Adventure Sports

**Drop-In Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come play one of the fastest-growing sports in North America — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for friendly, active Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. It’s a great way to stay active, meet new people, and have some fun! \*\*\* **🏓 Event Details:** **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive. \*\*\* **🏓 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** **RSVP on Meetup does *not* reserve your spot.** To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance via our registration system. 👉 **[Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=yKE8jJG)** 📞 Or register by phone: 416-924-6211 Space is limited to **6 players** on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. \*\*\* **🏓 Other Info:** * Paddles and balls are available for loan at the front desk with a **$20 cash deposit and valid ID** * This session is intended for **intermediate players and above** — participants should have a solid understanding of Pickleball rules, scoring, and gameplay, and be comfortable with consistent rallies and court positioning * Courts are rotated regularly so everyone gets a chance to play * Welcoming, inclusive environment \*\*\* Come ready to rally, socialize, and have a great time on the court. We can’t wait to see you there!

**Beginner Drop-In Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC** New to pickleball? We’ve got the perfect session for you! Join us for **Beginner Drop-In Pickleball** at the Miles Nadal JCC — a welcoming and supportive environment for those just getting started with the game. Whether you're still learning the rules or building confidence on the court, this is a great opportunity to play, practice, and meet fellow beginners. *** 🏓 **Event Details:** **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) **Check-In:** Please check in with security and stop by the front desk upon arrival. *** 🏓 **Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** RSVP on Meetup does *not* guarantee your spot. To play, you must register and pay in advance through our registration system. 👉 **[Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=x5X7aDV)** 📞 Or call: 416-924-6211 **Limited to 18 players.** Once full, no additional players will be admitted. *** 🏓 **What to Expect:** * Designed for **beginner-level players** with some familiarity with the rules and scoring * Equipment available: borrow paddles and balls with a $20 cash deposit + valid ID * Friendly rotations so everyone gets a chance to play * Supportive and inclusive environment — no pressure, just fun and learning! *** Come ready to move, meet new people, and improve your game one rally at a time. We look forward to seeing you on the court!

These monthly socials are a chance to network with other students and professionals in the geomatics field to chat GIS, data, remote sensing, surveying and more in a casual atmosphere. Feel free to bring friends and colleagues along - we're eager to welcome everyone back for a fantastic evening! This is a free event. Please RSVP to let us know you're attending.

Call on 416-938-2223 to find me :) -Ritik

Join our anxiety and depression peer support group where we'll: 1. Share experiences about anxiety and depression 2. Hear others' struggles with anxiety and depression, so you don't feel alone 3. Hear victory stories, feel inspired that healing is possible 4. Build connections based on the common experience of mental illness and anxiety Positive social interaction, supporting others, and sharing our thoughts, all associated with positive mental health outcomes.

send your 6$ to academynewstar@gmail.com come through Mutual street.There is parking available free at the school.Gym door close to parking. pls dont attend if payment not sent 8 hrs before the game

***TRIVIA NIGHT AT AXIS CAFE - APRIL 20TH 2026*** ***$5 event fee + $5 minimum purchase (hopefully more) from the Axis Cafe.*** ***$3 from everyone's $5 event fee will go to the 1st place team.*** ***For instance, if 25 play, the 1st place team gets to split $75 between them.*** 3 ***other food voucher prizes from the Axis Cafe will be in play as well.*** ***TRIVIA QUESTIONS BEGIN AT APPROX 7:15 PM.*** ***The Axis Cafe, located minutes N of High Park, on Dundas St. West. There's lots of room and we will have most of the restaurant to ourselves.*** ***As always, we'll be able to set up multiple teams of 4-5 max per table. If possible, try to sit with other group members you've never met before. This way you'll be able to "meetup" with some possible new friends!! That's what it's all about!!*** ***Look for us near the front stage. This is where our emcee, Tony Krolo will be doing his thing.*** ***Please bring exactly $5 cash. Thanks.*** ***After our own grand prize The Axis Cafe's normal prize structure is $20 $15 and $10.*** ***Just see me (Alex) when you arrive and I'll get you set up!!*** ***IMPORTANT NOTE*** ***Outside food or drink is an absolute NO-NO!!*** ***The (no pressure) Trivia consists of 3 parts, music, visual and general knowledge. Playing on a team is a great way to break the ice with other members of our group. It's all for fun and we always have a lot of laughs at our Trivia events.*** ***IMPORTANT NOTE*** ***The Axis Cafe is mainly made up of low tables, unlike what we had at Kramer's.*** ***The Axis Cafe is accessible. Use the side entrance ramp.*** ***There is one washroom located at the back and 2 more downstairs.*** ***Our Quiz Master Host, Tony Krolo is also a stand-up comic with Yuk Yuk's, so this makes it even more fun!!*** ***TRIVIA START TIME is approx 7:15pm, so do your best to get there early!!*** ***Trivia ends at around 9:15PM and after that we'll all have a chance to hang out together and socialize a bit more if you wish.*** ***TRANSIT*** ***From Line 2 take the #40A or 40B Dundas W bus to Pacific Ave. The Axis Cafe is located about 2 minutes west of there.*** ***PARKING*** ***There is street parking on McMurray Ave. right by Axis. There is a Green P Lot on Pacific Ave. S of Dundas St. W., a short walk east of Axis.*** ***As always, let's come with a positive attitude and a great big smile. I'm sure that we'll have a lot of laughs!! We always do!!*** ***WE WILL HAVE SEPARATE CHEQUES*** ***LET'S ALL HAVE A BLAST TOGETHER!!*** ***WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU @ THE AXIS CAFE!!***

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/spring-birdwatching-26)** ***Join us at Tommy Thompson park in Toronto to experience spring migration in all its glory.*** Back by popular demand, our expert birdwatching guide Pedro Hernandez from [Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) will be leading his Introduction to Birdwatching Workshop. This experience is designed for beginners and regular birders alike who are curious about the birds that share our city. Together, we’ll learn how to identify both local and migratory species, practice using binoculars, and explore field guides and apps, all while deepening our appreciation for the natural world around us. **What we might see:** The end of April and into May is peak spring migration season in Ontario. Tommy Thompson Park is one of the best birding spots in the province and is located right in the city. Depending on conditions, we might encounter warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and waterfowl such as northern shovelers and gadwalls, along with year-round residents like red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals. **Please note that binoculars are included in the cost of the adventure and that, due to the Toronto location, transportation is not offered.** **Highlights** **Spring Migration -** Experience birding at one of the best times of year, connecting with both local and travelling species before many move south for the winter. **Binoculars Included -** Every participant will get to use a pair of high quality NOCS binoculars. **Professional Birder -** Learn from Pedro Hernandez, founder of the popular Instragram account Outdoor Commute **Event cost: $50+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/spring-birdwatching-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hockley-valley-and-winery)** ***Just over an hour outside of Toronto, enjoy a leisurely hike along the Niagara Escarpment, ending with great food & drink overlooking a vineyard.*** Hockley Valley offers some of the best hiking in the GTA. It’s especially beautiful in the spring time with the trees budding, the ice thawing and no bugs to be found. This hike covers a gentle 6km and brings you over trickling streams and bridges, winds through diverse, piney forests filled with fungi and brings you out to hilly meadows where you may spot the first few wildflowers of the season pushing through. After the hike, we’ll gather together for some time at the Adamo Estate Winery right beside the park to eat, drink and socialize with good company. **Please note anything purchased at the winery is not included in the cost of your registration.** **Highlights** **Diverse Landscapes-** Embrace the wide array of different landscapes you will encounter throughout this adventure **Winery Experience-** Savour amazing wines from a great Ontario producer **Group Social Moment-** The perfect opportunity to connect and chat with fellow WU members **Event cost: $40+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here. ](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hockley-valley-and-winery)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Join us for a two-night camping trip at Algonquin’s Mew Lake. We’ll be tent camping, cooking outdoors, and spending our days immersed in nature. This small-group camping meetup is designed for those looking to slow down, disconnect from screens, and enjoy simple moments around the campfire. Beginner-friendly, supportive, and intentionally low-pressure. Limited spots available. Base Shared Cost: ~$30 per person This covers: 🏕️ Campsite fees at Mew Lake Campground 🔥 Firewood 🧻 Shared campsite supplies Additional Cost: Transportation If carpooling is arranged, gas and parking fees will be split fairly among passengers Muna Salahuddin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89633704865?pwd=aYThEniopbV2HbVkD15Pbi5wqUYqyT.1 Meeting ID: 896 3370 4865 Passcode: 7kXLX5 April 10 Friday : 8 pm to 8:30 pm

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Join us for one of our favorite hikes this Tuesday (4/21/26) at 6:30 pm as we hike the Hoover Dam Scenic Trail, starting at the west end of the dam. This hike includes some paved paths/roads along with some dirt trails, with a few beautiful views of the reservoir. Join us for this 2 mile hike, finding us in the parking lot at the corner of Sunbury and Smoke Burr.

Let’s walk the gardens and enjoy what has spring has on display.

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 17 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 18 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

We will hike the Ridge Trail and Meadows Trail twice, for a total of 3.8 miles. There are some pretty good inclines so plan on getting a cardio workout :). This is a loop which is pretty easy to follow; thus faster walkers can take the lead and the rest (like me) will bring up the rear at a slightly slower pace. You could also just do the loop once for 1.9 miles. No one left behind. Optional lunch to follow in Canal Winchester. I'm working through the metro parks - this is the third one!

if you’re **tired of doing the same boring thing** every weekend, this is your excuse to **do something different.** This is **not just a comedy show.** It’s a full **Saturday night experience** at Shadybowl Speedway — a **BYOB** potluck cookout, **live racing,** a late-night **bonfire**, open mic **comedy under the stars**, and **free camping** if you want to stay the night. We’re basically **throwing a party in the middle of nowhere** — about an hour west of Columbus and an hour north of Dayton ### The experience **Start early with the cookout** Come out around **4:00 PM** for a potluck-style cookout. Bring something to share, hang out, have a few drinks, and meet people before the night gets rolling. **Then head into the races** Racing starts around **7:00–8:00 PM** at Shadybowl. **Bring a chair** and sit with us in **Turn 4** — best seats in the house. **in front of concrete spots** 58,59 **ask for Chance** Think **racing isn’t your thing?** That’s fine. **Bring something to drink** and come for the atmosphere, the noise, and **the wrecks.** **Then the real vibe kicks in** Once the races wind down, we head back to the fire for **Late Night Bonfire Comedy** starting around **11:30 PM**. This is open mic style, so you might catch comics traveling through, a local favorite, somebody trying stand-up for the first time. Either way, **you’re getting laughs around a bonfire** with drinks, good people, and nowhere else to be. **Stay the night if you want** No rush. No long drive home if you don’t want it. **Free camping on-site** — bring a tent, **sleep in your car,** or just **hang out late by the fire.** ### What to know **Saturday, May 9, 2026** * **Cookout starts around 4:00 PM** * **Racing starts around 7:00–8:00 PM** * **Bonfire comedy starts at 11:30 PM** * **BYOB, No glass inside the race.** * **Free camping, Bring a chair** * **Shadybowl admission is $15 cash only.** * **Free parking** ### How to reserve your spot This is a **ticketed group experience**. A **$5 reservation** helps us organize the night, reduce no-shows, and make sure the people coming are actually coming. Send **$5 per person**. Send **$20 and i will get your Admission ticket for the races.** **Venmo preferred / PayPal, Cashapp accepted** **@WiseUnlimitedLLC $WiseUnlimitedLLC** Include your **name + event name** in the note. Links will be posted in the comments. Be sure to Drop a comment on this post after you RSVP this helps the algorithm. Come for the cookout. Stay for the races. Laugh around the fire. Camp if you want.