Social and Cultural Outings

Join us for a hike around Czech Siberia- a snowy fairy tale land of forests, quarries, chateaux on snow and mud. 📜📚🗃 Resources: https://mapy.com/s/bakosadoda https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%8Cesk%C3%A1_Sibi%C5%99 https://www.kudyznudy.cz/aktivity/ceska-sibir-drsny-kraj-v-jizni-casti-milicinske ⚠️☢️☣️ Whatever the FORECAST predicts for Sunday (currently just overcast with 1-3 °C throughout the day), it is just a FORECAST. Remember that meteorologists, politicians, teachers etc. bear no consequences for the quality of their work product and dress accordingly. Rain/snow/sleet/freezing fog is always a possibility, expect ICE and MUD. Trust me 😂 📍🗺️ **Trail** approx 25 km • ↑ \~550 m • ↓ \~550 m 🚌🚆🚄✈️**Travel** → express train R17 (R 321 Silva Nortica) + commuter train S90 (Os 8257), departs Praha hl.n. 7:46 ← hourly trains from Votice 🛍️🎒 **Gear & Paraphernalia** – Weather-appropriate outfit, comfortable footwear with good tread, (waterproof layer) – Tea/coffee/water and enough snacks to keep you going Time and again, I've received (mostly unsolicited) advice about gear. I've always taken it just like weather talk. When it comes from the old guard, usually meant well, I guess, just like Gilgamesh, trying not to become irrelevant, I try to take it in with respect. Lately, however, there seems to be this new thing shaming people for the lack of particular brand name gear, often from people who have achieved nothing much and don't really have any experience, except talk. And I really detest that. Beginners need support. At the same time, however, please use common sense: the desert can get both really hot and really cold. You need enough water. It can get windy. Your feet need protection. You need to see. Hiking is in my political opinion supposed to be a free and inclusive activity and I don't want to burden your already strained budget: you can get decent gloves free (with coupon and a purchase: just buy something from the 99 cent section) at Harbor Freight, same goes for a free LED lamp. A good USB rechargeable headlamp starts from $9 on Amazon. The Columbia outlet sells the omni-heat hats for $15 and a coupon + student/military/veteran/teacher or just about any other ID card should push it to around $9. Walmart has hiking shoes for $29 that I put hundreds of miles on without incident, and so can you. 🤑 Petty CASH and other expenses: None, aside from the train tickets (148 CZK ow, less on a group ticket or if you have INkarta) As always: (🧿) Use common sense (🧿) Leave no trace behind (🧿) RSVP with integrity; I need this to decide if to drive or take trains (🧿) If you can't stay with the group either because you want to hike at ftL speeds or can't use your head, then you should hike by yourself or stay home. At the same time, however, hiking is not the construction of a nuclear power plant, but rather a natural activity for humans. If you really want to take it scientifically, the local library system has quite a few resources. You can start with McManners, H. (1998). Hiking (101 essential tips). ISBN 9780789427762 and take it from there. Don't microwave the cat: Please be aware that your Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Prague.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Who can attend this meetup: The tour is an introduction to Prague and is mainly for expats and visitors to our city but everybody who would like to join is invited. ***Important***, please also fill in the booking form on our [website](https://freewalkingtourprague.eu/en/schedule) if you are planning to come (otherwise we will not expect you). Description: Meet us by the Powder Tower, the historical gate to the Old Town and starting point of the Royal Route. Then have an educative walk through the narrow and picturesque streets of the historical center of Prague. Enjoy the unique diversity of architectural styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau. See some of the most interesting sites and get to know fascinating facts and legends of the 1000-year old capital of Bohemia. End the tour at the riverside 5 minutes away from the Charles Bridge, from which you can continue the tour on your own (or again with us) towards Malá Strana or Prague Castle. ====== Meeting point: We will be standing by the Powder Tower at the side of the Namestí Republiky square with a green umbrella in hand :) Map: https://goo.gl/maps/tzqKpZ2945S2 Price: there is no fixed price, you will be able to decide yourself how much you value the tour. If you don't know how much is best (and can afford it) we recommend 200Kč, but it really depends on you how much you contribute. Join us also on our [Facebook profile](https://www.facebook.com/freewalkingtoursprague/) :) and if you are travelling to other cities check out our friends at the [Free Tour Community website](https://freetourcommunity.com/). For any questions, please contact us at info@freewalkingtourprague.eu. Unfortunately, the meetup application does not always send us phone notifications. Reminder - only people who booked on our [official free walking tour website](https://freewalkingtourprague.eu/en/schedule) can join the tour and if the tour shows fully booked on the website it means there are no free spots. The meetup list doesn't count in this case. We look forward to meeting you, Michal, Amanda, Lana, Iva & Chris

