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Central New Jersey Events Today
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Monday Indoor Rock Climbing @ Movement Rockville
**Please note new time: we are now starting at 6pm!**
Climbers of all skill levels are welcome! To join us:
1. Complete the [participant agreement](https://movementgyms.com/participant-agreement/).
2. Pass the belay check, which can be done the same day. See [FAQs](https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/#faqs) for more info.
3. Pay for [gym membership or day pass](https://movementgyms.com/memberships-passes/). The event itself is run by volunteer organizers free of charge.
If you are interested but have never belayed before, please take the [Introduction to Rope Climbing](https://movementgyms.com/rockville/calendar/#activity=climbing&location=rockville&class-type=intro-series&area-of-focus=safety-and-belaying) class first. We'd love to climb with you as soon as you know how to belay safely using a GriGri.
To find us, go past the front desk and turn left. We'll gather by the fitness room entrance.
If you need a refresher on knot tying and/or belaying, please post in comments or message the host and we'll be happy to help.
We normally top rope in groups of 2-3 people, but some are also happy to lead. Post in comments or ask on the spot if you are interested in leading.
New Magazine Essays Discussion Club
MDC DSA’s New Magazine Essays Discussion Club meets in person to discuss new essays from some of the Left’s most thought-provoking magazines. All are welcome to join the group’s meeting at **Kalorama Park on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 p.m.** The club will be discussing three essays from the latest issue of *[The Drift](https://www.thedriftmag.com/issues/)*. For more details and links to the readings, check out the group’s [info doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hgx8ZJgQSPUvtbnKRDt5OXZWPij3jVEuLAY-5usdv5o/edit?usp=sharing).
Note: This will be an outdoor meeting, so feel free to bring blankets, snacks, and drinks! If it's looking like we'll have cold or rainy weather, we'll try to update this page a few days in advance with a backup location. The group's info doc will have the latest details.
Please RSVP on [Action Network](https://actionnetwork.org/events/new-magazine-essays-discussion-club-16?source=direct_link&) to receive further updates on this event.
\* \* \*
This event is open to both DSA Members and supporters.
Not a Member? Please consider [becoming a Member](https://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC). Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford.
Monday Evening Rock Climbing at Movement Crystal City
## Details
Hello everyone! We climb at Crystal City Movement every Monday. Please read rest of the description carefully.
We mostly do tope rope climbing but we can arrange bouldering sessions as well. If you prefer lead climbing please post on the comments to find your belay partner.
\#\# Requirements
* If you are not a Movement member, you'll get a daily pass. If you don't have the equipments you can rent them in the gym.
* Please sign the waiver through: [https://movementgyms.com/waiver/](https://movementgyms.com/waiver/)
* You can get a discounted day pass and free rental gear if you say you are here for my meetup
All skill levels are welcome! If you are totally new to climbing and want to do top rope, then you have to have a belay certificate. In order to do that;
* You can check Movement gym Intro to Rope Climbing class : [https://movementgyms.com/crystal-city/climbing/classes/](https://movementgyms.com/crystal-city/climbing/classes/)
* After the course, you should do the 'Belay Check' which can be done as soon as 24 hours after you take the class. The test takes around 15 mins so it can be done before the climbing session.
Before your first visit you may want to check the related webpage: [https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/](https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/)
\#\# Where to meet
To find us go down the stairs in front of the front desk. We will meet around the benches next to climbing walls.
2 for 1: The Civil War & Lincoln Tour of Downtown D.C.! May 18, 2 pm!
A Civil War & Lincoln Tour of Downtown D.C.!!
Downtown D.C. from the Capitol Building to Ford’s Theater has dozens of locales relating to amazing events and personalities of the Civil War. This unique walking tour, held on the anniversary of Lincoln's tragic assassination, will touch on the startling events that occurred on these streets.
BONUS: We'll do a Capitol Building & Congress history tour at 10:30 am that morning. (https://www.meetup.com/washarea-discovery-hikes/events/314600728/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events)
If you pay for either tour, you get to take the other one for free!
MEET outside U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001
When: Monday, May 18, 2 pm
Length: About 2 hours.
Fee: $22.
Pre-Register and PrePay via:
Paypal, sending $23 to: paypal.me/EMoser460
Or Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2-for-1-the-civil-war-lincoln-tour-of-downtown-dc-may-18-2-pm-tickets-1988806833777?aff=oddtdtcreator
Or, pay in cash at the start of the tour.
Some of our action-packed itinerary!:
• The war’s unknown great photographer
• The secret grotto for Civil War veterans
• The statue of the hero of Gettysburg, who ran as a pro-South presidential candidate
• The man who killed John Wilkes Booth—or did he?
• The place which inspired an Oscar-winning movie, and where a plot to assassinate pre-war President James Buchanan was hatched!
