The Year’s First Wildflower
By February, most of us are tired of winter and are probably looking forward to spring with great anticipation. Some of us are even walking through the fields and forests …Read More
Rocky Fork Dog Park remains closed — for now
UPDATE: March 29, 2017 The maintenance crew began constructing a temporary fence inside the dog park today. The intent is to separate the good areas from the not-so-good, so that …Read More
Augmented reality at the Winter Hikes
At the Highbanks Winter Hike (Sat February 11, 10am) and the Glacier Ridge Winter Hike (Sun February 12, 2pm), you can use a fantastic app to enhance your winter hike …Read More
Stink bugs and lady beetles
Be warned! If you see a stink bug in your house, don’t smash it, or you’ll immediately get to know how stink bugs got their name. Look up “P.U.” in …Read More
Let There Be Soup
VIRGINIA GORDON Communication Coordinator Winter hikers at Blendon Woods have been relishing and praising the park’s chicken noodle soup for years, and many have asked, or even pleaded, for the …Read More
The Gleason Family Adventure
UPDATE: June 2017 The Gleasons have changed their schedule and will now head to the Rocky Mountains National Park as the first leg of their trip. SEE VIDEO OF THE …Read More
Extreme weather affects Christmas Bird Counts
Audubon’s Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been noting and recording our feathered friends for the last 117 years and is the oldest running Citizen Science Project in America. In …Read More
Veteran police horse Willie remembered
Metro Parks rangers would like to express their sadness at the passing of a Columbus police force veteran this week. Willie, an American saddlebred horse, was 24 years old and …Read More
Volunteers recognized for their invaluable contributions to Metro Parks
Metro Parks visitors take delight in many things they can see in the parks, whether that be a beautiful sunset or sunrise, a chance sighting of a deer or a …Read More
Wild animals need our care and attention on the roads
Earlier this week a couple of Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies alerted staff at Scioto Grove Metro Park about an injured barred owl along the roadway at Jackson Pike. Park staff …Read More
Snow Story 1: Animals and Snow
Have you ever wondered what animals do when it snows? For many species, food sources and water are buried under snow and ice. But to other animals, snow is a …Read More
Oh Christmas Tree
Last week, rangers at Sharon Woods noticed a spruce tree had been cut just outside of the main gate. Not the whole tree, but rather just the top third of …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat to Rangers Watkins and Davis
Congratulations to Shelby Watkins and Dustin Davis. Shelby and Dustin successfully completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, becoming certified peace officers by the State of Ohio. They were sworn …Read More
Red-nosed deer and a Happy New Year
Since it’s the Christmas season, my thoughts turn not to chestnuts roasting on an open fire but to… reindeer. Not native to Ohio, a rare subspecies migrates through the state …Read More
Winter means fun at Metro Parks
Winter is a great time to come out and play in your Metro Parks. Don’t get stuck inside wondering what to do when the snow flies. Get the family together …Read More
Special programming for special kids
It’s widely accepted that outdoor play and exploration is essential to the healthy physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of all children. But children with special needs often face barriers …Read More
Tally our feathered friends at the Audubon Christmas Bird Counts
From December 14 through January 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), the longest-running citizen science wildlife …Read More
Rangers Patrol During Deer Gun Week
It is the favorite time of year for many. Viewed as a holiday by more than one. Deer gun week started this past Monday, November 28th, 2016 and lasted a …Read More
Look out for Woody Woodpecker and friends this winter
Watch out for—or should that be listen out for—woodpeckers at the parks this winter. Their spectacular coloring delights the eye, while their persistent hammering on trees can be a real …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat – Rangers Custer, Hurt and Smith
A tip of the campaign hat goes out to rangers Brad Custer, Charles Hurt and Megan Smith for their recent promotions from part-time rangers to full-time rangers. Brad Custer has …Read More