Hiking

**What to Expect** *A relaxed, productive weekday environment - High-speed WiFi & comfortable co-working space *Flexible padel play throughout the session - Meaningful networking with professionals & entrepreneurs *Opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborations & contacts - Short, insightful talks (TED-style) from inspiring speakers *Great coffee, food & social atmosphere **Work, play, connect—and grow, all in one place.**

Hey, friend in Jakarta! Now that you joined JakFri... **are you a member of [Jakarta Writers (former Creatives)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) yet?** Want to see **pictures** of past events? **[Take a look here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/photos/)** And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakFri and JakCre are **the** biggest, first, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta... and we invite you to join us for a **FREE CITY EXPLORE & dinner in South Jakarta!** Everyone is always welcome to join our events. Our community is all about creating authentic in-person connections in this urban jungle. Come as you are... It’s the best version of yourself. **ABOUT THE EVENT** Let's play tourists for a day. On March 14th this year, **BENDERA PUSAKA PARK** was officially opened by the Governor of DKI Jakarta along with Megawati Soekarnoputri, the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia. This Park in South Jakarta combines three iconic parks—Ayodya Park, Langsat Park, and Leuser Park—into a single, integrated 5.6-hectare green open space (RTH). They have a beautiful Skybridge, free sports facilities + playgrounds, and are open 24 hours. We'll start from **Gate D** (in front of Tuang Coffee), and then take a break at **Ayodya Park** watching the sunset before heading to the restaurant for dinner. Here is the meeting point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BDtDzXPgo9Cg6wco7 If you want to join only for dinner at the venue (see below 👇🏽), it's possible, but it's your responsibility to find the group and wait to have a free seat at the restaurant, etc. (the group cannot wait for you!) **We have organised this event before! Take a look here:** * [Let's be tourists for one day! Vol. III 🚶🚶🏻‍♀️ A walk in the park with JakFri](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/313921106/) * [Let's be tourists for one day! Vol. II 🚌 SATURDAY CITY TOUR with JakFri](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/313184303/?eventOrigin=group_events_list) * [Let's be tourists for one day! Vol. I 🚌 SATURDAY CITY TOUR with Jakarta Friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/312589863) **ABOUT THE VENUE** After exploring the **Bendera Pusaka Park**, we'll stroll over to an Indonesian cuisine called AROEM (a roughly 5-minute walk). We can choose to order food to share or select individual dishes; we’ll make that decision together when we get there. See their social media presence here: https://www.instagram.com/aroem_mahakam?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== **ABOUT THE HOST** Your host for this event will be Gina, a seasoned local with a lot of knowledge about the city and eager to welcome new friends to our community. **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 24 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * Don't be late! We need to hop on the bus together * People in the waitlist **cannot** attend, and are encouraged to check a few hours before the event to see if they got a spot * 3X no-show = removal from the group. * Attendess who bring a +1 need to make sure that the guest understands and agrees to our rule of mutual respect and inclusivity * Cancellations within 2 hours of the event are unfiendly to organisers, venues, and fellow attendees, and will be **considered as a no-show**. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Membership can also be paid as a **yearly membership of 320k IDR** valid for 365 days after payment. Membership fee is offered with a **promo discount to first-timers**, who can become members for **240k IDR/year** **(Option A**). First-timers can decide to join with a **sneek peak price of 50k IDR & pay the remaining 270k IDR at the next event** they attend (**Option B**). Registered +1 can attend for free. Renewals (after 365 days) and upgrades (to join JakWri) are offered at a special rate. All this is aimed at encouraging people to sign up, and then to attend as many events as they like! Yearly membership can be paid at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay) or beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. Membership to **both** Jakarta Friends and Jakarta Writers (former Creatives) is offered for **only** 390k IDR/year (**Option C**). Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks available only to paying members, like for example our [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498) (Sept 2024) or [FREE pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) (Nov 2024) or [Museum visits with FREE GUIDED TOURS](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/) (Sept 2024). To many events, attendees can **bring a +1 for free**, and we have some events open to all (paid and unpaid) members. To all members we **guarantee** to keep organizing plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. In the past 3 years we have organised up to 2-3 events per week (browse past event [of JakFri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) and [of JakWri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events/month! We **guarantee** to keep organising plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers (former Creatives**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) afrom over 500 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

Main Bareng Pickleball at Ancol Tennis Warehouse. Join us for fun, socialising and sports at Ancol Tennis Warehouse.

Want to unwind after work with some fun? How about hitting the tennis courts at Anol Tennis Warehouse with people who are at your level (Intermediate)? It’s a weekly event, and we’re always welcoming new members, so you can get a great workout and make some new friends all at once. Looking forward to seeing you there soon! Fee is 198,000 Rp per person.