• The Confederate soldier who revolutionized warfare
• The secret society of “free men of color”
• The North divided: Yankees vs. Irish
• Workplace of the most famous caregiver in American history, and the astonishing task Lincoln gave her
• The lodgings of the Booth conspirators
• The great inventor who botched antebellum politics
• The military nurse who was the country’s most eminent poet
• The place of the assassination of a President & former Union general
• The astonishing plot to kill Confederate President Jefferson Davis
• The hulking guard whose critical absence led to Mr. Lincoln’s demise
• The building where Walt Whitman and Clara Barton worked
• A reenactment of Lincoln’s murder
• The Lincoln conspirators’ horrific fate
• A slain President’s final and noble request
Your guide is a former writer for the “Tonight Show”, and ex-White House speechwriter, and author of a book on the history of presidential politics, including several chapters on Civil War era presidents:
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Term-Jinx-Presidents-Washington-Theodore-Roosevelt-ebook/dp/B01K0NT0CK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
And his book on the Capitol Building’s wild history:
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-History-Capital-Tumultuous-Congress/dp/1493055909
Also his crime thriller drawing on Civil War lore:
https://www.amazon.com/OLD-TOWN-HORROR-Americas-Historic-ebook/dp/B0BX27RWYG
We’re on TripAdvisor!:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g28970-d12791843-Reviews-Lafayette_Square_Tour_of_Scandal_Assassination_Intrigue-Washington_DC_District_of.html
Think history is boring? Think again!
2 tours for the price of 1!!
Trivia: Ballston Local, Arlington, VA - all levels welcome
We will be participating in a trivia night event at Ballston Local in Arlington on Monday. Trivia starts at 7 pm.
The location is in proximity to the Ballston Metro Station if you plan on taking public transportation.
Parking: There may be free street parking in the nearby residential neighborhoods (perhaps between Wilson and Carlin Springs). Otherwise, paid street or paid parking garage (Ballston Quarter Mall is a garage a few blocks away).
Maximum number of members on a team is 6.
To ensure you get a spot on a trivia team:
* Please arrive by 6:45 PM, or notify the hosts that you are running late by 6:45 PM. If you arrive after 6:45 or don't notify the hosts, you are not guaranteed a spot on a trivia team and may need to form your own, separate team.
* Please RSVP so we know to expect you. Don't be like Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn from Wedding Crashers and crash a trivia event.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!
Central New Jersey Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Music by Ted Garber
Ted Garber is a genre-bending multi-instrumentalist whose “BluesAmericanaRock” combines classic showmanship with a captivating singer-songwriter sensibility. His smokey, bluesy vocals, howling harmonica riffs and screaming guitar licks take us on a diverse musical journey from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, hovering in the Mississippi Delta before heading South of the Border. This is part of Montgomery County Parks Acoustics and Ale series. Bring a chair.
Sunday Brunch Social: Meet New Friends
⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:**
[https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/)
**This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Washington.**
Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit.
👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:**
[https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com)
Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group.
**Why this works:**
\* Smaller groups make real conversations easier
\* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics
**Note:**
RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website.
This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.
Rockville Bike Party goes to Hometown Holidays
Join us for a fun and festive group bike ride to **[Hometown Holidays](https://www.rockvillemd.gov/services/hometown-holidays/)**[, ](https://www.rockvillemd.gov/services/hometown-holidays/)Rockville’s premier Memorial Day weekend celebration! We’ll pedal our way through scenic routes and quiet neighborhoods, ending at Rockville Town Square just in time to enjoy live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
We’ll take a safe, mostly flat, [4-mile route](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54739275) using bike-friendly streets, and off street trails. During the route, we will pass by 2 of Rockville's Bike Counters, which record data for the city's Public Works department.
Helmets required. All ages are welcomed. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring water, a lock, and money if you plan to buy food or drinks at the festival.
Parking on Sundays is free at the Twinbrook Station if you bring your bike in your car. This will be a one-way ride so everyone can enjoy the festivities at Hometown Holidays. The Rockville Metro is available for those who want to return to Twinbrook.
Let’s kick off the summer season with good company, great weather, and a celebration in the heart of Rockville!
READ THE FINE PRINT, PLEASE:
• Bicycling involves inherent risks and requires that participants be in proper physical condition. When you RSVP "yes" to a Bike Rockville event, that RSVP is your digital signature attesting that you have read, understood, and agreed to the group's Liability Waiver and Release, [located here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BocKiaMJwba62c7b583CoOxIYamFiaWN/view?usp=sharing)
• HELMETS ARE REQUIRED for all riders on every ride.
• We strongly recommend you bring a water bottle, spare tube, cell phone, ID card, and cash or credit card for emergencies.
• Rain at start cancels the ride; Wet pavement does not.
Restonish FC (Black Jersey)
Please arrive early (no later than 7:30) to stretch out and warm up.
Wear a black jersey and bring a pair of shin guards.
