Exploring

**Explore sounds of belonging, for you and for others in a three-days’ workshop** **When**: 18th, 19th & 20th of May **Time:** 13.30-18.30 **Where:** Sibelius Academy Töölönlahdenkatu 16 C, 2nd floor The workshop "Bajo un mismo sol" is bilateral and happens simultaneously with participants in Medellín. All together we will train careful listening to places, make and share recordings of places we feel belonging to, and create collective sound maps in the mobile app MSWalks on Kansalaistori, in front of Oodi library, and on the square of Medellín Modern Art Museum. On these sound maps that activate when we walk across the squares with our phones' speakers, we will also improvise with small custom-designed solar-powered electroacoustic instruments. Participating does not require any background in music, but an interest in sound, for encountering new people and sharing ideas related to identity and memories. A careful listening attitude is central to the activities, as well as an interest for sharing and conversing within respect of differences. This workshop is related to a research and the registered participants will receive detailed information prior to decide on consenting to participate to the research. The activities will be documented for research purposes and there are various options for being or not included in the documentation. You may participate to the whole workshop or select the times that suit the best to your schedules. **After registering you will anyway be contacted and given more information, but you may as well ask information prior to registration by email at marianne.decoster-taivalkoski@uniarts.fi.** About the facilitator: Marianne Decoster-Taivalkoski (IG: marianne.d_t ) is a media and sound artist with French origins and based in Helsinki since 1993. She works in music and technology program at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki as a lecturer and an artist- researcher. Her work deals with identities, movement, listening, places and improvisation. She has a long experience in working with groups.

Hello sporty population! Let's gather around and play some football together with people from around the world! IMPORTANT! Spots are limited, so make sure you reserver yours! If you are not registered on the list, you will be kindly asked to leave; this is to ensure fair access for everyone! We will play indoors at Playbox in Vantaa on Tuesday evenings from 18.00-19.00 Age limit: 16+ You can come directly inside the hall or meet us at the entrance a bit before 18.00. MIITTI welcomes everyone to its events regardless of background or gender. You don't have to have any skills at all to come and play with us, and if you do, please come and coach us! WHERE: Playbox Vetokuja 1 01610 Vantaa Warm welcome! If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: WhatsApp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!

Learning Finnish in Finland can be difficult because Finns tend to switch to English. That is one of the reasons people like our Finnish language café: you get to practice Finnish with Finns :) The events are completely free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. The coffee is good too ☕😋🇦🇹 Tervetuloa! When? ⏰ Usually Tuesday to Friday from 15:00 - 16:00 Where? 📍 In a cozy Viennese coffee house: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki The Good Coffee Company A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹 Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki Please visit our Facebook page for updates and changes: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events

At this Product Owner meetup, we'll hear about Kesko's K-Keräily application and how it uses lean principles and a data-driven approach. **Product Owner Meetup - Helsinki** is a community where Product Owners come together to celebrate their craft, share real-world experiences, and grow as leaders in their industry. **☀️Join us in the May meetup about boosting Kesko's e‑commerce picking efficiency** **Visa Hannula**, Development Manager at Kesko, shares how Kesko built the K-Keräily application using lean principles and a data-driven approach. The talk walks through the concrete development decisions made along the way, lessons learned, and where they are now. **More about the speaker** **🎤 Visa Hannula, Development Manager, Kesko** Visa Hannula works as Development Manager in Kesko's Digital Services Development unit. He brings a data-driven mindset to his daily work, using reporting, analytics and monitoring as hands-on tools for developing and managing systems based on measurable insights. Visa works as a PO for a team responsible for K-Ruoka’s order management, picking and delivery systems and integrations, which provide services for hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores and thousands of daily users. 📍 *Where:* **Nitor Office, Aleksanterinkatu** 46, 6th floor (next to Mummotunneli) 🕕 *When:* **Wednesday, 19th of May, from 17:30 to 19:30** 🍪 *Bonus:* **Snacks, drinks, and great company!** Through inspiring talks, hands-on discussions, and opportunities to connect with peers, we aim to value and highlight the role of the Product Owner to one of innovation, pride, and strategic impact. Each session brings together practical insights from industry leaders with first-person, real-life stories from local and global product professionals who have tackled challenges and achieved breakthroughs. Whether you’re fine-tuning stakeholder management, mastering prioritisation, or seeking inspiration, you’ll find a welcoming space to learn, collaborate, and advance your skills. Join us in shaping a movement where Product Owners are recognised as key drivers of outcome orientation, innovation and value, transforming the profession into a globally celebrated craft. 📍Please note: the downstairs exterior doors lock at **17:00**. If you arrive after this, just ring the doorbell and we will let you in. The event begins at **17:30**.

