks
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No first or last place.
Everyone wins! And it’s free…
Traverse a 1 to 2-mile scenic off-trail route while
maneuvering through several obstacles.
Obstacles are a little challenging & a little
muddy… a whole lot more FUN than RUN.
Perfect for mud-loving children, adults & families.
Free T-shirt and medallion.
Sat Sept 12 Sharon Woods & 34727
Register at tiny.cc/mudSHN by Sept 4
Sat Sept 26 Three Creeks & 34725
Register at tiny.cc/mudTHC by Sept 18
Sat Oct 10 Blacklick Woods & 34728
Register at tiny.cc/mudBLK by Sept 18
For more information go to tiny.cc/mud-madness
Autumn 2015
Parkscope
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Native trees and shrubs in your yard
Let the native plants in Metro Parks be an
inspiration for your home landscaping.
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You’ll find many surprises at Three Creeks
Featuring trails, dog parks, sports fields and an eagle
nest, the partnership park between Metro Parks and
Columbus Recreation and Parks has lots to discover.
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Favorite scenes at the parks
Metro Parks staff talk about some of their favorite
places and activities in the parks.
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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 Autumn Programs
A comprehensive, park-by-park listing of Metro Parks
programs for all ages in Sept, Oct and November.
Back
cover
Metro Parks Album
A quarterly gallery of images from some of the
area’s best photographers.
Metro Parks staff photo
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How animals get ready for winter
To survive winter, animals must migrate,
hibernate, lay eggs and die, or tough it
out and adapt.
Cover photo: Wood duck on Schrock Lake
at Sharon Woods, by Brian Hopp
Bryan Knowles
Cover Story
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
Partnerships make the difference
S
ince its founding in 1945, Metro Parks has forged many
powerful partnerships to expand services for the people of
Central Ohio while responding to the tremendous growth and
diversity in the region.
Some 70 years ago, an alliance of local and state garden
and environmental clubs, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Columbus City Council and several key business people
came together to establish the Columbus and Franklin County
Metropolitan Park District.
Collaborative endeavors with local, state and federal
agencies and governments, businesses, non-profits, volunteers, donors and even several school districts have greatly
expanded and flourished since our early years.
And 2015 has been an amazing year for strengthening
and expanding these partnerships and forging new ones. In
August we opened a portion of the 1,000-acre Rocky Fork
Metro Park.
Rocky Fork, our newest Metro Park, is a joint venture
with the City of Columbus, New Albany and Plain Township.
Through this partnership, we have been able to acquire and
develop land. Thanks to authorization of the Clean Ohio Fund
by the Ohio Legislature, Metro Parks was able to purchase
additional land at Rocky Fork. Over the years, this state
funded legislative initiative has been beneficial for Metro
Parks in acquiring and restoring land at several parks.
Grove City has always been a great partner with Metro
Parks. Thanks to their donation of 192 acres of land, Metro
Parks is developing a 600-acre park along nearly four miles
of the Scioto River in Jackson Township. Grove City officials
have helped with securing permits and other items necessary
to develop the park at an accelerated pace. Additionally, Clean Ohio Fund monies were used to acquire land.
Outdoor gear retailer REI has given us $20,000 to develop a backpack trail at Scioto Grove. This trail, located minutes from downtown
Columbus, will be great for beginners who want to discover the wonders of nature or seasoned backpackers who just want to do a quick day
hike and an overnight.
This year we will complete our portion of the Ohio to Erie Trail, an off-road trail from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. The 11-mile Camp
Chase section of the trail connects Wilson Road in Madison County to Sullivant Avenue on Columbus’ West Side. This work has been an ongoing partnership since 2009 with the City of Columbus, Franklin County Engineers and Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails. Metro
Parks has received generous support from the Ohio To Erie Trail Fund along with Federal dollars to complete this project.
As home to the First Tee of Central Ohio, Metro Parks has turned this 10-week summer program at Blacklick Woods Golf Course into
a year-round outreach program. This past year we partnered with about 50 Columbus City Schools as part of the After School All-Stars
program, targeting low-income, at-risk students. First Tee is an amazing program that teaches life skills and leadership through the game
of golf to youth age 7 to 17. This past year more than 1,000 youth have participated with us in this nationally recognized program.
Our Metro Parks are treasures enjoyed by more than 7.5 million visitors a year. We are grateful for the many partners that support our
parks and programs. Their efforts over the years have made Metro Parks Central Ohio’s greatest asset. n
Tim Moloney, Executive Director
4 Parkscope
Photos by park staff & volunteer photographers
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1. Don Danielson
2. Dan Bissonette
3. Allison Shaw
4. Ralf Niehaus
5. Bryan Knowles
6. Rick Jordon
7. Mark Thomas
8. David Trotter
9. Scott Zimmermann
10. Cheryl Bach
11.Kim Strosnider
How animals get ready for winter
F
Frank Kozarich
all is a season of change. For humans, we put away our sandals and
shorts and get out warmer shoes
and long pants. We might even think
about getting a tune-up on the snow
blower in preparation for winter.
Animals also see fall as a season of
change and have to do one or more of the
following four things to prepare for and
survive winter: migrate, hibernate, lay
eggs and die, or adapt and tough out the
coldest season.
Animals that migrate
Migration is the seasonal movement of
animals from one region to another.
Animals migrate to find warmer temperatures, open water, plenty of food
and appropriate habitat. Animals might
migrate out of Ohio, others actually come
to Ohio.
Monarch butterflies fly south up to
3,000 miles to spend winter in the mountains of Mexico. The trees in the mountains provide the monarchs with shelter,
and they huddle together in large masses
to stay warm.
Sandhill crane migration has been
studied intensely the last few years in
Ohio. Between 2011 and 2013, 23 sandhill
cranes were radio-tagged so scientists
could track their migration patterns. One
crane from Slate Run Metro Park was
included in this study.
The majority of cranes migrated to
Hiawasee Wildlife Refuge, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Some went further
south and enjoyed winter near Orlando,
Florida. However, about half of the cranes
found open water, food and shelter right
here in Ohio throughout the winter so
they didn’t even migrate.
Juncos are living proof that not all birds
fly south for winter. These small gray and
white birds migrate into Ohio because
they think it’s warm here. Juncos typically
6 Parkscope
Squirrels are very industrious animals in fall, gathering fruit and nuts or building tree nests.
spend the summer throughout Canada
into Alaska.
Little brown bats go south in search of
caves or old mines, where they can group
together to stay warm. These areas are
called hibernacula, but the bats do not
truly hibernate. They are sometimes seen
flying about on warm winter days, to
catch insects and food to help them get
through winter.
Animals that hibernate
Animals that hibernate spend the winter
sleeping, or are very inactive during this
time. The animal’s heart rate, temperature and breathing all slow down. Hibernation is triggered by day length and
hormone changes. Animals may also be
considered light sleepers and experience
torpor instead of true hibernation.
Animals that undergo torpor have a
slight drop in temperature and metabolic
rate so they sleep less and can wake up
easily. Torpor is associated with temperature and food availability changes.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are our state’s only true hibernator. A groundhog will spend much of its
time in fall eating grasses and building
a layer of fat throughout its body to stay
warm during hibernation.
It spends winter in an underground
burrow, where its temperature drops
from about 97 degrees F to 40 degrees F,
it breathes once every six minutes, and it
has four heartbeats per minute.
Wood frogs spend winter hidden under
leaves on the forest floor. Their wet, outer
skin freezes when temperatures drop, but
proteins and sugars inside their bodies pre-
Al Staffan
Bruce Simpson
Park visitors help to release monarchs as they start their 3,000-mile journey to Mexico.
Skunks are commonly seen on warmer
winter days or nights. They are light
sleepers that easily wake up, mostly in
search of food. In fall, skunks search for
burrows built by other animals to become
their winter den, or look for decks and
porches they can live under.
Animals that lay eggs and die
Many adult insects spend some time in
fall laying eggs. Shortly thereafter, the
adults die, leaving the eggs or young to
survive the winter and become adults the
following spring or summer.
Moths are very busy for only a few days
in spring, summer and fall. They spend
their time looking for a mate, then lay
Groundhogs hibernate in burrows.
Dan Ferrin
Garter snakes must hibernate to survive
the winter. They are cold-blooded animals, and their internal temperature as
well as metabolism relies on the temperature surrounding them.
Because there is little food (insects,
worms and other small animals) for
them to eat in winter, a low metabolic
rate helps them immensely.
During fall, garter snakes must find a
spot to live deep underground that won’t
freeze, or huddle in masses of up to 1,000
snakes to stay warm through winter.
Bruce Simpson
vent cells from completely freezing. During
this time, wood frogs do not have any brain
or heart activity. When temperatures warm
and the frogs thaw out, brain and heart
activity resumes in 30 to 60 minutes.
eggs. Shortly after, the adults die,
but caterpillars hatch out and begin
chomping on plant leaves to grow
bigger.
Caterpillars use leaves, silk and other
materials in fall to build a cocoon, where
they will spend the winter, then come out
as adult moths the following spring or
summer.
Praying mantis build an egg sac on plant
stems in fall. The sac, which looks like a
tan piece of foam, holds up to 200 eggs
that are protected all winter. In spring
the eggs hatch and many tiny mantises
will come crawling out, ready to eat other
insects in the field.
Cicada females lay eggs in tree twigs in
late summer and autumn, then die. The
eggs hatch into nymphs, then fall from the
tree and bury themselves underground.
They suck sap from tree roots in winter
and emerge as adults when the ground
gets to be about 64 degrees F or higher.
Praying mantises lay their eggs then die.
Dragonflies spend their winters as eggs
since the adults die in the fall. The eggs
mature underwater in ponds or creeks
through the cold months.
There is one type of dragonfly in Ohio
that migrates. Green darners, large,
fast-flying dragonflies, can sometimes
be seen by the thousands, migrating
south. Scientists are still studying where
they go, and in-depth reasons for their
migration.
Mike Horn
Dan Ferrin
Animals that adapt & tough it out
Some animals just deal with winter like
we humans do. They spend much of fall
getting ready for what’s to come, and
adapt their feeding habits, bodies or
homes to survive.
Songbirds are heavily reliant on birdfeeders if they stay in Ohio for winter.
While many birds, like cardinals, eat
natural seeds, flower heads and berries in
summer, they seek out seeds with higher
fat and high protein content in fall to get
ready for the cold.
Black oil sunflower seeds provide fat,
fiber, calcium, iron and vitamins B and
E for birds. So go put out your birdfeeder
now.
Fish that we see near the top of ponds in
summer move deep down to the bottom
of the water in winter. The water at these
deeper levels doesn’t lose as much heat
as the upper levels, but the fish still slow
their metabolism to get through to spring.
White-tailed deer shed their reddish
summer coat and grow in a brownishgray winter coat that has hollow hair
shafts and thick underfur for winter
insulation.
Deer can even change the direction or
angle of their hair to increase warmth.
The change in fur color also provides
camouflage.
8 Parkscope
Cecile Lynch
White-tailed deer keep their red summer coat for about four to five months before they shed into their darker and warmer winter coats.
Park volunteers help our feathered friends get the nourishment they need in winter.
Squirrels are fun to watch in fall, because
they never seem to stop moving. They are
busy little creatures, eating lots of nuts
and berries to fatten up before winter.
They also build nests made out of sticks
and leaves, high up in trees, so they have
shelter from the cold and snow of winter.
Squirrels also spend time burying nuts
throughout their habitat, and use both
smell and memory to find nuts later
under the snow. Nuts that don’t get eaten
often sprout in the spring and contribute to regrowth and regeneration in the
forest.
This autumn, while you’re out raking leaves, finding your winter hats and
mittens, or replacing screen doors with
storm doors to get ready for winter, take
time out to watch a busy squirrel or a flying monarch and listen to a cicada.
Think about all the animals out there
also preparing for winter and using one
or more of the four survival strategies. n
Andrea Krava and
Bruce Simpson,
Blendon Woods Naturalists
Mac Albin
trees & shrubs in your yard
Buckeye leaves and nut
F
all in your Metro Parks is a season of
plenty. There is a cornucopia of fruits,
nuts, berries, seeds and a full palate
of rich and pleasing colors, many of which
come from native trees and shrubs.
As Metro Parks Forest Ecologist I am
often approached by park visitors who ask
how they can make native trees and shrubs
work in their home landscaping.
Many native species you see in the
parks will work well around your home
for this purpose and are available in local
nurseries.
In recent years there has been an
increased interest by hobbyists to plant
native species that attract wildlife to their
yards for enjoyment and stress reduction.
Around 400,000 wildlife gardeners across
the country are officially recognized by the
National Wildlife Federation for their efforts
on behalf of wildlife and pollinators.
Crowd Pleasers
It may be necessary to rethink the idea
of formal landscaping when using native
trees and shrubs. Forethought on where the
plant will be placed can save large amounts
of aggravation as the tree or shrub matures.
Consider the oaks, with their stately appearance and limb spread rising to heights
of 80 feet or more. You should not plant a
tree such as this up close to your house or
power lines.
There are 11 species of oaks in the parks,
white, burr, swamp white, chinquapin,
shingle, chestnut, black, pin, red, post and
scarlet. Most of the parks have at least five
of these species.
When you see these trees in your Metro
Parks you can get an idea of what they
would look like when they grow in an open
landscape as compared to growing in a
forest.
In fall, oaks provide acorns for wildlife
as well as a spectrum of brown, scarlet and
red colors. They host mammals, birds and
insects that can be exciting to watch both in
your landscape and in your Metro Parks.
Another stalwart of fall color are the
maples; red maple, sugar maple, silver
maple, and box elder, which oddly enough
is also a maple. The red, yellow and bright
orange colors are always crowd pleasers.
Maples are abundant in the forests and
the picnic areas in Metro Parks. They are
relatively easy to locate in tree nurseries
and are fast-growing trees, making them
a popular choice for backyard gardening.
They also are one of the first trees to flower
in spring.
One would be remiss not to mention our
state tree, the Ohio buckeye. It is among
the first trees to turn to its fall color, mostly
yellow, and yields the highly-prized buckwww.metroparks.net 9
Bryan Knowles
Annette Boose
Annette Boose
Hazelnut trees have the unusual property of flowering in winter.
Spicebush has clusters of beautiful scarlet berries in autumn.
eyes. In Central Ohio these are sought by
Buckeye fans and squirrels alike.
Buckeye trees are found in many of the
parks, most notably in the flood plains of
Three Creeks, Sharon Woods and Blacklick
Woods.
Sassafras trees are not large, but their
fall color rivals the maple. Their blue fruits
provide food for both mammals and birds
in fall. Sassafras is not as easily found in
the parks and the best place to see them is
on the Homestead Trail at Chestnut Ridge.
Use caution in planting sassafras in
your landscape as it needs a large area for
spreading out its roots.
The persimmon tree produces a small
purplish fruit that if picked too early, before
the first frost, can be so tart that they are
inedible. But with a little patience and the
right timing they provide a tasty snack for
humans and animals.
Persimmons are not easy to locate in
the parks. However, one that can be seen
with ease is at Inniswood Metro Gardens,
10 Parkscope
Forest ecologist Andrew Boose plants a buckeye tree at Sharon Woods.
about 200 feet to your left after going
through the entrance. Notice the knobby
appearance of its bark and brilliant red fall
color.
One of our favorite trees is the pawpaw,
a small tree which rarely obtains a height
of more than 30 feet. It possesses large
palmate leaves that turn a beautiful golden
yellow in fall. This tree also bears a large
and highly-prized fruit that has a buttery
texture and very rich taste.
The many seeds in the fruit make it
something of a challenge to eat but it is well
worth the effort. Raccoons, opossums, deer
and a plethora of other animals also prize
its fruit. It is one of the few native trees with
leaves and branches that deer do not eat.
Pawpaws can be seen throughout the
parks, mainly in flood plains and in rich
mature forests.
Alternate leaf dogwood is known in
the nursery trade as pagoda dogwood. Its
upward facing twigs provide year-round
interest. It is a small tree reaching about 15
feet, with many white blooms in spring and
a multitude of fruit for wildlife in fall.
These trees are sometimes hard to see in
Metro Parks woods, but they really shine as
an individual plant in a garden landscape.
Spicebush is a common shrub in the
parks. Its bright red fruit against its yellow
fall foliage is pleasing to the eye and a
nutritious food source for wildlife.
At any time of the year I recommend
carefully scratching a little bit of the bark
on the twigs in order to enjoy its spicy
aroma.
Witchhazel is a shade tolerant plant
that grows in the forest understory of most
parks. It is known both for its pale yellow
fall foliage and its late fall and early winter
flowers.
Although the yellow flowers are not
large, they have a very distinctive crinkled
appearance and are sometimes seen when
there is snow on the ground.
Hazelnut grows to a height of 10 feet or
less. Another name for this shrub is Ameri-
Gil Sears
A visit to a Metro Park is perfect for a healthy walk and is also a great way to see trees and plants you might like to plant in your own garden.
Tim Perdue
can filbert. It produces delicious hazelnuts
that can be picked and eaten, if you get to
them before the local squirrels do.
Your authors once went to the trouble
of building an entire fortress around their
hazelnut bush in order to preserve the first
eight hazelnuts that it produced, so they
could have a taste for themselves.
Why Native?
The advantages of using native trees and
shrubs is that they are already adapted
to their environment and are resistant to
diseases and insect damage, making them
lower in maintenance.
They are also adapted to the amount of
rainfall that naturally occurs and therefore
require little or no additional watering.
They provide homes for wildlife, nectar
and pollen for insects, and nesting areas
for migratory birds, songbirds and resident
birds. They have a positive impact on the
local ecosystem because they belong in it.
Non-native trees and shrubs such as
callary pear, honeysuckle and autumn olive
can cause an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Often times they are considered invasive
and spread at a rate that out competes
native trees and shrubs.
Very few insects feed on the foliage of
these plants. Birds nesting in large patches
of non-native trees and shrubs therefore
have to go longer distances to find insects
to feed on.
White oak
Putting a nest in a callary pear forest
is like building a house in a city with no
grocery stores. When the fruit of these nonnative trees and shrubs are eaten by birds,
the seeds get spread far and wide, creating
more and larger patches of invasive plants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated “the presence of natural
settings can have soothing and healthful
effects. Some people will feel better and
heal faster when they are exposed to landscapes that have a natural character.”
Fall is the perfect time to plant trees as it
is cooler but the soil is still warm, so there
is opportunity for root growth. Trees and
shrubs planted in fall are subjected to less
stress and will be prepared to take up water
in the spring, leading to good growth.
Visit your Metro Parks this fall to check
the native trees and shrubs, then determine
one or two that appeal to you and consider
obtaining them from a local nursery.
We can attest from the many years spent
in transforming our own yard through the
use of native trees and shrubs that you will
thoroughly enjoy the experience and reap a
variety of healthful benefits. n
Andrew Boose, Metro Parks Forest
Ecologist and Annette Boose,
Otterbein University
Kye Feasel
You’ll find many surprises
on a visit to Three Creeks
T
he first surprise about Three Creeks
may come when you drive into the park
and notice something odd about the sign.
Unlike all the other Metro Parks, the word
“Metro” isn’t used.
This is because Three Creeks Park is a
partnership that began more than 15 years
ago. In June 1998, Metro Parks entered into
an agreement with Columbus Recreation
and Parks to develop the “Three Creeks
Park Project.”
The partnership agreement included
commitments to clean up old dumpsites,
develop trails, share operations and management and establish integrated rules and
regulations.
Seventeen years later, Three Creeks
Park has grown up. In its 1,100 acres the
park has five main areas, each with its
own character. From the main entrance
on Bixby Road, the Confluence Trails area
is where Alum, Big Walnut and Blacklick
creeks meet, giving the park its name.
Easily viewed from the Confluence or
Bluebell trails, this meeting of the creeks is a
fine place to relax and watch the world go by.
12 Parkscope
A recent addition to the park is a natural
play area where kids can get into the
woods, play in the mud, build a fort out of
fallen wood or learn (for better or worse)
what poison ivy looks like.
Turtle Pond features fishing and is a
great place to see painted turtles and bullfrogs. Visitors can have a picnic and kids
can play on the playground.
The unpaved Bluebell Trail wanders for
three-quarters of a mile through riparian
forest along the banks of Blacklick and Big
Walnut creeks. In late April and early May,
acres of Virginia bluebells are blooming
here.
The Confluence Trails area is also where
the Alum and Blacklick Creek Greenway
trails begin. A 3-mile walk, run or bike
ride on the Blacklick Creek Trail will take
you to the bridge crossing Highway 33 and
continues another six miles to Pickerington
Ponds Metro Park.
The Alum Creek Trail follows the creek
into Columbus. Along the first mile of that
stretch there are many white pine trees.
While not native to this area, the pines were
Aaron Snyder
Heron Pond
Eagles have nested at the park for five years.
planted by Columbus after it was designated as a “Tree City USA” in 1981.
The ponds along the trail are borrow pits
where soil was removed and used for the
construction of I-270.
While there has been a canoeing access
for Alum Creek on Watkins Road for many
years, there hasn’t been a good place to
take out. That changed in the last year with
Dan Bissonette
Bill McCracken
Frank Kozarich
Don’t miss the Three Creeks Mud & Madness event on Sat Sept 26. See page 31 for details.
A biker on the Alum Creek Greenway Trail.
the construction of a new canoe access/take
out near the intersection of Alum Creek and
Groveport Roads.
Along Williams Road there are two park
areas, Heron Pond and Madison Mills. The
10-acre Heron Pond gives anglers a chance
to catch bluegill, catfish and largemouth
bass as well as providing direct access to
the Alum Creek Greenway. Two small ADA
accessible picnic areas are now ready to be
used.
Madison Mills was developed by Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.
It features a playground and basketball
courts.
Also developed and managed by Columbus Parks and Recreation, the Sycamore
Fields area has fenced dog parks for large
and small dogs, four baseball/softball diamonds and seven playing fields for soccer
and football.
Lot Smith’s Famous Farm was a thriving vegetable farm for 41 years. People
would come from all over Central Ohio to
pick their own vegetables, take a hayride
or roast marshmallows over a campfire.
Columbus celebrates the farm’s heritage by
hosting a Fall Harvest Jamboree every year
in early October.
Sycamore Fields features an enclosed 4-acre dog park with areas for large and small dogs.
Three Creeks Park was the first park to
host SEED—Students Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics. As part of a semester-long
unit, fifth graders take a field trip to a park
to investigate Central Ohio ecosystems.
In 2001, about 1,200 students participated in SEED. Fifteen years later, the
number continues to grow as all Columbus
City Schools fifth graders and other students now participate in the program.
You don’t have to be a fifth grader to
study at Three Creeks Park. It’s a great
place to see wildlife. Mink are often seen
crossing the trails or hunting along stream
banks. Coyotes are rarely seen but more
often heard yipping and howling in the
evening. Even the elusive gray fox is here.
An evening or night walk or ride might
lead to hearing or even seeing a screech,
barred or great-horned owl.
Beavers are found along each of the
creeks. Unless you’re patient and lucky,
you’re more likely to see gnawed stumps
than the animals themselves.
The favorite animals of many visitors
are the bald eagles. A few years ago a pair
built a nest in the tall trees along a remote
stretch of Big Walnut Creek.
The large nest can be seen in winter and
early spring only from the Madison Christian Church parking lot on Bixby Road.
The eagles are regularly seen throughout the year as they fly around the area in
search of prey.
Take some time this fall to explore Three
Creeks Park—one of your Metro Parks! n
Scott Felker, Three Creeks Naturalist
Favorite scenes at the parks
Mindi McConnell
Park staff reveal some of the places they wouldn’t want you to miss this fall
Wetlands boardwalk
SLATE RUN
Fall can be glorious at Slate Run, with the annual explosion of colors. I like to look out over the forest from above the intersection of the Sugar
Maple and Five Oaks trails. Just sitting there, to watch the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and deer is something I can never get enough of.
If you have the right kind of clothing, late-fall and winter can be the best times of the year to walk the main trail system. You might not
pass another visitor for miles. It is just you and nature.
When spring returns, my favorite place changes to our 156-acre wetlands. I enjoy walking around to look at the different kinds of waterfowl migrating through, to listen to the loud chorus of frogs, and later to see our returning sandhill cranes. Some of my favorite sightings
are families of skunks, mink and deer fawns. If you enjoy the outdoors, Slate Run has something that will captivate you in every season.
INNISWOOD
Walk the paths of Inniswood to enjoy the ever-changing richness and brilliance of autumn. Staff at the Gardens have lots of
favorite areas. The annuals and mums provide a last hurrah of
color, with various gardens adding the extra pop of color from
perennials, shrubs and fruits. Walk the Boardwalk Trail, which
glows from the light of maple leaves turned bright yellow.
The path next to the Sisters’ Garden restroom gives the best
vantage point to view the beautiful colors of the Sisters’ Garden
Prairie tall grasses and forbs, and Country Garden chrysanthemums and yellowwood tree. A walk through the Spruce Forest
will reward you with views of Halloween decorations created
by volunteers. The huge gingko tree on the north side of Innis
House glows in brilliant yellow against a backdrop of dark
green hemlocks.
A maple tree on the south lawn glows like it’s on fire. Walking
through the Circle Garden, a sassafras tree shines with shades of
red and orange. Don’t miss a chance to see all these wonderful
sights yourself, through September and October.
Char Steelman, Gardens Manager
14 Parkscope
Brookwood Trail bridge
Bryan Knowles
Jim Henry, Park Manager
Timothy Lipetz
HIGHBANKS
At Highbanks, one of the most memorable fall hikes is our Hike to the
Giants. See page 26 for details of two such hikes this fall. Park staff will
guide you through the woods in order to reach some of the largest sycamore
trees in Ohio. Normally, visitors are not allowed in this part of the park
because it is a Nature Preserve and because a bald eagle pair nests in one
of those large trees. However, by the end of summer, the young eagles have
fledged and we can take limited numbers of people to explore the area. You
can taste ripe pawpaws, climb inside the base of a 400-year-old tree, and
try to find the eagle nest. (Hint: look on the ground for fish bones and turtle
shells, then look up). Remember, this area is usually off-limits, so reserve
your spot on one of our hikes and enjoy your journey to this magical place.
Dan Bissonette, Park Manager
CHESTNUT RIDGE
The Ridge Trail at Chestnut Ridge provides a very impressive fall color display. Take the trail to the ridge top, but stop
along the way and take note of many outstanding features.
There are several springs that begin deep under the blackhand sandstone and which serve fresh cool water for many
animals. You will come to an elevated boardwalk that allows
closer views of plants and animals. You are quite likely to see
pileated woodpeckers, gray and fox squirrels, and an occasional white-tail deer moving through the cover of the woods.
The best part of the trail is now near as you reach the
overlook deck. It provides an unparalleled view to the west,
to Columbus and beyond. Some visitors plan their hike to
take this view around sunset and they are truly rewarded on
many crisp fall days.
At the intersection with the Homesite Trail you will see a
number of very large trees, including a massive silver maple,
a sweet gum, a fir, several white pines and the largest holly
tree in the area. It is a hike well worth taking.
Fred Wald, Maintenance Technician
Cheryl Bach
BLENDON WOODS
One of the many
highlights of
Blendon Woods
is the Disc Golf
Course. It has
18 holes, well
baskets actually, complete
with tee pads,
fairways and
hazards. Creeks,
old trees, wild turkeys and some hills create a beautiful natural setting. The course is mostly in the woods, so even on hot
days it’s noticeably cooler to play. One large oak tree along a
fairway houses a honey bee hive.
I have met all kinds of folks on the disc golf course, from
5 years old to 80. I have learned how serious a game it can
be to some and how many just want to have fun without
keeping score. Some people carry disc bags that hold a dozen
different discs for different shots along the course, similar
to different golf clubs. Others simply borrow one of our free
loaner discs.
We’ve made improvements to the course over the past ten
years, in direct response to what the players ask for. I enjoy
my walks along the course and interacting with people out
there, including helping some of them find their disc when
for no good reason at all it flies off course and hides in the
woods or rough.
Dan Bissonette
Jennifer Boniface, Park Manager
Ridge Trail
BATTELLE DARBY CREEK
Over the past 14 years, I have seen many changes at Battelle Darby
Creek. Most dramatically, the park has doubled in size, to more
than 7,000 acres. We now have picnic facilities, groomed trails, an
outstanding nature center and bison in prairie pastures. One
spectacular constant stands out for me, Big Darby and Little
Darby creeks.
These creeks and the areas around them have been appreciated and
used for centuries by people and animals alike. People today appreciate
the creeks for their calming beauty, pristine quality, and for the fun and
adventure of fishing, canoeing or wading in them. Enormous trees are
falling over to get close to them, birds navigate by them and feed from
them.
The creeks offer so much to our staff, nearby neighbors and visitors.
You really need to see and experience them yourselves and you will
come to value them as highly as myself and many others.
Marty Shull, Clear Creek Manager
Kevin Kasnyik, Park Manager
Frank Kozarich
CLEAR CREEK
Take a hike! I mean that in the best possible way,
because if you’re like me that’s how you like to
spend your free time. I’m quite comfortable telling you Clear Creek is the best hiking destination
in Central Ohio.
With 15 miles of trails any of them can give you
that wilderness feeling, but the Hemlock Trail is
one of my favorites. You get a little bit of everything—rocky outcroppings, a stream, mature
forest and hills.
While we have a great trail system, some of the
best spots in the park are in our backcountry areas. Three of my favorite places are Beck’s Rocks,
Buzzard’s Roost and Memory Rock. See page 24
for programmed walks to these areas.
THREE CREEKS
Three Creeks is a fantastic place for fishing in fall. As temperatures
drop, smallmouth bass fishing heats up on the park streams. To increase your chances of hooking the big one, concentrate on runs and
deep pools.
Fish start moving into these pools as the water temperature falls.
Cast across pools using a medium retrieve to entice fish. Fly fishermen
might try a #6wt rod with streamers imitating crayfish and baitfish.
Traditional fishermen should have good luck with inline spinners, tubes
and jigs.
Fall fishing also means great scenic views of stream corridors, lined
with mature trees draped in beautiful autumn colors. If you’re looking
for new waters to fish or canoe, try Three Creeks’ new canoe access on
Big Walnut Creek, located at 4999 Old Rathmel Court, Obetz.
Mindi McConnell
Geoff Hamilton, Park Manager
Hikers at Beck’s Rocks
16 Parkscope
Fishing at Turtle Pond
Mark Thomas
BLACKLICK WOODS
Fall is a great time to visit Blacklick Woods. While walking or
running through the park, it is hard not to notice the beautiful
maple, oak and hickory trees as their leaves turn spectacular
shades of yellow, orange and red. My favorite spot is one that
many people jog past every day. On the Multi-use Trail, by the
2-mile marker, there is a trail that leads down to Blacklick
Creek. Near dawn or dusk, you might discover a deer foraging
in the surrounding fields of goldenrod. At the creek you might
catch a glimpse of a belted kingfisher or a beaver swimming.
Standing in that quiet spot, it is difficult to believe that a
bustling city is minutes away. Many spots at Blacklick Woods
are dear to me, but standing at the creek is my favorite way to
clear my mind.
Brian Potts
Annie Pillion, Park Ranger
Fall color on the Multi-use Trail
Virginia Gordon
Boy at Big Darby Creek
Sharon Woods Multi-use Trail
SHARON WOODS
Sharon Woods is an excellent destination to experience the
sights, sounds and smells of nature. Enjoy a leisurely walk
while taking in the vibrant fall colors on one of our various
trails that meander through both mature forest and prairies.
An observant eye may notice deer, turkeys, mink, fox,
migratory birds and various other creatures hard at work
preparing for the upcoming winter season.
After your walk, relax at one of the picnic shelters that will
accommodate a single family or an entire family reunion.
Or rest near Schrock Lake, where kids 15 and younger and
seniors age 60 and older can cast their line in hopes of
catching a bass, bluegill or catfish.
If your walk leaves you wanting a closer look at nature,
check out the natural play area where you can get a true offtrail experience creeking, building forts or just simply sitting
in the woods soaking up all that nature offers.
Vincent Billow, Park Manager
Metro Parks Map &
Hoover Reservoir
O’Shaughnessy
Reservoir
Sunbur
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ork
Brevelhymer Rd
t Cree
ick Creek
Wo
Ga rthi
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a R ton
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Blackl
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Bla
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317
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Richardson Rd
Duvall Rd
Cre
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Slate Run
Farm and Park
Seven miles
116
south of
Lancaster on
US 33
62
Metro Parks maintained Greenway Trails
po
Winch
es te
r Rd
Big
rb
Walnut
104
Rd
Pickerington Rd
High St
loo
St
674
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Cre
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Walnut
Woods
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Hill R
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Wa
London Groveport Rd
Battelle
Darby Creek
e
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by
Bix
Rd
k
Three
Creeks
Rd
256
Pickerington
Ponds
Wright Rd
n Rd
t
Wright Rd
Rd
Waterloo Rd
W
inc
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33
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Mason Rd
te
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Bowe
he
Lithopolis-Winchester Rd
inc
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Scioto
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W
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po
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Gr
270
71
Lon
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Gender Rd
Williams Rd
Ave
3
Spangler Rd
Parsons
k
Norton Rd
ek
Dr
Bowen Rd
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23
Da
70
Cre
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Cree
D
Creek
Darby
y
104
d
665
Hamilton Rd
Alum Cr
Rd
arb
62
Brice Rd
ity
Livingston Ave
Scioto
Audubon
270
Main St
40
70
40
Broad St
& Golf Courses
317
670
Slou
gh Rd
Amanda
Northern Rd
x
Wilco Rd
Rock y
R
Schleppi Rd
Hamilton Rd
nu
Rd
tom
ot
al
Big W
ot
Blacklick Woods
670
70
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71
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16
Am
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315
Alum
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Homestead
Prairie
Oaks rts Rd
270
St
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33
High
Scio
Morse Rd
Rd
270
Dublin
Georgesville Rd
Amity Rd
ty
Plain Ci
Heritage
Trail Park
Cleveland Ave
d
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Rd
Avery
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71
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Olentangy Riv
Amity Pike
Tra
il
e
Blendon 161
Woods Dublin-Granville Rd
161
23
Rd
Rd
ag
Inniswood
E. Schrock Rd
Dempsey Rd
ing
Cross
Tuttle
Blvd
Rocky Fork
W a lnu
t St
Main St
161
62
F
Hempstead Rd
270
Tuttle
Rd
Rd
rit
Sharon
Woods
is P k w y
Park Rd
y
Cosgra
He
ar
Highbanks
Post Rd
161
Pol
Croy
Hyland
y
tar
me e
Ce Pik
Powell Rd
750
257
Harlem
ve
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
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6
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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 (SR 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 Rd and turn left
onto Wilcox Rd. Turn right onto Hayden
Run Rd. Entrance is about 2 3⁄4 miles on
the 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
toward Hilliard. Go past Main St and
road merges with Scioto Darby Rd. Go
to Cosgray Rd and turn right. The park is
on the 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
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
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.
Beaver Lake
8921 Lucas Rd, Plain City 43064
40.00949-83.25552
From I-270 take I-70 west to West
Jefferson/Plain City exit, turn right
onto Plain City-Georgesville Rd/SR
142. Go about 2.25 miles to Lucas Rd
and turn right. Entrance about 1⁄4
mile on right.
ROCKY FORK
7180 Walnut St, Westerville 43081
40.11217-82.79785
From I-270 take exit 30 to SR161/New
Albany, go 3 miles turn right on New
Albany Rd E. Go 0.5 miles and turn
left onto SR605. Go 1.4 miles, turn
right on E Walnut St. Entrance 0.7
miles on left.
SCIOTO AUDUBON
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.
SHARON WOODS
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.
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.
THREE CREEKS
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
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.
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 Road and
turn right. Entrance is about 1.1 miles
on right.
Metro Parks Headquarters
1069 W. Main Street
Westerville OH 43081-1181
www.metroparks.net
www.facebook.com/
Columbus.Metro.Parks
Park and nature center hours for Autumn 2015
Park
Battelle Darby Creek
Blacklick Woods
Blendon Woods
Highbanks
Scioto Audubon
Sharon Woods
Three Creeks
Hours
6:30am to 10pm (Sept)
6:30am to 8pm (Oct/Nov)
Chestnut Ridge
Clear Creek
Glacier Ridge
Heritage Trail
Homestead
Pickerington Ponds
Prairie Oaks
Rocky Fork
Slate Run
Walnut Woods
6:30am to dark*
Inniswood Metro Gardens
7am to dark
Innis House is open Tues through Fri,
8am to 4:30pm and
Sat and Sun 11am to 4pm
Slate Run Living Historical Farm
Sept to Oct
Tue-Sat, 9am to 4pm and Sun 11am to 4pm
(Open Labor Day, noon to 6pm)
Nov
Wed-Sat 9am to 4pm and Sun 11am to 4pm
(Closed Thanksgiving Day
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
twitter.com/CbusMetroParks
www.youtube.com/
CbusMetroParks
instagram.com/
cbusmetroparks#
pinterest.com/
CbusMetroParks
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
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
([email protected])
Programs with a phone symbol & require advance registration.
Go to Programs & Activities/Upcoming Programs at
www.metroparks.net or call 614.508.8111.
Registration for summer programs begins at 8am on Wed Aug 26
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)
20 Parkscope
(* 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.
SEPTEMBER
BIRDS DISPLAY
05 Sat 1–4pm
See a display of mounts,
eggs and skulls of local birds,
including songbirds, raptors
and waterfowl. X
MAMMALS DISPLAY
06 Sun 1–4pm
See skin, scat, skulls and
skeletons of Ohio’s past and
present mammals. X
COLD-BLOODED
CRITTERS DISPLAY
07 Mon 1–4pm
View a display of amphibians, reptiles and other coldblooded critters. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS
08 Tue 9:30 or 11am
Discover the many ways that
these insects are the same
and yet very different.
PHOTO GROUP:
FALL COLORS
12 Sat 10am
Learn how to make your fall
photos pop.
YOGA IN THE PARK
12 Sat 11:30am
Learn basic yoga movements
to rejuvenate your mind and
body. Bring a mat or blanket.
Cedar Ridge Lodge X
BISON
13 Sun 1pm
Enjoy a 1-mile hike to see
the bison.
METRO FIVE-0: Level 3
GLOW WORM WALK
20 Sun 7:30pm
Seek out an insect’s mysterious glow on a 2-mile walk.
Age 50 and older Indian
Ridge Bulletin Board
Meet at nature center unless otherwise noted (1415 Darby Creek Drive)
For information on programs at Battelle Darby Creek in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
STORYTELLING CAMPFIRE
26 Sat 7:30pm
Enjoy stories around a crackling fire. Ranger Station
LATE NIGHT AT
PLEASANT VALLEY
26 Sat 8pm
Pleasant Valley area and pet
trail open til midnight for
fishing, hiking and stargazing.
Pleasant Valley Bulletin Board
DARBY CREEK DAY
Sunday 4 October 1–4pm
Enjoy seining, noodling for mussels, canoeing, fly fishing, live animals and more along
Big Darby Creek. Meet representatives from
organizations working to protect the Darby
Watershed. Indian Ridge Bulletin Board
Bill McCracken
PRESCHOOLERS:
BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS
30 Wed 11am or 1pm
Discover the many ways that
these insects are the same
and yet very different.
