Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks
@cbusmetroparks.bsky.social
20 natural area parks with 230 miles of trails & over 28,000 acres of land in seven Central Ohio counties.
https://sprout.link/cbusmetroparks
https://sprout.link/cbusmetroparks
📍 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
This 1.1-mile trail is considered moderate to difficult and winds through grasslands, large sycamore trees, and along Big Darby Creek!
#cbusmetroparks
October 21, 2025 at 12:01 PM
📍 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
This 1.1-mile trail is considered moderate to difficult and winds through grasslands, large sycamore trees, and along Big Darby Creek!
#cbusmetroparks
Open your calendars, invite your friends, and make sure to join us for this year's Darby Creek Day event! 🐟
September 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
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!
We'll have hayrides, corn mazes, and so much more!
September 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Join us for Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park on October 11 🎃
We'll have hayrides, corn mazes, and so much more!
We'll have hayrides, corn mazes, and so much more!
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!
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!
September 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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!
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.
September 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM
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.
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
Where: Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Darby Bend Lakes Area
When: September 14, 2025 from 11am - 3pm
#cbusmetroparks
September 4, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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
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
If you've got the drive, apply today: bit.ly/3UKDGfD
August 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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
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
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Catherine Bigger
August 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Catherine Bigger
Have you seen something darting around in the creeks and rivers? It could be a darter! Darters are adapted for life in the swift-flowing sections of clear, rocky streams (like Big Darby Creek) 🐟
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Rainbow Darter at Battelle Darby Creek, Mac Albin
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Rainbow Darter at Battelle Darby Creek, Mac Albin
August 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Have you seen something darting around in the creeks and rivers? It could be a darter! Darters are adapted for life in the swift-flowing sections of clear, rocky streams (like Big Darby Creek) 🐟
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Rainbow Darter at Battelle Darby Creek, Mac Albin
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Rainbow Darter at Battelle Darby Creek, Mac Albin
The bridge over the Scioto River at Quarry Trails Metro Park is now OPEN! This truss bridge was formerly used for trains, and can now be used as an observation deck to view the Scioto River. Please be aware that there is no access to the east side of the river.
#cbusmetroparks
#cbusmetroparks
August 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The bridge over the Scioto River at Quarry Trails Metro Park is now OPEN! This truss bridge was formerly used for trains, and can now be used as an observation deck to view the Scioto River. Please be aware that there is no access to the east side of the river.
#cbusmetroparks
#cbusmetroparks
The Blacklick Woods Nature Center recently got a makeover 🐛 Go check out new displays and old friends, and even an indoor mini canopy walk (say whaaaattt?!)
Thanks to the park staff and everyone who helped transform the space!
#cbusmetroparks
Thanks to the park staff and everyone who helped transform the space!
#cbusmetroparks
August 11, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The Blacklick Woods Nature Center recently got a makeover 🐛 Go check out new displays and old friends, and even an indoor mini canopy walk (say whaaaattt?!)
Thanks to the park staff and everyone who helped transform the space!
#cbusmetroparks
Thanks to the park staff and everyone who helped transform the space!
#cbusmetroparks
Butterflies use a straw-like mouth part, called a proboscis, to suck up damp minerals. Like the sweat on your body! 🥵
#cbusmetroparks
📽️ Battelle Darby Creek Naturalists
#cbusmetroparks
📽️ Battelle Darby Creek Naturalists
July 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Butterflies use a straw-like mouth part, called a proboscis, to suck up damp minerals. Like the sweat on your body! 🥵
#cbusmetroparks
📽️ Battelle Darby Creek Naturalists
#cbusmetroparks
📽️ Battelle Darby Creek Naturalists
It's National Moth Week!
This moth, the Hyalophora cecropia moth, is a short-lived and nocturnal moth with intricate orange, black, and brown wings that span 5-7 inches. All this, and it has a fuzzy, orange head!
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jeff Krugh
This moth, the Hyalophora cecropia moth, is a short-lived and nocturnal moth with intricate orange, black, and brown wings that span 5-7 inches. All this, and it has a fuzzy, orange head!
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jeff Krugh
July 24, 2025 at 11:37 AM
It's National Moth Week!
This moth, the Hyalophora cecropia moth, is a short-lived and nocturnal moth with intricate orange, black, and brown wings that span 5-7 inches. All this, and it has a fuzzy, orange head!
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jeff Krugh
This moth, the Hyalophora cecropia moth, is a short-lived and nocturnal moth with intricate orange, black, and brown wings that span 5-7 inches. All this, and it has a fuzzy, orange head!
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jeff Krugh
📍 Spring Creek Trail, Sharon Woods Metro Park
This 1.8-mile trail is considered easy to moderate, crossing two steep hills, running alongside Spring Creek🌳This trail is also dog-friendly. Please remember that all dogs must remain on leashes within the park.
#cbusmetroparks
This 1.8-mile trail is considered easy to moderate, crossing two steep hills, running alongside Spring Creek🌳This trail is also dog-friendly. Please remember that all dogs must remain on leashes within the park.
#cbusmetroparks
July 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
📍 Spring Creek Trail, Sharon Woods Metro Park
This 1.8-mile trail is considered easy to moderate, crossing two steep hills, running alongside Spring Creek🌳This trail is also dog-friendly. Please remember that all dogs must remain on leashes within the park.
#cbusmetroparks
This 1.8-mile trail is considered easy to moderate, crossing two steep hills, running alongside Spring Creek🌳This trail is also dog-friendly. Please remember that all dogs must remain on leashes within the park.
#cbusmetroparks
We're building bridges at Metro Parks...literally!
Recently, the team at Prairie Oaks, alongside our CSI (Columbus School Intern) team, was able to rebuild a bridge along the Darby Creek Greenway Trail🔨
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Klever
Recently, the team at Prairie Oaks, alongside our CSI (Columbus School Intern) team, was able to rebuild a bridge along the Darby Creek Greenway Trail🔨
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Klever
July 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
We're building bridges at Metro Parks...literally!
Recently, the team at Prairie Oaks, alongside our CSI (Columbus School Intern) team, was able to rebuild a bridge along the Darby Creek Greenway Trail🔨
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Klever
Recently, the team at Prairie Oaks, alongside our CSI (Columbus School Intern) team, was able to rebuild a bridge along the Darby Creek Greenway Trail🔨
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Klever
We can't read your mind (yet), so we need your thoughts instead!
Let us know how we're doing and help guide the future of your Metro Parks🌳
Take the survey: www.research.net/r/cbusmetrop...
#cbusmetroparks
Let us know how we're doing and help guide the future of your Metro Parks🌳
Take the survey: www.research.net/r/cbusmetrop...
#cbusmetroparks
July 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
We can't read your mind (yet), so we need your thoughts instead!
Let us know how we're doing and help guide the future of your Metro Parks🌳
Take the survey: www.research.net/r/cbusmetrop...
#cbusmetroparks
Let us know how we're doing and help guide the future of your Metro Parks🌳
Take the survey: www.research.net/r/cbusmetrop...
#cbusmetroparks
We're in the mix of the dog days of summer 🔥 Grab your pooch and head on over to Battelle Darby Creek or Prairie Oaks to cool off in the dog swimming areas! You'll be sure to have a blast 🐶
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Nixon
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Nixon
July 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
We're in the mix of the dog days of summer 🔥 Grab your pooch and head on over to Battelle Darby Creek or Prairie Oaks to cool off in the dog swimming areas! You'll be sure to have a blast 🐶
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Nixon
#cbusmetroparks
📸 John Nixon
Spotted in the woods: the Scaly Ink Cap 🍄
They tend to grow in clusters on rotted hardwood, and while initially white, they turn black as they get older and eventually dissolve into a black "ink"!
#cbusmetroparks
They tend to grow in clusters on rotted hardwood, and while initially white, they turn black as they get older and eventually dissolve into a black "ink"!
#cbusmetroparks
July 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Spotted in the woods: the Scaly Ink Cap 🍄
They tend to grow in clusters on rotted hardwood, and while initially white, they turn black as they get older and eventually dissolve into a black "ink"!
#cbusmetroparks
They tend to grow in clusters on rotted hardwood, and while initially white, they turn black as they get older and eventually dissolve into a black "ink"!
#cbusmetroparks
Inniswood is blooming! 🌸🌼 Stroll the winding paths and take in the colors, scents, and beauty of thousands of flowers bursting to life. There’s no better time to visit the gardens!
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jack Rockwood
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jack Rockwood
June 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Inniswood is blooming! 🌸🌼 Stroll the winding paths and take in the colors, scents, and beauty of thousands of flowers bursting to life. There’s no better time to visit the gardens!
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jack Rockwood
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Jack Rockwood
June's photo of the month comes from Sharon Woods Metro Park, where Sunny the Aussie got to greet three of the Rangers 🐶
Have a photo you want to submit as a photo of the month? Send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Photo of the Month."
#cbusmetroparks
Have a photo you want to submit as a photo of the month? Send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Photo of the Month."
#cbusmetroparks
June 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
June's photo of the month comes from Sharon Woods Metro Park, where Sunny the Aussie got to greet three of the Rangers 🐶
Have a photo you want to submit as a photo of the month? Send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Photo of the Month."
#cbusmetroparks
Have a photo you want to submit as a photo of the month? Send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Photo of the Month."
#cbusmetroparks
Saturday, June 28th is National Day of Play! Play Day is an annual celebration on the final Saturday of June that recognizes the benefits of sport, play, and movement 🏃
Join us at some Day of Play Programs - check them out below ⤵️
#cbusmetroparks
Join us at some Day of Play Programs - check them out below ⤵️
#cbusmetroparks
June 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Saturday, June 28th is National Day of Play! Play Day is an annual celebration on the final Saturday of June that recognizes the benefits of sport, play, and movement 🏃
Join us at some Day of Play Programs - check them out below ⤵️
#cbusmetroparks
Join us at some Day of Play Programs - check them out below ⤵️
#cbusmetroparks
June 16th-22nd is Pollinator Week - a week to highlight the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystems 🐝 These essential creatures, including bees, butterflies, & and hummingbirds, are the heroes behind the food we enjoy & the beauty that surrounds us.
#cbusmetroparks
#cbusmetroparks
June 19, 2025 at 11:40 AM
June 16th-22nd is Pollinator Week - a week to highlight the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystems 🐝 These essential creatures, including bees, butterflies, & and hummingbirds, are the heroes behind the food we enjoy & the beauty that surrounds us.
#cbusmetroparks
#cbusmetroparks
Ready for a summer adventure through time? Join our History Challenge on #OuterSpatial and uncover the history of your Metro Parks!
Download the app and join the challenge: bit.ly/4dFYvS7
Download the app and join the challenge: bit.ly/4dFYvS7
June 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Ready for a summer adventure through time? Join our History Challenge on #OuterSpatial and uncover the history of your Metro Parks!
Download the app and join the challenge: bit.ly/4dFYvS7
Download the app and join the challenge: bit.ly/4dFYvS7
Longer days = more time for trails, turtles, and tree hikes 🐢
See what’s happening this month across your 20 Metro Parks: bit.ly/43vTzKX
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Kim Strosnider
See what’s happening this month across your 20 Metro Parks: bit.ly/43vTzKX
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Kim Strosnider
June 2, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Longer days = more time for trails, turtles, and tree hikes 🐢
See what’s happening this month across your 20 Metro Parks: bit.ly/43vTzKX
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Kim Strosnider
See what’s happening this month across your 20 Metro Parks: bit.ly/43vTzKX
#cbusmetroparks
📸 Kim Strosnider
Before vs. After
You may have noticed the rose trellis at Inniswood Metro Gardens getting a complete makeover - over the past several months, it was torn down, rebuilt, and painted🌹
1st photo: May 2025, Liz Christian
2nd photo: October 2019, Bryan Knowles
#cbusmetroparks
You may have noticed the rose trellis at Inniswood Metro Gardens getting a complete makeover - over the past several months, it was torn down, rebuilt, and painted🌹
1st photo: May 2025, Liz Christian
2nd photo: October 2019, Bryan Knowles
#cbusmetroparks
May 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Before vs. After
You may have noticed the rose trellis at Inniswood Metro Gardens getting a complete makeover - over the past several months, it was torn down, rebuilt, and painted🌹
1st photo: May 2025, Liz Christian
2nd photo: October 2019, Bryan Knowles
#cbusmetroparks
You may have noticed the rose trellis at Inniswood Metro Gardens getting a complete makeover - over the past several months, it was torn down, rebuilt, and painted🌹
1st photo: May 2025, Liz Christian
2nd photo: October 2019, Bryan Knowles
#cbusmetroparks