Free fun at Preservation Parks in Delaware

Preservation Parks in Delaware County offer lots of free events for the whole family all year long.

Whether you just go explore the parks, or you attend events, you’ll find plenty to do while enjoying some fresh air – and it’s all FREE.

photo: Preservation Parks

Year Round fun at Preservation Parks

Letterbox Adventure

Explore the parks a Letterbox Adventure. The clues will take you on an exploration of different parks in Delaware County, but instead of a letterbox, you’ll find hidden animal plaques! Letterbox Adventures are different each season, so you can participate more than once per year!

Complete the form on the website to receive your Letterbox Adventure PDF booklet that includes instructions on how to do the current Letterbox, plus directions to earn a fun prize pack.

Once you’ve solved all of the clues, follow the directions to collect your prize! Winter Letterbox Adventure runs from December 20-March 20.

Fun at Gallant Farms

Gallant Farm represents a 1930s Delaware County family farm with a farmhouse, barn, livestock and lots more. 
Winter Hours: September-April: Thursday – Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
Summer Hours: May-August: Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m.

Gallant Farm 2150 Buttermilk Hill Road.

FLEX Trails (Free Local EXercise)

Want to do more than walk? Head to Char-Mar Ridge park and use the FLEX Trail guides for a bodyweight workout that’ll give you a challenge. These signs give visitors optional guided bodyweight workouts throughout their hike or run to encourage physical wellness and a more interactive experience on the trails. You’ll find exercises like walking lunges, squats, tricep dips, and more.

Winter fun at Preservation Parks

New Year’s Day Hike at Blues Creek Park

January 1 at 10 am. All ages. Kick off the new year by joining us for our annual first hike of the year. Walk the scenic 1.1-mile Shagbark Loop trail and then finish up with some hot refreshments.

Golden Marathon Hiking

Mondays, December – February at 1:30 pm. See schedule for location each week. 

Presented by SourcePoint. Ages 55+. Enjoy an approximately two mile walk with older adults in beautiful parks. Registration begins December 20 at MySourcePoint.org/ec or with customer service.

Winter 100

December 26, 2022-March 31, 2023. Walk 100 miles or 100 kilometers (62 miles) this winter to stay healthy during the cold weather. Register, log your miles, and be connected to a community of walkers. Learn more and register here after December 26.

You’ll receive a tracking form, information on how to join the private Facebook group, and more!

Savoring Sunset Series

January 8, 5 p.m. (ETP)
February 5, 5:45 p.m. (SHP)

Hike with the intention of savoring the beautiful gift of sunset. Each sunset brings the opportunity to witness unique beauty, cultivate gratitude, and experience joy as our planet twirls towards night. We’ll hike peacefully together and highlight walking meditation practices. Ages 7+. 

WHOOOO GOES THERE?

January 13, 7 p.m. (GWP)
February 10, 7 p.m. (HWP)

Join two nocturnal adventures into the woods and fields to call for owls and learn about their natural history. Ages 7+.

Little Adventurers

Wednesday, January 25 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Deer Haven Park
Saturday, January 28 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Deer Haven Park

Explore and get comfortable in nature with your little ones! Bundle up as we discover what the winter season offers with informal stations featuring hands-on activities and crafts. Please dress for the weather. Ages 0-5, with adult

National Seed Swap Day at Gallant Farm

Saturday, January 28, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Farmers and gardeners save seeds and starts from plants for the next year’s planting season. Delaware County Master Gardeners will celebrate our 6th annual National Seed Swap Day at Gallant Farm. Seeds and materials to learn about heirloom plants will be available for farm visitors as takeaways for all ages.

Valentine Luminary Hike

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Gallant Woods Park

All Ages can celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones by venturing along on a special candle lit nature trail after dark, then warm up with cocoa and cookies under the picnic shelter.

Birds & Brews

Saturday February 18, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Bird hike with Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Then fly to the Visitor Center for a freshly brewed bird friendly coffee. Celebrate the Great Backyard Bird Count with crafts and other fun activities, featuring special guest, Ohio Nature Education. Make sure to check out the live owls in the aviary, too.

Junior Adventurers

Sunday, Feb. 19, 1-3 p.m. Deer Haven Park, Ages 6-9

This is an informal self-guided outdoor program that dives deeper into nature. We will celebrate what the winter season offers with hands-on activities, so dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by a guardian but the whole family is welcome.

Sunday March 12, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Deer Haven Park, Ages 6 – 10

Celebrate what the spring season offers with hands-on activity stations and a craft. This is an informal self-guided program that dives deeper into nature! Participants must be accompanied by a guardian and the whole family is welcome. Please dress for the weather and to get messy!

Maple Syrup Weekend at Gallant Farm

Saturday & Sunday, February 25-26, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Come to Gallant Farm and see how maple syrup is made from the tap in the tree to the evaporator pan. Then sample some of this sweet product and enjoy self-guided tours of the grounds and farmhouse.