Detailed topic, place and speakers TBD. Contact organizers if you wanto to speak, host or offer snacks. Possible topics for those eager to speak for example: • Introducing your API & telling your API story • APIOps Cycles methods - experiences & feedback • Automating API Design • API Audit of a specific API • OpenAPI live specification of an API • Organizing hackathon • Marketing and monetizing your API • Open data & APIs

Welcome to join our Sahaja Yoga meditation meetings in English! The meetings are free of charge and you can just show up. The group consists of people of different ages and nationalities who have been meditating different periods of time. Newcomers are welcome at any time. We normally sit on chairs or on pillows on the floor, so there is no need to bring a mat and you can wear normal clothes. Meditation means mental silence or thoughtless awareness. You are present here and now, but your mind is not bombarded by thoughts from the past or the future. In this state, you feel peace and joy, which are the essential elements of the present moment. With regular practice of meditation, it is possible to establish this state within us. The group is lead by volunteers who are experienced and can offer guidance to get you started. We give a short introduction to the meditation and after that we do meditation exercises. We also give tips on how to meditate at home. After the meditation class, we have a cup of tea and there is time for questions. Welcome! We hope to see you in our meditation meetings! This video helps you to find the Kamppi Sahaja Yoga center: https://vimeo.com/199566137 More information about Sahaja Yoga meditation: www.discoversahajayoga.org (in English) www.jooga.org (in Finnish) www.sahajayoga.ru (in Russian) www.sahajayoga.es (in Spanish) Guided online meditations to support your meditation practice at home: www.wemeditate.com

Here's an opportunity to practice German over a good cup of coffee in a cozy Viennese coffee house 🍷☕️🍻🍾🎡 🇦🇹 The events are free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. You can also enjoy specialties from Vienna ☕️🇦🇹🥰 When? ⏰ Usually Tuesdays from 16:00 - 17:00 Where? 📍 In a cozy Viennese Café & Restaurant: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki Herzlich willkommen! Tässä mahdollisuus harjoitella saksaa hyvän kahvin äärellä viihtyisässä wienilaisessa kahvilassa 🍷☕️🍻🍾🎡 🇦🇹 Tapahtumat ovat ilmaisia ja mukana on aina saksaa äidinkielenään puhuva henkilö. Saat myös kokeilla erikoisuuksia Wienistä. ☕️🇦🇹🥰 Milloin? ⏰ Yleensä tiistaina klo 16.00-17.00 Missä? 📍 Viihtyisässä wieniläisessä kahvilassa ja ravintolassa: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki Herzlich willkommen! The Good Coffee Company Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki www.thegoodcoffee.co A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹 PS: Please visit our Facebook Page for updates and changes: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events

