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
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 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/
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.
Gallant Farm
Cover Photo: Deer Haven Park
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
Hoover Scenic Trailhead 8405 Plumb Road Galena, 43021
McCammon Creek Park - North Area 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.
https://preservationparks.recdesk.com
SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest park district updates and fun outdoor adventures.
Registration opens at noon, Wednesday, November 19.
WINTER LETTERBOX ADVENTURE, p 5
December 13 - March 15
WINTER 100, p 6
January 1 - March 31
DECEMBER
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
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
UNPLUGGED PLAY, p 8
December 2 - 31
CHILLIN' WITH MAMMALS, p 7
February 1 - 8
POP UP PROGRAMS
Cross Country Skiing, p 5
Crafting in Early America, p 8
JANUARY CONTINUED
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
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
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 Wildlife Detectives
January 19 Plants
February 16 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 Blues Creek Park
December 8 Char-Mar Ridge Park
December 22 Deer Haven Park
January 5 McCammon Creek Park
January 12 Hickory Woods Park
January 19 Shale Hollow Park
January 26 Perfect Creek Park
February 2 Deer Haven Park
February 9 Hogback Ridge Park
February 16 Blues Creek Park
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
Barred owl
Photo by Connie Isler
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.
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 Holiday Nature Fun
January 14 Trees
February 11 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
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!
Cross Country Skiing
Red squirrel
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
LEARN TO CROCHET SERIES
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.
Bluebird
Photo by Joan Pearse
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.
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.
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
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.
Youth Chess Championship Fly Tying
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
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
& Cowpie Society
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.
UNPLUGGED PLAY: VINTAGE TOY DISPLAY
December 2 - 31
Gallant Farm, All Ages
Visit the granary in December to explore some of the toys that have delighted generations.
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
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.
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.
LOVE, LANTERNS, & LUMINARIES
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.
Quilt Display
A Winter Evening on the Farm
Farmhouse Lantern Tour
Photo: