Celebrate Earth Science Week, take a hayride and more at Metro Parks
October is prime time to be outside, and the Metro Parks offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the season.
This week’s highlight is the Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park, with hayrides, a corn maze, archery, games, crafts and a chance to meet some animals.
Elsewhere, you’ll find something for all ages and interests. Take a toddler on an amble at Blacklick Woods, or challenge yourself with a geology hike at Highbanks.
Adults can take a deep dive into the skills and materials needed to grow milkweed successfully, and junior high and high school kids can discover how to help the Metro Parks as volunteers. And yogis can dress up in costume and take part in spooky yoga at Scioto Grove.
All programs are free, and none of the programs featured here require pre-registration. For information on these and other programs, call 614-508-8111 or visit www.metroparks.net.
h Adults up for an adventure are welcome to celebrate Earth Science Week
in a two-mile off-trail hike from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 15, leaving from the Highbanks Metro Park Nature Center,
9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center. The hike will head into the Highbanks ravine, and is open to those 18 and older who are encouraged to expect mud, wear closetoed shoes (no Crocs) and bring along a hiking pole and a full change of clothes, just in case.
h Get all the details on growing milkweed to attract and nourish monarch butterflies in a program for adults from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Nature Center at Blendon Woods, 4265 E. Dublingranville Road, Westerville. Take a clean, empty milk jug, and learn about milk-jug winter sowing, stratification of seeds in the refrigerator, water germination and supplies you might need for your milkweed project. You’ll be taking home a starter milkweed garden.
h Kids up to age 4 can take to the trails from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 16 at Blacklick Woods, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg. Expect a slow-paced halfmile stroll, with plenty of time to stop and study acorns, leaves and other marvels.
h Anyone 11 to 17 who might be interested in volunteering at Inniswood Metro Gardens can find out more about the Junior Volunteer program from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 16 at Inniswood, 940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville. Learn about the many possible volunteer positions, meet the Inniswood educators, talk with current Junior Volunteers and enjoy games and refreshments.
h Slate Run will be going all in with seasonal fun in its Fall Fest, held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 at Buzzards Roost Picnic Area, 1375 Route 674 N, Canal Winchester. Enjoy a hayride, a corn maze, archery, games and crafts, and get to know some of the animals from the Ohio Wildlife Center.
h Dress in your Halloween finest and head to the Arrowhead Picnic Shelter at
Scioto Grove for some seasonal yoga. A
spooky slow yoga flow will celebrate the full moon from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Oct. 20 at the park, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City.