Group Hikes

Embark on a journey with fellow enthusiasts or enrich your knowledge on the go! We’ve got your hiking experience sorted. Explore our curated group hike programs, each with unique themes that cater to diverse interests. While some adventures may call for registration, rest assured, this list is regularly refreshed to align with the changing seasons.

GOLDEN MARATHON

Ages 55+
Get moving this season 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. Meet at locations listed, bring your own water and be prepared for the weather and terrain.
Register Here

Mondays, 9:30 a.m.
August 17 – Hickory Woods Park
August 31 – Char-Mar Ridge Park
September 7 – McCammon Creek Park Barn Area
September 14 – Deer Haven Park
September 28 – Shale Hollow Park
October 5 – Emily Traphagen Park
October 12 – McCammon Creek Park North Area
October 19 – Hogback Ridge Park
November 2 – Gallant Woods Park
November 16 – Shale Hollow Park
November 30 – Blues Creek Park
Mondays, 1:30 p.m.
December 7 – Char-Mar Ridge Park
December 14 – Perfect Creek Park
December 21 – Deer Haven Park

YOGA & HIKE

10 a.m., Ages 15+
Bend and stretch outside at a shelter house or inside the visitor center. Come as you are, all abilities and bodies welcome.
August 1 – Gallant Farm Granary
September 5 – Shale Hollow Park
October 3 – Shale Hollow Park
November 7 – McCammon Creek Park Barn Area
December 5 – Shale Hollow Park

WALK WITH A DOC

Presented by SourcePoint
Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m.
Char-Mar Ridge Park, All Ages
Join us for Walk with a Doc – a free community walking program! Each event is led by a local healthcare provider and is open to people of all ages and abilities. This program allows participants to safely take a walk, learn about current health topics, and meet new people. We hope to see you on our next walk.

SUMMER NIGHT HIKES

Friday, August 14, 9 p.m.
Emily Traphagen Park, Ages 8+
Discover how animals use their senses to survive at night, then test yours! Listen for owls, watch for lightning bugs, smell the night air, and stargaze on this flashlight-free adventure.

RIVER LIFE WALK & TALK

Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.
River Run Park, All Ages
Come have an adventure at River Run Park. Try aquatic dip netting, taking a fall nature hike and watch swallows nesting under the bridge. See online calendar for more information. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

OFF-TRAIL GEOLOGY ADVENTURE

Sunday, October 4, 1 – 3 p.m.
Shale Hollow Park, Ages 16+
Register here by October 1
Join us as we explore rarely seen areas of Shale Hollow Park and learn about the park’s unique geologic features. Meet in the shelter house and be prepared to hike through the creek and over rough hilly terrain.

TRY IT: TREK A NEW TRAIL

Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.
McCammon Creek Park East Area, All Ages
Find your stride with trekking poles. Learn simple techniques that add rhythm, balance, and efficiency to your walk as we hike the new trail at the McCammon Creek Park East Area. Poles provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

BEAVER WALK AND TALK

Sunday, November 15, 2 p.m.
Char-Mar Ridge Park, All Ages
Join a naturalist for a 1.5 mile walk to learn about Ohio’s largest rodent, the beaver! Hike includes observing an active beaver lodge. Meet at the information kiosk in front of the Glacier Ridge trailhead.

SOLSTICE SUNRISE HIKE

Saturday, December 19, 7:30 a.m.
Gallant Woods Park, Ages 18+
Greet the solstice sunrise and welcome the season’s turning point on the sledding hill, then hike to Gallant Farm and enjoy the warmth of a fire and beverages.

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Programs

details of braille on sounds of the forest sign

Braille Trail

Nestled within the heart of Hogback Ridge Park, the Braille Trail offers a unique, multi-sensory experience for all visitors. This thoughtfully designed trail provides an accessible way to explore the natural world through touch, sound, and detailed interpretive signage. Whether you navigate by sight, feel, or hearing, this trail is a pathway to deeper connection with nature.

Delaware County Bird Club

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, enjoy a relaxing time watching birds at the feeders and discussing a new ornithology topic each month. Meet fellow bird enthusiasts, share sightings, and deepen your appreciation for our feathered friends.

Delaware County Model Railroad Open House

Stop by the model railroad open houses this season! Members of the model railway group will share the history of railroads in America.

FLEX Trails (Free Local EXercise)

FLEX Trails are established along the trails at Char-Mar Ridge Preserve. Stations set up along the trails include signs that explain how to do various exercises, right there, with no equipment

Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society

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.

Geocaching in Preservation Parks

Geocaching and letterboxing are fun hobbies that provide a great reason to enjoy the outdoors. Preservation Parks does allow geocaches and letterboxes to be placed in the parks, as long as Park District guidelines are followed.

Mindfulness Trail

This 1 mile walk invites you to several stations that will provide different ways to practice mindfulness along the trail.

Photography Contest

Showcase the beauty and history of Delaware County’s Preservation Parks! Capture landscapes, wildlife, or moments that celebrate these protected spaces. Open to all skill levels. Share your vision and help inspire a deeper appreciation for our natural and cultural heritage.

School & Community Outreach

Looking for a fun and engaging learning experience for your school classroom or community group? From night hikes to live animal programs and farm tours to agricultural heritage programs, the Preservation Parks Outdoor Connections Department offers field trip programs covering a variety of natural and cultural history topics. Most are free for Delaware County groups and organizations only, and a great way to introduce your group to our county’s cultural and natural heritage. Scout groups can check out our Scout Badge Days, offered throughout the year.

Seasonal Program Guide

The program guide is published 4x per year and includes all of the wonderful programs offered throughout the parks.

Summer Concert Series

Summer Exhibit

Nature hides its wonders underground and underwater. Peek beneath the soil to uncover twisting roots, secret tunnels, and the creatures that call them home.

Summer Letterbox Adventure

What is a letterbox adventure? Great question! A letterbox adventure is another form of geocaching and scavenger hunting using clues instead of coordinates.