OCTOBER
DARBY CREEK DAY
04 Sun 1–4pm
See box
PHOTO GROUP:
INTRODUCTION TO
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
10 Sat 10am
Enhance your photos like a
pro. Learn simple techniques
for retouching, compositing
and combining your photos.
DECIDUOUS IS DELICIOUS
11 Sun 2pm
Learn about the tasty treats
trees and shrubs can provide
on a 1-mile hike.
Ranger Station
PRESCHOOLERS:
THOSE FIRST FALLS
15 Thu 9:30 or 11am
Enjoy a romp in the leaves
and discover the importance
of trees. Ranger Station X
AUTUMN LEAVES
17 Sat 1pm
Relish a beautiful array of
colors on a 2-mile hike.
Ranger Station
OFF-TRAIL EXPLORATION
24 Sat 9am
Explore remote parts of the
park on a 2-mile hike.
Age 50 and older
Indian Ridge Bulletin Board
BASIC WILDERNESS
SURVIVAL SKILLS
31 Sat & 34316
Learn some of the skills and
techniques needed to help
you survive out in the wild.
Age 15 and older
BISON
24 Sat 1pm
Enjoy a 1-mile hike to see
the bison.
METRO PARKS
NATURE PRINT CONTEST
31 Sat 9am–7pm
View all the entries and cast
your vote for the People’s
Choice Award. X
GRAVEYARD HIKE
25 Sun 1pm
Take a 4-mile off-trail hike
to prehistoric Indian and
pioneer burial grounds.
Ranger Station
PRESCHOOLERS:
THOSE FIRST FALLS
30 Fri 11am or 1pm
Enjoy a romp in the leaves
and discover the importance
of trees. Ranger Station X
NOVEMBER
METRO PARKS
01 Sun 9am–4pm
See Oct 31
NATIONAL BISON DAY
07 Sat 1–4pm
Celebrate the largest land
mammal in North America
with a movie and activities. X
Kevin Kasnyik
OFF-TRAIL HIKE
21 Sat 9am
Join us for a 6-mile off-trail
hike. Bring water and a
snack. Ranger Station
DEER WALK & RATTLE
22 Sun 4:30pm
Look for deer sign and try
to attract a buck using antler
rattling.
MOVIE MATINEE:
ICE AGE DEATH TRAP
27 Fri 10am
Join us for a 1-hour NOVA
special that will reveal the
intimate secrets of the life
and death of North America’s
most exotic and extreme
creatures. X
See the bison from the nature center deck, or take a walk on the Darby Creek Greenway to see them up close.
OWLS OF DARBY CREEK
08 Sun 5pm
Lure in owls using calls and
recordings on a 2-mile hike.
PRESCHOOLERS:
DO I STAY OR DO I GO?
10 Tue 9:30 or 11am
Investigate why animals migrate, hibernate or tough out
the winters in Ohio.
PHOTO GROUP:
IMAGE DISCUSSION
14 Sat 10am
Bring your photos on a flash
drive for display and discussion by the group.
YOGA IN THE PARK
14 Sat 11:30am
Learn basic yoga movements
to rejuvenate your mind and
body. Bring a mat or blanket.
Cedar Ridge Lodge X
Blacklick Woods
SEPTEMBER
GET TO KNOW THE TREES
05 Sat 8am-8pm
Visit our display about trees.
At 1pm, join us for a halfmile tree identification walk.
From 2 to 4pm, make a craft
about trees.
22 Parkscope
MORNING COFFEE
AND WILDLIFE WATCH
05 Sat 8–10am
View wildlife through the
nature center windows and
enjoy a cup of coffee. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
DISCOVER THE CREEK
09 Wed 10am
Join the Beech Tree puppets
as they discover who lives in
and around Blacklick Creek.
Beech Maple Lodge X
CUB SCOUT DAY: BEARS—
FUR, FEATHERS & FERNS
15 Sun & 34266
Bear Cub Scouts will rotate
through hands-on stations to
help meet the requirements
for the Bears Fur, Feathers
and Fern adventure.
PRESCHOOLERS:
DO I STAY OR DO I GO?
20 Fri 11am or 1pm
See Nov 10
BEHIND THE SCENES
OF THE BISON
28 Sat 1pm
See how park staff tend to
the bison.
NATURE CRAFTS
29 Sun 1pm
Create easy natural crafts
featuring supplies found in
nature.
Meet at nature center unless otherwise noted
LENS & LEAVES
CAMERA CLUB
10 Thu 7pm
See member photos and
learn photographic techniques. Non-members welcome. Beech Maple Lodge X
FALL MIGRATION
BIRD WALK
12 Sat 8am
Take a 2-mile walk and
search for migrating birds. X
10K NATURE BIKE RIDE
19 Sat 2:30pm
Join the park ranger for a
6-mile ride on the Blacklick
Creek Greenway Trail.
Nature Center Parking Lot
TRAM TOUR
20 Sun 2:30pm
Take a tram ride through
the park. X
TOTAL ECLIPSE
OF THE MOON WALK
27 Sun 9pm
Watch the Earth’s shadow
cover a full moon on a
2-mile walk. X
BEAVER TRAM
29 Tue 7pm
Take a tram ride and a short
walk to see beaver activity
along Blacklick Creek.
OCTOBER
MORNING COFFEE
AND WILDLIFE WATCH
03 Sat 8–10am
View wildlife through the
nature center windows and
enjoy a cup of coffee. X
LITTLE WALK
ON THE PRAIRIE
03 Sat 2pm
Take a 1-mile walk to discover prairie flowers and
grasses. X
LENS & LEAVES
CAMERA CLUB
08 Thu 7pm
CUB SCOUT DAY:
WEBELOS INTO THE WILD
10 Sat & 34254
Webelos will participate in
activities that meet requirements for the Into the Wild
badge. X
MUD & MADNESS
AT METRO PARKS
10 Sat & 34728
Negotiate several muddy
obstacles on a 1.5-mile fun
family adventure. Free T-shirt
and medallion. (see page 2)
10K NATURE BIKE RIDE
10 Sat 2:30pm
Join the park ranger for a
6-mile ride on the Blacklick
Creek Greenway Trail.
Nature Center Parking Lot
OHIO MAMMAL DISPLAY
11 Sun 8am–6pm
See skins, scat, skulls and
skeletons of Ohio mammals.
X
BLACKLICK CREEK CELEBRATION
Sat Oct 26 1–4pm
Take a tram ride and look for critters in Blacklick
Creek, enjoy fish printing and games, make a craft.
Meet representatives from the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources and Franklin County Soil and
Water. Bring a T-shirt for fish printing. X
Susan Moore
BLACKLICK CREEK
CELEBRATION
26 Sat 1–4pm
See box
PRESCHOOLERS: SEEDS
14 Wed 10am
Discover the different types
of seeds and how they travel.
Beech Maple Lodge X
YOU CAN EAT THAT
17 Sat 1pm
Take a 2-mile walk to learn
about some of Ohio’s edible
plants and try samples. X
HOWL AT THE MOON
25 Sun 6pm
Take a 3-mile walk with
your dog.
Nature Center Parking Lot X
HALLOWEENIE CAMPFIRE
30 Fri 7pm
Listen to myth and tales
about bats, owls and other
creepy creatures.
Ash Grove Picnic Area X
NOVEMBER
YOUNG AT HEART
ADULT DAY CAMP
06 Fri & 34172
Enjoy hikes and other fun
activities in the park. Register
individually or with a friend.
Age 50 and older
METRO PARKS
07Sat 8am–6pm
08Sun8am–4pm
View all entries and cast your
vote for the People’s Choice
Award. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
WHOOO ARE YOU?
11 Wed 10am
Learn about owls.
Beech Maple Lodge X
LENS & LEAVES
CAMERA CLUB
12 Thu 7pm
OH DEER
14 Sat 4:30pm
Take a 1-mile walk and
learn about Ohio’s largest
herbivore. X
TOMBSTONES OF TIME
15 Sun 2pm
Visit Seceder Cemetery to
discover how veterans of the
Revolution and the War of
1812 shaped the history of
Reynoldsburg. Meet at Seceder Cemetery, St Rt 256 at
the Franklin/Fairfield County
Line. Maps to the cemetery
will be available at nature
center. X
HOMESCHOOLERS:
CLASSIFYING NATURE
17 Tue 10am
Discover how plants and
animals are put into groups
based on how they look and
make a simple identification
key. Beech Maple Lodge X
OUTDOOR SKILLS
CAMPFIRE
21 Sat 2pm
Learn how to start a campfire using only what you can
find in the forest and cook
a simple snack over the fire.
HOWL AT THE MOON
24 Tue 6pm
See Oct 25
OWL WALK
28 Sat 6:30pm
Take a 2-mile walk to listen
and look for owls.
Age 50 and older
PIONEER ARCADE
29 Sun 1–3pm
Test your puzzle and game
skills with toys from a simpler
time. X
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
HOMESCHOOLERS: BUGS
03 Thu 10am
Discover all things buggy on a
catch and release expedition.
Age 6-12
PRESCHOOLERS:
NUTS ABOUT SQUIRRELS
01 Thu 10am or 1pm
Learn about squirrels and
nuts through a story, hike
and other activities.
PHOTO PROWL
12 Sat 9am
Take a 1.5-mile walk to
explore the meadows and
photograph fall flowers.
FIREMAKING
12 Sat 2pm
Learn the ancient craft of
starting a fire using flint and
steel. Age 50 and older
Camp Sugarbush
BIRD HIKE
13 Sun 8am
Search for warblers during
a 2-mile walk through the
woods.
PRESCHOOLERS: BUGS
17 Thu 10am or 1pm
Discover all things buggy on a
catch and release expedition.
CRAFTERNOON
19 Sat 2–4pm
Make nature crafts from
everyday materials like paper
plates, feathers, wooden
sticks and felt. X
GIRL SCOUT DAY: JUNIORS
ANIMAL HABITATS
20 Sun & 34351 / 34352
Juniors (4th and 5th grade)
will participate in some of the
requirements for the Animal
Habitats badge.