Railroad Fun at Sandel Legacy Trail

Saturdays, March 18, April 15, May 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sundays, March 19, April 16, May 21 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Stop in at the model railroad display open houses and meet members of the Delaware County Model Railroad Club. They are available to talk about the history of railroads in America and model railroading. 

See the calendar for other events, including night hikes, take and make events, and more.

Preservation Parks in Delaware County

Blues Creek Park
9627 Fontanelle Road, Ostrander, OH 43061

Char-Mar Ridge Park
7741 Lewis Center Road, Westerville, OH 43082

Deer Haven Park
4183 Liberty Road, Delaware, OH 43015

Emily Traphagen Park
5094 Seldom Seen Road, Powell, OH 43065

Gallant Farm
2150 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware, OH 43015

Gallant Woods Park
2151 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware, OH 43015

Hogback Ridge Park
2656 Hogback Road, Sunbury, OH 43074

River Run Park
168 Main Road, Delaware 43015

Shale Hollow Park
6320 Artesian Run, Lewis Center, OH 43035

Future Park (Pollock Road)
1271 Pollock Road, Delaware, OH 43015

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Over 100 events celebrating Fall and Halloween in Columbus for 2022

Spring fun at Preservation Parks

Self-Guided Wildflower Trail

April-May at Shale Hollow Park

Celebrate Ohio Native Plant Month with Preservation Parks and the Delaware County Master Gardeners! Enjoy a self-guided trail spotlighting the variety of spring ephemerals on display throughout the Shale Hollow natural play area.

Bloom dates are weather dependent so the trail opening will be announced on social media and our program calendar. 

Mystery Adventure on the Farm at Gallant Farm

Thursday – Sundays, April 1-30, 2022, from 12 pm – 5 pm. 
Bring the kiddos to the farm in April and follow the clues to solve a puzzle. The young detectives will have so much fun exploring they won’t notice they are learning along the way.

Golden Marathon Hiking

Mondays, April 4 – May 23 at 9:30 am or 1:30 pm. See schedule for location each week. 
Presented by SourcePoint. Ages 55+. Enjoy an approximately two mile walk with older adults in beautiful parks. Registration begins December 20 at MySourcePoint.org/ec or with customer service.

Little Adventurers

Wednesday, April 6 from 10 a. – 12 pm at Deer Haven Park
Saturday, April 9 from 10 am – 12 pm at Deer Haven Park
Ages 0-5, with adult Explore and get comfortable in nature with your little ones! Drop in anytime between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to enjoy informal self-guided stations featuring hands-on activities and crafts as we discover what the spring season has to offer! Please dress for the weather.

Make It, Take It: Natural Egg Dyeing at Deer Haven Park

Sunday, April 10 at 1:00p.m.
Ages 15+ Register by April 3, $5 Fee Discover how you can add color to your eggs naturally! Learn the steps to make the dyes and then color a dozen hard boiled eggs (provided) to take home and enjoy.

Ohio Nature Education – 25th Birthday Bash

Sunday, May 1 from 1 – 4 p.m. Deer Haven Park, All ages. Join partner, Ohio Nature Education (ONE), in celebrating the 25th anniversary of their founding and sharing the message that we all need nature! Come have your photo taken with a LIVE hawk or owl, make fun crafts, learn more about the birds in the aviary and enjoy light refreshments while supplies last. Donations accepted.

Luminary Walk

Saturday, May 28 at 9 pm – 11 pm at Deer Haven Park. All ages. Join us from 9 – 11 p.m. for a relaxing nighttime stroll along a beautiful luminary-lit trail.

Summer Fun at Preservation Parks

Antique Tractor Show at Gallant Farm

Saturday, June 18, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. Gallant Farm, All Ages Discover the machines that transformed farming forever. There will be various equipment demonstrations throughout the day along with family activities. If you have an antique tractor, you may bring it starting at 8 a.m. For information call 740-595-3020.

Thursday Evening Concerts in the Park at Gallant Woods Preserve

Thursday, July 7 – August 11, 2022, from 7-8:30 pm. Bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic (no alcohol). 

July 7: L.A. Band (Motown Dance)
Jul 14: Piano Fiasco (Dueling Pianos)
July 21: 730 Club Band (Soft Rock)
July 28: Swing is the Thing (17 Piece Brass Band)
August 4: Steve Madewell (Acoustic)
August 11: Muleskinner Band (Bluegrass, Country)

Adventure Run at Gallant Woods Park

Saturday, August 6, 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. Gallant Woods Park, Ages 7+ Register by August 3 Get “in” to nature…literally. Run the Gallant Woods primitive adventure trail while maneuvering through mud pits and conquering both natural and man-made obstacles (including a slip and slide down the sledding hill).

The run is family friendly and just under 2 miles. No strollers or pets please. Be prepared to get wet and muddy. FREE If you need to cancel your registration, please email register@preservationparks.com or call (740) 524-8600 x103.

Aviary Enrichment at Deer Haven Park

Saturday, Aug. 20, – 4:30 P.M. Deer Haven Park, Ages 6+ Families are invited to join our partners, Ohio Nature Education, as we create enrichment items for the birds at the Deer Haven Park Aviary. We’ll then step outside to see which items the birds prefer.

