If you're gearing up for a weekend of picnics and barbeques and you hear someone ask, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" Don't worry, it's not an extra party guest looking to get a plate. It's just a Barred Owl! #cbusmetroparks 📸: Macy Tallarico

Find the best seat in (down)town for Red, White, & Boom at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! The park opens at 6:30am for all you early birds, with activities for the whole family from 4pm-8pm. #cbusmetroparks 📸: Ryan Calhoun

With shots like these, we couldn't choose just one Photo of the Month! 📸: Sunset at Scioto Grove, Red-winged blackbird, & Painted Turtles, Angela Robinson. 📸: Monarch butterfly at Slate Run Metro Park, Eugene Barnes #cbusmetroparks

"DAD WE'RE STARVING!" "Hi Starving, I'm Dad!" - this bluebird father, probably. Happy Father's Day to all the father figures! We hope your day is filled punny jokes and all the grub you can eat (worms or otherwise). #cbusmetroparks 📸: Debbie Steinhausser

Join Metro Parks this weekend at Blendon Woods!🌳🌲 Friday 19th at 6:45 pm- For Adults 50+: Music in the Parks with David and Phil Smith🎵 Public Tram Rides at Nature Center Saturday 20th: 2:00 - 3:30 pm Sunday 21st: 4:00 - 5:30 pm Check the link for more information 🔗 https://bit.ly/4oCtKTC

Metro Parks is teaming up with our friends at Adaptive Sports Connection to offer adaptive kayaking at Quarry Trails this Thursday, June 18 from 6pm-8pm! Equipment is provided, including kayaks with adaptive features for people of all abilities. #cbusmetroparks

Happy 614 Day, Central Ohio! #cbusmetroparks

Today is Dragonfly Day! Did you know there are more than 3,000 known dragonfly species? These colorful insects have 360 degree vision, making them expert hunters. In fact, dragonflies can eat up to 100 mosquitos a day (and for that we are VERY thankful)! 📸: Blue Dasher Dragonfly, Adam Brandemihl

Join Metro Parks this weekend at Quarry Trail! 🪨 Flag Day Scavenger Hunt 🔍 Saturday from 12pm-4pm Sunday 10am-2pm Try It! Kayaking 🛶 this Sunday at 10:00am (ages 10+, max weight 275 lbs) Check the link for more information 🔗 https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/

Happy National Trails Day! Enjoy a hike on you favorite trail. Check out your Metro Parks on OuterSpatial where you can find new trails and park amenities. http://bit.ly/4e2mICz #cbusmetroparks

Join Metro Parks this weekend at Blacklick Woods!🌳 Saturday 9:00am ages 18+ join our non-interpretive Blacklick Walk🚶& Talk 🗣️ Sunday 2:00pm come and join Creek Exploration for a 2-mile hike and wade in the water! Check out the link for more information 🔗 https://bit.ly/4uVrGbC

What do Metro Parks and @cedarpoint have in common? We both have raptors, of course! Red-tailed hawks like this one have have an impressive wingspan that can reach up to 5 feet; great for flying, not so great for riding. #cbusmetroparks 📸: Highbanks Ranger Trevor

Finding love on a reality show is so last summer. Instead, take a page out of the Darter's notebook and secure your future mate in the stream! Learn about how these small fish use their vibrant colors to attract a partner here: https://bit.ly/4dJlBcf #cbusmetroparks

🎶 Bluuuuueeee mooooooon🎶 Don't let tonight's blue moon see you standing alone! Join us for a Blue Moon Hike tonight at Blacklick Woods Metro Park or Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Can't make it tonight? No worries, the next blue moon will happen again in *checks notes* December 2028!

We would tell you to celebrate Water a Flower Day accordingly, but with all the rain we've received in the last week, we don't think it is necessary! Instead, marvel at what all that precipitation has done for the beautiful blooms at Inniswood Metro Gardens! 📸: Holly Willer

For the May photo of the month we share photos by Joe from his trip to Slate Run Living Historical Farm. On the left we have some of the farm's sheep and some of their babies, and on the right the farm cat, Chester. 📸: Joe Koldys #cbusmetroparks

Ready to go on a real-life treasure hunt? The 2026 Metro Parks GeoTrail is here! Explore your parks in a whole new way as you search for hidden geocaches, discover new spots, and enjoy the Metro Parks 🔍 Learn more: https://bit.ly/41CuJsh #cbusmetroparks

It's World Turtle Day 🐢 Turtles do more than just carry their homes on their backs; they help keep our waterways and wetlands healthy and balanced by transporting nutrients (and they look really cute doing it)! #cbusmetroparks 📸 Baby Snapping Turtle at Scioto Grove Metro Park, photo Max Wells

Thanks for joining us for the inaugural event at the 22nd Metro Park - Bank Run! This space is unique: a place where large-scale events, recreation, and community experiences all happen together. To find out hours, events or how to make reservations, go to https://bit.ly/4tMI4Kj. #cbusmetroparks

We asked, you answered💚 From weekly visits to unforgettable experiences, it's clear that Metro Parks play an important role in so many lives. Curious about what else we learned? Read the full blog: https://bit.ly/4czwKKN #cbusmetroparks

📍 Maple Trail, Blacklick Woods Metro Park This easy .9 mile gravel trail is ADA accessible and great for birding! The trail traverses a hardwood forest and passes a small wetland. #cbusmetroparks

Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day 🚴 For some Metro Parks Rangers, biking IS the job! Our Rangers at Scioto Audubon Metro Park also monitor the Central Ohio Greenways, a nearly 400 mile network of paved trails many central Ohioans use for transportation and recreation. #cbusmetroparks

Meet the luna moth: This glowing green moth spends most of its life as a caterpillar, storing up all the energy it will ever need, because as an adult, it doesn't even have a mouth. Just about a week to fly, find a mate, & keep the cycle going. #cbusmetroparks 📸 Naturalist Caton

Happy Mother's Day! 💐 To all the mothers, "ewe" are the best! #cbusmetroparks 📸: Sheep and lamb at Slate Run Living Historical Farm, photo by Cheryl Blair

Celebrate National Archery Day by giving it a shot 🎯 Join a Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure program to learn basic archery skills, practice your aim, and enjoy time outdoors. Find programs:https://bit.ly/4n2XqrU #cbusmetroparks

From planting native species to leaving a little "wild" in your yard, there are simple ways you can help support nesting birds this season. Learn how to support your local birds: https://bit.ly/4cN65eF #cbusmetroparks

Join us for the Bank Run Event Center Showcase May 16! 🕰️ 4 pm 📍 Bank Run Event Center: 1570 Rohr Rd., Lockbourne #cbusmetroparks

Summer is just around the corner 🌞 Check out May's programs and events (including the grand opening of Bank Run Event Center on May 16!) Find the full list on our website: http://bit.ly/48rpD5X #cbusmetroparks

Metro Parks has TWO new Chronolog Stations! Check out Lake Emily along the Benua Loop at Clear Creek Metro Park, or head over to the Watts Wetland Observation Deck along the Teal Trail at Battelle Darby Creek. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4eCUg9h #cbusmetroparks

Blue-winged teals show off their signature blue feathers only when they take flight. These small, dabbling ducks migrate long distances and are among the first to head south in the fall. Look for them traveling in pairs or small groups 💙 #cbusmetroparks 📸 Brian French

April's photo of the month comes from Pickerington Ponds Metro Park! Bald eagles nest near water where fish are plentiful, using tall trees for a clear view of their surroundings 🦅 #cbusmetroparks 📸 John Anderson

It's Arbor Day 🌳 The trees around us do more than create beautiful views, they support entire ecosystems and make our parks and neighborhoods healthier places for people and wildlife! #cbusmetroparks

Good food just tastes better outside - happy National Picnicking Day 🧺 Grab some friends, your favorite snack, and a blanket, and enjoy time together in the parks! #cbusmetroparks