LUNAR ECLIPSE WATCH
27 Sun & 34353
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax as you watch
the darkening of the moon.
Make a craft on a theme of
astronomy.
24 Parkscope
PHOTO PROWL
03 Sat 9am
Take a 2-mile walk through
the woods to take photos of
fall colors.
BIRD HIKE
04 Sun 9am
Take a 1.5-mile walk to look
for seed-eating birds.
ARCHERY
10 Sat & 34358
Learn to shoot a compound
bow. Age 8 and older
FALL COLOR TRAM RIDES
11 Sun 1–4pm
Enjoy a ride on the tram to
see leaves changing color. X
HOMESCHOOLERS:
BEES BY TRAM
15 Thu 10am
Meet a beekeeper, learn
about bees and take a tram
ride to see a hive. Age 6-12
BEES BY TRAM
15 Thu 1pm
Meet a beekeeper, learn
about bees and take a
tram ride to see a hive.
Age 50 and older
FALL COLOR TRAM RIDES
17 Sat 1–4pm
Enjoy a ride on the tram to
see leaves changing color. X
FUN DAY TRAM RIDES
18 Sun 2–6pm
Take a tram ride to see fall
colors, stop to play in a giant
leaf pile, roast a marshmallow
and make a craft.
ALMOST FULL MOON GAZE
25 Sun 6:30pm
Take a close up look at the
moon and learn about the
Earth’s closest companion on
a leisurely 1-mile walk.
Kim Strosnider
Blendon Woods
NOVEMBER
HOMESCHOOLERS:
READY FOR WINTER
05 Thu 10am
Learn about animals getting
ready for winter through a
story, activities and a short
hike. Age 6-12
PHOTO PROWL
07 Sat 10am
Take photos of Thoreau Lake
and migrating waterfowl.
LANTERN STROLL
07 Sat 5:30pm
Enjoy a 2-mile walk on a
woodland trail by lantern light.
BIRD HIKE
08 Sun 9am
Watch migrating waterfowl
at Thoreau Lake.
READING THE LANDSCAPE
08 Sun 2pm
Learn to read the signs that
nature and humans have left
behind on a 2-mile walk.
FAIRY AND TROLL HOUSES
14 Sat 2pm
Use materials found in the
forest to build tiny houses for
fairies or trolls. Natural Play
Area at Cherry Ridge
TASTY TREATS
15 Sun 2pm
Sample soup made from
acorns and learn about other
wild edibles.
PRESCHOOLERS:
READY FOR WINTER
19 Thu 10am or 1pm
Learn about animals getting
ready for winter through a
story, activities and short hike.
DUCK I.D.
21 Sat 10am
Learn how to identify ducks,
geese and other waterfowl
and look for them
on Thoreau Lake.
Age 50 and older X
EVENING WILDLIFE
OBSERVATION
21 Sat 5–8pm
Spy on critters that come to
the feeders at dark.
CANDLE MAKING
CAMPFIRE
22 Sun 2pm
Make a candle the old-fashioned way by dipping a wick
into hot wax. It takes about
an hour to make a decentsized candle.
DYNAMIC DEER
29 Sun 2pm
Take a 2-mile walk to learn
fun facts and search for signs
of Ohio’s state mammal, the
white-tailed deer.
Clear Creek
HOMESCHOOLERS:
CREEK STUDY
09 Wed 1:30pm
Get in the creek to see what
lives in the water. Park Office
MUSHROOMS
26 Sat 2pm
Learn about mushrooms and
take a 1-mile hike to see
which ones we can find in
the forest. BarnebeyHambleton Picnic Area
HOWL AT THE MOON
26 Sat 7pm
Enjoy a 1-mile hike with
your dog. Park Office
OCTOBER
BUZZARD’S ROOST HIKE
09 Fri 9am
Enjoy a rugged 5-mile hike.
Pack a lunch to enjoy at the
shelter after the hike.
Age 50 and older BarnebeyHambleton Picnic Area
Glacier Ridge
1ST HALF IN A DAY HIKE
17 Sat 10am
Hike six miles and cover half
of the park’s trails while enjoying the fall colors. Creekside Meadows Parking Lot
PRESCHOOLERS:
WONDERS OF FALL
21 Wed 10am
Learn about the fall forest
and why leaves change color.
Barnebey-Hambleton
Picnic Area
HOMESCHOOLERS:
FALL HIKE
21 Wed 1:30pm
Take a 1.5-mile hike and
learn about life in the forest.
Barnebey-Hambleton
Picnic Area
HIKE TO MEMORY ROCK
23 Fri 10am
Enjoy a rugged 5.5-mile
backcountry hike.
Age 50 and older
Park Office
SUNSET HIKE
31 Sat 6pm
Take a 2-mile hike and experience the forest at sunset.
Fern Parking Lot
NOVEMBER
2ND HALF IN A DAY HIKE
07 Sat 10am
Take a 6-mile hike to see fall
color. If you also do the Oct
17 hike you’ll have walked all
of the park’s trails. BarnebeyHambleton Picnic Area
BECK’S ROCKS
BACKCOUNTRY HIKE
14 Sat & 34244
Take a rugged 3-mile hike
to a spectacular sandstone
maze.
CAMPFIRE COOKING
FOR FAMILIES
15 Sun 1pm
Learn campfire cooking
techniques and sample a
new recipe.
Thomas-Mathias Parking Lot
Meet at main entrance picnic area bulletin board unless otherwise noted
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
WALK AND WOOF
18 Fri 7pm
Enjoy a 2.5-mile hike with
your dog.
GREEN ENERGY TOUR
03 Sat 2pm
Learn about the park’s wind
turbine and solar arrays. Part
of the larger Green Energy
Tour sponsored by Green
Energy Ohio. Visit www.
greenenergyohio.org for
more information. Energy
Center (at the Windmill)
LUNAR ECLIPSE
27 Sun 9pm
Watch the moon turn red
during a lunar eclipse. Energy
Center (at the Windmill) X
John Cagnina
SEPTEMBER
STEP BACK
IN TIME CAMPFIRE
03 Sat 6:30pm
Learn about the fascinating
lives of settlers who lived
here. Red Oak Trailhead
NOVEMBER
WALK AND WOOF
12 Mon 6:30pm
See Sept 18
TURTLE TIME
08 Sun & 34259
Join the Turtle Lady and get
up close and personal with
over 30 different critters.
Maintenance Shop X
CUB SCOUTS: WEBELOS
INTO THE WOODS
18 Sun & 34255
Webelos Cub Scouts will
rotate through hands-on
stations to help meet the
requirements for the Webelos/Arrow of Light Into the
Woods Elective Adventures. X
WALK AND WOOF
01 Sun 2pm
your dog.
Highbanks
FISHING WITH RANGERS
06 Sun & 34300
Join park rangers for fishing
at the pond. Poles and bait
available or bring your own.
X
PRESCHOOLERS: SPIDERS
09 Wed & 34301 / 34302
10 Thu & 34303 / 34304
Meet one of these 8-legged
critters and look for more of
them in the wild. X
HIKE TO THE GIANTS
11 Fri & 34305
Hike four miles off-trail to the
300-year-old giant sycamores
along the Olentangy River.
Age 50 and older
FOREST DISCOVERY TOUR
13 Sun & 34307
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 apply.
HOMESCHOOLERS:
STREAM QUALITY
MONITORING
14 Mon 10am
Use seines and nets to
check the quality of the
Olentangy River.
Big Meadows Picnic Area
WHERE TO HIKE IN OHIO
19 Sat 3pm
Learn about trails and hidden
hiking spots for backpackers with staff from Outdoor
Source. X
CAMPFIRE BUILDING 101
20 Sun 4pm
Learn how to build a great
campfire. Dragonfly Day
Camp X
26 Parkscope
HOWL AT THE MOON
27 Sun 7:30pm
your dog.
Virginia Gordon
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
HIKE TO THE GIANTS
04 Sun & 34306
Hike four miles off-trail to the
300-year-old giant sycamores
along the Olentangy River.
PARK TOURS
07 Wed & 34171
Take a 5-hour tour of
Highbanks and Glacier Ridge
Metro Parks. Transportation
provided throughout the
program. Age 50 and older
CEMETERY WALK
BY LANTERN LIGHT
10 Sat 6:30pm
Find out about settlers and
prehistoric people who lived
and died in the area on a
3-mile lantern-lit hike.
PRESCHOOLERS: PUMPKINS, GOURDS & SQUASH
14 Wed & 34317 / 34319
15 Thu & 34320 / 34321
Explore the many shapes and
sizes of these vegetables and
decorate one of your own. X
AUTUMN SPLENDOR
16 Fri 2pm
Enjoy the spectacular fall
leaves.
Big Meadows Picnic Area X
WINTER HIKING AND
BACKPACKING
18 Sun 3pm
Join Outdoor Source staff
to learn how to prepare for
winter hikes and backpacking excursions. X
FOREST DISCOVERY TOUR
18 Sun & 34308
See Sept 13
METRO PARKS
24-25 Sat-Sun 11am–5pm
View all entries and cast your
vote for the People’s Choice
Award. X
MORNING WITH
THE MANAGER
11 Wed & 34333
Help to remove invasive
species of plants. Work
gloves recommended.
HOWL AT THE MOON
27 Tue 6:30pm
your dog.
PRESCHOOLERS:
TURKEY TIME
11Wed& 34335 / 34336
12Thu & 34338 / 34339
Learn about wild turkeys
through crafts, stories and a
hike. X
NOVEMBER
CAMPFIRE COOKING
01 Sun & 34328
Discover how to make great
food at a campfire and enjoy
some tasty samples. X
HOW TO STAY WARM
IN THE OUTDOORS
07 Sat 3pm
Join Outdoor Source to learn
about proper clothes layering
techniques to prepare for
activities in the cold. X
COYOTE WALK
08 Sun 5pm
Enjoy a 2-mile walk and
listen for coyotes calling.
