If you’ve been following along over the years, you know it’s no secret how lucky I feel that we have such great Metro Parks here in Central Ohio. Not only are they incredibly beautiful, they offer so many {FREE} activities for the entire family.
I’ve listed seven unique things that I feel are a bit under the radar when it comes to our parks, but make sure you also take time to explore their website. I think you’ll be blown away by all that they have to offer!
Their 3D archery course has 12 foam animal targets for you to test your archery skills. There is also a traditional archery range. All kinds of bows can be used, but broadhead arrows are not allowed. See BLOG: 3D Archery makes its Bow at Scioto Grove for more details!
5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH 43123
Obstacle Course at Glacier Ridge
The 3-acre obstacle course features 12 challenging stations surrounded by a half-mile paved trail. Visitors can crawl through tunnels, climb poles and ropes and go over logs and more.
9801 Hyland-Croy Rd | Plain City, OH 43064
Indoor Nature Centers at 4 Parks
Discover nature and cultural history at the many displays and see wildlife at the feeders through the nature center’s windows.
9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Check out my blog post from 2017 on the nature center for more pictures!
A 53-foot living stream flows through the center’s exhibits, stocked with creatures found in Big Darby Creek. Natural and cultural history exhibits, many of them interactive, allow visitors to enjoy learning about the wonders of nature.
1775 Darby Creek Dr. Galloway, OH 43119
Discover nature through displays and look through the nature center’s windows to see wildlife at the features and stream.
4265 E Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43081
Features exhibits of local and natural history, with observation windows to view wildlife.
6975 East Livingston Avenue
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Battelle Darby Creek features more than 7,000 acres of forest, prairies and wetlands. It stretches along 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby creeks, both State and National Scenic Rivers. Besides the areas surrounding the creeks, there are also over 1,600 acres of restored wetlands and prairies. Bison have been reintroduced to the park and roam freely within two enclosed pastures.
1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119
Living Historical Farm at Slate Run
Time has been turned back to the 1880s at Slate Run Living Historical Farm. Experience first-hand what life was like on an Ohio farm. As you stroll through the gardens, barns and farmhouse, you will see the farm costumed staff and volunteers going about their daily chores. Pigs, geese, turkeys, Percheron horses and other heirloom animals can be seen.
1375 OH-674. Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Hammock Nook at Battelle Darby Creek
With more than 30 black walnut trees in the grove near the nature center, you can pick an ideal spot to relax. If you don’t have a hammock of your own but want to give it a try, stop by the nature center and borrow one of theirs.
1775 Darby Creek Dr. Galloway, OH 43119
Participants will travel through a park with a naturalist and learn about the park’s natural and cultural features.
August 6-August 18 Glacier Ridge Metro Park
August 20-September 2 Highbanks Metro Park
September 4-September 29 Blacklick Woods Metro Park
October 21-October 27 Blendon Woods Metro Park
While this list could keep you busy for a few weeks, it doesn’t begin to touch the surface of what our Metro Parks offer! Check out there website to find more details on things such as story times, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, natural play areas, geocaching and MORE!