Adventuring's 47th Anniversary Hike to Hoover Camp in Shenandoah NP
This is a moderate circuit hike of 7.6 miles with 1320 feet of elevation gain on trails rich in both history and scenery.
Adventuring's very first hike occurred 47 years ago this month, as our Founders ventured out in 1979 to Hoover Camp in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. It's an exceptionally scenic spot, where two modest streams (Mill Prong and Laurel Prong) merge to create the Rapidan River. Hoover Camp was originally built by President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover as a mountain hideaway and fishing retreat, a precursor to today's Camp David. Though many of the original structures have disappeared, the President's House (a.k.a. the Brown House) and the Prime Minister's Cabin survive to this day.
Our hike will begin at Milam Gap, just south of Big Meadows. We'll have one stream crossing at Big Rock Falls before we reach Hoover Camp, where we'll lunch on or near the porch of the Brown House and then explore the rest of the site. Our return route will first use the Laurel Prong Trail and then the Cat Knob Trail to reach the Appalachian Trail, which will take us back to our cars at Milam Gap.
We will decide at the end of the hike whether to enjoy refreshments at the charming New Market Taproom in Big Meadows Lodge or somewhere on the drive home.
Total length of this moderate circuit hike will be 7.6 miles with 1320 feet of elevation gain on the return leg. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy boots, and $5 for the Adventuring trip fee. On the way to the hike, we'll stop at Sheetz in Warrenton so folks can pick up snacks or lunch. Carpool passengers should pay their drivers $20 (assuming each car has at least one rider with a Park Pass, which is usually the case).
Meet at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning May 23 in the Kiss & Ride Lot of the East Falls Church Metro Station at North Sycamore and 19th Streets, to your right as Metro riders leave the station's only exit.
NEW! Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.
BUS TRIP TO CARIBBEAN WINE FESTIVAL
Welcome to the
**2026 Caribbean Wine & Musical Festival**
**Goombay Bus Trip**
**Saturday, May 23, 2026**
from 7:00am - 7:00pm
**[REGISTER AT WWW.GOOMBAY.NET](http://www.goombay.net/)**
**$145 per person-Transportation & Admission**
\* Price includes round trip coach transportation, group tent in Tent City & admission into the festival with complementary wine glass
**$110 per person-Transportation Only**
\* Price includes round trip coach transportation only. You must purchase your festival ticket from Linganore
\*\* This is a RAIN or SHINE event. All payments are final and non-refundable \*\*
**PICK UP LOCATION**
Maryland
**Morgan Blvd\. Metro Park & Ride \| 300 Garrett Morgan Blvd\. Landover\, MD \| Depart at 7:00am**
\*Please arrive by 6:45am at the departure point. We will make a stop in Mt. Airy for food, ice & drinks
**For more information contact Butch at (202)210-1957**
Central New Jersey Events Near You
Connect with your local Central New Jersey community
TBD
**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you.
The building address is 4450 Bridge Park
The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400
You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge.
**Abstract**
TBD
**YouTube Link**
TBD
Free In-Person Meeting: Healing from Trauma and Past Betrayals
This is a free, in person meeting.
Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse.
Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well.
Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship.
Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action?
Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships!
Break free from self imposed limitations
Here we will discuss:
• How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes.
• Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you?
• Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it?
• Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love?
• Fights & arguments - what's really behind them?
• What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others?
• How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change?
• Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them?
• How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about?
• How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career?
Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general.
Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person.
Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life.
We look forward to having you join us!
This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
In Person Event: The Secrets to Mental Health
Mental Health, how do you understand it? How can you improve it?
How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself.
Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went?
Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence?
Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.
This group is hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
Central Ohio friends 5 year Bar Crawl
For the last 5 years, Central Ohio Friends and Columbus Social Connection have teamed up for some incredible nights out and some of the biggest social events in Columbus with our biggest combined event bringing out 80+ people.
⚠️ Please only RSVP through ONE group to help keep headcount accurate.
Now we’re celebrating where it all started.
On Friday, May 22, we’ll be joining Central Ohio Friends 🍻 **Starting at Whistle & Keg at 8:00 PM** before making our way through the Arena District
Making a stop at Brothers Bar & Grill in the Arena District the same place their very first event was held back in 2021.
Whether you’ve been to one of our events before or **have been waiting for the right one to come out to,** this is a great one to jump into.
Stop scrolling. Start doing stuff.
If you find value in these events consider contributing
Link can be found in comments!
Free In-Person Meeting: Get Over Losses & Betrayals, Build Lasting Relationships
This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships.
Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse.
Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well.
Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship.
Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action?
Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships!
Break free from self imposed limitations
Here we will discuss:
• How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes.
• Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you?
• Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it?
• Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love?
• Fights & arguments - what's really behind them?
• What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others?
• How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change?
• Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them?
• How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about?
• How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career?
Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general.
Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person.
Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life.
We look forward to having you join us!
This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
**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.




























