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Metro Parks — "wild places, open spaces"
The Metro Parks system of green spaces in Central Ohio provide more than 100 miles of trails, bike or jogging paths. There are 15 Metro Parks in the area and just about anywhere in Central Ohio you'll only be about 20 minutes at most away from a nearby Metro Park.
Metro Parks are not only a place to play for all ages, but also where you can learn. The Metro Parks offer a variety of free programs and special events, including moonlight owl walks, to tracking white-tailed deer, to seeing what life was like on an 1880s farm.
First established in 1945, Metro Parks operates 15 parks in 7 Central Ohio counties and protects more than 23,000 acres of land and water. These parks provide year-round recreational and educational opportunities for visitors.
Metro Parks is a separate political subdivision of the state of Ohio. The Metro Parks' Board of Park Commissioners is composed of 3 citizens serving 3 year terms without compensation. It is this board of commissioners that govern the entire Park District.
Most of the Metro Park Trails do not allow pets, even leashed. A few do offer special pet trails. If you plan on taking your pet, best to check specifically with the specific Metro Park regarding use of trails and pets.
Bird Watching at the Metros
The Metro Parks offer ideal conditions to do some quality bird watching, especially during mid-spring and early fall when 1000s of migratory birds pass through Central Ohio. Many of the parks offer guided hikes through the park with experienced bird watchers that can help you identify the variety of birds in the area, not only by sight, but also by their sounds.
If you're new to bird watching, having a pair of binoculars is helpful, but not necessary. If you plan on buying a new pair of binoculars, look for a magnification of 7 x 35. Prices range from $25 to $500, with the lower to mid price range being ideal. A field guide that identifies birds will also make the experience more meaningful.
Bird watching is probably best done alone, but going along with a group is great way to get your feet wet is this fascinating hobby. Going with another person that has bird-watching experience is even better.
Metro Parks ideal for bird watching include Battelle Darby, Blacklick, Blendon Woods, Glacier Ridge and Slate Rune. All of these Metro Parks have a variety of habitats that are ideal for birds to take refuse and be seen.
15 Central Ohio Metro Parks
The following are all 15 Central Ohio Metro Parks that provide an overview of each park, its location and a downloadable trail map for each park.
Location: 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, Ohio 43119
(southwestern Franklin County)
Battelle Darby Creek Metro is currently the Metro Park's largest park with about 7000 acres of forest, prairies, bluffs, ponds and streams. The park stretches along more than 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby Creeks, both of which are recognized as State and National Scenic Rivers. Besides the areas surrounding the creeks, there are also over 200 acres of restored prairies and grasslands.
Osprey Lake: Anglers can fish for catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass for free at this 14-acre pond.
Canoe and Fishing Access: Located off Alkire Road, outdoor enthusiasts can easily get into Big and Little Darby Creek to fish, canoe or kayak.
Stream side Classroom: Metro Parks' naturalists conduct free nature programs for school and youth groups.
Download Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Trail Map>>
6975 & 7309 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
(eastern Franklin & northwestern Fairfield counties)
Blacklick Woods was the first Metro Park which opened more than 50 years ago. The park features 630 acres of woods, rare swamp forest and fields surrounded by urban development. The park also has 6 miles of trails and 2 golf courses.
Walter A. Tucker State Nature Preserve: This 55-acre swamp preserve honors Walter A. Tucker, one of the founding directors of Metro Parks and one of the individuals who helped establish the state nature preserve system. It is designated a National Natural Landmark.
Nature Center: Your gateway to outdoor discovery. Ask our naturalist questions, discover nature through displays and view wildlife from our center's windows.
Ashton Pond: Filled with water lilies, turtles and fish, this scenic 2-acre pond lies just south of the Beech Maple Lodge.
Download Blacklick Woods Trail Metro Map>>
4625 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(northeastern Franklin County)
Blendon Woods is a 648 acres of forested rolling hills, ravines and open fields. More than half of the park is forested. Thoreau Lake is located within the 118 acre Walden Waterfowl Refuge which is a great place to observe wildlife in a natural setting with two elevated observation platforms that are open year-round.
Walden Wildlife Refuge: Blendon Metro Park has 2 observation shelters on Thoreau Lake that enables visitors to watch migratory birds that layover on the lake.
Disc Golf Course: The 3,500-foot, 18-hole course is open daily all year round. For information, call 614.890.7529.
Camp Sugarbush: Available for rental to organized youth groups.
Nature Center: Your gateway to outdoor discovery. Ask the naturalist on duty questions, discover nature through displays and view wildlife from our center's windows. There is an active indoor honeybee hive you can view up close.
Skating Pond: Winter outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy this one-foot deep pond.
Cross-Country Skiing: when weather conditions permit, skiers can use the 2 mile Sugarbush Trail which will be closed to hikers during these periods.
Ice Skating: a .4 acre skating pond is available during cold weather for ice-skating.
Pet Trail: The Goldenrod Pet Trail is 1.25 miles set up specifically for hiking, jogging and pets. The trail passes through 2 meadows that offers an abundance of wildflowers in the spring and fall.
