Historical Tours

Join us on May 19, for livestreamed Google I/O keynotes, local presentations by rocks-star speakers from Google, Aliz, Zenitech, and a real hands-on workshop by the award winning educator and Google Developer Expert Muhammad Ahsan Ayaz (CodeWithAhsan.dev) at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). The Department of Automation and Applied Informatics at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and Google Developer Groups Budapest cordially invite all interested parties to join us for a collective viewing of Google I/O, preceded by domestic professional presentations and a real hands-on AI workshop. --- BUILD WITH AI WORKSHOP In the AI Workshop we will set up a working AI based Travel Agent solution using the Agent Development Kit (ADK) in Google Cloud.You'll learn: How to get started with Google's powerful Gemini CLI How to integrate MCP servers with Gemini CLI Creating API keys in AI Studio Getting started with Google ADK (Agent Development Kit) Providing tools to the AI Agent Using Google Search (Grounding) with the AI Agent Providing MCP tools (AirBnB MCP server) to the AI Agent as well By the end of the hands-on workshop, you'll have a working ADK agent that uses the AirBnB MCP server to help as a travel agent, and the powerful Gemini CLI which can be used for a plethora of usecases including coding, searching for information, understand code repositories, and more. --- GOOGLE IO EXTENDED During the live streams, over pizza and refreshments, we can discuss the upcoming strategies of the technology's leading player for the next period. Participation is free until the limit is reached, but registration is required.  --- A Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem (BME) Automatizálási és Alkalmazott Informatikai Tanszéke és a Google Developer Groups Budapest szeretettel hív minden érdeklődőt egy közös Google I/O nézésre, és előtte pedig hazai szakmai előadásokra és egy hands-on AI workshop-ra. Az AI workshop során egy AI alapú Travel Agent alkalmazást fogunk felépíteni, az Agent Development Kit (ADK) és a Google Cloud segítségével. Az élő streamek során átbeszélgethetjük egy pizza és üdítő mellett a technológia meghatározó szereplőjének a következő időszakra várható stratégiáját. A részvétel a limit elérésééig ingyenes, de regisztrációhoz kötött.  --- Organizers: - Department of Automation and Applied Informatics at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) - Google Developer Groups Budapest - GDG on Campus BME - GDG on Campus Eotvos Lorand University --- https://io.google/2026 Contact: io-extended-budapest@googlegroups.com Agenda 4:00 PM: Arrival, Registration 4:15 PM: Opening notes 4:20 PM: Gergely Major (Zenitech) A safe way to use AI 4:50 PM: Norbert Liki (Aliz) How is AI reshaping Google Cloud? What does this mean for developers? 5:10 PM: Antal Mihalyi (Google) 5:30 PM: Muhammad Ahsan Ayaz (Google Developer Expert) Hands-on AI workshop: Building a Simple Travel Agent with ADK and Gemini CLI 7:00 PM: Google keynote (live stream) Discover how Google are furthering their mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. --- Speakers Antal Mihályi - Google (Engineering Site Lead) Antal is the Engineering Site Lead at Google in Hungary. Muhammad Ahsan Ayaz - Scania Group (Googel Developer Expert | Software Architect | Author | Award winning Educator) Muhammad Ahsan Ayaz is a Google Developer Expert (GDE) in Angular and a seasoned Software Architect. He is a passionate open-source contributor, best known as the creator of the popular ngx-device-detector library and author of the "Angular Cookbook." Through his "Code with Ahsan" community, he shares his expertise in modern web development, AI, and productivity with thousands of developers wo… Norbert Liki - Aliz (CTO) Norbert is a self-motivated data scientist who is always in pursuit of new opportunities to develop himself. Throughout his career he haa been working closely together with business to solve problems with more and more advanced tools and techniques. His current focus is on cloud technologies and deep learning. Gergely Major - Zenitech (AI Developer specializing in Machine Learning) I'm an AI developer at Zenitech Consulting Zrt., specializing in computer vision and LLM-driven agents. I’m passionate about bringing ideas to production and creating impactful, real-world solutions. Hosts Péter Ekler Dr. - Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Associate Professor) Péter Ekler Dr. is Associate Professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Department of Automation and Applied Informatics. Bertalan Forstner Dr. - Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Deputy Department Head and Associate Professor) Bertalan Forstner Dr. is the Deputy Department Head and Associate Professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Department of Automation and Applied Informatics. Zsigmond P. Toth - zsigmond.ai (Google Cloud Architect) Zsigmond is a Google Cloud Architect and an organizer of the GDG Budapest and GDG Cloud Budapest communities. Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-budapest-presents-google-io-extended-2026-budapest/.

