Ohio Dreamin’ in California: I miss my Metro Parks
MELISSA GEBAUER, Guest Blogger After what felt like a continuous 30-hour day and counting I finally landed in Columbus after an overnight flight from California. I was coming home for …Read More
Daytime Owls
JEN ROSA, Naturalist Prairie Oaks It’s commonly believed that owls are nocturnal, but barred owls and short-eared owls prove to be exceptions. They tend to be active during the day, …Read More
Count our feathered friends and help ensure their future
Spend the morning in the fields at a Metro Park with birds and birders this December and start a new holiday tradition as you take part in the 118th Annual …Read More
The fruit that looks like a monkey brain
ANDREA KRAVA, Naturalist Blendon Woods Osage orange trees aren’t native to Ohio, but they arrived here in large numbers in the 1800s, mostly brought by settlers. They grow thick trunks …Read More
You can’t miss the vibrant red wahoo
ALLISON SHAW, Naturalist Sharon Woods The eastern wahoo, an often-overlooked tree, is a beautiful find in autumn. It grows up to 20-feet-high and you will notice its bright red fruit …Read More
If you get in a rut, try a little headbanging
BRANDON NOVOTNY, Ranger Prairie Oaks November marks an exciting time in Metro Parks, just as a yearly tradition is taking place. The white-tail deer rut is in full swing and …Read More
Five species I’ve never seen at Blacklick Woods
CODY BERKEBILE, Naturalist Blacklick Woods One of the best parts about being a naturalist is the opportunity to continually learn about and see new things. Working at Blacklick Woods for …Read More
My Favorite Places: Highbanks
BRANDON NOVOTNY, Ranger Prairie Oaks The overlook deck at Highbanks is one of my favorite spots for fall color, but it’s a wonderful sight at any time of year, with …Read More
My Favorite Places: Andy Miller
ANDY T MILLER, Assistant Manager Pickerington Ponds/Chestnut Ridge While I don’t have a favorite spot in the parks for fall colors, there are several parks that I like year round. …Read More
My Favorite Places: Battelle Darby Creek (with my dog)
BETHANIE BIDINGER, Battelle Darby Creek Park Ranger Fall is a great time to visit Battelle Darby Creek to refresh from the summer heat and take in all the beauty that …Read More
My Favorite Places: Marty Shull, Clear Creek
MARTY SHULL, Clear Creek Manager Fall is my favorite time of year; it calls me to the out-of-doors. There is a magic to the air in its crispness. If you …Read More
My Favorite Places: Scott Felker
SCOTT FELKER, Three Creeks Naturalist One of my very favorite places to be in fall is Pickerington Pond’s Glacier Knoll observation deck at sunset. It’s not as much for the …Read More
My Favorite Places: Jecy Weber
JECY WEBER, Greenways Ranger There are many breathtaking vistas at Metro Parks. Either natural or manmade, it is not hard to find a place so beautiful it takes your breath …Read More
October is bat appreciation month
CARRIE MORROW, Assistant Resource Manager I’m standing under a huge, dead cottonwood tree. Much of the bark has fallen off and the smooth inner bark stands out as a white …Read More
Metro Parks and YMCA partnership creates special bonds for families
JEN ROSA, Prairie Oaks Naturalist As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I saw the need for inclusive programming outside in a park. Sometimes I go places …Read More
My Favorite Places: Bryan Knowles
BRYAN KNOWLES, Glacier Ridge and Homestead Manager Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. The warm, crisp sunny days. The blue skies and puffy clouds. The colder nights perfect …Read More
My Favorite Places: Ashton Pond at Blacklick Woods
ANNIE PILLION, Blacklick Woods Ranger When fall arrives, one of my favorite places to visit is Ashton Pond at Blacklick Woods, especially at sunset. The pond is surrounded by trees …Read More
My Favorite Places: Inniswood Prairie Garden
COLLEEN SHARKEY, Environmental Educator, Inniswood Metro Gardens Bumblebees buzzing, crickets chirping and goldfinches exploding from wildflower plantings always brighten my day as I wander through the Prairie Garden at Inniswood Metro …Read More
Growing a forest from the ground up
ALYSSA BALTER, Restoration Ecologist Direct seeding of nuts offers a simple, cost-effective supplement to Metro Park’s reforestation efforts and has been an annual activity for nearly 20 years. This process is …Read More
My Favorite Places: four great places in fall
TOM COCHRAN, Prairie Oaks Manager In my opinion, there is no better place to view fall colors than along Big Darby Creek at Prairie Oaks, especially from the bridge that connects …Read More