Download Blendon Woods Trail Metro Map>>
8445 Winchester Road NW, Carroll, Ohio 43112
(northwestern Fairfield County)
Chestnut Ridge features 500 acres of woods, fields and wetlands, including 3 miles of trails that pass by archeological traces of 1000s of years of human history left in the form of earthworks created by the Adena culture.
Pond: Children 15 and younger and adults 60 and over can fish from the pond's two docks. An observation deck for viewing waterfowl and wildlife is also available.
Program Area: Old limestone seats make this a favorite gathering place for school groups.
Download Chestnut Ridge Trail Metro Map>>
185 Clear Creek Road, Rockbridge, ohio 43149
(northern Hocking & Southern Fairfield counties)
Clear Creek Metro includes over 5,000 forested acres and rugged hiking trails along stunning cliffs and gorges in the Clear Creek Valley. The park includes 5 miles of Clear Creek which provides quality fishing opportunities for brown trout and smallmouth bass.
State Nature Preserve: Clear Creek is home to the state of Ohio's largest nature preserve, an area of 4,729 acres. The park is a popular destination for birding enthusiasts.
Clear Creek: Anglers can picnic alongside the stream and fish for bass and brown trout as well as enjoy fishing from two docks at Lake Ramona.
Download Clear Creek Trail Metro Map>>
9801 Holland Croy Road, plain City, Ohio 43064
(Union County)
Glacier Ridge is located in Union County and has 1,000 acres featuring open grasslands and some rolling hills with woodlands. The park offers hiking, bike riding and horseback riding. The southern section of the park has 200 acres of restored wetlands.
Honda Wetlands Education Area: Blue herons, wood ducks, turtles, dragonflies and other wildlife can be found at this 200-acre restored wetland. A bike trail connects the wetlands to the northern part of Glacier Ridge.
Wind Turbine: A 7.5-Kw energy turbine and two solar panels help generate electricity for the park. Also featured are interactive displays in the Wind & Solar Learning Center.
Bridle Trail: A 5-mile bridle trail, the Savannah Trail, complete with horse trailer parking, is provided for horseback riding only.
Disc Golf Course: The 18-hole disc golf course is open every day and free to use.
Download Glacier Ridge Metro Map>>
7262 Hayden Run Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(Franklin County)
Two and a half miles northwest of Hilliard along the trail you will find The Homestead Park, a public park operated by Washington Township. This park contains many special play areas for children such as a water fort and toddler play area, as well as basketball and sand volleyball for those interested in active recreation.
The Heritage Trail is a multi-purpose trail converted from abandoned right-of-way located in Franklin and Madison Counties in Central Ohio. The trail starts in Old Hilliard off of Main Street and continues toward Plain City.
There are 2 trailheads, plus Homestead Park. The Hilliard Trailhead is located in the "Old Hilliard" historic district of Hilliard, which contains many shops and eateries, as well as the Northwest Historical Village, located in Weaver Park.
Northeast of Homestead Park is the Hayden Run Trailhead and horseback riding entry point.
Download Heritage Trail Metro Map>>
9466 U.S. 23 N., Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
(northern Franklin & southern Delaware counties)
Highbanks located between US Route 23 and the Olentangy River on the west side, features10 miles of hiking trails 2 Adena culture burial mounds and a pre-historic earthwork. The highlight of the park is the 110' shale bluff lookout above the Olentangy River.
Edward F. Hutchins State Nature Preserve: Visitors can see the prehistoric Cole earthworks and enjoy a spectacular view of the Olentangy River in this 206-acre dedicated state scenic nature preserve.
Stream side Study Area: This area can be reserved free-of-charge by schools or organized groups. School children can explore the river's aquatic life with the naturalist.
Dragonfly Day Camp: Organized youth groups can reserve this day camp area by calling 614.508.8111
Download Highbanks Trail Metro Map>>
940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(northern Franklin County)
Inniswood Metro Gardens feature 122 acres of forest and cultivated gardens and landscapes.
Feature Gardens: Inniswood Metro Gardens has a number of specialist feature gardens, including a memorial garden, rock garden, rose garden, conifer garden, sisters' garden and more.
Sisters' Garden is a tribute to the generous spirit of Grace and Mary Innis, the two women for creating the gardens on their land before it became part of the Metro Parks.
Innis House: The former home of sisters, Grace and Mary Innis, is the site for education programs, a horticultural reference collection and monthly art exhibits. Innis House is open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Tel. 614.895.6216, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. only).
More Inniswood Metro>>
Download Inniswood Trail Metro Map>>
7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, ohio 43110
(southeastern Franklin & northwestern Fairfield counties)
Pickerington Ponds is an ideal spot for bird watching with more than 270 species of waterfowl and migratory birds. Two observation areas, plus 2 observation decks offer quality view of the ponds. The park also contains beaver, fox, deer and other wildlife and 100s of acres of restored wetland habitat.
