Bouldering Near Me

Blendonwood Ravine Day Hike, 10:30 am

Libera Animae - Freeing the Soul

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

Free yoga

Queer Book Club! Extra, Extra Read All About It

Come join us for our book club meeting this October 25th. We'll be looking at Bodies of Magic by Freya Marsk and talking about next reads and plans for the group over coffee!

Hiking at Sharon Woods

Meet at the Maple Grove picnic area for a 4 mile hike at 18 min/mile pace.

Golden Lotus Meditation & Lecture - 'Healing Body Mind and Soul!'

Join us for our Sunday Meditation Service - 'Healing Body Mind and Soul!' Or join us on Facebook Live! Our Facebook Page is Golden Lotus Yoga for Spiritual Awareness

Hike Blendon Woods

Let's meet at the Nature Center parking lot to hike some miles. We'll string together trails to try to get to 4 miles and can always walk the road if anyone is interested in additional miles. I usually walk a 19-20ish minute mile; faster paces are always welcome. Optional lunch following at Harry Buffalo in Westerville at 6150 Souith Sunbury Rd, Westerville.

Via Ferrata at Columbus' Quarry Trails Metro Park, Plus more?

Hike Blendon Woods, 17-20ish pace

Let's try Blendon Woods. We can meet at the Nature Center and then decide which trail to take. Will walk until we get in 4 miles. If there is any interest we can grab lunch after.

Dog Walk at Franklin Park Conservatory

Dog Walk - come enjoy the beautiful grounds at Franklin Park Conservatory with or without your dog! We’ll meet on the path near the entrance. Paths are paved and nicely maintained but sunny! The loop I take is approx. 2mi around. There are plenty of shortcuts back if that’s too far or we can take it twice if the dogs are up to it. Please keep all dogs leashed as per park rules, thanks!

Trails & Ales! Quarry Trails Metro Park / Knotty Pine Brewing

**History** Before [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) became a dynamic hub for outdoor enthusiasts, it was part of the historic Marble Cliff Quarry, which was once the largest contiguous limestone quarry in the United States. For over a century, workers excavated millions of tons of limestone from this massive site bordering the Scioto River. If you have ever admired the grand architecture of the Ohio Statehouse downtown or cheered from the stands at Ohio Stadium, you have already seen the very stone pulled from this ground. The quarry was an industrial powerhouse that literally laid the foundations for some of Columbus’s most iconic landmarks. As the 20th century progressed, the intense mining operations began to wind down, leaving behind a scarred, industrial wasteland of deep pits and rugged cliffs. For decades, this massive stretch of land sat largely forgotten and off-limits to the public, hidden just a few miles west of downtown Columbus. However, the leaders at Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks saw immense potential in the abandoned terrain. They recognized a rare opportunity to reclaim a disrupted landscape and transform it into a unique urban oasis. By acquiring a portion of the historic quarry site, the park system set out to fulfill a long-term goal of putting a Metro Park within five miles of every Franklin County resident. The vision became a reality on November 30, 2021, when Quarry Trails officially opened to the public as Central Ohio's 20th metro park. The opening marked a dramatic shift in how the city approaches green spaces by blending rugged, repurposed industrial elements with modern park design. Instead of erasing the site's mining past, the park preserves the sheer limestone faces and deep water pockets left behind by decades of excavation. Central Ohioans quickly adopted the park, marveling at how a former industrial zone could be so quickly converted into a sanctuary for both wildlife and people. Among the park's most stunning features is Millikin Falls, a picturesque 25-foot waterfall that cascades over ancient limestone steps into a tranquil pool below. Visitors can walk along the ADA-accessible boardwalks, hike scenic loop trails, or search for prehistoric fossils embedded in the rock walls. The old quarry pits were filled to create pristine lakes like Swan Lake and Turtle Cove, which are now popular spots for catch-and-release fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The clever engineering repurposed the harsh terrain to give locals access to water sports and dramatic waterfront vistas right in their backyard. In May 2023, the park cemented its reputation for high adventure by opening the nation’s first urban Via Ferrata. This specialized climbing route allows thrill-seekers to traverse a 160-foot-tall canyon wall using steel rungs, ladders, and a suspension bridge dangling 100 feet in the air. Alongside a single-track mountain bike course, a sledding hill, and an off-leash dog park, Quarry Trails offers an array of specialized recreation rarely found near a major city center. Today, the park stands as a nationally recognized testament to urban renewal, proving that even the most heavily mined landscapes can be given a vibrant second life. **Maps of the Park** Here is the 2025 [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). Here is the 2026 [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/QTR_map_1980px_2026_RGB_vg.jpg). Ignoring the new names they've added to some things, you can see they've also added a new leg to the Redback Loop Trail, a new giant hammocks, and some new restrooms. **Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles, which is at the low end of what I typically like to do for a *Trails & Ales* hike. I generally shoot for around five miles. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out faster than other parks, probably because we actually spend so much time walking on pavement or solid gravel, and because of Quarry Trails' elevation changes. So try not to think of this as "only" a four-mile hike. It tests people. This might be the only place I hike where I rarely wear my [hiking shoes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D972KN3W). **Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. We will meet at the Quarry Trails Lake Area, the actual address for which is [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). You can also use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and trust it to take you to the correct place; it might not. We will meet by the new restrooms they've just built here by the playground. **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Knotty Pine Brewing](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/) for [drinks](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/drink-selection) and [food](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/menus-1). Its actual address is [1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1765+W+3rd+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43212/@39.9852903,-83.0529464,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388e492557f22d:0x9b85a34e73c9216f!8m2!3d39.9852903!4d-83.0529464!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3zlktd?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's about an eight or nine minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. They have a nice covered outdoor porch if weather permits. The brewery has a small parking lot, but street parking if you need it shouldn't be excruciatingly difficult to find. And, unless they've added parking meters since last I was there, street parking is free. Please note that there is a business unrelated to the brewery that has its own parking lot right next to the brewery. Unless this business has recently changed its policy, they do not want people using their lot. I don't know if they're open on Saturdays to actually enforce this, but I personally am not interested in being the guinea pig to test their parking restrictions. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).