Age 50 and older
HOMESCHOOLERS:
NATURAL PLAY AREA
ADVENTURES
10 Tue 11am
Climb trees, make a shelter,
play games and learn how
animals survive in the woods.
Big Meadows Picnic Area
EDUCATOR WORKSHOP:
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL LESSONS
14 Sat & see below
Participate in hands-on
learning activities covering
environmental topics. For educators of grades K-7, but all
are welcome. $5 workshop
fee. To register, or to receive
Ashland University credit for
attending two workshops,
contact Linda Pettit, [email protected]. X
WOMEN’S
SELF-PROTECTION
21 Sat & 34378
Learn protection, prevention
and self-defense in an active,
hands-on course with park
rangers. Wear comfortable
clothes and tennis shoes.
Age 13 and older
HOWL AT THE MOON
22 Sun 5:30pm
your dog.
Homestead
DOGGIE TIME
09 Wed 6:30pm
Enjoy a 3-mile hike with your
dog, with a stop-off at the
Heritage Trail Dog Park for
doggie playtime.
PRESCHOOLERS: SPIDERS
11 Fri & 34776 / 34777
Learn about our 8-legged
friend through games,
activities and stories.
BUG HUNT
27 Sun 4pm
Search the fields and lake for
bugs. Age 6-9
OCTOBER
FISHING
11 Sun 2pm
Drop a line in the lake and
try to catch the big one. Bait
and poles provided.
Age 15 and younger
Inniswood
SUNNY SUNDAYS
Every Sunday (to Oct 25)
1:30-3:30pm
Members of the Herb Society
of America, Central Ohio
Unit, will be in the Herb
Garden to answer visitor
questions.
SEPTEMBER
ARTISTS OF THE MONTH:
3 WOMEN IN THE WOODS
—WORDS & IMAGES
All month
(during Innis House
open hours)
View the fine art, photographs and poetry of artists
Jane Rogers, Jill Sell and
Patricia Hanahan Sigmier,
dedicated to endangered
woodlands. X
PRESCHOOL IN THE GARDENS: GOLDFINCHES
02 Wed
& 34408 / 34409 / 34410
Learn about these
brightly-colored, seed-eating
birds with activities and a
hike. X
PRESCHOOLERS: PIRATE
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT
23 Fri & 34782 / 34783
Search the park for nature’s
treasures.
Susan Boggs
SEPTEMBER
Meet at barn shelter unless otherwise noted
NOVEMBER
DOGGIE TIME
14 Sat 2pm
Enjoy a 3-mile hike with your
dog, with a stop-off at the
Heritage Trail Dog Park for
doggie playtime.
Meet at Innis House unless otherwise noted
JUNIOR GARDEN
VOLUNTEERS
05 Sat & 34412
Help with fall garden
cleanup. Age 11-17
BEECHES & BEECHDROPS
12 Sat 2pm
See our beech trees and
learn about their interactions
with insects and plants,
including the parasitic beechdrop plant.
Age 50 and older
Gardens Entrance X
GARDEN SCHOOL:
FALL HARVEST
22 Tue & 34471
Learn about the different plants harvested in the
autumn and discover their
cultural and botanical
significance.
Age 6-9 X
EVENING GARDEN WALK
27 Sun 6pm
Enjoy a guided stroll
through the gardens.
Gardens Entrance
OCTOBER
JUNIOR GARDEN
VOLUNTEERS
03 Sat & 34414
See Sept 5
MEET THE ARTIST
04 Sun 2–4pm
Meet Katie McMichael and
view her watercolor art at
a reception. X
PRESCHOOL IN THE GARDENS: CRAZY FOR NUTS
07 Wed
& 34427 / 34428 /34429
Get to know our favorite
nuts with a craft and hike. X
GREATER COLUMBUS
DAHLIA SOCIETY:
FALL CARE
11 Sun 2pm
Learn how to save your
dahlia tubers for another
year of colorful blooms. X
FALL COLOR WALK
13 Tue 11am
Enjoy fall color on a guided,
leisurely stroll through the
gardens. Age 50 and older
Gardens Entrance X
METRO PARKS
17-18 Sat-Sun 11am–4pm
View all of the entries in this
year’s photo contest and
cast a vote for the People’s
Choice Award. X
HALLOWEEN PARTY
25 Sun 2–4pm
Enjoy activities and crafts in
the gardens to celebrate this
traditional annual holiday.
Education Pavilion X
NOVEMBER
PRESCHOOL IN THE
GARDENS: MAMMALS
UNDERGROUND
04 Wed
& 34439 / 34440 / 34441
Discover our furry friends
hiding beneath our feet. X
CULINARY ART
WITH JAN KISH
04 Wed 7pm
Join La Petite Fleur culinary
artist Jan Kish and learn how
to make herbal sweets and
savory delights. Sponsored by
the Central Ohio Unit of the
Herb Society of America. X
JUNIOR GARDEN
VOLUNTEERS
07 Sat & 34415
See Sept 5
CONIFERS
07 Sat 2–3pm
Tour the gardens and learn
about conifers.
Age 50 and older
Gardens Entrance X
MEET THE ARTIST
08 Sun 2pm–4pm
Meet artist of the month
Robert Becker and view his
oil paintings. X
BOOK CLUB
21 Sat 2pm
Join us for a discussion of
this quarter’s book, “Moods
of Ohio Moons” by Merrill
Gilfillan. X
Meet at Darby Bend Lakes unless otherwise noted
Prairie Oaks
SEPTEMBER
CANOE THE LAKES
07 Mon 1–4pm
Stop by anytime and take a
canoe out for a ride around
Darby Bend Lakes. Children
must fit into a life jacket
to ride.
INTRODUCTION TO
KAYAKING
09 Wed & 34288 / 34289
Learn how to kayak, with
staff from ODNR’s Division of
Watercraft. No prior experience needed. All equipment
provided. Age 50 and older
For information on programs at Prairie Oaks in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
FAMILY FUN FRIDAY:
CREEKING
11 Fri 5:30pm
Take a short walk to the
creek and get wet looking for
fish and crawdads. Whispering Oaks Picnic Area
LATE NIGHT FISHING
26 Sat 9pm
Fish Darby Bend Lakes at
night. X
FULL HARVEST
MOON HIKE
27 Sun 7:30pm
Take a brisk 5-mile hike
through forest and prairie.
Scioto Audubon
LATE NIGHTS AT THE
CLIMBING WALL
2nd & last Friday of month
(to Oct 30)
The climbing wall will stay
open till midnight on Sept 11
and 25, Oct 9 and 30.
Climbers must bring their
own equipment.
Late night fishing also available on these dates from the
dock on the Scioto River.
28 Parkscope
FAMILY CRAFT WORKSHOP
22 Sun 2–4pm
Create holiday gifts. Materials provided. Bring a bag
to help carry your creations
home. X
OCTOBER
FULL HUNTER’S
MOON HIKE
27 Tue 6:30pm
NOVEMBER
BEAVER BEACH
14 Sat 5pm
Take a short walk to see trees
cut by beaver, and look for
the critters swimming in the
lake as the sun sets.
Beaver Lake
FAMILY FUN FRIDAY:
SCREECH OWLS
20 Fri 5:45pm
Take a 1-mile walk to look
and listen for screech owls.
Beaver Lake
FULL BEAVER MOON HIKE
25 Wed 5:30pm
Meet at Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W Whittier Street, unless otherwise noted
PRE-K STORYTIME
Every Thurs & Sat 10am
Bring your little ones for a
nature-inspired story or two.
SEPTEMBER
LIGHTS OUT COLUMBUS
09 Wed 7pm
Amanda Duren from Ohio
Bird Conservation Initiatives discusses Lights Out
Columbus and bird-friendly
buildings.
LEARN THE ROPES
23 Wed & 34634
Instructors will guide participants through the basics of
climbing at the 32-foot wall.
All equipment provided.
LEARN THE ROPES
21 Wed & 34635
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
AMERICAN BIRDING EXPO
02 Fri 1-5pm
03-04 Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
A showcase of products for
bird watchers and nature
enthusiasts. More info at
americanbirdingexpo.com. X
LEARN THE ROPES
18 Wed & 34637
Sharon Woods
HOMESCHOOLERS:
CREEKING
08 Tue & 34411 / 34413
Wade in the creek and learn
about water quality and how
we protect our waterways.
Age 6-12 Spring Hollow
Lodge, 1069 W Main St
FAST-PACED ADULT
FULL MOON HIKE
26 Sat 7:45pm
Take a fast-paced, 2.8-mile
hike along gravel, paved
and natural surface trails.
Apple Ridge Bulletin Board
OCTOBER
MUD & MADNESS
AT METRO PARKS
12 Sat & 34727
GIRL SCOUT DAY:
JUNIORS FLOWERS
04 Sun & 34436 / 34438
Juniors will participate in
activities that meet some
of the requirements for the
Flowers badge. X
GO WILD! KIDS CLUB
15 Tue & 34141
Channel your inner entomologist as you catch and
release insects. Age 5-12 X
HOMESCHOOLERS:
SOIL CRITTERS
08 Thu & 34156 / 34157
Go on a soil critter safari to
learn what lives beneath our
feet. Age 6-12
PAWPAW PROWL
19 Sat 10am
Take a 1.5-mile walk in the
forest and search for the
Ohio banana. Apple Ridge
Bulletin Board
GO WILD! KIDS CLUB
14 Wed & 34142
Explore off-trail in the natural
play area and learn how to
play some fun nature games.
AUTUMN CAMPFIRE
SINGALONG
19 Sat 6:30pm
Join local singer and guitarist Joanie Calem and roast
marshmallows. Bring seating.
Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter X
CHILDREN’S FISHING
20 Sun 1pm
Drop a line in Schrock Lake
and try to catch a big fish.
Bait and poles available.
Age 15 and younger Schrock
Lake West Bulletin Board X
PRESCHOOLERS:
GO BUCKS
24 Thu
& 34145 / 34156 / 34157
Learn about Ohio’s state
mammal through a craft,
story and games.
