To protect and conserve the natural and historical features of Delaware County and to inspire outdoor exploration and learning.
PARK HOURS
MARCH - OCTOBER
Daily, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY
Daily, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
DISTRICT OFFICE AND MARY MCCOY NATURE CENTER
2656 Hogback Road Sunbury, Ohio 43074
740-524-8600
Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Office)
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Nature Center)
VISITOR CENTER AT DEER HAVEN PARK
4183 Liberty Road Delaware, Ohio 43015
740-362-0283
Wed-Mon, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tues, Closed
GALLANT FARM
2150 Buttermilk Hill Road Delaware, Ohio 43015 740-595-3020
Tues-Sun, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon, Closed
The Preservation Parks Foundation supports a variety of educational programs and special events throughout the park district and raises funds for special projects including the Deer Haven aviary, trails, and renovation of Delaware County’s Bicentennial Barn.
You can make your secure, online contribution today or anytime here.
https://preservationparks.com/foundation/
The Preservation Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization as designated by the IRS. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The organization’s tax identification number is 83-2234653. All donations directly support the programs, projects, and services of Preservation Parks of Delaware County.
SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 25, 2026
Join the Preservation Parks Foundation for an evening of fun and fundraising. Details coming soon!
Viburnum
Blues Creek Park 9627 Fontanelle Road Ostrander, 43061
Char-Mar Ridge Park 7741 Lewis Center Road Westerville, 43082
Deer Haven Park 4183 Liberty Road Delaware, 43015
Emily Traphagen Park 5094 Seldom Seen Road Powell, 43065
Gallant Farm 2150 Buttermilk Hill Road Delaware, 43015
Gallant Woods Park 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road Delaware, 43015
Hickory Woods Park 1271 Pollock Road Delaware, 43015
Hogback Ridge Park 2656 Hogback Road Sunbury, 43074
McCammon Creek Park - North Area open 3675 E. Orange Road Lewis Center, 43035
River Run Park 168 Main Road Delaware, 43015
Sandel Legacy Trailhead 168 S. Vernon St. Sunbury, 43074
Shale Hollow Park 6320 Artesian Run Lewis Center, 43035
Sycamore Run Park 7341 Olentangy River Road Delaware, OH 43015
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
HOW TO REGISTER
Some programs have a fee and/or require advance registration. Watch for programs with the following symbols:
To register for a program, visit https://preservationparks.recdesk.com
First time users: Click “CREATE ACCOUNT” and complete the questions to set up your FREE account. You will receive a confirmation email, then you can register for a program!
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Outdoor Connections Department at (740) 524-8600 x 103 or register@preservationparks.com.
Scan QR code for all program dates and descriptions or to register.
https://preservationparks.recdesk.com
SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest park district updates and fun outdoor adventures.
Gray tree frog
Registration for spring programs opens at noon, Wednesday, February 18.
MARCH
1 Try It: Trekking Poles, p 4
2 Golden Marathon, p 4
7 Yoga & Hike, p 4
8 The Bees Knees Stitching Circle, p 8
15 FrogWatch USA Training, p 4
18 Little Adventurers, p 4
20 Woodcock Courtship Spectacle, p 5
21 Model Railroaders Open House, p 5
21 Spring Garden Workshop, p 8
22 Model Railroaders Open House, p 5
23 Delaware County Bird Club, p 5
27 Froggy Fridays, p 5
28 Geo Quest, p 6
29 Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society, p 8
30 Golden Marathon, p 4
APRIL
2 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
4 Yoga & Hike, p 4
6 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
10 Froggy Fridays, p 5
11 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
12 The Bees Knees Stitching Circle, p 8
13 Golden Marathon, p 4
13 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
17 Froggy Fridays, p 5
17 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
18 Model Railroaders Open House, p 5
18 Earth Day Adventures, p 6
19 Model Railroaders Open House, p 5
20 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
22 Little Adventurers, p 4
24 Froggy Fridays, p 5
24 Guided Wildflower Hike, p 6
26 Sheep Shearing, p 8
27 Golden Marathon, p 4
APRIL CONTINUED
27 Delaware County Bird Club, p 5
29 Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society, p 8
29 Homeschool Adventures, p 7
MAY
2 Yoga & Hike, p 4
8 Froggy Fridays, p 5
9 Try It: Wetland Dip Netting, p 7
13 Little Adventurers, p 4
13 Try It: Fly Casting, p 7
15 Froggy Fridays, p 5
16 Model Railroaders Open House, p 5
17 Model Railroaders Open House, p 5
18 Golden Marathon, p 4
23 Secret Lives of Salamanders, p 9
24 Movie Under the Stars, p 9
25 Hidden Animal Connections, p 9
25 Off Trail Geology Hike, p 9
25 Golden Marathon, p 4
27 Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society, p 8
29 Froggy Fridays, p 5
31 Pre WWII Classic Car Exhibition, p 8
WILDFLOWER EXPERIENCE, p 6
April - May
AMPHIBIAN WEEK , p 7
May 6 - 10
WHAT LIES BELOW EXHIBIT, p 9
May 23 - September 7
PARK PROGRAMS
TRY IT: TREKKING POLES
Sunday, March 1, 1 p.m.
