Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks (Metro Parks) is a public agency serving the citizens of central Ohio by providing a regional system of clean, safe, natural area parks. Metro Parks features 20 outstanding natural area parks with more than 230 miles of trails and over 28,700 acres of land in seven central Ohio counties.

Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks

The first settlers considered the wet prairies of the Darby Plains as unfit for agriculture and referred to them as the “barrens.” The land was used initially for pasture. In time, ditching and tiling transformed the inhospitable wet prairie into valuable agricultural land.

By the start of the 21st century, Metro Parks had restored about 400 acres of prairie at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. All of the reconstructed prairies to that date were created on land that had been farmed or used for pasture, and which still included drainage tiles. A far larger project, to create wet prairies of the type widely known in the Darby Plains before European settlement was begun in the early 2000s.

Darby Plains Wet Prairie

Look for changes in the trees and water levels as you experience the beauty of Lake Emily. This 9-acre lake provides beautiful scenes throughout the year.

Lake Emily at Clear Creek Metro Park

Pickerington Ponds is a premier spot for birdwatching, with more than 260 species seen. The combination of seasonal ponds and rich wetland vegetation, with bordering woodlands, serve as a magnet for migrating waterfowl, shore birds and land birds. Deer, beaver, fox and other wildlife can be seen near the ponds and adjoining woods and fields of this 1,608-acre park. This site overlooks Arrowhead Marsh and seasonal vernal pools - watch as the wetlands change over time!

Pickerington Ponds Metro Park - Glacier Knoll

Sharon Woods is a mixture of forests and fields with towering oak, hickory and beech trees and an 11-acre lake. Tucked inside the 761-acre park is the Edward Thomas Nature Preserve, named for the renowned Ohio naturalist and one of the founders of the park system. Many seasonal pools are present and provide critical spring breeding habitat for amphibians and other wildlife. Watch as the prairies and trees change throughout the year!

Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks

Ohio

4 chronologs managed by Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks

Sharon Woods Metro Park

Darby Plains Wet Prairie

Pickerington Ponds Metro Park - Glacier Knoll

Lake Emily at Clear Creek Metro Park

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