Csatlakozz a Kezdő 1 kurzusunkhoz! Ez a kurzus a **2025 szeptemberében indult Teljesen kezdő csoportunk folytatása**, de új érdeklődők is csatlakozhatnak, ha már van minimális tapasztalatuk argentin tangóban. **Időpont:** Keddenként 19:00–20:00 (első alkalom 2026-ban: január 6.) **Helyszín:** Roxy Táncstúdió, Tátra utca 4., 1136 Budapest **Tanárok:** Szeghalmi Endre és Serbán Andrea Teljes órarendünk: [https://tangolibre.hu/orarend/](https://tangolibre.hu/orarend/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwaDNKZFpsQVh2dUpJMklKd3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7-aVO75w-5o1MEitQYD_hyAji9mGat21L3FYSxxPdYQTAUrjN9qopadYwkuw_aem_cRLCRnGqUCcsUeCJj_XpyA) Árak: [https://tangolibre.hu/arak/](https://tangolibre.hu/arak/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Beginner 1 Argentine Tango Course – continuation** This course is the continuation of our Total Beginner group started in September 2025. New participants are also welcome if you already have some basic experience in Argentine tango. **Time:** Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 PM (First class in 2026: **January 6)** **📍 Location:** Roxy Dance Studio, Tátra utca 4., 1136 Budapest **Teachers:** Endre Szeghalmi & Andrea Serbán Prices: [https://tangolibre.hu/en/prices/](https://tangolibre.hu/en/prices/) ***

Csatlakozz a KEZDŐ 2 kurzusunkhoz! **Időpont:** Keddenként 20:00–21:00 (első alkalom 2026-ban: **január 6.)** **Helyszín**: Roxy Táncstúdió Tátra utca 4., 1136 Budapest [Teljes órarendünk](https://tangolibre.hu/orarend/) **Tanárok**: Szeghalmi Endre és Serbán Andrea ✦✦✦ Join our **Beginner 2 Argentine Tango course**! This class is for dancers who already know the basics and would like to continue developing their technique, connection, and enjoyment of tango. **🕒 Time** Tuesdays 8:00–9:00 PM First class in 2026: **January 6** **📍 Location** Roxy Dance Studio Tátra utca 4., 1136 Budapest **Teachers** Endre Szeghalmi & Andrea Serbán **Prices:**[ https://tangolibre.hu/en/prices/](https://tangolibre.hu/en/prices/)

