winter program guide 2025-26_lr

PROGRAMS & EVENTS • WINTER 2025-2026

PRESERVATION PARKS MISSION 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

Gallant Farm

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

The Preservation Parks Foundation supports and raises funds for educational programs, events, and special projects including the Summer Letterbox Adventure, the Perfect Schoolhouse, trails, and renovation of Delaware County's Bicentennial Barn.

You can make your secure, online contribution today or anytime here: https://preservationparks.com/foundation/

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

Cover Photo: Deer Haven Park

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.

Blues Creek Park 9627 Fontanelle Road Ostrander, 43061

Hogback Ridge Park 2656 Hogback Road Sunbury, 43074

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

Hoover Scenic Trailhead 8405 Plumb Road Galena, 43021

Deer Haven Park 4183 Liberty Road Delaware, 43015

McCammon Creek Park - North Area 3675 E. Orange Road Lewis Center, 43035

Emily Traphagen Park 5094 Seldom Seen Road Powell, 43065

River Run Park 168 Main Road Delaware, 43015

Gallant Farm 2150 Buttermilk Hill Road Delaware, 43015

Sandel Legacy Trailhead 168 S. Vernon St. Sunbury, 43074

Gallant Woods Park 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road Delaware, 43015

Shale Hollow Park 6320 Artesian Run Lewis Center, 43035

Hickory Woods Park 1271 Pollock Road Delaware, 43015

Sycamore Run Park 7341 Olentangy River Road Delaware, OH 43015 PRESERVATIONPARKS.COM | WINTER 2025-2026

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REGISTRATION INFORMATION HOW TO REGISTER

Some programs have a fee and/or require advance registration. Watch for programs with the following symbols:

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS

Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest park district updates and fun outdoor adventures.

Follow us @PreservationParks 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

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PRESERVATIONPARKS.COM | WINTER 2025-2026

For complete descriptions of all our programs or to register, visit

https://preservationparks.recdesk.com

Registration opens at noon, Wednesday, November 19.

UNPLUGGED PLAY, p 8 December 2 - 31

WINTER LETTERBOX ADVENTURE, p 5 December 13 - March 15

CHILLIN' WITH MAMMALS, p 7 February 1 - 8

WINTER 100, p 6 January 1 - March 31

POP UP PROGRAMS Cross Country Skiing, p 5 Crafting in Early America, p 8

DECEMBER

JANUARY CONTINUED

1 School's Out: Winter Series, p 4 1 Golden Marathon, p 4 5 Nightfall at the Visitor Center, p 4 6 Yoga & Hike, p 4 6 A Winter Evening on the Farm, p 9 7 Winter Wildlife Helpers, p 5 7 Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society, p 8 8 Golden Marathon, p 4 8 Delaware County Bird Club, p 5 10 Little Adventurers: Winter, p 5 13 Music in our Nature Era, p 5 20 Model Railroad Open House, p 6 21 Model Railroad Open House, p 6 22 Golden Marathon, p 4

JANUARY

21 Fly Tying 101, p 7 24 Nightfall at the Visitor Center, p 4 25 Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society, p 8 26 Golden Marathon, p 4 26 Delaware County Bird Club, p 5 30 Homeschool Adventures: Raptors, p 7 31 National Seed Swap Day, p 9

FEBRUARY

1 New Year's Day Hike, p 6 3 Yoga & Hike, p 4 4 Braille Trail Hike, p 6 5 Golden Marathon, p 4 5 Trivia Night, p 6 8 Learn to Crochet Series, p 6 10 Youth Chess Championship, p 7 11 The Bees Knees Stitching Circle, p 9 12 Golden Marathon, p 4 14 Little Adventurers: Winter, p 5 17 Model Railroad Open House, p 6 18 Model Railroad Open House, p 6 19 School's Out: Winter Series, p 4 19 Golden Marathon, p 4

2 Golden Marathon, p 4 5 Beyond Beginner Crochet Series, p 7 7 Yoga & Hike, p 4 8 The Bees Knees Stitching Circle, p 9 9 Golden Marathon, p 4 11 Little Adventurers: Winter, p 5 13 Love, Lanterns, & Luminaries, p 9 15 Owl Prowl, p 7 16 School's Out: Winter Series, p 4 16 Golden Marathon, p 4 21 Model Railroad Open House, p 6 21 Music in our Nature Era, p 5 22 Model Railroad Open House, p 6 22 Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society, p 8 23 Delaware County Bird Club, p 5

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PARK PROGRAMS SCHOOL'S OUT: WINTER SERIES

Mondays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 5+ Drop in on your school day off to explore nature! Enjoy self-guided activities and hands-on crafts while learning about a new topic. Meet in the Visitor Center.