Happy Earth Day 🌎 Today is the perfect excuse to get outside and show a little love to the planet. Hug a tree, plant a flower, or take the long way through the parks 🌱 #cbusmetroparks 📸 A volunteer plants a tree at Highbanks, photo Lydia Radcliffe

Long before paved trails and scenic overlooks, Central Ohio's rivers were the original routes through the land. Indigenous communities traveled these waterways to hunt, gather, trade, and connect. Read more about the history of our waterways: https://bit.ly/42eI2PH #cbusmetroparks

Get your first look at Bank Run 👀 Join us on May 16 for a first look at the Bank Run Metro Park Event Center. Run the 5K, stay for music from Fabulous Johnson Brothers & The Pretty Filth, & spend the evening exploring a space for events! Learn more: https://bit.ly/41AHq6R #cbusmetroparks

Virginia Bluebells are blooming at Three Creeks Metro Park, creating a short-lived spring show you won't want to miss! These native wildflowers are a favorite for pollinators, offering an important nectar source just as the season begins to wake up 🐝 #cbusmetroparks

Think vernal pools are just puddles? Think again. Hidden in these seasonal wetlands are some of the coolest (and weirdest) critters around. Dive into our latest blog to meet a few creatures you might've never noticed before: https://bit.ly/4sjVb5r #cbusmetroparks

Today is National Gardening Day 🪻 At Inniswood Metro Gardens, it takes many hands to keep the gardens growing. A huge thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteers who help the gardens shine! #cbusmetroparks

Eastern Meadowlarks have a clear, mellow whistle that kind of sounds like "see-you, see-yeeeer." Sometimes when they feel threatened, they sound more like your Monday morning alarm, making a short "dzert" sound ⏰ #cbusmetroparks 📸 Jerry Riffe

Prescribed burns are a powerful tool we use to keep our ecosystems healthy. By carefully setting and controlling fires, we clear out invasive plants, return nutrients to the soil, and make room for native species to thrive. #cbusmetroparks

Happy National Pet Day to all of our furry friends who visit the Metro Parks 🐾 #cbusmetroparks 📷 Stella & Bella at Scioto Audubon, Birch on a sunset stroll at Rocky Fork, Maggie at Quarry Trails, Misa at Quarry Trails

Happy National Farm Animals Day🐄🐓🐑 At Slate Run Living Historical Farm, these animals aren't just cute; they're coworkers. From helping with farm work to providing food, fiber, and more, every animal plays an important role in keeping an 1880s farm running! #cbusmetroparks

You may have noticed that Homestead Metro Park is under a bit of construction 🚧 Our goal with this project is to improve the park's flow so visitors don't have to cross a road between the parking lot and the playgrounds. #cbusmetroparks

Spring wildflowers don't stick around for long - these fleeting blooms complete their life cycle in just a few short weeks. Head out to the trails to see what you can find! Find the guide: https://bit.ly/3PlY7jw #cbusmetroparks

It's not a duck, it's a loon! Common loons pass through Ohio during spring & fall migration. They are known for eerie calls, deep dives (up to 200 feet!), and striking red eyes in mating season. #cbusmetroparks 📸 Jof Rodriguez

🚨 New Challenge Alert We're celebrating 250 years of America this summer! Join the new challenge on the OuterSpatial app to visit cultural and historical sites around your Metro Parks. Join the challenge: https://bit.ly/4v63kfU #cbusmetroparks

Thanks to all who joined us for the opening of Great Southern Metro Park yesterday! The park is now open daily to all visitors. Find hours and more information: https://bit.ly/4bLZykf #cbusmetroparks

Warmer days mean more chances to explore, learn, and get outside! Whether you're into wildlife, wellness, or just want a reason to enjoy the sunshine, we've got a program for you. Check out the full list of programs: https://bit.ly/4n2XqrU #cbusmetroparks

March's photo of the month comes from Inniswood Metro Gardens 🦉 Young barred owls can stick around the nest for up to six months, but can start flying at six weeks old; they just don't go too far! 📸 Robin Winters #cbusmetroparks