Metro Parks staff have captured some gorgeous photos of the parks while they're out clearing snow this week ❄️ #cbusmetroparks 📸 Tall pines at Walnut Woods, Ranger Mindi; barn at Slate Run Farm, Alli Shaw; Innis House, Ranger Bryan; Millikin Falls at Quarry Trails, Quarry Trails staff

We heard 2016 was trending, so we're throwing it back 💚 Same parks, same love for the outdoors, just 10 years ago! #cbusmetroparks 📸 toasting marshmallows at Scioto Grove, John Nixon; Yappy Hour at Scioto Audubon, Angela Latham

From wartime strategy in the European Alps to an urban adventure right here in Columbus 🧗‍♀️ Learn the fascinating history behind via ferratas—and how Quarry Trails Metro Park became part of a nearly 200-year-old global legacy. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3NvGRY6 #cbusmetroparks

January's photo of the month comes from Slate Run Living Historical Farm, and features Chester the farm cat 🐈 You may see him roaming around the farmhouse while you're there! #cbusmetroparks 📸 Cyndi Griffith, via OuterSpatial

Did you know that Metro Parks manages 5 State Nature Preserves within our parks? Clear Creek State Nature Preserve, a part of Clear Creek Metro Park, is Ohio's largest nature preserve, spanning 4,729 acres. Over 800 plant species have been recorded & 18 species of warblers! #cbusmetroparks

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day 🐿️ Love them or laugh at them, squirrels are an important part of healthy park ecosystems. They help forests grow by burying seeds they don't always come back for! 📸 Josh Courtney, Christoper Brinkman, Adam Brandemihl

February is the last month to complete our annual Winter Hikes series! You can still get your card stamped or check in on the app until February 22nd. Join us at Blacklick Woods Golf Course on February 22nd to get your patch for hiking 7 parks ⛳ #cbusmetroparks

In 2025, surveyors counted over 5,000 species of birds in the Metro Parks, including three new species that we've never seen in the parks before 🐦 Read all the results of the 2025 surveys: https://bit.ly/456i8ji #cbusmetroparks

It's always a good day to be at the Metro Parks, but we think winter is extra special ❄️ #cbusmetroparks

📍 Alum Creek Greenway Trail, Three Creeks Metro Park This trail follows Alum Creek & crosses a 300-foot bridge below the confluence of the Alum, Big Walnut, & Blacklick creeks. The section through Three Creeks is an easy 7 miles, where you can hike or bike! #cbusmetroparks

Winter brings all sorts of fun surprises on the trails🐾 From snowy prints to muddy tracks, animals are out exploring too. Next time you’re hiking, take a moment to spot the little footprints, who knows what adorable visitors you’ll discover! Happy exploring! #cbusmetroparks

Today is Save the Eagles Day 🦅 Bald Eagles have one of the best comeback stories in our country, going from an all time low of 417 known nesting pairs in 1963, to an estimated 71,400 nesting pairs in recent years! #cbusmetroparks 📸 John Anderson

It's always a good day for a picnic at the parks - even kestrels enjoy lunch with a view! These falcons are skilled predators, often catching prey like insects and small mammals. #cbusmetroparks 📸 J Elwood Guy

Black bears are rare in Ohio, but reports do occasionally happen, and they are a part of a bigger story about how wildlife is slowly reclaiming space in our forests 🐻 Our latest blog breaks it all down: https://bit.ly/4jdRoDi #cbusmetroparks

It's National Bird Day! From backyard songbirds to soaring raptors, birds help keep our ecosystems healthy, while connecting us to nature wherever we are 🐦 #cbusmetroparks 📸 Sarah Throckmorton Birds, in order: Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper, Northern Flicker

Our Christmas Tree recycling program is back at Highbanks. Drop off your live Christmas trees from January 1st - 16th at the Mansion & Northern Shelters. These trees will be used to mulch the natural play area & other parts of the park. #cbusmetroparks

New Year, New Programs Our January programs are live! Check out a few that we've highlighted in the post, or visit our website to find a full list. Don't forget! We have Winter Hikes events every Saturday and Sunday in January. Find Winter Hikes events: https://bit.ly/4n2XqrU #cbusmetroparks

We've had a ton of fun in 2025🎉This year has brought unforgettable moments - from exciting events to spontaneous outdoor fun. Here's to having even more adventures in 2026! #cbusmetroparks 📸 Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, Summer Camp, Scioto Fest, Winter Hikes

Winter looks even better through your lens ❄️ Thanks to everyone who shared photos from their winter hikes! #cbusmetroparks 📸 (in order): Rick Shears, Jess Carvey, Karlie Svebakken, Kaleb Reed

Not having a @cbusmetroparks.bsky.social in the top three is blasphemy! columbusunderground.com/the-top-10-c...