December 1 January 19 February 16

Wildlife Detectives Plants Weather

GOLDEN MARATHON

Mondays, 1:30 p.m.

Presented by SourcePoint Get moving this winter with SourcePoint’s Golden Marathon outdoor hikers! We hike in all weather except for temperatures below 10 degrees or a Level 2 or 3 snow emergency. Registration at MySourcePoint.org/ec or with customer service. Meet at locations listed, bring your own water and be prepared for the weather and terrain.

December 1 December 8 December 22 January 5 January 12 January 19 January 26 February 2 February 9 February 16

Blues Creek Park Char-Mar Ridge Park Deer Haven Park McCammon Creek Park Hickory Woods Park Shale Hollow Park Perfect Creek Park Deer Haven Park Hogback Ridge Park Blues Creek Park

Barred owl Photo by Connie Isler

NIGHTFALL AT THE VISITOR CENTER

Friday, December 5, 4 - 8 p.m.

Saturday, January 24, 4 - 8 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, All Ages Drop in and enjoy extended evening hours at Deer Haven Park Visitor Center and explore the moonlit trails.

YOGA & HIKE

10 a.m., Ages 15+ Warm up on a winter day as you move through yoga postures. All abilities and bodies welcome. Join us after the class for a winter hike.

Saturday, Dec. 6 Deer Haven Park Classroom Saturday, Jan. 3 Gallant Farm Granary Saturday, Feb. 7 Shale Hollow Park McKay Lodge

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PRESERVATIONPARKS.COM | WINTER 2025-2026

WINTER WILDLIFE HELPERS

Sunday, December 7, 12 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 5+ Discover how animals survive the winter, then spread some seasonal cheer by making special treats and gifts to help our wild neighbors through the cold months.

DELAWARE COUNTY BIRD CLUB

Dec. 8, Jan. 26, Feb. 23 Mondays, 7 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, All Ages See Preservation Parks’ online program calendar for meeting details, special guests, and topics closer to the meeting dates.

POP UP PROGRAM: CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Various Parks, All Ages Snowy day? Always wanted to try crosscountry skiing? We have adult and child sized cross-country skis that are available when the snow falls. Watch social media for details on pop up programs during snowy weather.

Red squirrel

LITTLE ADVENTURERS: WINTER

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 5 & Under Bundle up and drop in anytime between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. to enjoy informal selfguided stations featuring hands-on activities and crafts as we discover what the winter season has to offer! Children must be accompanied by a guardian and the whole family is welcome.

December 10 January 14 February 11

Holiday Nature Fun Trees Birds

MUSIC IN OUR NATURE ERA

Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, All Ages Swifties unite! Put on your Cardigan and come out to have The Best Day by exploring different nature references and symbols throughout Taylor Swift’s eras while celebrating her music.

WINTER LETTERBOX

Cross Country Skiing

December 13 - March 15 Various Parks, All Ages Registration starts Dec. 13 Follow the clues for a winter exploration of five parks. Collect each parks’ secret words and unscramble them to reveal a quote and number code. Use the code to open the prize bin!

PRESERVATIONPARKS.COM | WINTER 2025-2026

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MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE

Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dec. 20, Jan. 17, Feb. 21 Sundays, 12 - 4 p.m.

Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 22 Sandel Legacy Trailhead, All Ages Stop by model railroad open houses during these winter weekends. Members of the model railway group will share the history of railroads in America.

BRAILLE TRAIL HIKE

Sunday, January 4, 10 a.m.

Hogback Ridge Park, All Ages Celebrate World Braille Day with a guided hike on our Braille Trail. Explore nature through touch, sound, and smell as a naturalist shares the park’s hidden wonders. All abilities welcome!

TRIVIA NIGHT: BIRDS OF THE WORLD

WINTER 100

January 1 - March 31 Anywhere, All Ages Registration Required Walk 100 miles or 100 kilometers (62 miles) from January 1 - March 31, 2026.

Register, log your distance, and be connected to a community of walkers this winter.

Monday, January 5, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 12+ Register by Dec. 29 Test your knowledge while helping celebrate National Bird Day during our bird themed trivia night!

NEW YEAR'S DAY HIKE

Thursday, January 1, 10 a.m.