Allison Shaw
SEPTEMBER
For information on programs at Sharon Woods in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
LANTERN STROLL
23 Fri 7pm
Candle lanterns will light
the way as you take a 1-mile
stroll through the woods.
Schrock Lake Restrooms X
FAST-PACED ADULT
FULL MOON HIKE
26 Mon 6:45pm
PRESCHOOLERS:
HALLOWEEN OPEN HOUSE
30 Fri 10am–2pm
Wear your costume and
enjoy games, crafts and
other activities to celebrate
the season. Spring Hollow
Lodge, 1069 W Main St X
NOVEMBER
NATURAL PLAY AREA
ADVENTURES: NATURE
SCAVENGER HUNT
07 Sat 1pm
Explore off-trail in the natural
play area for a chance to win
a prize. Natural Play Area
INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI
12 Thu & 34291
Learn to improve circulation,
muscle tone, coordination
and balance, with Midge
Krause from the Taoist Tai
Chi Society. X
OLDER HOMESCHOOLERS:
COYOTES
12 Thu & 34448
Join OSU Extension’s Wildlife
Program Specialist Marne
Titchenell to learn about
these urban carnivores. X
GO WILD! KIDS CLUB
12 Thu & 34143
Go on a soil critter safari to
learn what lives beneath our
feet. Age 5-12 X
FAMILY GEOCACHING
15 Sun 1pm
Explore off-trail and learn
geocaching basics. GPS units
available. Spring Hollow
Lodge, 1069 W Main St
OH DEER
15 Sun 4pm
Learn about Ohio’s state
mammal on a short hike.
Spring Hollow Lodge,
1069 W Main St X
HOMESCHOOLERS: WILDLIFE SUCCESS STORIES
18 Wed & 34153 / 34154
Meet a few animals and
learn about wildlife species
that have made a comeback
in Ohio. Age 6-12 X
CUB SCOUTS: WEBELOS
EARTH ROCKS
22 Sun & 34451 / 34452
Webelos will participate in
activities that meet requirements for the “Earth Rocks”
badge.
PRESCHOOLERS: SLUMBER
PARTY PUPPET SHOW
24 Tue
& 34149 / 34150 / 34151
Wear your pajamas and
watch the Discovery Forest
Puppets prepare for a long
winter’s nap. X
FAST-PACED ADULT
FULL MOON HIKE
24 Tue 5:30pm
SEPTEMBER
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
07 Mon 1–3pm
See a display about 19thcentury occupations and the
history of Labor Day. X
MORNING CHORES
12 Sat & 34499
Join the farmer in feeding
animals and help with other
barnyard chores.
Age 5 and older
ROPES, KNOTS
AND SPLICES
13 Sun 1–3pm
Use the ropemaking machine, try your hand at some
knots and splices and jump
rope to your favorite rhymes.
MORNING CHORES
19 Sat & 34500
See Sept 12
MORNING CHORES
17 Sat & 34502
See Sept 12
APPLES:
THEIR HISTORY AND USES
18 Sun 1–3pm
Help press cider, stir apple
butter over an open fire and
taste heirloom apple varieties
from the 1880s. X
FAMILY STORYTIME:
APPLES
26 Sat 10am
Sample varieties of apples
and enjoy a story and craft. X
PUMPKINS FOR KIDS
24 Sat 11am–1pm
Pick out a free pumpkin from
our pumpkin patch. Kids
only, while supplies last.
Buzzard’s Roost Picnic Area X
FALL HARVEST
26 Sat 1–3pm
Help with seasonal harvest
activities as the farm prepares
for winter.
PUMPKINS AND CORN
24 Sat 1–3pm
25 Sun 1–3pm
See pumpkins, gourds,
squash and corn, and learn
about the ways they were
used on an 1880s farm. X
OCTOBER
FALL HARVEST
04 Sun 1–3pm
See Sept 26
MORNING CHORES
10 Sat & 34501
See Sept 12
NOVEMBER
KEEPING THE HARVEST
10 Sat 1–3pm
Learn about the root cellar as we gather and store
the garden’s vegetables for
winter use.
Ted Stone
CATSUPS AND
CONDIMENTS
19 Sat 1–3pm
Discover other kinds of
catsup besides tomato as the
farm ladies make sauces and
seasonings. X
WAYS OF THE WORKSHOP
20 Sun 1–3pm
Watch woodworking and
blacksmithing and learn
about tools used for common farm repairs.
Call 614.833.1880 for information
GIRLS OVERNIGHT
AT THE FARM
06–07 Fri-Sat & 34290
Discover what it was like to
live in an 1880s farmhouse
with no electricity or running
water. Parlor games, a night
hike and a craft will fill the
evening hours. Wake up to
the call of the roosters and
after breakfast it will be out
to do morning chores. Girls
in Grades 4-6
A STITCH IN TIME
08 Sun 1–3pm
Watch or help as we mend,
do handwork and use the
treadle sewing machine.
MORNING CHORES
14 Sat & 34503
Join the farmer in feeding
animals and help with other
barnyard chores.
Age 5 and older
30 Parkscope
FIREWOOD WARMS
YOU TWICE
14 Sat 1–4pm
15 Sun1–3pm
Try a two-man saw or a
shingle splitter while learning
about varieties of wood.
PRESCHOOLERS: THE
THANKSGIVING MEAL
19 Thu 10am
Learn about typical Thanksgiving foods and meet one of
the barnyard turkeys.
HOMESCHOOLERS:
THANKSGIVING
TRADITIONS
19 Thu 1pm
Stop at numerous stations
around the Farm to learn
about foods and their origin,
as well as the history of many
Thanksgiving traditions.
FOOD FOR THANKSGIVING
20 Fri 1pm
Tour the farm and discover
the origin of many typical
Thanksgiving foods.
MORNING CHORES
21 Sat & 34504
See Sept 12
SWEET TREATS
21 Sat 1–3pm
The farm ladies will prepare
candy and other sweet treats
for the holidays. X
TURKEYS, TRADITIONS
AND THANKSGIVING
22 Sun 1–3pm
Learn about some of the customs of Thanksgiving including uses of corn, pumpkins
and other foods, and the
butchering of the turkey.
INDOOR AMUSEMENTS
27-29 Fri-Sun 1–3pm
Try some indoor games and
toys and challenge your mind
with 19th-century puzzles. X
Meet at Confluence Trails Bulletin Board unless otherwise noted
Three Creeks
For information on programs at Three Creeks in Spanish, visit metroparks.net
Karl Hassel
SEPTEMBER
BARKING & BREAKFAST
05 Sat 9:30am
Enjoy breakfast snacks for
you and your dog then take
a brisk 3-mile walk. X
TRAM TREK
06 Sun 1–4pm
Take a tram ride while
enjoying flowers, birds and
the first signs of fall. Rides
offered regularly throughout
the afternoon. X
PRESCHOOLERS:
BUG ADVENTURE
08 Tue 10am
Learn about the world of
insects and spiders through
stories and activities.
HOMESCHOOLERS:
EXPLORING INSECTS
08 Tue 1:30pm
Catch and release insects
while discovering why we
can’t live without them.
Age 6 and older
SCOUT DAY:
BROWNIES BUGS BADGE
12 Sat & 34216
Brownies (2nd and 3rd
grades) will participate in activities that meet the requirements for the Bugs badge.
FAMILY STORYTELLING
CAMPFIRE
12 Sat 7pm
Gather around the fire and
listen to stories that make
you laugh and warm your
heart. X
BE A JUNIOR RANGER
13 Sun & 34219
Help the rangers perform
first aid, clean up the park
and find a missing person
using binoculars and twoway radios. Snacks and water
provided. Age 6-10
MUD & MADNESS
AT METRO PARKS
26 Sat & 34725
OCTOBER
FALL HARVEST JAMBOREE
03 Sat 12–5pm
Enjoy hayrides, farm games,
crafts, a straw maze and
more. Parking $5. Call
614.645.3156 for more
information. Smith Farms,
3491 Watkins Road
PRESCHOOLERS:
GROWLY CRITTERS
13 Tue 10am
Explore the world of bears,
bobcats and other predators
through games and activities.
Heritage Nature Center,
551 Wirt Road, Groveport
MONSTERS AND MYTHS
17 Sat 6pm
Take a 2-mile walk and enjoy
stories about the origins of
Halloween. Wear Halloween
costumes if you like.
CAMPFIRE COOKING
18 Sun & 34223
Help prepare some great
campfire food then enjoy the
tasty results.
OFF-TRAIL WANDERING
24 Sat 10am
Take a 2.5-mile on- and offtrail hike through bushes and
brambles to experience rarely
seen parts of the park.
Age 50 and older
NOVEMBER
LAST OF THE LEAVES:
TREE I.D. HIKE
01 Sun 2pm
Learn to identify trees from
their leaves, bark and seeds
on an easy 1.5-mile walk.
CALLING ALL CRITTERS
07 Sat 6pm
Take an easy 2-mile walk
and use recorded calls to
listen for coyotes, foxes
and owls.
CAMPFIRE COOKING
08 Sun & 34224
See Oct 18
OWLS OF AUTUMN
14 Sat 5:30pm
Learn about Ohio’s owls and
try to lure them in with calls
on a 2-mile hike.
MAKE A HIKING STICK
15 Sun 2pm
Get ready for winter by making your own walking stick.
PRESCHOOLERS:
HIBERNATION TIME
17 Tue 10am
Enjoy fun activities while
learning how wild animals
stay warm in winter.
HOMESCHOOLERS:
WINTER WILDLIFE SCIENCE
17 Tue 1:30pm
Discover how animals and
plants survive and even thrive
in winter. Age 6 and older
Parkscope
Metro Parks Album
Clockwise from left:
October sunset at Pickerington Ponds, by Dan
Ferrin; Turkey vulture in maple tree, by Annette
Boose; Deer in Big Darby Creek at Prairie Oaks,
by Mark Romesser.

PKSC-Autumn-2015-web

Transcription

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