Gallant Farm, All Ages March into March with a trekking pole adventure. Meet at Gallant Farm for a quick how to and then trek together to Gallant Woods to hike the primitive trail.
GOLDEN MARATHON
Presented by SourcePoint Ages 55+
Get moving this season with SourcePoint’s Golden Marathon outdoor hikers. We hike in all weather! Register at MySourcePoint.org/ec. Meet at locations listed, bring your own water, and be prepared for the weather and terrain.
Mondays, 1:30 p.m.
March 2 Char-Mar Ridge Park
March 30 Gallant Woods Park
Mondays, 9:30 a.m.
April 13 Hickory Woods Park
April 27 Emily Traphagen Park
May 18 Deer Haven Park
May 25 McCammon Creek Park
YOGA & HIKE
Saturdays, 10 a.m., Ages 15+
Never tried yoga? Want to experience yoga in a beautiful park? First come first serve for space and equipment. A naturalist led hike is open to all.
March 7 Deer Haven Park
April 4 Deer Haven Park
May 2 Gallant Farm
LITTLE ADVENTURERS: SPRING
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Deer Haven Park, Ages 5 & Under Explore and get comfortable in nature with your little ones! Drop in to enjoy self-guided stations all about spring.
March 18 Bunnies
April 22 Fruits & Flowers
May 13 Curious Canines
FROGWATCH USA TRAINING
Sunday, March 15, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Deer Haven Park, Ages 14+ Register by March 11
Become a FrogWatch USA citizen scientist! Learn to identify, monitor, and record the distinct calls of Ohio’s frogs. Then you may visit a local wetland to collect and report the data. FrogWatch USA is a national organization helping stop the decline of these important animals.
Wood frog
WOODCOCK COURTSHIP SPECTACLE
Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Hickory Woods Park, Ages 7+
Join us as we spy on the unique courtship ritual of the secretive American Woodcock. This annual spring occurrence is always a treat to witness. Binoculars are recommended; loaners will be available.
MODEL RAILROADERS OPEN HOUSE
Sandel Legacy Trail Depot, All Ages Stop by model railroad open houses during these spring weekends. Members of the model railway group will share the history of railroads in America.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
March 21, April 18, May 16
Sundays, 12 - 4 p.m.
March 22, April 19, May 17
SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
Did you know we offer field trips for third grade classrooms to help meet Ohio’s third grade science and social studies standards?
We can offer deep, impactful experiences to serve students throughout the county. Parents, share this information with your child’s teacher. Teachers, look for available field trip dates on our website program calendar. To claim a field trip date, one teacher must register for the available date on our RecDesk registration site. Be sure to create your RecDesk account before registration opens. Registration for spring field trips will open on March 1, 2026 at 6 p.m.
DELAWARE COUNTY BIRD CLUB
Mondays, 7 p.m.
March 23 & April 27
Deer Haven Park, All Ages See Preservation Parks’ online program calendar for meeting details, special guests, and topics closer to the meeting dates.
FROGGY FRIDAYS WITH FROGWATCH USA
Fridays, 10 minutes after sunset March 27; April 10, 17, & 24; May 8, 15, & 29
Gallant Woods Park, Ages 8+
Accompany FrogWatch USA expert Amy Torrey-Rinehart to listen for frogs calling in the wetlands. Learn to identify various species and how to record them in the FrogWatch database as a citizen scientist. Meet at the shelter house.
Weather Dependent
Blue flag iris
Gallant Woods Park
GEO QUEST
Saturday, March 28, 12 p.m.
Hickory Woods Park, Ages 8+
Learn how to go geocaching! This hands-on program teaches the basics of using GPS, decoding clues, and exploring the outdoors to find hidden treasures. You will need access to a smartphone.
SELF-GUIDED WILDFLOWER EXPERIENCE
April - May
Hogback Ridge Park, All Ages
Celebrate Ohio Native Plant Month with Preservation Parks and the Delaware County Master Gardeners! Enjoy revolving signs spotlighting the variety of spring ephemerals on display throughout the month in Hogback Ridge Park.
GUIDED WILDFLOWER HIKES
Hogback Ridge Park
Delaware County Master Gardeners will lead guided hikes showcasing Ohio’s seasonal woodland wildflowers.