🚀☁️ Visszatérünk a Shiwaforce-ba, itt a következő AWS User Group Budapest Meetup! ☁️🚀 Számlázás, reselling, partnerprogram – és egy AI agent, amely valós időben fizet a nevünkben. Ezen az estén az AWS gyakorlati, operációs oldala kerül a középpontba: változások, amelyek nem a tech hírek középpontjában szerepelnek, mégis közvetlenül érintik a mindennapi munkát. *** 🗓️ Program: **17:30 – Megnyitó** Balassy Mihály @ AWS User Group Budapest Rövid köszöntő, hírek a közösségről **17:35 – Hogyan változik az AWS partneri értékelése 2026-ban?** Hegedüs-Csapó Veronika – Business Development Manager @ TD SYNNEX Hungary 2026-ban az AWS nem csak technológiailag újít – a számlázás, a viszonteladói modell és a partnerprogram területén is jelentős változások zajlanak, amelyek sok céget közvetlenül érintenek. Veronika előadásában ezeket járja körbe: * 💳 Billing Transzfer – mi változott és kire hat? * 🔄 A reselling modellt érintő újítások * 🏅 Program- és kompetencia-változások – az adminisztratív kötelezettségtől a mérhető piaci előnyig **18:05 – Amikor az AI agentek fizetik a számlát: x402 élesben AWS-en** Varga György Márk – Product Developer @ Shiwaforce Az x402 egy nyílt fizetési protokoll, amelyet eredetileg a Coinbase fejlesztett ki, és ma már a Linux Foundation gondozásában fut – olyan nevek támogatásával, mint az AWS, a Google, a Stripe és a Visa. A HTTP 402 státuszkódra építve lehetővé teszi, hogy AI ügynökök és API-k közvetlenül, egyetlen webes kérés keretében fizessenek egymásnak – fiók, előfizetés vagy API kulcs nélkül. Az előadáson: * 🔍 Megértjük, hogyan működik a protokoll * ⚡ Élő demó: fizetős API CloudFront + Lambda@Edge segítségével * 🤖 Bedrock AgentCore-on futó ügynök, amely autonóm módon fizet * 🛡️ Governance réteg: költési limitek és engedélyezett célpontok kezelése **🎉 Zárás: Kvíz & Networking** Ajándékok is lesznek – szóval érdemes figyelni előadás közben! 😄 Majd jön a jól megérdemelt 🍕 pizza és 🍺 sör, és folytatódik a közösségi beszélgetés. *** Gyere el, találkozz az AWS közösséggel, értesülj elsők között a 2026-os változásokról, és lásd élőben, ahogy egy AI agent fizeti a számlát! 🤖💳☁️ Várunk szeretettel! 🤝✨

🎭 ENGLISH STAND-UP COMEDY OPEN MIC 🎭 Hot Paprika Comedy🌶️ is proud to team up with the wonderful people at 📍Jo&Joe Budapest to bring you a 🔁weekly open mic every Tuesday. We want to give everyone opportunities to jump on stage and unlock their potential for stand-up comedy. The show will happen on the lobby floor at Jo&Joe Budapest 👉If you think you have good jokes, a funny song or a fun mime, sign up on the post in the event description! 🆘FREE SHOW! But donations are appreciated 🤗 We ask you to bring some loose cash if possible. 🎭Hosted by Tauseef Parvez 🪑Seats are on a first come first serve basis. Come early to have good seats. Follow @hotpaprikacomedy for more shows🎭

Improving the quality of our breathing can powerfully support our lives. Practicing in the Salt Cave, with the support of 8 tons of salt, is a truly special experience. Everyone knows that during a cold or flu, salt can provide quick support. And of course, we all know how to breathe, because we are alive. Learning proper breathing takes time and a little perseverance. Even one breathing therapy session can bring us a lot of understanding, but for more reliable results, a greater number of repetitions is helpful. What can you expect at such a breathing therapy class in the Salt Cave? After settling into a comfortable seated position, we will go over the basics of proper breathing together, then step by step we will practice these gentle and slow movements with every breath. We warmly welcome you. The group leader: Ganga (Anikó Szabó) Child, Teen, and Adult Lead Yoga Instructor, Women’s Yoga Therapist, Breathing Coach, Certified Chemical Engineer, PhD in Environmental Sciences, Materials Structure Researcher Price: 8000 HUF/person

We continue with *Philosophy Movie Night* testing Tuesday. Relaxed, cozi, with popcorn to munch and a fine (alcohol-free) wine to sip, in company of nice people. This is a session to watch one of those older movies we never got the chance to watch in thoughtful company. The format is simple: we select a film in our community under 2 hours (link to the poll below), then optionally discuss it together at the end. **How it works** * Choose or suggest a film in the facebook group. * The winning movie gets screened next Wednesday. * English or Hungarian subtitles are available upon request. **What to expect** * A curated film with philosophical depth * A projector and casual atmosphere. The first to arrive gets the sofa. * An optional discussion after the screening for those who fancy talking about it. **Practical details** Location: Kisvilág Kulturális és Társadalmi Alapítvány Please, put 18:00 in your calendar, get your seat, order some snack, meet some friends and have an introduction of the movie. Movie starts: 18:30 Ticket: Free **Note: the space is limited**, only sign if you are actually going! We will message to confirm, if you dont answer we might give your seat to someone else! Donations to support the association are welcome Snacks and beverages available for purchase. **Want to vote for the movie?** We made a poll in our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/budapestphilosophy/permalink/969860102200121/

