Neighborhood Watch
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out neighborhood watch events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the neighborhood watch events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find neighborhood watch events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Neighborhood Watch Events Today
Join in-person Neighborhood Watch events happening right now
Expat Stammtisch
Hey everybody,
Moving to Berlin is an adventure, but let’s be real—the bureaucracy is a headache and making friends in a city this big can feel like a full-time job.
Whether you’ve been here for three days or three years, the **Expat Stammtisch** is your home base to meet cool people.
🍻 We have a reserved area just for us. Grab a drink, find a spot, and join any conversation.
**Ready to join?** See you at the bar!
Full Body & Glutes in Hohenschönhausen: Тренировка на Улице
Это утренняя тренировка для всего тела с акцентом на ягодицы — но не просто “пожечь”, а научиться их реально чувствовать и включать.
Занятие проходит на русском языке.
Будем работать через **технику, контроль и осознанность**:
разберём, как правильно активировать ягодицы, подключать кор и не перегружать спину.
Подойдёт даже если ты **новичок или давно не тренировался(ась)**.
*Что тебя ждёт*:
— упражнения на всё тело + акцент на ягодицы
— работа с осанкой и стабилизацией
— объяснение, какие мышцы должны работать и как это почувствовать
— приятная нагрузка без “убиться на тренировке”
Формат: небольшая группа 10-15 человек
С собой: коврик, вода и удобная одежда
Локация: Sportanlage Fitness
Адрес: Seehausener str, 13057 Berlin
Board Gaming Happens! @ Electric Social 🎲
Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Join us for **Sip Happens!** this week at Electric Social, where good beer and great games come together for a fun and fantastic social night! Whether you're a board game pro or just looking for a chill night out and a fun way to socialize, there's something for everyone.
Grab a beer (or cider, or wine, or even a tea!), **pick (or bring) a game,** and meet some new friends as we roll dice, play cards, and laugh the night away. From classics like Catan and Scrabble to party favorites like Cards Against Humanity, we’ve got it all. Coming straight from work? No problem...the kitchen serves awesome food as well! 😉
So, round up your mates or come solo—either way, you’ll leave with new friends and fun memories. Cheers to making midweek nights something to look forward to! 🍺🎉
We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have **no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness.**
**Follow us on Insta:** @siphappens.berlin
**Join us on Telegram:** t.me/siphappens_berlin
**👉 Other important notes:**
\- 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs\, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks\. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases
\- 🦹♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well\-being\. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues\.
\- 📷 By attending our events\, you consent to being photographed or filmed\. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media\. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed\, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram \(@siphappens\.berlin\)
Watercolor - Gouache Workshop
A \~2 hours watercolor - gouache painting lesson.
**About this course**
The total watercolor, gouache course consists of around 30 lessons that last 2 hours each. You can join at any time during the course. At the start of the event you choose which material you will use.
The lessons will happen almost every Tuesday at 19:00-21:00 in Berlin.
This course is aimed at introducing the painting process with watercolor, gouache as the main medium. These lessons cover the various techniques and methodologies.
It is suitable for beginners and or even professionals who want to rationalize the painting process. It is being hosted by the visual artist [Miltos Despoudis](https://miltosdespoudis.gr/).
**How much does it cost?**
Check below:
* 1 Tryout Lesson costs **5€.** You can do that only once.
* 1 x Lesson (2 hours) costs **20€**.
* 6 Lessons (2 hours each) cost **90€.**
You can pay either by cash or card at the event.
**How do I subscribe?**
You need to reserve a spot here and come at the event. You can pay at the event.
Please verify that you are attending so that we know and prepare accordingly with the art supplies.
**What do I need?**
Materials will be provided at the venue. You can also bring your own art supplies, it might be helpful to learn working with what you have.
**More Info**
This lesson is also known as "Watercolor Painting Lesson" or "Watercolor Workshop".
Learn more about the lesson plan here:
[https://creativesessions.art/workshops/watercolor-gouache-workshop/](https://creativesessions.art/workshops/watercolor-gouache-workshop/)
**Refund Policy**
On case by case scenario. If you paid for the tryout session we can refund up to one day before the event starts. If you paid for the lesson packet and used one of the tickets no refunds are possible.
Berlin Documentary Meetup #29 (@ SaliGari Bar)
Documentary filmmakers, producers, editors, cinematographers, composers, sound people are all welcome, no matter what your level of experience is :)
Come from 19:00, event will start at **19:30**, **[at SaliGari Bar](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Enj9jdcMvNqx9QnL9)**, in Friedrichshain.
Here is the program:
* Introduction Round
* Film Club screening
* Work-in-progress screening
* Networking
If you would like to screen a work-in-progress (max. 20 min.) for feedback, please contact us beforehand.
\-\-\-
Our events are free, but we would appreciate if you would have at least one drink, to support the bar which is kindly hosting us. Also, we normally ask for donations to cover our meetup.com costs. See you then :)
Watercolour Herbarium: A Sensory Workshop
### **🌿 Watercolour Herbarium: A Sensory Workshop**
Do you know which herbs boost memory?
Which ones calm your body, support digestion, or help you sleep?
Join us for a unique 4-day watercolour journey where art meets nature, observation, and everyday wisdom.
**In this workshop, we will create our own illustrated herbarium — a personal catalogue of plants — while working directly from real, fresh herbs from my little balcony garden.**
You’ll learn how to observe their shapes, textures, and colours, and translate them into delicate watercolour studies.
But this is more than painting.
Each day, we’ll explore a different selection of herbs like oregano, rosemary, mint, basil and more — learning how they grow, what they’re traditionally used for, and how they can support your body and wellbeing.
**We’ll touch them, smell them, paint them… and even taste them in teas and infusions,** engaging all our senses to truly connect with each plant.
✨ What to expect:
* Guided watercolour sessions (all levels welcome)
* Real herbs to observe and paint from life
* Gentle introduction to herbal knowledge & home remedies
* A growing collection of your own illustrated herbarium
* A calm, sensory, and inspiring atmosphere
* Tips about how to grow these herbs at home during this spring
By the end of the 4 days, you’ll leave not only with a beautiful series of paintings, but also with a deeper understanding of the plants around you — and how they can become part of your everyday rituals.
The workshop includes **four classes**, but you’re also welcome to join individual sessions (when available).
To receive the registration form and full details, please contact:
📩 **hola.berlinartclub@gmail.com**
**When:**
Tuesday 5 - 12 - 19 - 26 May
From 6 to 7.30 PM
**Where:**
Friedrichshain, Berlin (You will receive the exact address by e-mail)
**Price:**
85€ for the whole month (4 classes)
Single class 25€ / Paypal & Bank Transfer
**Material:**
You will need a watercolour set, watercolour paper (or sketchbook) and brushes. If you need suggestions about the material, get in touch. If you need some recommendations, this might help:
**[Quick Material Guide](https://www.instagram.com/p/DBRDE95Ia5D/?img_index=2)**
**To book your spot:**
Please confirm here: **hola.berlinartclub@gmail.com,** and you will receive the payment details and the exact address.
***Super small groups! RSVP here is not considered booked.***
You can find my work [HERE](https://www.instagram.com/lujancordaro/)
and all updated classes [HERE ](https://www.instagram.com/berlin.art.club/)
Come slow down, get your hands moving, and reconnect with nature 🌿
✨ No previous painting experience needed. Gentle guidance provided throughout.
See you!!
Lu and the BAC
Buddy Program Meetup
for **LGBTQIA+**
**[free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/buddyprogram-meetup/w20-2026)**
Welcome to our next “we are village” Buddy Program event. Buddy Program is a community project that helps queer people in Berlin find a supportive community to navigate the city, discover hidden gems, and build genuine friendships.
At this welcome event, we will introduce our Buddy Program and we will provide you with an opportunity to meet other queer people who share your interests and passions.
We will have some fun games and provide room for genuine connections to form.
**More about the program**
The Buddy Program was created for queer people living in Berlin. Whether you’re new to Berlin or a long-time local who loves sharing your city. Or if you’re already settled but you’d like to “step up” your relationships and engage on a deeper level. The Buddy Program values deep connections, meaningful conversations, and community care.
By combining in-person meetups, online interaction through the **we are village** app, and interest-based matching, the program creates a space for mutual support, deeper connection, and a sense of solidarity.
**I’m not a new arrival to Berlin but I’d love to share my tips and tricks about Berlin!**
Everyone, regardless of their experience, is welcome. Our first goal is to connect people.
**General information**
Language: This event will be in German and/or English depending on participant needs.
**Cost**: This event is free of charge.
🔵
**[kostenlos mit Anmeldung](https://wearevillage.org/shop/buddyprogram-meetup/w16-2026/)**
Willkommen zu unserem zweiten „we are village“ Buddy-Programm-Event. Wir werden einige lustige Spiele spielen und Raum für echte Verbindungen schaffen.
**Mehr über das Programm**
Das Buddy-Programm wurde für queere Menschen in Berlin ins Leben gerufen. Egal, ob du neu in Berlin bist oder schon lange hier lebst und deine Stadt gerne mit anderen teilst. Oder vielleicht bist du bereits angekommen, möchtest aber deine Beziehungen vertiefen. Das Buddy-Programm schätzt tiefe Verbindungen, bedeutungsvolle Gespräche und Gemeinschaftspflege.
Durch eine Kombination aus persönlichen Treffen, Online-Interaktion über die we are village App und interessenbasiertem Matching schafft das Programm einen Raum für gegenseitige Unterstützung, tiefere Verbindungen und ein Gefühl der Solidarität.
Ich bin zwar kein Neuankömmling in Berlin, aber ich würde gerne meine Tipps und Tricks über Berlin teilen!
Jeder, unabhängig von seiner Erfahrung, ist willkommen. Unser erstes Ziel ist es, Menschen zu verbinden.
**Hinweise**
**Sprache**: Dieses Event wird je nach Teilnehmerbedürfnissen auf Englisch und/oder Deutsch sein.
**Kosten**: Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos.
Neighborhood Watch Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Silent Reading Club
Ditch the old book club, where everyone has to read the same book...this is better!
It works like this: Bring your own book. Come chat, have some tea or coffee, get to know your neighbors. Then we quietly read together, side by side, for about one hour, each one reading their own book, and afterwards we talk with each other about what we are reading.
The usual agenda:
- Arrival and introduction (~20 minutes)
- Silent reading (~1 hour)
- Discussion (~30-40 minutes)
- Join us for a bite at a local restaurant afterwards, if you like!
You may read in any language, you may read any book. We are a group of international residents of Berlin from many different countries, of all ages, and we converse in English. We welcome you!
No registration needed – the event is donation based. All funds support the Offenes Wohnzimmer.
Heilsames Singen - Singabend
Tauche ein in die wohltuende Welt des *Heilsamen Singens*! In der Singgruppe erleben wir gemeinsam, wie einfache, wiederholende Lieder mit positiven Texten Herz und Seele berühren.
Du musst kein*e geübte*r Sänger\*in sein – beim heilsamen Singen geht es nicht um Leistung, sondern um Verbindung, Freude und Entspannung.
Teils sanfte, teils kraftvolle Klänge und Melodien laden dich ein, den Alltagsstress hinter dir zu lassen, bei dir selbst anzukommen und neue Lebensfreude zu spüren. Beim gemeinsamen Singen entsteht innere Ruhe, dein Immunsystem wird gestärkt – und auf liebevolle Weise entsteht Verbindung untereinander.
Komm, wie du bist – mit deiner Stimme, deinem Atem, deinem Herzen. Lass dich tragen vom Klang und entdecke die heilende Kraft des Singens.
Wir freuen uns auf dich!
Wo: Offenes Wohnzimmer Moabit
Wann: jeden 3. Freitag im Monat 19:00
Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis
Um die Planung zu erleichtern, melde Dich gerne an unter:
[kontakt@heilsames-singen-berlin.de](mailto:kontakt@heilsames-singen-berlin.de)
(Wer spontan kommen kann, ist natürlich ebenso willkommen!)
Hei, ich bin Gesa, Sängerin, Gesangspädagogin und zertifizierte Singleiterin
für Heilsames Singen. Nach über 20 Jahren als Opern- und Konzertsängerin liegt mein Fokus heute auf dem „Heilsamen Singen“. Mir liegt am Herzen, das Singen wieder in unseren Alltag zu holen. Weil es uns mit unserem innersten Menschsein verbindet, weil es Herz und Seele berührt – und weil es ein kleiner, aber kraftvoller Beitrag zu mehr Freude, Wärme und Menschlichkeit in unserer Welt ist.
Offene Bühne
Offene Bühne ! Jeden 2. donnerstag im Monat.
Alle Arten von Darbietungen sind willkommen.
Es gibt 2 Mikrofone, eine Sound-Anlage, ein Klavier und verschiedene kleine Percussion-Instrumente.
Der Eintritt ist frei, Spenden sind gern gesehen.
Auch Getränke gibt es auf Spendenbasis!
Wir freuen uns auf euch Künstler und Publikum !
The Minority Report
The Minority Report is a weekly stand-up comedy show about identity, culture, and the expat experience.
Are you a minority in Europe? Did something weird, awkward, or low-key offensive happen to you this week?
This is the space to vent your feelings about it.
Every week, comedians Bryan Lee and Moe Singleton take the stage to unpack life as outsiders, offering their unique commentary on topics like race, masculinity, relationships, and life between cultures.
Add weekly special guest comedians and “question time” with the audience, and you’ve got Berlin’s most unhinged comedy experience.
🎟️ Want to warm up before the show?
Check out our comedy workshop – a beginner-friendly stand-up class with Bryan and Moe, hosted just before the show.
Meet New People and Hangout in Mitte
Join us for a fun evening of meeting new people and enjoying drinks at a local bar!
This is a great opportunity to make new connections and socialize in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We’ll be gathering at **Atlantik Bar** from 19:00 onwards.
It’s a great spot for beers and exciting conversations in the evenings and during the daytime. The alternative atmosphere can be hard to find in Berlin Mitte, and this is one of the coolest spots in the area.
Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your social circle and have a great time.
We can’t wait to see you there! 😊
**\*\*How to find us\*\* 😉**
1\. Please don’t ask the bartender where the group is\. Check the next point ❤️
2\. We will post photos and videos of where the group is sitting on our Slack community\. You can join the community here \- [https://join.slack.com/t/berlinsocials-flock/shared_invite/zt-3lk26f4ok-J2cc7KRFCPe6QCgCdzLtaA](https://join.slack.com/t/berlinsocials-flock/shared_invite/zt-3lk26f4ok-J2cc7KRFCPe6QCgCdzLtaA)
Sip Happens! Saturday Social @ Brewdog mitte 🍺
Meet up and join other people in Berlin this Saturday!
Whether you're a long-time resident or just travelling through, come and meet new people to have fun, make new friends and enjoy your Saturday evening in a safe and welcoming environment at one of Berlins fantastic bars.
This week we're heading to Brewdog mitte (see link to location). Looking forward to seeing you there! Look out for the "Meetup Saturday Social" signs on tables.
We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have **no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness.**
**Follow us on Insta:** @siphappens.berlin
**Join us on Telegram:** t.me/siphappens_berlin
**👉 Other important notes:**
\- 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs\, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks\. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases
\- 🦹♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well\-being\. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues\.
\- 📷 By attending our events\, you consent to being photographed or filmed\. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media\. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed\, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram \(@siphappens\.berlin\)
Friday Evening Drinks
To find us, look out for "The Red Stonker" which looks like:
https://meetu.ps/3mjhSm
[Use a web browser, as the App does not go to the right place]
Every Friday evening we gather for an English speaking meetup for some social drinks. The venue varies from week to week, so please check the location for each event.