State Nature Preserve: 416 acres of Pickerington Ponds are dedicated as a state nature preserve.
Wildlife viewing: There are five observation areas in the park, all of them great places to view wildlife. From the observation decks at Bowen Road and Wright Road, overlooking Ellis Pond, you get good views of the great blue heron rookeries in the trees along the south shore. The best time to see the herons is between late March and mid-May. There are two spotting scopes on the deck at Bowen Road. The Bernard and Susan Master Deck at the Glacier Knoll Picnic Area overlooks Arrowhead Marsh, with views of the nesting ospreys. The deck has its own spotting scope. Best time to view the ospreys is late March to mid-July. The observation deck at the Wood Duck Picnic Area gives fine views of Mallard Marsh and Blue Wing Pond. At the far end of the Killdeer Trail, another observation deck overlooks Pintail Marsh.
Download Pickerington Ponds Trail Metro Map>>
3225 Plain City - Georgesville Road, Western Jefferson, Ohio 43162
(western Franklin & northeastern Madison counties)
Named for the large oaks that once dominated the land and as well as the prairies that flourished across Central Ohio. Hike along the Creek or across the tall grass prairie.
Darby Bend Lakes, the new water recreational area, features 3 beautiful lakes. Visitors can enjoy trails, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, non-motorized boating and picnicking. There is even a dog-swimming area for your pet.
Darby Bend Lakes features two picnic shelters. There are also shelters at the Whispering Oaks and Prairie View picnic areas, and 3 picnic tables at the Sycamore Plains Area.
Download Prairie Oaks Trail Metro Map>>
395 W. Whittier Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(Franklin County)
Scioto-Audubon Metro Park is still being developed, but some features are open to the public, including the observation deck and boat launch into the Scioto River.
Boat Ramp: You can launch your boat and sail the Scioto River.
Fishing Access: Fish the river from the boat ramp. Other fishing docks are planned.
Hiking and Biking: The Scioto Greenway Trail runs through the park, going south about 2 miles to Berliner Park, and north to Centennial Park, where there's a connection to the Olentangy Greenway Trail, which goes north to Wilson Bridge Road, just south of I-270 in Worthington.
Download Proposed Scioto-Audubon Trail Metro Map>>
6911 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(northern Franklin County)
Sharon Woods is 760 acres in northeastern Franklin County and is one of the most visited Metro Parks. The park has 3.8 miles of paved, 2-lane trail for joggers and bicyclists. The lake is open to fishing for those 15 and younger. There is also 3.5 miles of nature trails that wind through the woods and along streambeds.
Spring Hollow Lodge: This rustic lodge surrounded by trees is the perfect place to schedule meetings or family events.
Edward S. Thomas Nature Preserve: Several oaks that represent old growth and possibly the original trees can be found in this 319-acre preserve.
Schrock Lake: Children 15 and younger and adults 60 and older can fish for blue gill, bass and catfish in the 14-acre lake.
Download Sharon Woods Trail Metro Map>>
1375 S.R. 674 North, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
(northeastern Pickaway County)
Slate Run Metro has miles of trails and a 2.5 mile trail where pets are allowed. Next to the park is the Slate Run Living Historical Farm that provides year round glimpse of an 1880s Ohio farm complete with cattle, hogs, poultry, and crop planting through harvest.
Slate Run Youth Group Camp: This primitive 55-acre camp is available by reservation only for youth groups.
Buzzard's Roost Lake: Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant as you walk the trail near this 15-acre lake. Children 15 and younger can fish off the dock.
Slate Run Wetlands: Trails through the 156-acre wetlands and observation decks make this a destination for visitors and school groups who want to explore this fragile ecosystem.
Slate Run Living Historical Farm: This is the highlight of Slate Run: the preserved and restored historic 1880s farm. See for yourself what farm life was like not so long ago in Central Ohio including livestock and plantings. Included is the 1856 gothic revival style farm house that was built in 1856 and the barn built in 1881. You can speak with costumed staff and volunteers that are actually working the farm. The Slate Run Historical Farm has been actively farm since the early 1800s. Numerous families lived on the property and have modernized the buildings to suit their changing needs. After purchasing the land for a public park, the Metro Parks researched and restored the building to their original 1880s uses.
Download Slate Run Trail Metro Map>>
3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125
(Franklin County)
Three Creeks is 1049 acres dedicated to hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing and picnicking, plus athletic fields for baseball and soccer. At the center of the park is the confluence of Alum, Big Walnut and Blacklick Creeks.
Athletic fields: Sports enthusiasts can play soccer, baseball and field hockey at Sycamore Fields and other areas in the northern part of the park. For information, call Columbus Recreation and Parks at 614.645.3300.
Tram: Metro Parks operates a 42-passenger tram that travels along the trails. To schedule a free tram program with the naturalist or find out about upcoming programs, call 614.508.8111.
Download Three Creeks Trail Metro Map>>
Below is a map that shows all 15 of the Metro Parks located in central Ohio. To download a printable version of this map, CLICK HERE.
Download Metro Parks Printable Map>>