El objetivo de este encuentro es romper el hielo, hablar de las historias que nos gusta escribir, de por qué escribimos, de los libros que nos gusta leer, de qué dificultades encontramos al enfrentarnos al folio en blanco y de qué esperamos del grupo. En definitiva, se trata de conocernos como personas para entendernos como escritores. No importa si has escrito diez novelas, cuatro cuentos o el precioso título de un poema sin versos. Aquí todo aspirante a juntaletras es bienvenido.

Please sign up in advance! Hot Paprika Presents: Budapest’s Best Pub Quiz! Sign Up: https://forms.gle/CouTc9QdmoPqEkRp8 Join us for the Hot Paprika Pub Quiz at Bunkert, kicking off at 8 PM! This isn’t your average trivia night—it's hosted by comedians, so expect uncomfortable laughs, unexpected twists, and an unforgettable time! What to Expect: Diverse Topics – From pop culture to history, no subject is off-limits! Comedian Hosts – The hilarious Tauseef Parvez will keep you entertained. Big Prizes – Weekly winners score free comedy show tickets & bar discounts . Donation-Based – Come, play, and support the show however you can! Gather your team, sharpen your wits, and let’s make trivia night legendary! Register now and don’t miss out!

Practice Buddhist meditation in the middle of Budapest! The meditation is suitable for beginners. Each regular meditation is guided and begins with a short introduction. (all together is about 30-40 minutes) Our regular Buddhist meditations have proven popular with people who want to integrate authentic Buddhist methods into their daily lives. For the modern lay person who is juggling work, relationships, and an active role in society, we teach a meditation that is easy to learn, and profound and powerful for experienced practitioners. The meditation originates from the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It has a cumulative effect on mind, leading to greater clarity and calmness. Fearlessness, joy, and active compassion are the result of regular practice of Buddhist meditation. * Do I need any special clothing? No special clothing needed. * Does the attendance cost anything? No, the meditation is free.

Come meet people and play new board games with the international members of the BFG Whatsapp group! [Link to join the chat is here](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JRYftbhepSxK3ugOb7Ceyy). We’ll reserve a few tables at Vault 51 and then play games in smaller groups throughout the evening. **Note:** *Vault 51 requires that you pay a 600 Ft table fee per person at the bar.* Feel free to bring games you want to play or play something from the bar’s collection. Hot food and snacks are available from the bar until about 10pm Spots for this event are limited to not go too far over our table reservation, so please change your RSVP if you are not able to attend, also if you are on the waitlist, please wait to be in the "going" before attending! Also everyone can bring 1 guest only. Don't bring more, we wont have enough seats! Thanks you!