Got a Question About Nature? Ask a Ranger or a Naturalist! Whether it's about wildlife, plants, park history, outdoor recreation, or the behind-the-scenes work, our staff is here to help you connect with the natural world. Submit your questions: https://bit.ly/3YAeGtj #cbusmetroparks

Before clocks, people looked to the sun to tell time⏳ Learn how ancient civilizations used shadows to track the day, and how you can add a little history to your own home with a DIY sundial. Read more: https://bit.ly/3KYMQUy #cbusmetroparks

Happy Holidays from Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks! ❄️✨ Whether you’re taking a snowy stroll, spotting winter wildlife, or sharing cozy moments with loved ones, we’re grateful to be part of your season. #cbusmetroparks

Ranger Erin was honored to take part in Shop with a Cop in Grove City, helping to make the holiday season brighter for local families! This year’s event supported 7 families & 26 kids, pairing each child with an officer or ranger for a night of shopping! #cbusmetroparks

Hello, winter! The days are shorter, but the adventures are still endless - from snowy hikes to wildlife sightings, there's winter magic around every corner in your Metro Parks ☃️ #cbusmetroparks 📸 Eric Reiner

The first month of our annual winter hikes series has nearly come and gone, but it's not over yet! Check out the January schedule, and tell your friends it's not too late to join! #cbusmetroparks

📍Buttonbush Trail, Blacklick Woods Metro Park The Buttonbush Trail runs through a hardwood swamp forest and is a short and easy half-mile loop. This trail is inside the Walter A. Tucker Nature Preserve and is gravel and boardwalk! #cbusmetroparks

A little ASMR for your Wednesday! Today is Maple Syrup Day, and at Slate Run Living Historical Farm, it starts with the soft rhythm of sap dripping into a bucket 🍁 #cbusmetroparks

Discover how a holiday hunting tradition transformed into one of the world's largest community science projects🐦 The Christmas Bird Count has been running for 126 years, & YOU can be part of the story. Find upcoming bird counts: bit.ly/3N1lihN #cbusmetroparks

Metro Parks are open 365 days a year, including when it snows ❄️ Our park staff is out working first thing in the morning to get roadways, parking lots, and trails cleared so you can still enjoy the outdoors! #cbusmetroparks

Forget tropical beaches, Ohio is THE winter getaway...at least if you're a bird 🐦 From snow birds to owls, our parks are full of seasonal surprises. Bundle up and come meet our winter guests! Read more about our favorite winter visitors: bit.ly/4ibQDtP

Listen closely for turkeys the next time you're out on the trails 🦃 Not only do they gobble, they also cluck, purr, and putt. A whole vocabulary!

The 2025–2026 Winter Hike Series kicks off Dec. 1 at Blacklick Woods! This year, you have the option to grab a physical card or go paperless and join the Winter Hike Challenge on OuterSpatial! bit.ly/3EdTHCi

Behind every successful prescribed burn lies careful planning — firebreaks, weather, prescriptions, and more🔥 Dive deep into the strategy: bit.ly/3KRE4Y4 #cbusmetroparks

If you’ve ever followed up a trek along Highbank’s shale bluff by walking around the nature center, you may have come across the mounted remnants of an ancient, monstrous sea creature in the otherwise quaint surroundings. Read more: metroparks.net/blog/dunkleo...

📍 Sycamore Plains Trail, Prairie Oaks Metro Park This 1.1-mile trail is considered moderate to difficult and winds through grasslands, large sycamore trees, and along Big Darby Creek! #cbusmetroparks

Check out the GRIT Freedom Chair, our newest addition to help make Metro Parks more accessible. This rugged wheelchair tackles trails like a champ, letting more visitors explore the great outdoors! Learn more: bit.ly/4n8h2dB #cbusmetroparks

Welcome to October! Check out some of our highlighted programs for the month 🍁 Don't forget: all of our programs are free! Find a full list of programs and descriptions: bit.ly/4n2XqrU

Open your calendars, invite your friends, and make sure to join us for this year's Darby Creek Day event! 🐟

Join us for Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park on October 11 🎃 We'll have hayrides, corn mazes, and so much more!

Berms aren’t just for looks — they make a huge difference for wetland health! We’ve repaired and rebuilt key berms at Sharon Woods & Rocky Fork to restore water levels and support wildlife habitat. Read more: bit.ly/3Ku6J53

It's the best day of the year! That's right - it's National Pawpaw Day! Pawpaws are the only local member of a large, mainly tropical plant family, and produce the largest edible fruit native to North America. They are also the official state fruit!

Outdoor Movie Nights are back in the parks this fall 🎥 Check out some of our favorites - all movies are free and begin at dark! Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

The woods aren’t just alive at night - they glow🌙✨ Peek into the secret nightlife of nature and uncover creatures that shine under UV light. Read the full story: bit.ly/41krTbI #cbusmetroparks

Metro Parks now offers sensory sensitivity backpacks in each of our Nature Centers 🎒 Visitors can check them out to use during their visit, and each one includes various tools to help keep days at the park enjoyable! Learn more: bit.ly/46RlEjb

Blacklick Woods Golf Course was recently awarded the 2025 Ohio Water Conservation Excellence Award by the ODNR! This award recognizes the efforts we have made to reduce water usage, while setting an example for organizations! Read more: bit.ly/4mJ0GrL #cbusmetroparks

September brings all kinds of fun events! It's your last chance for paddling with Outdoor Adventure, Scioto Fest is this month, & we have all sorts of other programs that you can join in on 🍁 Find a list of all programs: bit.ly/4n2XqrU #cbusmetroparks

Join Metro Parks and the Y for a day of outdoor fun and adventure for all abilities! Where: Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes Area When: September 14, 2025 from 11am - 3pm #cbusmetroparks

Blacklick Woods Golf Course is looking for its next Golf Course Superintendent - someone with the passion, leadership, & turf-taming skills to keep our Championship & Learning Courses in top shape. If you've got the drive, apply today: bit.ly/3UKDGfD

Mid-August marks the beginning of fall migration for monarch butterflies 🦋 These butterflies fly about 2,500 miles from the United States and Canada, down to Central Mexico, and can travel anywhere from 50 to 100 miles a day! #cbusmetroparks 📸 Catherine Bigger