Thursday, April 2, 3 p.m. All Ages
Monday, April 6, 3 p.m. All Ages
Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m. All Ages
Monday, April 13, 3 p.m. Ages 55+
Friday, April 17, 10 a.m. All Ages
Monday, April 20, 2 p.m. All Ages
Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. All Ages
EARTH DAY ADVENTURES
Saturday, April 18, 1 - 4 p.m.
Deer Haven Park, All Ages
Celebrate Earth Day by planting trees, investigating critters by microscope, creating a unique cyanotype art craft, hiking the primitive trail, and more.
White trout lily
Virginia bluebells
HOMESCHOOL ADVENTURES:
WETLAND WONDERS
Wednesday, April 29, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Deer Haven Park, Ages 6 - 12
Dive into our wetland and learn the unique characteristics of this habitat by rotating through different self-guided stations.
AMPHIBIAN WEEK
Wednesday, May 6 - Sunday, May 10
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Deer Haven Park, All Ages
Hop by the Visitor Center to discover the cool traits of amphibians and celebrate National Amphibian Week! Enjoy a display, see our ambassador amphibians, and a craft!
TRY IT: WETLAND DIP NETTING
Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Deer Haven Park, Ages 5+
This drop-in exploration program encourages you to celebrate National Amphibian Week by finding amphibians in their native habitat. Meet at the wetland on the Tree Swallow Trail behind the Visitor Center.
TRY IT: FLY CASTING
Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m.
Emily Traphagen Park, Ages 18+
Register by May 6
Learn basic fly casting with Central Ohio Fly Fishers and Destination Delaware County Fishing Trail! Explore equipment, fly patterns, and techniques, then practice one-handed casting on the lawn with provided gear.
Deer Haven Park
Yellow-spotted salamander
GALLANT FARM
Join us this season for programs and events for all ages that will make you step back in time almost 100 years without leaving 2025!
Gallant Farm Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Closed Monday
THE BEES KNEES STITCHING CIRCLE
Sunday, March 8, 1 - 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 1 - 3 p.m.
Gallant Farm, Ages 12+
Join us for a modern twist on the knitting circles popular in the 1930s. Bring your own knit, crochet, or other fiber project for a relaxing “crafternoon” of stitching and chatting.
GALLANT FARM LITERARY & COWPIE SOCIETY
Gallant Farm, Ages 12+
Join us for a lively discussion of each month’s featured book. We typically read titles that were popular during the Great Depression and WWII years, or books focusing on those time periods.
Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m.
Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m.
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim
Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.
Travels With Charlie: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
SPRING GARDEN WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Gallant Farm, All Ages
Grow your skills this spring with handson stations led by Master Gardeners and park staff. Explore herb and seed starting, medicinal herbs, square-foot gardening, and more in this interactive program.
SHEEP SHEARING & WOOL FESTIVAL
Sunday, April 26, 12 - 3 p.m.
Gallant Farm, All Ages
Step back in time to witness the “shear” magic of the 1930s. Watch skilled sheep shearers, explore wool crafts, and spin a yarn of a bygone era. Sheep will be shorn every half hour.
PRE-WORLD WAR 2 CLASSIC CAR EXHIBITION
Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Gallant Farm, All Ages
Enjoy a “trip” down memory lane as a local group of old car enthusiasts make their annual visit to Gallant Farm in vintage automobiles from the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Weather dependent
Nature hides its wonders underground and underwater. Peek beneath the soil to uncover twisting roots, secret tunnels, and the creatures that call them home. Then dip below the water’s surface to explore a bustling world of tiny life—where aquatic insects, larvae, and microscopic organisms reveal the health and history of our streams and ponds. From decomposers in the dirt to invertebrates in the shallows, What Lies Below uncovers the unseen ecosystems that support all life above.
OPENING WEEKEND
SECRET LIVES OF SALAMANDERS
Saturday, May 23, 1 - 4 p.m.
Shale Hollow Park, All Ages
Explore the hidden world of salamanders at our exhibit! Meet live salamanders and a special guest to learn how these secretive animals live underground and why they’re important to healthy ecosystems.
MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
Sunday, May 24, 8 p.m.
Shale Hollow Park, All Ages
Movie rated PG
A scientist journeys beneath the Earth to find his missing brother in this 2008 Jules Verne adaptation starring Brendan Fraser. Enjoy the What Lies Below exhibit and free popcorn before the movie starts at 9 p.m. Bring the family, lawn chairs, and blankets.
HIDDEN ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
Monday, May 25, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Shale Hollow Park, All Ages
Visit our new exhibit, What Lies Below, and explore animals’ connections to the underground world with live animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!
OFF-TRAIL GEOLOGY HIKE
Monday, May 25, 1 p.m.
Shale Hollow Park, Ages 8+
Meet in the shelter house to begin a journey that started millions of years ago. Be ready to jump in the creek and learn about geology along the way. Hike takes place through the creek and over rough terrain.