Shale Hollow Park, All Ages Kick off a happy new year by joining our annual first hike of the year. Hike a 1.2 mile gravel trail, then celebrate with hot refreshments. The Great Horned Owl Trail includes moderate elevation changes.

Bluebird Photo by Joan Pearse

LEARN TO CROCHET SERIES

Trekking Poles

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Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22, & 29 6 - 7 p.m., Deer Haven Park, Ages 12+ Register by Jan. 1, $20 per person Learn to crochet in this four-week series.

Each week will focus on a different step in the crocheting process and participants can take their work home to practice!

Participants receive a ball of yarn and crochet hook to keep at the end of the series.

PRESERVATIONPARKS.COM | WINTER 2025-2026

CHILLIN' WITH MAMMALS

February 1 - 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Closed Tuesday Deer Haven Park, All Ages In honor of Groundhog Day, celebrate mammals all week through fun activities and crafts.

Saturday only: See live mammals with special guest Ohio Nature Education and try a bowl of vegan or venison chili.

BEYOND BEGINNER CROCHET SERIES

Youth Chess Championship

YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, January 10, 12 - 5 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Grades K - 8 Register by January 3 Free, unrated chess tournament for grades K - 8 in partnership with the Hanging Pawns Chess Club. Games played in 30 minutes. Players must know chess rules and be accompanied by an adult. Snacks provided. New competitors welcome.

Thursday, February 5, 12, 19, & 26 6 - 7 p.m., Deer Haven Park, Ages 14+ Register by Jan. 29, $20 per person Explore crochet’s next level! Join this series to master new techniques, from changing colors to magic circle, unlocking creativity in every loop and stitch. All equipment provided.

OWL PROWL

Sunday, February 15, 5 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 7+ Add nocturnal birds to your list for the 2025 Great Backyard Bird Count with an evening hike as we listen for owls and learn about their natural history.

FLY TYING 101

Wednesday, January 21, 6 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 18+ Register by January 16 Join Central Ohio Fly Fishers and Destination Delaware County Fishing Trail for an intro to fly tying. All materials are provided for you to try tying your own fly.

HOMESCHOOL ADVENTURES: RAPTORS

Friday, January 30, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Deer Haven Park, Ages 6 - 12 Learn about raptors by rotating through different self-guided stations.

Fly Tying 101

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GALLANT FARM Even as the days grow shorter, the farm is still filled with fun. 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: Tues-Sun, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mon, Closed

POP UP PROGRAM: HANDMADE - CRAFTING IN EARLY AMERICA

Gallant Farm, All Ages As many in the United States celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Gallant Farm will look back at life during and prior to 1776.

Watch for pop-up programs featuring early American handicrafts.

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. New members welcome!

Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m.

Braiding Sweetgrass

By Robin Wall Kimmerer Sunday, January 25, 2 p.m.

Moby Dick

by Herman Melville Sunday, February 22, 2 p.m.

Tender is the Night

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

UNPLUGGED PLAY: VINTAGE TOY DISPLAY

Literary & Cowpie Society

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December 2 - 31 Gallant Farm, All Ages Visit the granary in December to explore some of the toys that have delighted generations.

PRESERVATIONPARKS.COM | WINTER 2025-2026

NATIONAL SEED SWAP DAY

Saturday, January 31, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Gallant Farm, All Ages Delaware County Master Gardeners will celebrate National Seed Swap Day at Gallant Farm. Seeds and materials about heirloom plants will be available for farm visitors as takeaways.

A Winter Evening on the Farm

A WINTER EVENING ON THE FARM

Saturday, December 6, 3 - 7 p.m.

Gallant Farm, All Ages Things slow down on the farm in winter allowing more time for simple pleasures.

Come to Gallant Farm for an evening of music and activities farm families enjoyed in the past.

THE BEES KNEES STITCHING CIRCLE

LOVE, LANTERNS, & LUMINARIES

Sunday, January 11, 1 - 3 p.m.

Sunday, February 8, 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” stitching and chatting.

Quilt Display

Friday, February 13, 6 - 8 p.m.

Gallant Farm & Gallant Woods Park All Ages Come explore Gallant Farm by lantern light and see what life was like before the Rural Electrification Act lit up the countryside. Then hike a luminary trail into Gallant Woods.

Farmhouse Lantern Tour

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Printed on post-consumer recycled paper, using soy-based inks

Photo: Cardinal by Clayton Conley

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2656 Hogback Road Sunbury, Ohio 43074 preservationparks.com