Join us for an unforgettable night 7:30pm in Jakarta [[Click This Whatsapp Groupchat Link](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BQcHLsg2oJfLugoOG27jjk)] We’re not just a language exchange — we’re a roaming social experience for 20s and 30s who love new faces and open conversations. Whether you're an expat, traveler, or Seoulite looking for something beyond the usual Saturday, this is the place to be. Connect, talk, laugh, repeat.

**What to Expect** *A relaxed, productive weekday environment - High-speed WiFi & comfortable co-working space *Flexible padel play throughout the session - Meaningful networking with professionals & entrepreneurs *Opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborations & contacts - Short, insightful talks (TED-style) from inspiring speakers *Great coffee, food & social atmosphere **Work, play, connect—and grow, all in one place.**

Hey, new friend in Jakarta! Now that you joined JakFri... **are you a member of [Jakarta Writers](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/) yet?** Want to see **pictures** of past events? **[Take a look here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/photos/)** And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakFri and JakCre is **the** biggest, first, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta... and we invite you to join us for **PIZZA NIGHT 🍕 at Zapoli Pizzeria in Menteng!** Everyone is always welcome to join our events. Our community is all about creating authentic in-person connections in this urban jungle. Come as you are... it’s the best version of yourself. **ABOUT THE EVENT** It's Firday night! Let's have the most delicious Neapoletan pizza in Jakarta at **Pizzeria Zapoli in MENTENG 🍕**. This is a new outlet from Zapoli and around the corner of MRT Bundaran HI. Neapoletan pizza means soft dough and simple ingredients. The pizza is cooked in a typical wood-fire oven for just a few minutes, and the ingredients remain very fresh. **ABOUT THE VENUE** Here's their IG: [https://instagram.com/zapoli](https://instagram.com/zapoli) The menu isn't big; the quality is. Pizza starts at around 70k up to around 140k. Pizzeria Zapoli have artisanal soda which is refreshing with the salty, spicy pizza. The place is 100% Halal. The place is "BYOB" (and your own glass with it) and "no reservation", that is, we might need to wait a bit to get a seat. The restaurant closes at 10 PM and after dinner we can go together to have a drink in a place nearby (location to be decided together). The place is small, and attendance to this event is limited to 6 persons. If you cannot join, please **update your RSVP at least 24h before the event** as respect to the organiser and people in the waitlist. **No-shows will be kicked out of the group.** Be on time as we want to eat together. Do not be early as we want to eat together. Just come and enjoy the company of new and old Jakarta Friends. **Everyone is welcome to join.** As no reservation is possible, we might need to wait a bit until a table big enough for us will be free. From experience, this should not take long. **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 24 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * Don't be late! We want to eat together. Don't be early! We want to eat together. * People in the waitlist **cannot** attend, and are encouraged to check a few hours before the event to see if they got a spot * No show at this event without updating RSVP = removal from the group. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Our community has a **membership fee** that make sure we can keep organising plenty of events as we did over the past 4 years. Membership can be paid as a **yearly membership** of 340k IDR valid for 365 days after payment. Pay online **ahead** of the event to get **10% off**! Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks\*\*(\*)\*\* available only to paying members. As a first-timer, you have several options: * **Option A**: Join with a *promo discount* for first-timers for 250k IDR/year. Get 10% if you pay online ahead of the event! * **Option B**: Not sure if you want to join for a year? Join with a 50k IDR *sneak peek option* & pay the remaining 290k IDR at the next event * **Option C**: *Bundle offer* to join both Jakarta Friends **and** **[Jakarta Writers](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers)** for 390k IDR instead of 680k IDR. First-timers only. All three options can be redeemed with an additional **10% discount** when paid online **ahead** of an event. In the past 3,5 years we have organised **\~2-3 events per week** (browse past event [of JakFri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) and [of JakWri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events/month! \*\*(\*)\*\*This is a non-exhaustive list of *special events* we have had for paying members only. A [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498), a [Free pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) or a [Museum visits with free guided tours](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/). We **guarantee** to keep organizing plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. Yearly membership can be paid beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay) or at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. It's easy! **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers** (former Creatives): [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) from around 600 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

**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.

This is a small but pretty park with a 1.7-mile loop. We will walk it 2 times. It goes along a ridge and has moderate elevation changes.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the edward thomas trail, lake trail , spring creek and a short walk on the multi purpose trail. This is one large loop . Wear your shoe of choice. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. 4.2 miles in length .

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles so please wear your shoe of choice. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 17 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.