An introduction to Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
Your 20 Metro Parks provide endless opportunities for you to connect with nature and have fun in the outdoors. With more than 28,700 acres of land and water to explore and 230 miles of trails to traverse, there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the wonder and majesty of nature in Metro Parks. We’re free and open every day for your enjoyment.
Our History
The first Metro Park, Blacklick Woods, opened in October 1948. Initially 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, 0.95 mill levy approved by Franklin County voters in November 2018. 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).
News & Upcoming Events
LIZ CHRISTIAN Marketing and Social Media Specialist Nature Photography Day was June 15, but we don’t need a specific day to capture the beauty of nature! There’s something refreshing about …Read More
LEAH CONWAY Seasonal Naturalist, Blacklick Woods Life begins for the rich black and metallic blue pipevine swallowtail as a round, orange and pumpkin-like egg roughly one-quarter the size of a …Read More
LYDIA RADCLIFFE Blendon Woods Naturalist Have you ever been hiking in the woods and noticed something that reminds you of a fungus but looks an awful lot like a plant? …Read More
KEVIN KASNYIK Resource Manager THE DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Managing wildlife and habitats is of the utmost importance to resource managers in Metro Parks. Keeping wildlife populations in balance allows all …Read More