Outdoors

After a long time, we’re happy to organise a city hike MeetUp again. We’ll meet at 2:00 pm in front of the Acropolis Museum and start our walk towards the main entrance of Filopappou Hill. We'll visit the Philopappou Monument and several other historical sites. This green hill in the heart of Athens hides (and shows) a rich collection of Greek history, spanning from around 500 BC to the 19th century. Democracy was born here. We can still visit its cradle. Every step unfolds a new breathtaking view on the Acropolis, the entire city of Athens, and her surroundings. The pace will be relaxed, with time to look around and talk. After the walk, those who wish can join us for coffee at Brysaki: [https://share.google/kGFKketE0d4LFuJ7X](https://share.google/kGFKketE0d4LFuJ7X)

Coffee & Chat (& Brunch) Come and make new friends this Sunday over a nice coffee & chat (& Brunch), the perfect way to end the weekend. Everyone is welcome, International & Greek, meeting in English (but other languages are welcome) Let's meet at En Aithria from 12 to 16/17. Ask for the coffee group https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecdSiXxg6sT8h6kF7 +32486805343 Whatsapp Looking forward to seeing you all there!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Athens Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new brunch spots in your city, together. \* Curated brunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your brunch group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on Meetup.com is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Book your place at www.basketble.com Time: 17.00-18.30 (Athens Time) Duration: 1.5 hours Price: 10 Euros (payment at the basketball court) Facilities: Underground parking Game Setup (depending on the number of players) 3 teams of 5 players playing against each other Winner stays on but maximum 2 games 7 minute games You can play in the same team with your friends or we will place you in a team Come Out and Play!

***Note:*** *We receive bookings from many different platforms, so you can expect a lively group with people joining from all over the world. When you join the **Original Athens Pub Crawl**, you’ll be part of a fun, social crowd ready to explore the city together.* **The New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl includes 1 Hour Open Bar - All You Can Drink** ### Original Athens Pub Crawl – Explore Athens by Night: Looking for the best way to experience Athens nightlife? The **Original Athens Pub Crawl** is the ultimate evening adventure for travelers who want to explore the city after dark, meet new people, and enjoy an unforgettable night out. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and groups, this crawl takes you through some of Athens’ most exciting nightlife districts, mixing popular venues with hidden local gems. Led by friendly local hosts, you’ll discover Athens in a whole new light—through its buzzing atmosphere, music, and social energy. Expect a night filled with fun activities, interactive games, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow travelers from around the world. Whether you’re here for one night or a full holiday, the Original Athens Pub Crawl guarantees a memorable evening of laughter, culture, and new friendships. **Highlights:** * Experience Athens nightlife with local hosts and fellow travelers * Explore a mix of lively venues, social spots, and hidden gems * Join fun games and activities that keep the energy going all night * Meet new friends from across the globe in a relaxed, friendly setting * A perfect choice for solo adventurers, groups of friends, or party lovers Make your trip to Athens unforgettable—join the **Original Athens Pub Crawl** and dive into the city’s vibrant night scene!

After a long time, we’re happy to organise a city hike MeetUp again. We’ll meet at 2:00 pm in front of the Acropolis Museum and start our walk towards the main entrance of Filopappou Hill. We'll visit the Philopappou Monument and several other historical sites. This green hill in the heart of Athens hides (and shows) a rich collection of Greek history, spanning from around 500 BC to the 19th century. Democracy was born here. We can still visit its cradle. Every step unfolds a new breathtaking view on the Acropolis, the entire city of Athens, and her surroundings. The pace will be relaxed, with time to look around and talk. After the walk, those who wish can join us for coffee at Brysaki: [https://share.google/kGFKketE0d4LFuJ7X](https://share.google/kGFKketE0d4LFuJ7X)

Coffee & Chat (& Brunch) Come and make new friends this Sunday over a nice coffee & chat (& Brunch), the perfect way to end the weekend. Everyone is welcome, International & Greek, meeting in English (but other languages are welcome) Let's meet at En Aithria from 12 to 16/17. Ask for the coffee group https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecdSiXxg6sT8h6kF7 +32486805343 Whatsapp Looking forward to seeing you all there!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Athens Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new brunch spots in your city, together. \* Curated brunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your brunch group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on Meetup.com is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Book your place at www.basketble.com Time: 17.00-18.30 (Athens Time) Duration: 1.5 hours Price: 10 Euros (payment at the basketball court) Facilities: Underground parking Game Setup (depending on the number of players) 3 teams of 5 players playing against each other Winner stays on but maximum 2 games 7 minute games You can play in the same team with your friends or we will place you in a team Come Out and Play!

***Note:*** *We receive bookings from many different platforms, so you can expect a lively group with people joining from all over the world. When you join the **Original Athens Pub Crawl**, you’ll be part of a fun, social crowd ready to explore the city together.* **The New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl includes 1 Hour Open Bar - All You Can Drink** ### Original Athens Pub Crawl – Explore Athens by Night: Looking for the best way to experience Athens nightlife? The **Original Athens Pub Crawl** is the ultimate evening adventure for travelers who want to explore the city after dark, meet new people, and enjoy an unforgettable night out. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and groups, this crawl takes you through some of Athens’ most exciting nightlife districts, mixing popular venues with hidden local gems. Led by friendly local hosts, you’ll discover Athens in a whole new light—through its buzzing atmosphere, music, and social energy. Expect a night filled with fun activities, interactive games, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow travelers from around the world. Whether you’re here for one night or a full holiday, the Original Athens Pub Crawl guarantees a memorable evening of laughter, culture, and new friendships. **Highlights:** * Experience Athens nightlife with local hosts and fellow travelers * Explore a mix of lively venues, social spots, and hidden gems * Join fun games and activities that keep the energy going all night * Meet new friends from across the globe in a relaxed, friendly setting * A perfect choice for solo adventurers, groups of friends, or party lovers Make your trip to Athens unforgettable—join the **Original Athens Pub Crawl** and dive into the city’s vibrant night scene!

**History** [Blacklick Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods/), established in 1949, holds the distinction of being the first Columbus Metro Park. Its creation stemmed from a post-World War II push to preserve natural areas amid rapid suburban growth. The land, originally farmland and woodlots along Blacklick Creek, was acquired by the Columbus Metropolitan Park Board through donations and purchases. Early efforts focused on basic trail development and reforestation to combat erosion. The park's name derives from the creek, which early settlers called "Black Lick" due to its dark, mineral-rich waters. By the 1950s, it served as a model for the expanding Metro Parks system. In the 1960s, Blacklick Woods expanded significantly with additional land acquisitions, reaching over 600 acres. A golf course was added in 1964, one of the first public courses in the region, designed to generate revenue for park maintenance. Native American artifacts, including arrowheads from the Adena culture, were discovered during construction, highlighting the area's prehistoric use as hunting grounds. The park introduced interpretive programs to educate visitors on local ecology and history. Flood control measures along the creek became a priority after heavy rains caused damage. These developments solidified its role as a recreational hub. The 1970s and 1980s brought environmental awareness, leading to habitat restoration projects at Blacklick Woods. Invasive species were removed, and native wildflowers were planted in the meadows. A nature center opened in 1976, featuring exhibits on wetlands and forests. The park's slate-covered bridge, a remnant of 19th-century infrastructure, was preserved as a historic feature. Birdwatching gained popularity with the addition of observation decks. Community volunteers played a key role in trail maintenance and cleanups. During the 1990s, Blacklick Woods underwent major upgrades, including paved multi-use trails for biking and hiking. The Walter A. Tucker Nature Preserve, a 53-acre old-growth forest within the park, was dedicated in 1995 to protect rare beech-maple woodlands. Educational partnerships with local schools introduced field trips on topics like stream ecology. The golf course was renovated to improve playability while minimizing environmental impact. Annual events, such as the fall festival, drew thousands to celebrate the park's natural beauty. These enhancements balanced recreation with conservation. In the 21st century, Blacklick Woods has adapted to increasing visitation with sustainable practices. Solar panels were installed at facilities in the 2010s to reduce energy costs. The park now spans 643 acres, offering diverse habitats from wetlands to uplands. Recent initiatives include pollinator gardens and prescribed burns to maintain prairie areas. It remains a flagship for the Metro Parks, inspiring similar preservations system-wide. Ongoing archaeological surveys continue to uncover traces of early inhabitants. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Blacklick Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BLK-map-May-2025-with-extended-greenway_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike about 4.5 miles by doing a couple loops of the Buttonbush, Tucker, Maple Loop, and Beech trails. Blacklick Woods is a very nice park, but it is generally flat and not strenuous, so this will be one of the easier hikes that we do. **Where We'll Meet** Drive all the way to the back of the park to the parking lot that is nearest the Nature Center. There are restrooms here next to the Canopy Walk. We'll meet near these restrooms. Speaking of the [Canopy Walk](https://www.metroparks.net/blog/canopy-walk-is-your-gateway-to-the-sky/), it's not officially part of the event this time. However, if interested people want to freelance and check it out after the hike (before heading to the brewery), that's okay. **After the Hike** After we're done with the trails, we'll head to [Prost Beer & Wine Café](https://prostcafe.com/) for drinks and [food](https://prostcafe.com/reynoldsburg-prost-beer-and-wine-cafe-food-menu). The actual address of the brewery is [7354 E Main St, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068](https://www.google.com/maps/place/7354+E+Main+St,+Reynoldsburg,+OH+43068/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8838648cfb8d2dbb:0x545274bab130e9bb?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and we should be there by 5:00 if you just want to do that and skip the hike.

Wild Ones: Annual Native Seed Swap January 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Join Wild Ones Columbus for their annual native seeds swap. If you have native seeds to share, please label them with the Latin name and common name. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but remove as much stem as possible. Bringing seeds is not required. Bring bags or envelopes to store seeds. Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 Phone (614)895-6216 This event will be held in the Greenhouse/Multipurpose Building located near the east end of the parking lot. Click here to see the Inniswood map. If you have native seeds to share, label each species with this information: * Botanical Name * Common Name Species we will accept: * Species native to our ecoregion (8.2.4) - Best * Species native to Ohio and surrounding states - Good * Straight species only - no cultivars. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but don’t leave much stem on the seed heads. Please email the list of species to Mary May so we can prepare information for attendees. You can bring the seeds on the day of the swap, or we can arrange to have them picked up beforehand - just let her know in the email. If you don’t have any seeds to bring, no worries. If you are new to native plants or didn't have time to collect seeds, there are ALWAYS plenty from those that do bring them! We love to see "newbies" at our seed exchange! Also, remember to bring something to put seeds in such as envelopes, paper bags or containers.