Paper Moon Festival at Gallant Farm

Saturday, August 20, 6 – 8 P.M. Gallant Farm, All Ages Before the days of digital photography and “selfies,” most people did not own a camera and to get a professional portrait in a studio was costly. But, for as little as nickel, one could pose for a “Man-in-the Moon” photo in front of a paper moon at an arcade or carnival. Come to Gallant Farm to pose for a photo on our paper moon and enjoy fun, family activities.

Movie Under the Stars: Twister at Gallant Farm

Friday, September 2, 7:30 – 11 P.M. Twister rated PG-13 Gallant Farm Prepare to be blown away with the classic feature film, Twister, rated PG-13, starring Helen Hunt and produced by Steven Spielberg. Gallant Farm is the perfect venue to view this timeless thriller. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy free popcorn and snow cones before the movie begins at 8:30 P.M.

Fall Fun at Preservation Parks

Step into Fall: Hike Them All Series

Sept. 1 – Nov. 30. All Ages, Registration required

Take the challenge to hike all the Preservation Parks’ nature trails this fall with the first ever Step Into Fall Hike Them All Challenge.

Sign up for free and receive a Preservation Parks nature trail checklist to mark your journey OR register for $15 and receive a hiking staff and custom challenge medallion (while supplies last) that you can add yourself OR if you just want a medallion to add to your own hiking stick, you can register for a $5.00 fee. Add a new Hike Them All Challenge medallion to your hiking stick each year.

Find details about registration, redemption, and more.

Fall Yoga Series – Sun Salutations

Tuesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 27, and October 4,10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Deer Haven Park, All Ages Take in the last warmth of the sun as we progress through the Sun Salutation yoga postures. Come to one or all four sessions. Bring a mat. Sessions will be outdoors but may move indoors in the event of inclement weather.

Monarchs and More

Saturday, September 24 & Sunday, September 25, 12 – 5 PM at Deer Haven Park, All ages
Fly over to the Visitor Center for an afternoon of beautiful colors, shapes and forms that make up our local insect fauna, including Monarchs! Play games, make crafts, catch and see live bugs, explore the trails, and enjoy refreshments as we learn about their migration to Mexico.

We tag and release live monarchs at 2 PM each day weather permitting! Natives in Harmony will be selling Ohio Native Plants during the event to help you can start your own pollinator friendly garden!

Junior Adventurers: FALL

Sunday October 2, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Deer Haven Park, Ages 6 – 9 This is an informal self-guided outdoor program that dives deeper into nature! We will celebrate what the fall season offers with hands-on activities, so come prepared to get messy! The whole family is welcome.

Owl Prowl Nocturnal Hike

October 7, 7 pm – 9 pm at Char-Mar Ridge Park

How do animals live in the darkness? Join us on a 1 mile hike led by a Preservation Parks naturalist, and learn how animals navigate the dark while using your senses to experience the park at night. Listen for owls, smell the night air, and star gaze on this fun family hike. No flashlights necessary.

Stick around post hike for a cup of of hot cocoa provided by Public Lands, and a souvenir Stanley camp mug, courtesy of Jack Wolfskin. Register here.

World Migratory Bird Day Hike

Saturday October 8, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Hogback Ridge Park, All ages. Join us for a relaxing hike watching for Northern bird migrants returning to their winter homes in Central and South America. Learn more about World Migratory Bird Day’s 2022 theme “Dim the Lights For Birds At Night.” Experience is not necessary. Binoculars will be available.

Little Adventurers: FALL

Wednesday, October 12 & Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. Deer Haven Park, Ages 0-5 This is an informal outdoor program with the main goal of exploring and being comfortable in nature! We will celebrate what the fall season offers with hands-on activities and crafts, so come prepared to get messy! Children must be with a guardian but the whole family is welcome.

Gallant Farm 10TH Anniversary Celebration

Sunday October 16, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Gallant Farm All Ages We are turning ten and to celebrate we will host an “All About Apples Anniversary”! Come out to the farm and see how apples are pressed for cider, help stir a large pot of apple butter, and taste the results. Tour the Depression Era farmhouse, enjoy fun activities, or simply enjoy fall on the farm.

Scarecrow Building Contest

Friday, October 21, 5:30 P.M. at Gallant Woods Park, All Ages Register by October 14. Bring the whole family to build a scarecrow. We will provide the frame and stuffing; you bring the clothing other items to decorate your unique scarecrow. Judging will take place during the Trick or Treat Trail on Oct. 23

Trick or Treat Trail

Sunday, October 23, 1 pm – 4 pm at Gallant Woods Park
Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, meet some creepy critters, vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. It’s all free!

Chillin’ with Mammals

Saturday, November 12, 12 – 5:00 p.m. Shale Hollow Park, All Ages Head to the lodge to learn all about mammals! Touch real skulls and pelts, finish a craft to take home, and go on our “GAIT” trail to experience how different mammals walk.

Warm up with a bowl of chili by the fire and meet Ohio Nature Education’s LIVE mammals. Free, but donations accepted.