Trails & Ales! Prairie Oaks Metro Park / Crooked Can Brewing

Thousands of years ago, prairies dominated Ohio's rich glaciated till plains. These plains were gently rolling areas formed by the deposition of glacial till, a mixture of sediments like sand, clay, and rocks, left behind by retreating glaciers. Such plains are generally highly fertile, making them ideal for agriculture.

Today, the restored landscape at Prairie Oaks Metro Park provides a spectacular glimpse of that past. Here is a map of the park.

For this event, we will hike the Coneflower, Adler, Sycamore Plains, Osage Opening, and Tall Grass Trails. This will be around 4.5 to 5 miles. For the most part, this won't be a terribly strenuous hike. However, some of the hike won't be shaded, so be prepared for the possibility of some sun.

Where We'll Meet

• Enter the Park at the main entrance at 3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd. If you put "Prairie Oaks Metro Parks" into your Google Maps, it should default to this main address (but double-check to be sure).
• After you enter the Park, the first parking lot on your right is the Park Office. Keep driving past this lot.
• Enter the second parking lot you come to (which is also on your right). There's a picnic area, playground, and latrine here. There's no water fountain, though, so I recommend you bring water of your own.
• I've included a screen shot in the Photos, below, where I've circled in blue the main Park entrance as well as the picnic area we're meeting at.

After the hike, we'll head over to Crooked Can Brewing. The brewery has easily the most extensive food options of any brewery in central Ohio. In that regard, it's like Italian Village's Budd Dairy Food Hall, except the Crooked Can actually has a big (free) parking lot. I also think the Crooked Can has the best burgers in Columbus.

The actual address of the brewery is 5354 Center St, Hilliard, OH 43026. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike.