Hot Springs
Meet other local people interested in Hot Springs: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Hot Springs group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out hot springs events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the hot springs events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find hot springs events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Hot Springs Events Today
Join in-person Hot Springs events happening right now
Football with MIITTI
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!
Sahaja Yoga meditation course in English
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
Go meetup @ Hive
We are happy to announce May's Helsinki Go Meetup hosted by **[Hive](https://www.hive.fi/)** \- Hive Helsinki is a free 18\-month software engineering program powered by Supercell and OP Pohjola\. Hive is all about learning by doing\, building\, and experimenting\. The studies are entirely project\-based\, and there are no teachers or tutors\. All the learning happens within the student community\, and everyone helps each other\. Hive prepares students for a career in tech\, or to go build something of their own\.
(Subject to change)
Event program:
* 17:00 Doors open
* 17:20 Introductions
* 17:30 Talk 1: TBA
* 18:00 Talk 2: TBA
* 18:30 Talk 3: TBA
* 19:00 Networking & discussions
More details on the talks will follow closer to the event.
Please keep your RSVP status up to date if it turns out you're not able to join. This way you're not holding a spot for somebody else. Names will be checked at the door.
We're always open to new presentations, either full length (\~30-40min) or a lighting talk (\~7-15min). You can suggest a talk by joining the #finland channel in [Gophers slack](https://invite.slack.golangbridge.org/) or by contacting organizers directly.
Smartly x Cloud Native Helsinki - May meetup
Hosted by [Smartly.io](http://smartly.io/)
Joint event with DevOps Finland - register only in one group! [https://www.meetup.com/devops-finland/](https://www.meetup.com/devops-finland/)
**Agenda**
17:00 Doors open
17:30 Welcome / Cloud Native Helsinki & DevOps Finland & Smartly
17:45 Secured AWS access from baremetal Kubernetes / Nilanjan Roy, Ruiyang Ding, Erik Karsten @ Smartly
18:30 \*\*\* break \*\*\*
18:45 Running and Scaling the vLLM inference server optimally on Kubernetes / Esko Vähämäki, CTO and Co-founder @ ConfidentialMind
19:30 Free discussion
20:30 Doors close
**Secured AWS access from baremetal Kubernetes**
From long-lived secrets to identity: giving Kubernetes workloads AWS access the boring, safe way.
A cross-team collaboration by DevOps Engineers at Smartly.
**Running and Scaling the vLLM inference server optimally on Kubernetes**
Esko Vähämäki, CTO and Co-founder at ConfidentialMind
I’m a seasoned technology entrepreneur and software architect. Over the past six years, I’ve helped launch and grow venture-funded startups—including [Surrogate.tv](http://surrogate.tv/) and ConfidentialMind—to transform ambitious ideas into successful products. At ConfidentialMind, I’ve led the development of Kubernetes-based system for generative AI, leveraging open-source technologies to drive innovation and scalability. I believe that actively contributing to open-source community and sharing best practices fuels both individual growth and the broader tech community, enabling us all to build more robust and impactful solutions.
**Join DevOps Finland Slack and other channels:** [https://www.devopsfinland.org/](https://www.devopsfinland.org/)
**LinkedIn:** [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcd-helsinki/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcd-helsinki/)
**NOTE:** The event will be live-streamed on the Cloud Native Nordics YouTube.
**NOTE:** Signing up for the event gets you a seat at the onsite event.
**NOTE:** Pictures might be taken during the event and be published to this meetup page. Also there will be a livestream during the event which picks up audio from the space. If you do not want to be included in any pictures, please let the organizers know.
DevOps Finland May meetup
Hosted by Smartly.io
Sponsored by [incidentist.io](http://incidentist.io/)
Joint event with Kubernetes Finland - register only in one group! https://www.meetup.com/kubernetes-finland/
**Agenda**
17:00 Doors open
17:30 Welcome / DevOps Finland & Smartly
17:45 Secured AWS access from baremetal Kubernetes / Nilanjan Roy, Ruiyang Ding, Erik Karsten @ Smartly
18:30 \*\*\* break \*\*\*
18:45 Running and Scaling the vLLM inference server optimally on Kubernetes / Esko Vähämäki, CTO and Co-founder @ ConfidentialMind
19:30 Free discussion
20:30 Doors close
**Secured AWS access from baremetal Kubernetes**
From long-lived secrets to identity: giving Kubernetes workloads AWS access the boring, safe way.