Join us for the new session of our discussion series **“A Night With…”**, where we dive into timeless myths and their universal messages. Following our last session, where we explored the journey of Orpheus, this the time to delve into the *nostos* (gr. "homecoming") of Odysseus, and moreover into this complex but manifold character. **What to expect:** * I will open the meetup with a short introduction to Odysseus’ myth and share (or suggest) a few possible interpretations and connections. * After that, the floor is yours! Bring your thoughts, reflections, and any links you see between this myth and other domains, e.g. literature, art, philosophy, psychology, history or even your own creative work. * If you’re an artist and your work resonates with the divine twins' story, feel free to share it with the group. **Before the event:** Take 5 minutes to read the quick snippet of Odysseus’ myth (provided below👇🏽) and think of: * A book, artwork, or personal reflection that relates to her story. * Any modern parallels or insights you’d like to discuss. This is a space for **open dialogue, creativity, and shared exploration**. ### ### **🌊The story of Odysseus in Brief** **🏛️ Chaper 1. Before Troy – The Mind of Odysseus** Odysseus, king of Ithaca, is not the strongest Greek hero—that is Achilles—but he is the most intelligent, strategic, and persuasive. His defining traits: **Metis** **Persuasion and diplomacy** **Pragmatism:** Key early acts of wit: 1\. Avoiding the war \(feigned madness\) When Helen is taken to Troy, Odysseus tries to avoid joining the war. He pretends to be insane—ploughing the fields and sowing salt. But Palamedes tests him by placing his infant son Telemachus in front of the plough. Odysseus swerves to avoid harming him, revealing his sanity. 2\. Recruiting Achilles Odysseus is sent to find Achilles, who is hidden among women to avoid war. Odysseus cleverly lays out jewels and weapons; Achilles instinctively chooses the weapons, revealing himself. 3\. The Oath of Tyndareus Before Helen’s marriage, Odysseus had proposed a solution to avoid conflict: all suitors swear to defend the chosen husband. This idea later binds the Greek kings together in the Trojan War. **⚔️ Chapter 2. The Trojan War – Strategy Over Strength** During the ten-year war, Odysseus becomes indispensable not for combat, but for turning points. Key contributions: 1\. The theft of the Palladium 2\. The Trojan Horse \(his greatest invention\) **🌊 Chapter 3. The *Nostos *** After victory, Odysseus’ journey home takes another 10 years. This is where his intelligence is constantly tested, but also where his flaws emerge. Main episodes: **🧠 The Cyclops (Polyphemus)** **👉 This triggers Poseidon’s curse** **🍃 The Bag of Winds** **🧙 Circe** **⚰️ The Underworld** **🎶 The Sirens** **⚖️ Scylla and Charybdis** **🏝️ Calypso** **🏠Chapter 4. Return to Ithaca** After 20 years, Odysseus returns, but does not reveal himself. His palace is overrun by suitors. They consume his wealth and pressure Penelope to remarry. He returns as a beggar, observes before acting, thus testing loyalty (servants, son Telemachus, wife). Gradually reveals himself only to trusted individuals: Telemachus and a few loyal servants Penelope in her final attempt to stop the suitors, launches a challenge: only the man who can string Odysseus’ bow can marry her. None succeed. Odysseus (in disguise) strings it effortlessly. He reveals himself and kills them. **⚖️ Chapter 5. After Ithaca: Beyond the Happy Ending** The story doesn’t simply end with victory. Families of the suitors seek revenge, and civil conflict threatens Ithaca. Athena intervenes by imposing peace Ends the cycle of violence. 📃📜**Principal ancient sources:** * Homer, *Iliad* * Homer, *Odyssey* * Sophokles, *Ajax*, *Philoktetes* * Euripides, *Hecuba*, *Cyclops* * Ovid, *Metamorphoses* * Virgil, *Aeneid* * Dante Alighieri, *Divina Commedia - Inferno* | | | --- | |

*“Egy erdőben nincs egyetlen uralkodó fa sem, amely megtervezné és diktálná a változást, amikor elmarad az eső vagy túl korán érkezik a tavasz. Az egész ökoszisztéma kreatívan, az adott pillanatban reagál.”* *―* **Frederic Laloux**, Útmutató a szervezetek létrehozásához, amelyeket az emberi tudat fejlődésének következő szintje inspirál **(A beszélgetés magyar nyelven zajlik!)** Frederic Laloux *A jövő szervezetei* című könyvében azt állítja, hogy a társadalmak - és a bennük levő szervezetek - fejlődési szinteken mennek keresztül. Minden szint egy-egy szerveződési formát jelent, és egy új választ ad az előző szint problémáira. Minden szintnek megvan a jellegzetessége: mit jutalmaz, mit büntet, ki dönt, és miért. Ez alkalommal megvizsgáljuk a Laloux által egyes szervezeteknél felfedezett és általánosan felvázolt szerveződési formákat, köztük az egyelőre legritkább és leginkább jövőbe mutatónak tűnő Tealia szerveződési formával. Arra a kérdésre keressük a választ, hogy lehet-e olyan szervezeti kultúrát - akár egész társadalmi struktúrát - kialakítani, amiben nincs szükség politikára és belharcokra, nem okoz kiégést, viszont kielégítő, értelmes, sőt, kiteljesítő munkát illetve szerepeket ad a tagjainak. **Bevezetés (15 perc)** Kezdésként röviden bemutatjuk a témát és a résztvevőket. - Milyen típusú szervezeteknek voltál eddig a tagja? - Volt valami közös abban, ahogyan működtek? **A Tealia koncepciójának bemutatása után kikezdjük azt és alapvetéseit olyan kérdésekkel, mint (1 óra 45 perc):** - Van egyáltalán értelme a szervezeteket szintekre bekategorizálni? - Amikor szervezetben gondolkodunk, a hatékonyságnak vagy a harmonikus működésnek kellene elsődleges célnak lennie? - A személyes kiteljesedés jó alapcélja és iránytűje egy szervezetnek? - Tud működni hosszú távon a dinamikusan elosztott autoritás? - Mennyire jó alap a sikerességhez a szerepek (kivívott tekintély és bizalom alapú) önszerveződése? - Önszerveződés mellett (azaz átfogó kontroll nélkül) garantálható-e, hogy minden szükséges szerepkörre jut elegendő kompetens tag? - Fenntartható-e a teljes átláthatóság a pénzügyekben és a döntéshozatalban? - A bizalom alapú delegálás biztosan jobb-e az objektív kompetencia alapúnál? - Nem veszélyes-e a kellemességre optimalizálni, mikor veszélyes versenytársakkal kellhet szembenézni? - Lehet-e igaz az a propaganda, ami azt hangoztatja: “nem az a kérdés, elég jó vagy-e”? - Mérhető-e a tényleges életminőség visszajelzésekkel arról, hogy hogy érzi magát az ember? A boldogságérzet mennyire hű tükre az életminőségnek? - Elegendő érintettség alapján súlyozni egy ötlet megítélését - Lehet-e kompetens egy olyan parlament, amely tagjai nem kompetencia, hanem népszerűség alapján kerülnek be? - Lehet-e olyan jó egy közösségi visszajelzés alapú kompetencia-értékelés, mint egy objektív teszt alapú? - Van-e értelme kollektívan az emberek kiteljesedéséről beszélni? - Ha az AI által adott eredményekre támaszkodva hozzák az emberek a döntéseket, akkor azokat valóban ők hozzák? - Ha ma egy ország áttérne a Tealia modellre, hogyan tartathatná be a törvényeket? - A Zappos példája inkább jó vagy rossz kezdeményezés volt? **RSVP**: Kérjük, itt a Meetupon erősítsd meg a részvételedet, hogy biztosítsd a helyed! Ha mégsem tudsz részt venni, kérjük add át a helyedet a várólistán lévőknek! Adományokat 1.000 Ft-ig (minimum 400 Ft) szívesen fogadunk a meetup költségeinek fedezésére. **Ha ételt vagy alkoholmentes bort fogyasztasz, nem szükséges adományoznod a csoport számára**. Köszönjük!

Join us for a fun evening of beer tasting and networking with fellow Budapest ex-pats at our next meetup event! Whether you're new in town or a long-time resident, this is the perfect opportunity to connect. Our event will feature a variety of local and international brews for you to sample and discuss, while enjoying great conversations. Don't miss out on the chance to make new friends and discover new favorite beers at Beer People at Lázár utca 7. Come raise a glass with us at the Ex-Pat & English Language Meetup!

Join us this Thursday at 6:30 pm for a nice hike along the Big Walnut Trail along the Gahanna golf course, circling Creekside and back. This 2 mile hike is fully paved and a beautiful walk through the heart of Gahanna.

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

**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.

The topic for May is "Ink" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.