Tea is a drink but also can be a ritual, through which we can build connections with people around us. In this event, you are going to have a journey of flavours from Chinese loose leaf tea. We are going to brew you different Chinese tea with traditional Chinese tea ceremony and introduce to you how to make tea and drink tea! You will enjoy also the vegan desserts in the meantime. Come to taste and try! What you are going to taste? - Green tea: Snow mountain Yunnan - Oolong tea: High moutain from Taiwan, Tie Guan Yin - White tea: 12 years old white tea - Black tea: Ruby from Taiwan - Shu Pu'er tea: 12 years old - Vegan dessets Date: 15:30-18:30, 23/11/2025 Place: Wild Coffee, Záhřebská 634/13 Fee: 150kč It is an open event, you are welcomed to come any time Sunday afternoon during our event to taste tea.

A practical, down-to-earth workshop for people who want better friendships and more meaningful conversations in their daily life. We’ll explore: • how to get past small talk without oversharing • how to build trust naturally • how to stay yourself in conversation (even with new people) • how to understand what gets in the way of connection • how to communicate clearly and kindly • how to feel more confident socially Everything is experiential — no lectures, no theory for theory’s sake. You learn through safe, guided exercises in pairs and small groups. By the end, people usually walk away with more self-awareness, new communication tools, and the beginning of real, supportive friendships. A great fit for anyone who wants depth without drama, growth without pressure, and connection that feels natural and human. Facilitated by William Gan 650 czk 12 spots only registration through: https://vev.co/atma-community-space-praha

*** **Description** Join us for the very first Pure Tea Tasting Prague event! Discover unique teas, meet fellow tea lovers, and enjoy a relaxing evening focused on wellness and mindful living. **What to Expect:** * Guided tasting of premium pure teas (including vegan and wellness-focused options) * Introduction to tea rituals and culture * Friendly conversation and community networking * Light healthy snacks **Agenda:** * 17:00 – Welcome & introductions * 17:15 – Tea tasting session (multiple varieties) * 18:15 – Open discussion, Q&A, and social time * 19:00 – Event close **What to Bring:** * Just your curiosity and good mood! All tea and snacks are provided. **Location:** Pure Spa, Le Palais Art Hotel, Prague (Details and directions will be sent after RSVP.) **Who Should Join:** Anyone interested in tea, wellness, or making new friends in Prague. All experience levels welcome! ***

Looking to meet new people and enjoy a relaxed day full of board games? Join us at Palmovka for a cozy board-gaming meet-up open to everyone — beginners, casual players, and experienced gamers! We have a big selection of games, from easy social titles to strategic favourites. You can come alone or with friends — our community is super friendly, and we always make sure nobody sits alone. Don’t worry if you don’t know the rules — we’ll happily explain everything. ✔ Friendly atmosphere ✔ Lots of games to choose from ✔ Perfect for meeting new people ✔ Come anytime during the day ✔ No registration needed entry fee 50czk (no hour limit) Whether you want to laugh, think, or just relax after a long day, this is the perfect place to unwind and connect with others. See you at Palmovka – let’s play!

Who can attend this meetup: The tour is an introduction to Prague and is mainly for expats and visitors to our city but everybody who would like to join is invited. ***Important***, please also fill in the booking form on our [website](https://freewalkingtourprague.eu/en/schedule) if you are planning to come (otherwise we will not expect you). Description: Meet us by the Powder Tower, the historical gate to the Old Town and starting point of the Royal Route. Then have an educative walk through the narrow and picturesque streets of the historical center of Prague. Enjoy the unique diversity of architectural styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau. See some of the most interesting sites and get to know fascinating facts and legends of the 1000-year old capital of Bohemia. End the tour at the riverside 5 minutes away from the Charles Bridge, from which you can continue the tour on your own (or again with us) towards Malá Strana or Prague Castle. ====== Meeting point: We will be standing by the Powder Tower at the side of the Namestí Republiky square with a green umbrella in hand :) Map: https://goo.gl/maps/tzqKpZ2945S2 Price: there is no fixed price, you will be able to decide yourself how much you value the tour. If you don't know how much is best (and can afford it) we recommend 200Kč, but it really depends on you how much you contribute. Join us also on our [Facebook profile](https://www.facebook.com/freewalkingtoursprague/) :) and if you are travelling to other cities check out our friends at the [Free Tour Community website](https://freetourcommunity.com/). For any questions, please contact us at info@freewalkingtourprague.eu. Unfortunately, the meetup application does not always send us phone notifications. Reminder - only people who booked on our [official free walking tour website](https://freewalkingtourprague.eu/en/schedule) can join the tour and if the tour shows fully booked on the website it means there are no free spots. The meetup list doesn't count in this case. We look forward to meeting you, Michal, Amanda, Lana, Iva & Chris

Tea is a drink but also can be a ritual, through which we can build connections with people around us. In this event, you are going to have a journey of flavours from Chinese loose leaf tea. We are going to brew you different Chinese tea with traditional Chinese tea ceremony and introduce to you how to make tea and drink tea! You will enjoy also the vegan desserts in the meantime. Come to taste and try! What you are going to taste? - Green tea: Snow mountain Yunnan - Oolong tea: High moutain from Taiwan, Tie Guan Yin - White tea: 12 years old white tea - Black tea: Ruby from Taiwan - Shu Pu'er tea: 12 years old - Vegan dessets Date: 15:30-18:30, 23/11/2025 Place: Wild Coffee, Záhřebská 634/13 Fee: 150kč It is an open event, you are welcomed to come any time Sunday afternoon during our event to taste tea.

A practical, down-to-earth workshop for people who want better friendships and more meaningful conversations in their daily life. We’ll explore: • how to get past small talk without oversharing • how to build trust naturally • how to stay yourself in conversation (even with new people) • how to understand what gets in the way of connection • how to communicate clearly and kindly • how to feel more confident socially Everything is experiential — no lectures, no theory for theory’s sake. You learn through safe, guided exercises in pairs and small groups. By the end, people usually walk away with more self-awareness, new communication tools, and the beginning of real, supportive friendships. A great fit for anyone who wants depth without drama, growth without pressure, and connection that feels natural and human. Facilitated by William Gan 650 czk 12 spots only registration through: https://vev.co/atma-community-space-praha

*** **Description** Join us for the very first Pure Tea Tasting Prague event! Discover unique teas, meet fellow tea lovers, and enjoy a relaxing evening focused on wellness and mindful living. **What to Expect:** * Guided tasting of premium pure teas (including vegan and wellness-focused options) * Introduction to tea rituals and culture * Friendly conversation and community networking * Light healthy snacks **Agenda:** * 17:00 – Welcome & introductions * 17:15 – Tea tasting session (multiple varieties) * 18:15 – Open discussion, Q&A, and social time * 19:00 – Event close **What to Bring:** * Just your curiosity and good mood! All tea and snacks are provided. **Location:** Pure Spa, Le Palais Art Hotel, Prague (Details and directions will be sent after RSVP.) **Who Should Join:** Anyone interested in tea, wellness, or making new friends in Prague. All experience levels welcome! ***

Looking to meet new people and enjoy a relaxed day full of board games? Join us at Palmovka for a cozy board-gaming meet-up open to everyone — beginners, casual players, and experienced gamers! We have a big selection of games, from easy social titles to strategic favourites. You can come alone or with friends — our community is super friendly, and we always make sure nobody sits alone. Don’t worry if you don’t know the rules — we’ll happily explain everything. ✔ Friendly atmosphere ✔ Lots of games to choose from ✔ Perfect for meeting new people ✔ Come anytime during the day ✔ No registration needed entry fee 50czk (no hour limit) Whether you want to laugh, think, or just relax after a long day, this is the perfect place to unwind and connect with others. See you at Palmovka – let’s play!

**6-a-side Football** practice at Sportcentrum Prosek artificial grass pitch, **Indoor**. Maximum of 18 participants for 3 teams of 6. **Kick off at 17h30**. Everybody is welcome, no age, gender nor any restriction of any type to join. Cost: **160 crowns**. Please send the money using the **QR Code** stored here: https://imgbox.com/dtwDktEf In case of any Opt-out within 24h of the session, or no show, the payment will be due (you still can ask someone to come instead of you, as your spot will be booked)

Hello, we are starting SU&W at Scouts Institute this Sunday! Please find us at a table across from the cafe. The event starts at 12, and the writing starts at 12:15! We will have 45 minutes of writing, followed by a 15 minute break. Then another 45 minutes of writing. Please purchase something to support the cafe and the space ☺️ Follow us on Whatsapp! https://chat.whatsapp.com/HeZDsZNFD8BKn8JohRlbkI

**Summary** I love hiking [Highbanks](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/) in the winter after the sun has gone down. Highbanks is never really dark -- there's too much ambient light from Lewis Center. But I love the trails at night. When I started hiking Highbanks, I was afraid of getting lost and particularly at night. But now that I know my way around, nighttime is one of my favorite times to hike there. In addition, near the end of our hike, we will take a few minutes to walk around the Nature Center and look at the Christmas lights. (The Nature Center itself will be closed, however, by the time we get to it.) We will meet next to the restrooms at the [Big Meadows Picnic Area](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HBK_Web_1980.png). They're all the way at the back of the park, and they can be found at coordinates [40°09'06.6"N 83°02'30.2"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'06.6%22N+83%C2%B002'30.2%22W/@40.151828,-83.0423587,214m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDA5JzA4LjAiTiA4M8KwMDEnNDUuMSJX!8m2!3d40.1522222!4d-83.0291944!3m3!8m2!3d40.151827!4d-83.041715?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (near the playground and the zip line). We'll hike about 5 miles on the Dripping Rock and Overlook Trails. Afterward, we'll head over to [Olentangy River Brewing](https://www.olentangybrew.com/) for drinks and [food](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood). Last year, the weather wasn't too terrible, and the Brewery had their patio fire pits going and we were able to sit outside. The fire pits at night are kind of amazing. The actual address of the brewery is [303 Green Meadows Dr S, Lewis Center, OH 43035](https://www.google.com/maps/place/303+Green+Meadows+Dr+S,+Lewis+Center,+OH+43035/@40.1551938,-83.0144045,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f395cef06c97:0xe407de61b3e30069!8m2!3d40.1551765!4d-83.0124352!16s%2Fg%2F11c26jc7j9?entry=ttu). If you can't make the hike, we should be there by 7:45. **How to find our starting point in Big Meadows** If you are new to Highbanks, the Big Meadows picnic area is 1.5 miles into the park just after you turn into the park off of U.S. Route 23. That is, after you enter the park, drive a mile and a half into the park. You will come to a crosswalk with a yield sign in the middle of it (this is not to be confused with the first such crosswalk you come to just in front of the Nature Center, which you arrive at maybe a quarter of a mile into the park). Just after this second crosswalk, make a left. Then make another almost immediate left into the parking lot on your left. There you will see the jungle gym and the kiddie zip line to your left. I will be just in front of the restrooms just a bit further down from the jungle gym and picnic shelter; the restroom building will also be on your left. **Note on our starting time** Highbanks closes at 8:00 this time of year, and they get kind of snarly about getting everyone out of the park by then. So please be on time for this hike. I want to allow two hours for the hike and be back at Big Meadows by 7:30. So we're shoving off at 5:30, with or without a quorum.

*GOhio!* turns 8!! 🥳 Come celebrate with us at [Pins Mechanical](https://www.pinsbar.com/locations/easton)! 😄 **Summary** Pins Mechanical Co. is a social entertainment venue that combines old-school games like duckpin bowling, pinball, and other classic arcade and table games with craft cocktails, local beers, and punch. The vintage-industrial atmosphere is designed for playful, face-to-face gatherings with friends, family, and colleagues, offering a casual and lively alternative to a typical bar. Pins' Easton location spans over 38,000 square feet, making it the largest in the United States. This massive entertainment venue features two floors, a mezzanine level with stadium seating, and three full-service bars. It offers 16 duckpin bowling lanes, two indoor bocce courts, and more than 60 classic and modern pinball and arcade games. For additional fun, the location is known for its two outdoor patios, an indoor slide, and an expanded patio pong setup. **Activities** As noted below, some machines take actual quarters. Pins has two change machines (one downstairs and one upstairs) that accept ones, fives, or tens (only), and return quarters (only). * *Duckpin Bowling* [Like Bowling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckpin_bowling) but with smaller balls, stubby pins, and no oil on the lanes. The cost is $9 per game per person. * *Pinball* [Who](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who)'s a [wizard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball_Wizard) on these [retro machines](https://pinballmap.com/map/?by_location_id=15311)? At $1 per play, everyone! Takes quarters. * *Arcade* Play classics like Gorf, Pac-Man, Gorf, Donkey Kong, Gorf, Galaga, and Gorf! The best part is, there's Gorf! And all the arcade games are free! * *Patio Pong* The classic college party staple but bigger. Instead of tossing a ping pong ball into cups, you use a regular ball and oversized buckets. There are two of these upstairs, and they're both free! * *Ping Pong* The most popular sport in China! They have two ping pong tables downstairs and two more ping pong tables upstairs. For those of you who have studied topological spaces and set theory, you will know this means they have four total ping pong tables. They have bubble gum dispensers with ping pong balls in them for 25¢ each. The dispensers take quarters. However, they also have racks where they store the ping pong paddles, and in these racks are slots for ping pong balls. It's not uncommon to see balls already here, so there's a chance you may be able to play ping pong for free if you want to. * *Hookie* You can't put your eye out! The safe alternative to darts: Hook thrown rings on a board. Outdoors on the upstairs patio, and free! * *Bocce* Like bowling, except there’s turf and a lot more balls. You can also knock your opponent’s balls out of the way. There are two of these upstairs, and they're both free! * *Foosball* Everyone loves [foosball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_football)! 50¢ a game. Takes quarters. * *Giant Jenga* Stack massive wooden blocks into a tower, then take turns pulling out one block at a time without collapsing the tower. There are four of these sprinkled throughout the venue (two downstairs and two upstairs, with one on each patio), and they're all free! * *Skeeball* There are three skeeball machines on the first floor (near the Gorf machine!), and they're all free! * *Giant Connect Four* On the outdoor patio upstairs, and free! * *Bubble Hockey* This is upstairs. Up to four people can play at once, and it costs $1. Takes quarters. * *Cornhole* There are two cornhole lanes upstairs, and they're both free! * *Basketball* There are two basketball machines downstairs. They're tucked behind the downstairs bar, so they're not always obvious unless you go look for them. They're $2 per play, and they take quarters. * *NES and Sega Genesis video games* These are collections, downstairs (near the Gorf machine!), of video games that you can play for free! * *The Big Metal Indoor Slide* This large two-story slide is for kids, and certainly no adults would ride this. After all, it's not like it's free or anything. **Outdoor Patio** Pins at Easton actually has two outdoor patios. But for our purposes, only the upstairs one matters. See, it will be winter and likely cold. But their upstairs patio has multiple ceiling heaters and two massive gas fire pits that put out a ton of heat. Sitting out here may be a real option. As mentioned above, the upstairs outdoor patio has one of the venue's two Patio Pong setups, one of their multiple Giant Jengas, the Giant Connect Four, and Hookie. **Food** Pins doesn't serve food, but there's a [Mikey's Late Night Slice](https://www.latenightslice.com/) next door. This Mikey's is basically an extension of the Easton Pins; there's a large open doorway between both establishments. Mikey's has a fountain dispenser with Coke products. You can also get Coke and Diet Coke (but not Coke Zero, like you can at Mikey's) at the bars in Pins, but I think the quality of the soda pop from Mikey's fountain is better than that from the bar hoses Pins uses to dispense soft drinks. You are also quite allowed at Pins to either bring food in or order it in via your favorite delivery app. **Parking** I recommend parking in the [Worth Garage](https://eastontowncenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/parking-at-easton-updated-file-sept-25.pdf). It's literally right next door to Pins, and it's free as long as you park on Level 2 or above. They recently started charging people to park on Level 1, and you pay for parking on this level the same way you pay for street parking in Columbus, with the [ParkColumbus](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parkmobile.parkcolumbus&hl=en_US&pli=1) app. I've seen them enforce this by ticketing people's cars, but I don't know how they actually compel payment. The garage is not a public street that actual cops can write you tickets for parking illegally on. If you have an actual ticket from a cop that you don't pay, they can go so far as to issue a warrant for your arrest. But all Easton has, seemingly, is, "[Please pay our ticket](https://eastonpreferredpark.com/)." Still, in my ongoing efforts to eliminate needless stress and aggravation from my life, I just park above the first Level. The actual address of the garage is [4049 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4049+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388a86de3af559:0xc1dc8b4661fc834f!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11sgzjp4ml?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). However, your GPS is stupid. The actual entrances to the garage are on the cross steets Brighton Rose Way and Fenlon St, not Worth Ave. Just keep this in mind once you get to the garage. **Where we'll meet** I'll post in the comments where I am. People will obviously want to explore different areas of the venue over the course of the event (and there's a lot to explore), but please just let me know (as in, come find me) once you've arrived. **Peroration** Come on out and say hi! 😄

**History** [Blacklick Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods/), established in 1949, holds the distinction of being the first Columbus Metro Park. Its creation stemmed from a post-World War II push to preserve natural areas amid rapid suburban growth. The land, originally farmland and woodlots along Blacklick Creek, was acquired by the Columbus Metropolitan Park Board through donations and purchases. Early efforts focused on basic trail development and reforestation to combat erosion. The park's name derives from the creek, which early settlers called "Black Lick" due to its dark, mineral-rich waters. By the 1950s, it served as a model for the expanding Metro Parks system. In the 1960s, Blacklick Woods expanded significantly with additional land acquisitions, reaching over 600 acres. A golf course was added in 1964, one of the first public courses in the region, designed to generate revenue for park maintenance. Native American artifacts, including arrowheads from the Adena culture, were discovered during construction, highlighting the area's prehistoric use as hunting grounds. The park introduced interpretive programs to educate visitors on local ecology and history. Flood control measures along the creek became a priority after heavy rains caused damage. These developments solidified its role as a recreational hub. The 1970s and 1980s brought environmental awareness, leading to habitat restoration projects at Blacklick Woods. Invasive species were removed, and native wildflowers were planted in the meadows. A nature center opened in 1976, featuring exhibits on wetlands and forests. The park's slate-covered bridge, a remnant of 19th-century infrastructure, was preserved as a historic feature. Birdwatching gained popularity with the addition of observation decks. Community volunteers played a key role in trail maintenance and cleanups. During the 1990s, Blacklick Woods underwent major upgrades, including paved multi-use trails for biking and hiking. The Walter A. Tucker Nature Preserve, a 53-acre old-growth forest within the park, was dedicated in 1995 to protect rare beech-maple woodlands. Educational partnerships with local schools introduced field trips on topics like stream ecology. The golf course was renovated to improve playability while minimizing environmental impact. Annual events, such as the fall festival, drew thousands to celebrate the park's natural beauty. These enhancements balanced recreation with conservation. In the 21st century, Blacklick Woods has adapted to increasing visitation with sustainable practices. Solar panels were installed at facilities in the 2010s to reduce energy costs. The park now spans 643 acres, offering diverse habitats from wetlands to uplands. Recent initiatives include pollinator gardens and prescribed burns to maintain prairie areas. It remains a flagship for the Metro Parks, inspiring similar preservations system-wide. Ongoing archaeological surveys continue to uncover traces of early inhabitants. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Blacklick Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BLK-map-May-2025-with-extended-greenway_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike about 4.5 miles by doing a couple loops of the Buttonbush, Tucker, Maple Loop, and Beech trails. Blacklick Woods is a very nice park, but it is generally flat and not strenuous, so this will be one of the easier hikes that we do. **Where We'll Meet** Drive all the way to the back of the park to the parking lot that is nearest the Nature Center. There are restrooms here next to the Canopy Walk. We'll meet near these restrooms. Speaking of the [Canopy Walk](https://www.metroparks.net/blog/canopy-walk-is-your-gateway-to-the-sky/), it's not officially part of the event this time. However, if interested people want to freelance and check it out after the hike (before heading to the brewery), that's okay. **After the Hike** After we're done with the trails, we'll head to [Prost Beer & Wine Café](https://prostcafe.com/) for drinks and [food](https://prostcafe.com/reynoldsburg-prost-beer-and-wine-cafe-food-menu). The actual address of the brewery is [7354 E Main St, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068](https://www.google.com/maps/place/7354+E+Main+St,+Reynoldsburg,+OH+43068/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8838648cfb8d2dbb:0x545274bab130e9bb?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and we should be there by 5:00 if you just want to do that and skip the hike.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Happy Holidays!! Join us for a warm and welcoming Vegan Christmas Potluck! All holidays are welcome, not everyone celebrates Christmas. This is a great chance to meet other vegans, make new friends, and share delicious plant-based food with people who share the same values. Holiday attire is encouraged! 🤩Best holiday fit wins a small prize!!🏆 📅 Date: Thursday 12/25/25 ⏰ Time: 12pm - 3pm 📍 Location: It’s All Natural! Temple Store Bring a vegan dish to share and post in the comments of this event what you’re bringing so we can avoid duplicates. Doors open at 12pm to begin setting up, but we aim to start the feast between 12:30pm and 1pm. Come hungry, come friendly, and come ready to connect. Card games will be available too! We can’t wait to celebrate with you! ‼️ REMINDER ‼️ If you arrive to the temple early, please do not ring the doorbell or knock before 12pm. Some people may be in prayer and we do not want to disturb them. Simply wait in your car. Thank you for understanding and being considerate of this! 😊