Turn thoughts into "inner spaces" through meditation, writing, and mixed media art, we’re building maps of our own inner worlds! [Tallipääty, MIITTI office,](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loom-of-belonging-a-journey-through-motif-thread-tickets-1987816169674?aff=oddtdtcreator#location) [Lapinlahden Lähde Helsinki, Uusimaa](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loom-of-belonging-a-journey-through-motif-thread-tickets-1987816169674?aff=oddtdtcreator#location) Saturday, May 23 • 2 PM - 4 PM **IMPORTANT:** This event is in collaboration with Mieli Without Borders, and spots are limited, please make sure to reserve yours through: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mapping-the-mind-light-space-self-tickets-1987892796868?aff=oddtdtcreator ### **Workshop overview** What does your inner world look like? If your thoughts were a room, would they have high ceilings and open windows, or a winding staircase leading to a hidden door? Mapping the Mind is a reflective, guided art workshop that invites you to visualise your internal landscape through the lens of "inner architecture." In this session, we go beyond traditional portraiture or landscapes to explore the spaces we inhabit within ourselves. Using light, shadow, and structure, you will create a visual map of your current emotional state and personal journey. Join us! ### **The Journey** * We blend mindfulness with mixed-media artistry to help you build your "inner architecture" * Begin with a gentle meditation to ground your awareness and settle into the space. * Use guided writing prompts to translate abstract feelings into physical metaphors (doors, windows, maps, or staircases). * Bring your vision to life through a rich variety of mixed media, including drawing, painting, and collage. ### **Who Is This For?** This workshop is a sanctuary for anyone looking to deepen their emotional awareness through a calm, supportive, and creative outlet. No "Art Skills" Required: This is about self-expression, not technical perfection. Wellbeing Focused: Perfect for those looking for a meditative, low-pressure way to process thoughts and emotions. Curious Minds: For anyone interested in the intersection of psychology, spatial design, and art. This workshop is in English, therefore communicating and understanding English is necessary for participation. ### **Location** The location is called **Lapinlahden Lähde** and is situated within the historic Lapinlahti hospital area near Hietaniemi. You can find us at **Lapinlahdenpolku 8**, specifically in the **Tallipääty** (Stable Wing) section of the building. The space is easily accessible by walking or cycling through the park, and once you arrive at the Mitti office entrance, there are clear paths leading to our designated area. Please note that this space is not wheelchair accessible. ### **Additional info** All of our activities are organized with safer space principles. Please check out our safer space guidelines [here](https://canva.link/4lidof6w1832syy "https://canva.link/4lidof6w1832syy"). ### **About the organizers** MIELI Without Borders is a grassroots, migrant-led organisation that is dedicated to promoting and supporting migrant mental health in Finland. Check us out --> [mieliwithoutborders.fi](https://mieliwithoutborders.fi/ "https://mieliwithoutborders.fi/") MIITTI organises groups, workshops, courses, and events to support mental health and well-being. Our community loves music, dance, food, conversations, languages, stories, art, movement, culture, and different opinions. We work for equality, diversity, and human commonness, and believe that connection is a key to overcoming prejudice. Check out MIITTI --> [https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/ "https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/"), [https://www.meetup.com/miitti1/](https://www.meetup.com/miitti1/ "https://www.meetup.com/miitti1/")

Art of Expression: Simple Lines, Deep Thoughts 🎨✨ Ever feel like you have a million thoughts and complex emotions, but no words to match? Grab a pen and join us for a relaxed afternoon where bad drawings are not just welcome—they’re encouraged. Sometimes a simple way of expressing emotions can lead to meaningful connections—that’s the art of expression. In this creative and fun session, you’ll draw something that represents your feelings, journey, or current state of mind—and share the story behind it with others. No artistic skills needed. In fact, if you’re not an artist, that’s even better. This is a free event—you don’t need to bring any art supplies Come with an open heart, make new connections, and enjoy good coffee and delicious cakes ☕🍰

ENG: Welcome to an info event in English about Swedish opportunities in the Capital Region in collaboration with the communes of the Capital Region. We will present Luckan Integration’s services, Swedish language courses, studies within vocational institutions and universities, work opportunities, and free-time activities. You will find information about the Swedish integration path at welcome.fi HOW: Register here and save a spot by 19.05.2026: https://link.webropol.com/ep/so1 *** SWE: Välkommen till ett engelskspråkigt informationsevenemang om svenskspråkiga integrations möjligheter i huvudstadsregionen i samarbete med huvudstadsregionens kommuner. Vi presenterar Luckans integrationstjänster, svenska språkkurser, studier inom yrkesinstitut och universitet, arbetsmöjligheter samt fritidsaktiviteter. Du hittar info om svenskspråkiga integrationsvägar på welcome.fi HUR: Registrera dig här senast 19.05.2026: https://link.webropol.com/ep/so1