A cross-team collaboration by DevOps Engineers at Smartly.
Ruiyang Ding has experience across cloud, bare metal, and developer experience. He currently serves as an Interim Engineering Manager for the Developer Tooling team, while also working as a Senior DevOps Engineer in the Hybrid Cloud squad. Outside of work, he spends as much time as possible outdoors—hiking, cycling, and scouting next great camping spot.
Nilanjan Roy is a Staff DevOps Engineer with extensive experience in designing and operating scalable, reliable infrastructure. He is known for driving operational excellence, enhancing system resilience, and enabling engineering teams to deliver efficiently at scale. He currently leads hybrid cloud initiatives at Smartly.io and pursues photography as a personal interest.
Erik Karsten is a DevOps Engineer at Smartly, where he works on hybrid cloud infrastructure. He’s passionate about Linux, networking, and programming, and enjoys digging into complex systems problems. Outside of work, he spends time exploring Rust and NixOS.
**Running and Scaling the vLLM inference server optimally on Kubernetes**
Details coming up soon.
I’m a seasoned technology entrepreneur and software architect. Over the past six years, I’ve helped launch and grow venture-funded startups—including Surrogate.tv and ConfidentialMind—to transform ambitious ideas into successful products. At ConfidentialMind, I’ve led the development of Kubernetes-based system for generative AI, leveraging open-source technologies to drive innovation and scalability. I believe that actively contributing to open-source community and sharing best practices fuels both individual growth and the broader tech community, enabling us all to build more robust and impactful solutions.
**Streaming:** https://youtube.com/live/h02y_32BcQM?feature=share
**Join our Slack and other channels:** https://www.devopsfinland.org/
**LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/102919614
Finnish Language Café
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
Stammtisch / Kielikahvila saksaksi / German Language Café
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
Hot Springs Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Pottery Wheel Workshop 🪴
IMPORTANT: Registration is not available through Meetup. The workshop size is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so you must purchase your ticket from our website in advance.
Welcome. Sign up and get your ticket from here.
[https://holvi.com/shop/UDUMBARA/section/pottery-wheel-workshops-keramiikka-kurssit/spring-2026-kevat/](https://holvi.com/shop/UDUMBARA/section/pottery-wheel-workshops-keramiikka-kurssit/spring-2026-kevat/)
Join us for a challenging, fun, and relaxing time creating with local wild clay and socializing with friends. Udumbara Pottery Studio in Kallio, Helsinki, welcomes pottery students of all experience levels to come and enjoy pottery wheel lessons within a small group setting.
Osaamme myös suomea, tervetuloa. Vi talar också svenska, välkommen.
Ren Xue Yuan Gong
Welcome to join our Ren Xue Yuan Gong practice throughout the summer at Lapinlahden Lähde!
The practice is simple but yet practical and powerful.
It is easy to learn and will help you:
-gain energy, feel less tired and stressed
-more mental clarity, easier to concentrate
-boost your immune system
Time:
Sundays 15:30 - 17:00
WHERE:
Tallipääty, MIITTI office
Lapinlahden Lähde
Lapinlahdenpolku 8
00180 Helsinki
About REN XUE
Ren Xue is a comprehensive system for uplifting human life. It includes a unique form of Qigong (Yuan Qigong); three foundational theories (Theory of Qi, Theory of Consciousness, Theory of Totality) and a large body of teachings.
It was created by world-renowned teacher and healer Yuan Tze who continues to offer online and in-person events worldwide.
Ren Xue combines ancient Chinese wisdom traditions with modern insights into health and well-being.
The goal of Ren Xue is to help individuals improve their physical, emotional, and mental health through a holistic approach that emphasizes the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
REN XUE FINLAND
Ren Xue Finland (RXF) is the Finnish branch of the global movement, an organization dedicated to the promotion and teaching of Ren Xue and its associated practices, including Yuan Gong and Yuan Ming Medicine.
It provides easy entry into the Ren Xue system through local in-person sessions, online courses and workshops/retreats.
