Canoing, Kayaking, Rafting

This hike is suitable for beginners but will be a fast paced hike. The terrain is relatively flat, and we will hike approximately 6 - 7 km in 2 hours or less. We will do a loop exploring the trails in Bob Hunter Memorial Park. The park is part of the Rouge National Urban Park system. The headwaters of Little Rouge Creek meanders its way through the forested valley. The paths will be both paved and dirt, so please bring the appropriate footwear. Don't forget your water. Come out and enjoy a beautiful morning hike. **Note** * Arrive on time! Please cancel if you can't make it. * Know your limits! Hike within it. * Dress for the conditions. * Be aware and prepared for ticks. * Free Parking. * No Dogs. * The hike will be canceled if the weather doesn't cooperate. LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY INFORMATION: By RSVP'ing and paying the event fee (if applicable), you are confirming that you have read, understand and accept the following: 1. GTA Hiking Meetup is a private group. Attending events is voluntary by you as a member. Participation in any activity with us is at your own risk. 2. By joining this event as a member you agree to indemnify and hold harmless its organizers, co-organizers, assistant organizers, event hosts, and other members from all claims or liability of every type (including court costs and legal fees) for injury or death to any person or for damage to property, loss of personal property or any other wrongful act arising out of or relating to your participation as a member. This agreement applies to you and to other persons (as your guests) who may accompany you in these endeavors. 3. You also agree to hold the organizers as well as other group members harmless. By participating voluntarily in the group, you expressly waive any and all such claims against each and every other member in the group, including without limitation any and all claims against the group organizer, co-organizers, assistant organizers, and event hosts.

Join us for an uplifting evening of group meditation. Immerse yourself in the relaxing atmosphere of sacred mantras. It’s both simple to practice and sublime. These sessions are perfect for beginners as well as long time practitioners. Using breathing techniques, ancient mantras and group kirtan meditation, one can experience spiritual fulfillment, inner peace and self-realization. Kirtan meditation is perfect for calming the mind, relieving stress and anxiety and enabling one to experience happiness in the heart. Learn also the practice of japa yoga, a meditation technique practiced daily in solitude, and cultivate gradually a deep happiness within. Refreshments will be served after class, all are welcome to stay. In accordance with ancient yoga traditions this meditation class is free of charge.

We are a US investing group for Canadains looking to buy in the US. We are looking to meet and help other investors invest in cash flow positive properties! This group is great for beginners to Experienced investors just looking to network or looking for us to guide the US market set by step. We will have some actual deals brought to the table to show investors.

Contact Alex for location and information.

Join us for refreshing spring hike at **Tommy Thompson Park**, one of Toronto’s most scenic waterfront nature areas. This relaxed group hike is a great way to enjoy fresh air, meet new people, and take in stunning skyline and lake views. We’ll walk at an easy-to-moderate pace with breaks for photos and conversation. No hiking experience required. ### 🚶 What to Expect * Approx. **6–8 km round trip** (flat terrain) * Easy to moderate pace * Beautiful spring lake & skyline views * Friendly, social atmosphere * Perfect for beginners and casual hikers *** ### 👟 What to Bring * Warm jacket, gloves. * Comfortable walking shoes or boots * Optional: snacks, sunglasses *** ### ⚠️ Important Notes * This is an **outdoor activity** – please dress for the weather * Event may be postponed in case of extreme weather *** ### 🤝 Who Can Join Open to adults of all fitness levels. Come solo or bring a friend — everyone is welcome! **Free Parking** Parking lot - small/medium sized parking lot Street Parking - Leslie Street, Unwin Ave **TTC** TTC bus stop is 5 mins walk to meeting spot. TTC street car is 15 mins walk to meeting spot. 💬 **Stay Connected:** ***Join Whatsapp Group - [CLICK HERE](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflzD3fDrU5sLARAT5yDF3OhEu3Vj-2P7ci8mP5FYX46rt1NQ/viewform)*** ***Follow on Instagram - [CLICK HERE](https://www.instagram.com/tam.club/)***

Join us for refreshing spring hike at **Tommy Thompson Park**, one of Toronto’s most scenic waterfront nature areas. This relaxed group hike is a great way to enjoy fresh air, meet new people, and take in stunning skyline and lake views. We’ll walk at an easy-to-moderate pace with breaks for photos and conversation. No hiking experience required. *** ### 🚶 What to Expect * Approx. **6–8 km round trip** (flat terrain) * Easy to moderate pace * Beautiful winter lake & skyline views * Friendly, social atmosphere * Perfect for beginners and casual hikers *** ### 👟 What to Bring * Warm winter jacket, gloves, and hat * Comfortable winter walking shoes or boots * Optional: snacks, sunglasses *** ### ⚠️ Important Notes * This is an **outdoor winter activity** – please dress for the weather * Event may be postponed in case of extreme weather *** ### 🤝 Who Can Join Open to adults of all fitness levels. Come solo or bring a friend — everyone is welcome! *** **Event Fee** FREE if you RSVP before Apr 10 $3.99 if you RSVP on/after Apr 11 **Payment** *(if applicable)* Cash - In person when you arrive at event Etransfer - [themoja@outlook.com](mailto:themoja@outlook.com) (use password **meetup**) Credit Card - [Click here to Pay](https://buy.stripe.com/00w5kD1dac4SaUk1hT0oM01) **[Join WhatsApp Group Chat](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV7PTQJLHF_vOb6ND0PxA0jHX3JYviVJR7BNsByG8PUMzR3w/viewform)** *Signing up in advance helps us plan better. If you attend the event without signing up or permission, there will be a $9 support fee.*

**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/)***

**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.

Hosted by Licking County Parks Registration opens at 9am on April 9th. Ladies are you ready? It's back! Every other year we hold the Women's Outdoor Skills Workshop! The day is a chance for women to relax, enjoy exploring new skills in a welcoming environment, and make new connections! Session topics this year include: archery, kayak, stand up paddleboard, outdoor cooking, firemaking, knot tying, foraging, forest bathing, orienteering, nature photography, nature journaling, intro to disc golf, yoga, Tai Chi, birding, intro to backpacking, and more! Lunch is provided. Fee: $75 * Event Address: James Bradley Center, Infirmary Mound Park, 4309 Lancaster Rd, Granville, OH 43023 * Ages 16+. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. * Cancellation: Cancellation deadline is May 20, 2026. Cancellations before this date will receive a refund. There will be 4 sessions: three 1.5 hour sessions throughout the day (9am-10:30am, 10:50am-12:20pm, 1:30pm - 3pm) followed by the final 1 hour wellness short session (3:20pm - 4:20pm). Each session will have 6 or more classes to choose from. PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM TO BE FULLY REGISTERED - The link will be in your receipt email. It determines your sessions. Sessions assigned FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. Register and pay here: [https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/271/June-2026](https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/271/June-2026)

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL