EVENTS
Join us at an upcoming event!
6th Annual Friends Gala: A Buzz-worthy Celebration
Friends of Metro Parks will be hosting our annual gala at Highbanks Metro Park this year. This signature event serves as a fundraiser for the Friends of Metro Parks and provides a wonderful opportunity to highlight the beautiful facilities maintained by our dedicated park staff.
The festivities will be held at the Northern Shelter within Highbanks Metro Park. We invite you to join us for a memorable evening of entertainment, including live music performed by the Whirlybirds, a variety of food and drinks, and an exciting raffle. We are also pleased to feature keynote speaker Luke Howard from The Bee Collective. Luke will discuss the importance of pollinators and natural spaces, share the mission of The Bee Collective, and showcase some of the sculptures in his Beecoming Home art series.
Buy your ticket today! https://metroparksfriends.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/metroparksfriends/event.jsp?event=7&
October Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
November Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
December Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
September Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
Make a Friend: Inclusive Smores
MAKE A FRIEND: INCLUSIVE S’MORES!
We are SO excited about this upcoming inclusive community event! Join the Friends of Metro Parks for our event “Make a Friend: Inclusive S’mores” and intentionally create a space where adults of ALL abilities can come together, connect, and build friendships!
Come enjoy an evening of s’mores, games, laughter, and new connections!
Thursday, August 27, 2026
5:30–7:30 PM
Highbanks Nature Center: 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center Ohio
Ages 18+ | All abilities welcome
Making friends can sometimes be hard, but opportunities like this make connecting a little easier. Come as you are and maybe leave with a new friend!
August Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
Hidden Gem: Sneak Peek Float at Bank Run Quarry.
Join us for a float at Bank Run Metro Park! The event side is open, but the public side is still under construction. Be the first group to check out the quarry lake at Bank Run!
Bring a paddle board, kayak, or canoe and take a trip out onto the lake. Remember, life jackets are required! We will be teaming up with Outdoor Adventure to help provide kayaks, paddle boards, and life jackets to anyone who isn't able to bring their own!
Not on the water? Bring a fishing pole and bait and check out what the quarry has to offer!
This event is open to Friends of Metro Parks members. Please RSVP
Make a Friend: Coffee & Dogs
Join Friends of Metro Parks at Quarry Trails on July 18th at 9am for our next "Make A Friend" series! This time, a coffee date with your dog! Make new friends who love dogs as much as you, and maybe set up your next doggy play date!
Meet at the lake parking lots near Bada Bean, grab yourself a coffee, tea, whatever, and take your morning walk with us up to the waterfall, around the lake, and back to the parking lot. We will be leaving at 9:15, so make sure to grab your morning fuel early, or bring your own!
Not long enough? Go check out the dog park with your new friends, or walk up to the park office and pick up your Pet Passport!
Dogs encouraged, but not required! If you are just a dog lover and looking to meet people, you're welcome to join! Please have all dogs leashed unless you are in the dog park.
A huge thank you to Tito's Handmade Vodka, the Vodka for Dog People for sponsoring our Pet Passports! Keep an eye out for more programming announcements in 2026!
July Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
GIANT Picnic
On Sunday, June 28th, pack up lunch, your friends,or your family, and join us at Highbanks Metro Park Big Meadows area. Yard Games, playgrounds, and lots of space to spread out and have one GIANT PICNIC from 12-2pm
Come meet new friends and neighbors and enjoy the great outdoor. Break out that cute picnic basket you got at that garage sale! Now is the time to show off your picnic gear and picnic packing skills! Or, grab some sandwiches at the store. All is acceptable at the GIANT PICNIC! We want to see how giant this picnic can get!
*Hot Dogs and Not Dogs for sale while supplies last, benefiting Friends of Metro Parks*
*No Alcohol, please*
June Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
May Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
Grow the Grove: Disc Golf Event
Welcome to Grow the Grove, a community-focused disc golf event at Scioto Grove Metro Park built around restoring and improving the course.
This event is a collaboration between Disc Golf Mart, Metro Parks Outdoor Adventures, and Friends of Metro Parks. Together, we’re working to revitalize Scioto Grove DGC and build a better long-term experience for players and park visitors.
This will not be a standard tournament. While the event will follow a structured round, the focus is not on placement or competition. Instead, the emphasis is on participation and involvement in improving the course.
Players will receive an event-specific disc as part of registration, with proceeds supporting course improvement efforts.
The course will feature select adjustments to tee and pin placements, along with small improvements focused on flow, safety, and playability. During the round, players will help plant wildflowers and native species, take part in a guided plant walk, and have the opportunity to share feedback on future updates.
Metro Parks staff and Outdoor Adventures will be involved throughout the event, both at HQ and on the course helping guide planting efforts and answer questions.
Event HQ will be located at the Grove Lodge, with seeds, snacks, drinks, and educational materials available throughout the evening.
This event is relaxed and open to all skill levels.