Other learning methods can be found here: Ren Xue TV, a YouTube channel and Learn Ren Xue website. More about Ren Xue: [https://www.renxueinternational.org](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.renxueinternational.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR06uJQRSC7BE3zhPePQ7X_KO7WXa60cr7NK25KdOqfbSIHpYqBLO3dYgVM_aem_alDR7a6KhbNhG3u9NhCUVA&h=AT18asmYaRkvHCJemaC7rr9GVu579uflDCg7T6mLNodWdtMVhuxwFhIyz0p5ONeJbm3WQ3ZGIwONIa0_pDvih4t9BCCJUBkjhK4BdIMEl4aQ_qPzR5ykW-aiOndhYDPeAW9_2_eWZaMsv889HKbp8_c&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT35KTjVjr2kCnYHrXXjXPxEGFK-RFbZnFVdDmWrTe5WwbSZZ5ulNxFEjPPhejS8Pf4xetwkU1hhM1P2K_ABugpnXL6w-CKE25ARXwtLSexv-4fPJ4s2_Kcqgj3g2XWjCVkPPgcjwrPoNWOvdKa2f1VqyVa-2kcTojodTS3wn9zrnRjZLcG7)/
Badminton at Tali
Hello sporty population!
Join us for badminton and meet people from around the world! Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a beginner or already experienced.
**IMPORTANT**: Spots are limited, so please reserve yours in advance. Only registered participants can join to ensure fair access for everyone. If you mark “going” but do not attend, or fail to cancel at least 1 day before(By 9pm Saturday), you may be suspended from the next two sessions.
📍 Location: Talihalli Huopalahti
⏰ Time: 12:00–13:30
🏸 Courts: 9, 10, and 11
You can meet us at the entrance a little before 11:00 or come directly to the courts (**please do not enter before our booking starts**).
Who can join?
• Open to everyone, regardless of background or gender
• No badminton skills needed – beginners are welcome
• **Age limit: 16+**
Event is free, but please bring your rackets and indoor shoes, or you can borrow a racket from the hall for free if needed.
We are committed to making our events and activities accessible to those who need them most. Therefore, **individuals with a refugee background are welcome to attend free of charge without prior registration.** If you plan to join, simply send a message to Alaa to let us know you’re coming.
This approach is intentional. Many refugees and newcomers face practical, cultural, and psychological barriers that can make formal registration difficult or discouraging. By removing this requirement, we aim to create a more inclusive, low-threshold environment where participation feels safe, simple, and welcoming.
Our events are designed to support the mental health and well-being of refugees and immigrants, while also encouraging dialogue that challenges cross-cultural stigmas and stereotypes. We believe open access is an important step in building trust, increasing participation, and creating meaningful connections across communities.
After badminton, we'll enjoy Talihalli's sauna and maybe go to a local restaurant to grab some lunch after the game.
Warm welcome!
📞 Questions / Contact:
Alaa – 040 5656096
Arun - 050 3206169
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!
[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/miitti1)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/miitti1)
[Website](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti)
Guided Meditations - Self Sabotage
Join us on **Fridays, 18:00 - 19:30** at **Lapinlahden Lähde** for a free session where we’ll explore the topic of the week. **After 19:30**, you're welcome to hang out with us. Depending on what the group decides, we sometimes:
\- stay in\, enjoy tea and cookies and play board games
\- go out for dinner or order food\, feel free to bring your meal
\- Just engage in conversations
✅ Your **RSVP counts as your registration**, we expect you to **honour it**.
🤝 All conversations are confidential. What’s shared, stays in the group.
🌿 Small group, big heart: Everyone gets a chance to share.
🧘♀️ Come comfy, come curious.
💧 Bring water. Skip heavy meals & caffeine.
📍 **Tallipääty, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki**
(Through the gate, first door on the left!)
**Kind reminder:** Last-minute cancellations or no-shows mean others miss out. To keep it fair, repeated cases may result in losing the spot in future sessions.
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!
Community building polyphonic singing
Welcome to explore your voice and group singing through vocal exercices and the learning of one polyphonic song from the occitan folk and traditional répertoire!
WHAT IS ALL THIS ABOUT?
⛰ These songs are community-building based, and I intend to share them with you in this spirit
🌬 The idea is to get together, learn and sing this united, and look for the sound as a group
We would also work on musical aspects, to enjoy more the beauty of this style!
PRACTICALITIES
🤗 No previous experience requiered, welcome if you are curious!
💸 "Pay what you can" fee (between 5 to 15€ recomended) / person / workshop
SEND ME A MESSAGE to be added to the whatsapp channel of the participants! +33698945357
Cherry blossom picnic / Hanami @ Roihuvuori
We're visiting Hanami, the cherry blossom festival organized every year in Roihuvuori, Helsinki. Weather permitting, we're gonna sit down somewhere near the festival area for some food, drinks and good company! The festival also includes Japanese food stands, live shows and workshops so feel free to take a tour and enjoy the festivities at your own leisure. For more information, see here (in Finnish):
[https://www.roihuvuori.fi/hanami/](https://www.roihuvuori.fi/hanami/)
We'll post exact coordinates as a Google maps link in the comments section once we arrive at the venue. We'll try to place a sign in a visible place somewhere so that the group is easy to recognize.
Hot Springs Events Near You
Connect with your local Hot Springs community
Rocky Fork Hike
Join us this Thursday (5/14) at 6:30 pm at Rocky Fork Metro Park in Westerville as we walk about 2.5 miles of a fully paved trail. The Beech Woodland trail is a flat yet scenic trail with a variety of landscapes. Let’s take it in together!
2026 OSU Chadwick Arboretum
Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser - Columbus
Open to public:
Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by OSU
The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum
Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser
Location:
Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr,
Columbus, OH 43210
Spring Plant Sale
Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb!
Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike.
Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together.
Credit/debit cards only.
Three Creeks Metro Park
We'll get in around 4 miles at Three Creeks Metro Parks, primarily natural trails. 17-18 minute miles, no one left behind, and faster walkers are free to lead out.
Optional lunch after!
If you're joining for hiking all the metro parks, this is the sixth one!
Spring In-Person Meetup
Get ready to connect, collaborate, and grow your community at the ***Smashing Your Sales Goals (SYSG) Spring Meet-N-Greet!***
*Smash Nation*— a vibrant and welcoming community for creative consultants, social innovators, professional service providers, entrepreneur support professionals, and the small business ecosystem builders —invites you to join in welcoming the Spring 2026 Cohort of dedicated business owners ready to take their venture to the next level.
Join ***SYSG*** cohort members, trainers, sponsors, and partners for an engaging and interactive networking experience. This isn't just another meet-and-greet; it's a dynamic opportunity to gather, strengthen relationships, and actively brainstorm business development opportunities in a relaxed and supportive environment. Come ready to:
* ***Connect*** with key players and potential collaborators in the small business community.
* ***Share*** your successes, challenges, and insights with peers.
* ***Brainstorm*** innovative strategies for sales and business growth.
* ***Discover*** new partnerships and future partners.
Let's amplify our collective impact and smash those sales goals together!
**Who Should Attend:** Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025 Cohort Members, Spring 2026 Cohort members, Trainers, Facilitators, Program Sponsors, Future Sponsors, Velocity Applicants, and Program Partners.
**When**: Tuesday, May 26, 2926
**Where**: Warner Wood Park and Pavilion
[4747 Central College Road, Columbus, OH 43081](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Warner+Woods+Park+%26+Pavilion/@40.0999435,-82.8601323,839m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x88385f0025d4381b:0xc15eb51285691f4f!8m2!3d40.1002108!4d-82.8612015!16s%2Fg%2F11wb2pg50g?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwNS4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)
**Time**: 4pm-6pm
[To Officially Register Go To --> https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/W0CGLL8jvz4EkLNK5jav?notrack=true](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/W0CGLL8jvz4EkLNK5jav?notrack=true)
Meet ***Smashing Your Sales Goals*** expert trainers, sales coaches, community supporters and partners. Learn more about upcoming SYSG events, trainings coaching opportunities to help take your business from surviving to thriving today!
This event is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC!
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.
GOLD STAR SPRING SOCIAL!
⭐ **GOLD STAR SPRING SOCIAL — YOU’RE INVITED!** ⭐
#### I’m excited to share the flyer for our upcoming Gold Star Spring Social at Crooked Can Brewing Co. on Thursday, May 21st, from 5–7 PM!
Although it’s hosted by Gold Star Hilliard, this event is open to EVERYONE — members, families, friends, neighbors, coworkers… if you’re part of the community, you’re welcome.
⭐Great conversation
⭐New connections
⭐A fun, relaxed mid‑week reset
If you love good people and good energy, this is your night.
✨Come as you are. ✨



















