Pondering Pawpaws
Look for the dark maroon flowers of the pawpaw tree in early spring and dare to take a whiff. It smells like rotting meat. But believe it or not, by …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat – Rangers Davis and Caldwell
Two of our newer rangers, Dustin Davis at Greenways and Shelby Caldwell at Highbanks, are currently attending the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. They recently passed a crucial step, the physical training …Read More
Rock On at the Community Rock Climbing Festival
Scioto Audubon Metro Park’s climbing wall opened in 2009 and has been a resounding success with visitors, and especially with the climbing community. Our Community Rock Climbing Festival on Saturday September …Read More
Bumble Bustle at Inniswood
Bees can be a polarizing topic for many. I meet visitors all the time that have an aversion to them. People may have had a traumatic experience with a bee, maybe …Read More
Annual Nature Print Contest 2016
Metro Parks, in cooperation with the Lens & Leaves Camera Club, has run an annual nature print contest for more than 25 years. Terrific photographs are entered every year and …Read More
The Cycle Continues
As we have discussed in other issues of the blog, theft from vehicles is the largest criminal problem rangers deal with at Metro Parks. Occurrences are often cyclic. A criminal, or …Read More
Caution, turtle crossing
Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side, actually! We saw this gorgeous woodland box turtle crossing the Beech Woodland Trail at Rocky Fork Metro …Read More
The hummingbird’s tongue and other wonders
My barely-a-toddler granddaughter is fascinated by everything. To her, dirt has wonderful textures and indeed may be edible. Touching soft leaves or prickly conifer needles brings a smile to her …Read More
Bobwhite quail return to Central Ohio
You may have heard about our successful reintroduction of northern bobwhite quail at Slate Run Metro Park. Bobwhite quail is a native species that has been struggling in the state due to harsh winters …Read More
Driving me batty!
I remember when I was child my aunt and uncle had so many bats on their farm that my cousins were afraid to play outside in the evening. I loved …Read More
Tip of the Campaign Hat to Ranger Doug Ramey
A tip of the campaign hat goes out to Ranger Doug Ramey at Blacklick Woods, whose observation and diligence helped Reynoldsburg Division of Police with a case. In today’s age …Read More
You Can Eat That: Wild Ginger
Launching into wild edible plants may seem complicated, but with a little knowledge and an adventurous mindset, you could be foraging for your own food in no time. Before you get …Read More
Prairies dazzle and delight us through summer
One of the great pleasures of a summer trip to the parks is the sight of a prairie in full bloom. A vast golden canvas of ashy sunflower, gray-headed coneflower …Read More
Lightning strikes tree at Blacklick Woods
This pin oak in the Meadows Picnic Area at Blacklick Woods suffered a lightning strike in the Monday morning storm. Sap and water beneath the bark of trees is a …Read More
All Tied Up
The job of the park ranger has been defined simply as, “protecting the park from the people, protecting the people from the park, and protecting the people from the people.” As …Read More
Pokémon invade Metro Parks
Your Metro Parks have always been a great place to see birds, deer and other wildlife as you walk and explore the trails. For the past week, staff at several …Read More
Catch ‘Em All
The latest craze, Pokemon Go, has come to Metro Parks in a big way. We are very happy to see so many people are coming out to capture these virtual critters …Read More
More horse-power at Slate Run Farm
Threshing is one of the highlights of the summer for staff and visitors to Slate Run Living Historical Farm, and you can see how it was done, 1880s style, at …Read More
Fourth of July Holiday Wrap Up
Independence Day is one of our busier holidays of the year. The weather didn’t really cooperate this year, threatening rain pretty much all weekend. As a result, the attendance numbers …Read More
Dig In with Inniswood Junior Garden Volunteers
Inniswood Metro Gardens is the only botanical garden in your Metro Parks, with 10 feature gardens to explore along with natural areas in the 123-acre site. Part of what keeps …Read More