Earth Day Clean Up: Scioto Grove Disc Golf Course
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
April 22nd
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join us to help clear honeysuckle, define fairways, and prepare the course ahead of the event. Metro Parks staff and event organizers will be on-site to guide efforts.
Pet Passport Adventures! Rocky Fork
Join us for a dog friendly hike at Rocky Fork led by naturalist Stephanie West! Meet at the Millstone Shelter House at 2:00, ask questions, and enjoy a walk with your pup!
Arrive at 1:30 for photos and to pick up your pet passport! We will be there with our photo station, sponsored by a grant from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Visit the Metro Parks with your pup to earn a cool prize once the passport is completed!
About the grant:
Dogs have been a part of the Tito’s Handmade Vodka story from the very beginning.
What started as helping a few dogs around the distillery soon became an initiative dedicated to strengthening the human–animal bond. Through their Vodka for Dog People program, Tito’s amplifies the work of animal-focused nonprofits across the country and beyond, focusing efforts on low-cost spay and neuter services, affordable veterinary care, and adoptions. Between countless yappy hours, sponsored events, and dog-friendly workspaces, Tito’s has been committed to supporting pets and their people for over 25 years. To learn more visit: vodkafordogpeople.com
April Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
March Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting
Cozy Craft Night: Paper Plants
Join Friends of Metro Parks at Spring Hollow Lodge on February 26th from 4:30 to 7 to settle down and get some creative juices flowing. We will be making paper plants and hopefully summon the springtime!
Arrive between 4:30 and 6, we will be leaving the park at 7.
Want to work on your crochet, scrapbook, chainmail or mending? You can bring your own project, spend time out of your house, and get your crafting on!
February Board Meeting
Board Meeting for Friends of Metro Parks.
Email friends@metroparks.net for more information about this meeting.
S'more Than Friends: S'mores Extravaganza!
Join us at Highbanks Nature Center on February 13th from 5 to 7 for some gourmet s'mores with Friends of Metro Parks and people trying to meet other people!
Finding it hard to make friends as an adult? Looking for love? New in town? Whether you're trying to make friends, or find something s'more, stop on by, meet other parks enthusiasts and make connections at this adults-only program!
Find us in the Multi Purpose Room at the Nature Center!
Friends of Metro Parks Annual Planning Meeting
Friends of Metro Parks annual planning meeting will be taking place at Highbanks Metro Park.
If you have questions about this meeting, please contact friends@metroparks.net
Friends of Metro Parks Board Meeting
Email friends@metroparks.net for meeting location.
Friends of Metro Parks Board Meeting
Email friends@metroparks.net for meeting location.
Friends of Metro Parks Board Meeting
Email friends@metroparks.net for meeting location.
Nocterra Field Day
Join Nocterra Brewing Co., Disc Golf Mart, and Friends of Metro Parks for the first-ever disc golf tournament and festival at Scioto Audubon Metro Park! For one day only, a temporary course will be set up for competition and play, alongside clinics with local pros, live demos, and interactive workstations to sharpen your skills.
Enjoy a full Field Day of fun with disc golf mini games, raffles, competitions, and a lively Vendor Village. Refuel with delicious food and drinks, then celebrate with a special Nocterra Happy Hour after the action wraps up. Plus, experience the excitement of live falcon flights and discussions throughout the day by the Ohio School of Falconry.
Payouts will be in the form of sponsored prizes and trophies as this is a fundraiser. All proceeds support Friends of Metro Parks and will help determine the future of an Annual Event at Scioto Audubon.
Link to Register: https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournament/Nocterra_Open_2025
Friends of Metro Parks Board Meeting
Email friends@metroparks.net for meeting location.
Butterfly Garden Clean Up: September
We are always asked for volunteer opportunities, and we have one every month! Starting April 30th, we will be cleaning up the Butterfly Garden at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
Meet at the corner of Maier and Whittier at 5:30
The signup list (below) has a full schedule for our upcoming work days! After three years of working on this garden, we are finally able to say it is coming along nicely, and we've got the invasives much more under control!
Butterfly Garden Clean Up: August
We are always asked for volunteer opportunities, and we have one every month! Starting April 30th, we will be cleaning up the Butterfly Garden at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
Meet at the corner of Maier and Whittier at 5:30
The signup list (below) has a full schedule for our upcoming work days! After three years of working on this garden, we are finally able to say it is coming along nicely, and we've got the invasives much more under control!
Friends of Metro Parks Board Meeting
Email friends@metroparks.net for meeting location.
Friends of Metro Parks Board Meeting
Email friends@metroparks.net for meeting location.
Butterfly Garden Clean Up: July
We are always asked for volunteer opportunities, and we have one every month! Starting April 30th, we will be cleaning up the Butterfly Garden at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
Meet at the corner of Maier and Whittier at 6:00!
The signup list (below) has a full schedule for our upcoming work days! After three years of working on this garden, we are finally able to say it is coming along nicely, and we've got the invasives much more under control!