Valentine’s Night Light Hike and other free fun at Preservation Parks in Delaware

Preservation Parks in Delaware County offer lots of free events for the whole family all year long. While most programs have been suspended at the parks, you’ll still find plenty to do while enjoying some fresh air – and it’s all FREE.

Night Light Hike at Gallant Woods

Love, Light, and Recycling: A Luminary Walk for Valentine’s Weekend

On Valentine’s weekend, visit Gallant Woods Park for a free self-guided illuminated walk on Valentine’s weekend.

Preservation Parks will shine a light on recycling to celebrate love for planet Earth. The trail will be lit with candle luminaries made of plastic milk jugs. The free self-guided Valentine’s weekend evening walks will take place at Gallant Woods Park 6-7 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, February 13 & 14.  

With visitor health and safety in mind, the approximately one-mile-long gravel trail will be one-way. Please plan to attend only with your household group, wear facial coverings during the walk and maintain safe physical distancing. It’s going to be cold, so dress for the weather conditions. 

Demonstrating love for planet Earth, Preservation Parks is committed to using environmentally sustainable products and processes throughout the park district. Did you know that we have park benches, picnic tables, trash cans and recycling receptacles throughout the park district that are made of recycled materials?

Gallant Woods Park, 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

Winter Letterbox Adventure

Explore the parks this winter with a Winter Letterbox Adventure. The clues will take you on a winter exploration of 8 different parks in Delaware County, but instead of a letterbox, you’ll find a round sign!

Complete the form on the website to receive your Letterbox Adventure PDF booklet that includes instructions on how to do this special Winter Letterbox and directions to earn a fun prize pack.

Once you’ve solved all of the clues, fill out the form with the correct phrase to receive the code to the lockbox at Gallant Farm. Prizes will be available after Jan. 5. Prizes are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis until March 7.

Winter 100

Walk 100 miles or 100 kilometers from January 1 – March 31, 2021. Register, log your miles, and be connected to a community of walkers this winter. Learn more and register here. You’ll receive a tracking form, information on how to join the private Facebook group, and more!

When you finish your Winter 100, email your completed tracking form to saundras@preservationparks.com. Those who complete either distance (100 miles or kilometers) will receive a Preservation Parks Winter 100 decal through the mail.

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.

Backyard Scavenger Hunt

Prefer to stay in your own backyard? Print out these cards and place the clues in the specified location. Your family can use the clues to go on an adventure at home. Get the PDF here. No printer? Just write the clues on a piece of paper!

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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

Discover Delaware County Scavenger Hunt

Looking for more fun in Delaware? Learn about many natural and historical features of Delaware County! During this scavenger hunt you will be following the clues and visiting each of the 18 townships. Read each township clue before you go so you’ll be prepared for what you’re looking for. Once you collect the information, you’ll find the secret phrase form at the bottom of this page. Note: the prize submission portion of this challenge is over, but it’s still a fun way to get out of the house and explore! Find details and clues here.

This is a great activity for school-age or older kids, and can even make for a fun birthday adventure with a sweet treat at the end.