If you have any suggestions for where you might like to meet next time, please send me a message. If you run a biergarten, bar, or other suitable location and would like some customers, send me a message.
The number of attendees varies as you can see from the past events, but there is usually at least 50. We have a mix of nationals and internationals working, studying, visiting, or just living in Berlin. Free to attend, everybody is welcome, so grab a drink and come say hi.
**NEW FROM BERLIN EVENING SOCIALS ***
check out our new Instagram Page! Reels,photos and stories. drop us a follow!
https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?utm_source=ig_contact_invite&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_content=114pmtfn
Neighborhood Watch Events Near You
Connect with your local Neighborhood Watch community
Dinner at Highbanks Distillery Westerville
We will have dinner after our drink at the speakeasy. If people want to attend both the speakeasy and dinner please rsvp for both events.
This is the menu for dinner:
https://www.highbankco.com/westerville
PETA playbook Watch party: Peeling back the Cage-free label
**You're invited to join local Columbus animal advocates as we watch PETA's workshop together on cage-free campaigns. Free vegan pizza will be provided! After the workshop Q&A, we'll have a group discussion and brainstorm on future activism plans. Hope to see you there!**
**Here are the details:**
**WHEN: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6pm EST**
**WHERE: KTC Columbus**
**If you cannot attend in person, you can still view the workshop virtually at https://www.facebook.com/events/1567122777711333**
**Here's some background on the workshop:**
**Please join us for an eye-opening online PETA Playbook discussion with PETA’s Associate Director of Vegan Campaigns, Amber Canavan, where we’ll ask the hard-hitting questions about the cage-free campaigns and their impact on both hens and vegan efforts.**
**Whether you’re looking to strengthen your outreach or sharpen your messaging around the egg industry’s humane-washing tactics, this workshop will give you practical tools to help others understand what “cage-free” really means for hens and why the label is misleading.**
**We’ll explore how to keep conversations respectful, fact-based, and focused on the animals’ reality while encouraging others to take effective action.**
**Please join us for this important workshop to learn how you can cut through cage-free marketing and help animals.**
**Come ready to learn, ask questions, and ignite your activism for animals!**
CMG Gives Back: Serve Brunch at FAITH MISSION GRANT KITCHEN!
Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event:
FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces.
PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants.
LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details:
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1
week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events!
Should be another good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan
Must See Thursday: I LOVE BOOSTERS at the Drexel + GRAETER'S!
Join us as we get together to see the top-reviewed comedy-drama, I LOVE BOOSTERS! The film comes from writer/director Boots Riley and follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event:
DESCRIPTION: The film follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It is written/directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore.
BUZZ AND ACCLAIM: I Love Boosters was the opening film at this year’s SXSW Festival and premiered to rave reviews! It is currently earning a tremendous 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it, “an unexpected celebration of friendship, community, and solidarity.” Others call the film “an exercise in radical empathy,” a “masterful” and “optimistic” film designed to “provoke discussion” while making the audience laugh.
TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c)
SUMMER OF ICE CREAM: GRAETER’S! Established way back in 1870 in Cincinnati, this historic, family-owned brand is famous for their delicious small batch ice cream and any chocolate chunk flavors! They are currently the only commercial ice cream maker using the French Pot method that they’ve been using since they first opened! Plus, those chocolate chunks, oh my goodness! Vegan options are available.
PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but Showtime and complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer.
Look forward to seeing you there, Dan
Ohio Fight club
We are a real world Martial arts group. \
Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \
Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \
We have been around a while. \
Every week we get together and work technical skills and full contact spar. \
Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from street fights to the ring and some still compete in cage fighting. \
If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \
We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 Outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295
Saturday 1:30pm Wednesday 5:45pm
From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \
Wear workout clothes. \
Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \
WE HAVE GLOVES. \
$10 per class
$5 per class if you are wearing a club shirt
Club shirts are $25
Hope to see you soon. \
let me know if you have any questions :)
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.




















