Recycle like an expert
JILL SNYDER Visitor Engagement Manager Everyday over 5,000 tons of wasted materials are brought to the Solid Waste Authority landfill. Most of that material does not need to be there …Read More
Happy New Year from Metro Parks
Metro Parks invites you to spend more time in the parks and to reach new heights with us in 2024.
Ole! The Olentangy
VIRGINIA GORDON Communications Coordinator Ole! It’s worth celebrating. Just more than 50 years ago now, the Olentangy River became only the third Ohio waterway to be honored with the designation …Read More
Behind the Parks: Meet Matt Thompson at Highbanks
Matt Thompson Part-time Ranger, Highbanks Hometown and background I come from North Greenbush, a town of just over 13,000 people in upstate New York. The western edge of the town …Read More
Behind the Parks: Meet Shelby, Assistant Manager at Quarry Trails
Shelby Watkins Assistant Park Manager, Quarry Trails Metro Park Hometown and background I come from Upper Sandusky, a small city in Wyandot County, almost exactly half way between Marion and …Read More
Holiday Lights at Metro Parks
As part of our Winter Hikes Series, don’t miss the twinkling and sparkling lights at five of our parks throughout December. See the Holiday Lights at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick …Read More
Metro Parks’ Holiday Crossword 2023
Have a little fun with our Holiday Crossword, with clues related to the parks, nature and the holidays. Download a fillable version from the button below the puzzle grid. Download …Read More
Check out our 2024 Metro Parks Budget and Annual Report
RICK McGIVERN Finance Director and Treasurer The 2024 Metro Parks Budget was recently approved by our Board of Park Commissioners. This will fund our mission to provide clean, safe parks …Read More
Illuminating hobbies with Holly
HOLLY WILLER Metro Parks Visitor Engagement I’ve always maintained that my dream job is to be a lighthouse keeper. How could it not? A gorgeous sea-side location far away from …Read More
Winter Hikes 2023-2024 – They’re Here!
The Winter Hikes are here. From December 2023 through February 2024, there are lots of opportunities for you to get out and about with friends and family on our latest …Read More
Where have all the dragons gone?
ANDREW BOOSE Aquatic Ecologist The weather cools, and the aerially acrobatic dragons exit. The dragons of the aquatic realm take up their hunting under the watery surface. Stealthily, lying in …Read More
Believe it, or Not! A few nature myths
SCOTT FELKER Three Creeks Naturalist As a Metro Parks naturalist, I’ve heard many things over the years. Kids often go into “stream of consciousness” monologues that usually start with “One …Read More
Behind the Parks: Meet Carrie, Outreach Naturalist for Senior Programs
Carrie Keller Outreach Naturalist for Senior Programs Hometown and background I come from Reynoldsburg and went to school there, first at Herbert Mills Elementary and then graduating from Reynoldsburg High …Read More
How’s the first year of the via ferrata going?
MELISSA TURPENING Bank Run Park Manager It seems like only yesterday that Dan Kaderly, Manager of Park Operations, was saying “Let’s build a via ferrata at Quarry Trails Metro Park” …Read More
Death of a Hedgerow
ANDREW BOOSE Aquatic Ecologist A 700-yard-long, 30-foot-wide hedgerow, at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, had been on the list for removal since the park opened in 2002. But it survived for …Read More
#OptOutside with Metro Parks!
LIZ CHRISTIAN Marketing and Social Media Specialist #OptOutside was started by REI in 2015 as a day to close their stores on Black Friday and give their employees and customers …Read More
Adventure Starts Off Leash at Rocky Fork Metro Park
Bring your four-legged friend to Rocky Fork Metro Park to let them explore the dog park and the off-leash dog trail!
Wander and Wonder – 100 Acre Wood
Use your imagination and explore our 100 Acre Wood – one of the most dramatic and scenic old-growth forests in Metro Parks!
Fall on the Farm
ANN CULEK Program Manager, Slate Run Living Historical Farm Fall is a beautiful time to visit Slate Run Living Historical Farm, often picturesque and full of activity. On your visit …Read More
Bank Run Metro Park is coming soon
JILL SNYDER Visitor Engagement Manager When it comes time to name a Metro Park, it’s no easy matter. There are so many things to consider — what trees grow there, …Read More