**All are welcome**, wherever you are in your running/walking journey! We meet at Lapinlahti’s sauna, and the run begins promptly at 6:00 PM. **Please arrive early to get ready.** * There is a changing room, a few lockers, and a bathroom available. * We will run from the sauna to the Sibelius Monument and back — a total distance of 6–6.5 km. * The sauna house will be locked while we are out running. * After the run, we will swim, hang out, and enjoy the sauna until **8:00 PM**. * We kindly ask everyone to leave by 8:00 PM. * **To ensure fair participation, if you are no longer able to join, please cancel at least 3 hours in advance so individuals on the waitlist may attend.** * *Zero Tolerance for Harassment* **Hosted by: Nia & Olli** Contact: Nia – +358 408223934 **HOW TO FIND US:** When arriving at the main gates of Lapinlahden Lähde, turn right and head towards the water. Lapinlahti's sauna is located halfway between the yellow main building and the red Venetsia building We want everyone to feel welcome and safe. **By participating, you agree to:** • Respect others – Be mindful of personal boundaries, privacy, and consent. • Listen actively – Give space for all voices and avoid dominating conversations. • Use inclusive language – Avoid offensive, discriminatory, or exclusionary remarks. • Be considerate in the sauna – Some people may prefer quiet or need space. • Address issues kindly – If a problem arises, bring it up respectfully or with the hosts. Tervetuloa Run to Saunaan! Tapaamme Lapinlahden saunalla ja lähdemme juoksemaan noin kello 18.00. Tulethan ajoissa! • Käytössä on pukuhuone, lokeroita ja vessat. • Juoksemme saunalta Sibelius-monumentille ja takaisin. Kokonaismatka on noin 6-6,5 km. • Sauna on lukossa juoksun ajan. Juoksun jälkeen saunomme, uimme ja vietämme aikaa yhdessä kello 20.00 saakka. Kello 20.00 jälkeen meidän täytyy poistua. Tapahtuman järjestävät: Nia ja Olli Voit soittaa Nialle: +358 408223934 MITEN MEIDÄT LÖYTÄÄ: Kun saavut Lapinlahden Lähteen pääporteille, käänny oikealle kohti merta. Lapinlahden sauna on keltaisen päärakennuksen ja punaisen Venetsia-rakennuksen puolivälissä. Haluamme, että kaikilla on turvallinen olo. Run to Sauna -tapahtumissa noudatamme seuraavia periaatteita: • Kunnioitamme toistemme rajoja ja yksityisyyttä. • Annamme kaikille tilaa osallistua keskusteluun. • Puhumme kaikista ihmisistä ja ihmisryhmistä kunnioittavasti. • Olemme ystävällisiä toisillemme. • Ongelmatapauksissa voit kääntyä ohjaajien puoleen. **MIITTI’s Principles for safer space:** MIITTI wants to nourish a safe and pleasant environment for everyone, where everyone can feel safe as themselves. By joining as a volunteer, employee or participant of the event or activity, you agree to follow the guidelines below *Non-discrimination* I do not make assumptions about people based on their external characteristics or names. I treat all participants with respect, and I don’t use language or take actions that discriminate based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic. I respect pronouns and names. *Boundaries* I respect others' personal space and boundaries, both physical and mental. I acknowledge that I cannot know someone else's boundaries without asking first. I ask before touching. I listen to others and adapt my behavior if someone indicates that my behavior makes them feel uncomfortable. *Creating Safe Environment* Everyone is responsible for contributing to a safe and respectful environment. If I witness harassment, I do my part to support those who experience inappropriate or offensive treatment. *Zero Tolerance for Harassment* Our space upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment. Harassment, whether verbal, physical, or online, will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness inappropriate behavior or harassment at our events, please report it to the MIITTI or Lapinlahden Lähde staff. If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: IG: [instagram.com/miitti1](http://instagram.com/miitti1) Facebook: [facebook.com/miitti1](http://facebook.com/miitti1) Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti) Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!

Can you reshape your reality with just a marker in your hand? [Tallipääty, MIITTI office,](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loom-of-belonging-a-journey-through-motif-thread-tickets-1987816169674?aff=oddtdtcreator#location) [Lapinlahden Lähde Helsinki, Uusimaa](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-loom-of-belonging-a-journey-through-motif-thread-tickets-1987816169674?aff=oddtdtcreator#location) Thursday, May 21 • 6 PM - 8 PM **IMPORTANT:** This event is in collaboration with Mieli Without Borders, and spots are limited, please make sure to reserve yours through: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/neurotree-drawing-your-path-to-growth-potential-tickets-1988554509067?aff=oddtdtcreator ### **Workshop overview** Drawing Your Path to Growth & Potential. Can you reshape your reality with just a marker in your hand? Welcome to NeuroTree, an immersive workshop grounded in the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and creative research. Using the Neurographic method, we move beyond traditional art to engage in a unique dialogue with the subconscious mind. The "NeuroTree" is one of the most powerful algorithms in this practice. It is a visual metaphor for your life, allowing you to use your past experiences as the "roots" that fuel your future achievements and "branches" of potential. Neurographics is a meditative drawing process that uses specialized lines and shapes to help "rewire" your emotional response to challenges Join us! ### **The Journey** * Identify Your Roots: Transform your previous experiences and lessons into a solid foundation for growth. * Cultivate Your Potential: Use the NeuroTree algorithm to visualise and manifest new goals, habits, and achievements. * Harmonise Your Mind: Learn the "rounding" technique to smooth out internal conflicts and create a sense of psychological flow. * Shape Your Reality: Discover how intentional drawing can shift your perspective and unlock new pathways in your life. ### **Who Is This For?** This workshop is open to everyone. **No art skills or previous drawing experience are required.** If you are looking for a creative, science-backed way to manage overthinking, boost your confidence, or simply explore your potential, you are in the right place. This workshop is in English, therefore communicating and understanding English is necessary for participation. ### **Location** The location is called **Lapinlahden Lähde** and is situated within the historic Lapinlahti hospital area near Hietaniemi. You can find us at **Lapinlahdenpolku 8**, specifically in the **Tallipääty** (Stable Wing) section of the building. The space is easily accessible by walking or cycling through the park, and once you arrive at the Mitti office entrance, there are clear paths leading to our designated area. Please not that this space is not wheel chair accessible. ### **Additional info** All of our activities are organized with safer space principles. Please check out our safer space guidelines [here](https://canva.link/4lidof6w1832syy "https://canva.link/4lidof6w1832syy"). ### **About the organizers** MIELI Without Borders is grassroots, migrant-led organization that is dedicated to promoting and supporting migrant mental health in Finland. Check us out --> [mieliwithoutborders.fi](https://mieliwithoutborders.fi/ "https://mieliwithoutborders.fi/") MIITTI organizes groups, workshops, courses, and events to support mental health and well-being. Our community loves music, dance, food, conversations, languages, stories, art, movement, culture, and different opinions. We work for equality, diversity, and human commonness, and believe that connection is a key for overcoming prejudice. Check out MIITTI --> [https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/ "https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/"), [https://www.meetup.com/miitti1/](https://www.meetup.com/miitti1/ "https://www.meetup.com/miitti1/") ### **About Irina** Irina Guseva is a creator of grounding sauna rituals and body-based experiences that gently bring people back to themselves. She holds relaxing and restorative spaces where people can reconnect with their bodies, with nature, relax deeply, find balance, and feel more alive.

**Explore sounds of belonging, for you and for others in a three-days’ workshop** **When**: 18th, 19th & 20th of May **Time:** 13.30-18.30 **Where:** Sibelius Academy Töölönlahdenkatu 16 C, 2nd floor The workshop "Bajo un mismo sol" is bilateral and happens simultaneously with participants in Medellín. All together we will train careful listening to places, make and share recordings of places we feel belonging to, and create collective sound maps in the mobile app MSWalks on Kansalaistori, in front of Oodi library, and on the square of Medellín Modern Art Museum. On these sound maps that activate when we walk across the squares with our phones' speakers, we will also improvise with small custom-designed solar-powered electroacoustic instruments. Participating does not require any background in music, but an interest in sound, for encountering new people and sharing ideas related to identity and memories. A careful listening attitude is central to the activities, as well as an interest for sharing and conversing within respect of differences. This workshop is related to a research and the registered participants will receive detailed information prior to decide on consenting to participate to the research. The activities will be documented for research purposes and there are various options for being or not included in the documentation. You may participate to the whole workshop or select the times that suit the best to your schedules. **After registering you will anyway be contacted and given more information, but you may as well ask information prior to registration by email at marianne.decoster-taivalkoski@uniarts.fi.** About the facilitator: Marianne Decoster-Taivalkoski (IG: marianne.d_t ) is a media and sound artist with French origins and based in Helsinki since 1993. She works in music and technology program at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki as a lecturer and an artist- researcher. Her work deals with identities, movement, listening, places and improvisation. She has a long experience in working with groups.

Tervetuloa Suomea-Englantia kahvilaan, missä voit nauttia kahvista ja harjotella kielitaitojasi suomea! Welcome to a Finnish - English café, where you can enjoy coffee and practice your skills! 📅 Päivämäärät / Dates: 22.4, 6.5 , 13.5 & 20.5 ⏰ Aika / Time: 15:00–16:00 📍 Lapinlahdenpolku 8 (Kahvila Lähde at Lapinlahden Lähde) ☕ Kahvia • Keskustelua • Kieltä ☕ Coffee • Conversation • Language Nähdään siellä! / See you there! Join our Finnish – English café on the Wednesdays listed above to practice your skills in a relaxed setting. Everyone is welcome, no matter your level!

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

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

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.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

**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.