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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Check out raising capital events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the raising capital events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

Absolutely! Find raising capital events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.

Raising Capital Events Today

Join in-person Raising Capital events happening right now

From Models to Systems: Building Production-Ready AI Agents
From Models to Systems: Building Production-Ready AI Agents
*Please note that this meetup has been **rescheduled to 13 May 2026**. If you previously registered and are unable to attend on the new date, we kindly ask that you cancel your registration to free up space for others. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you there.* \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Join us for an evening exploring what it really takes to move AI agents from impressive demos to reliable, production-ready systems. We’ll hear from industry leaders building and deploying AI agents in real-world, high-stakes environments. **Date & Time** Wednesday, ***13 May*** 2026 6:00–8:00 PM *** ## Agenda: ⏱ 18:00–18:30: Gathering, mingling & light refreshments ⏱ 18:30–19:15: Lecture 1 – **Charm Security** * Making LLMs work for your problem\, not theirs \| Speaker: Aviv Nahon\, AI & ML Data Scientist * From Demo to Real World System: What Makes a ReAct Agent Production\-Ready \| Speaker: Hovav Schreiber\, AI Engineer ⏱ 19:15–20:00: Lecture 2 – **Mate Security** * Autonomous but Accountable: Running AI Agents in a High-Stakes Environment Speakers: Guy Pergal (Co-Founder & CTO), Avi Rosenberg (Founding Engineer), Yuval Maayan (Founding Engineer) *** *** **From Demo to System — What Makes a ReAct Agent Production-Ready** Who's in charge (LLM vs code), what happens when things break, and how easy it is to extend — adding tools, MCP servers, schemas, and models. *** **Making LLMs work for your problem, not theirs** Making LLMs work for your problem, not theirs. *** **About Charm Security** *Charm Security* is building the Agentic AI Workforce to prevent and resolve scams and human-centric fraud. Our AI Agents combine deep fraud-operations expertise with behavioral psychology to guide real-time prevention, intervention, and resolution. They act as expert teammates to fraud, financial crime and frontline teams, improving both efficiency and overall intervention and resolution effectiveness. \*\*\* **Autonomous but Accountable: Running AI Agents in a High-Stakes Environment** *Mate Security* is at the forefront of AI agent development, building agents that run incident investigations today, in Fortune 500 SOCs. As build and release playbooks are rewritten daily, the session will cover some of the key areas of focus, allowing Mate's agents to be trusted in production by the world's largest organizations, including: * Working with thousands of sensitive agent tools: How do we govern and select the right one while considering the context window? * Always improving: how do we govern and eval AI agents when prompts and models keep evolving? *** We look forward to seeing you all in person
Go IL Community Meetup, May 2026
Go IL Community Meetup, May 2026
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming professional meetup, hosted in collaboration with the **Go Israel Developers Community!** Join us at the **Gett offices** for an evening dedicated to deep-diving into Go, exploring desktop applications, and discussing the cutting edge of AI-driven development. Whether you're a veteran Gopher or just starting your journey with the language, come for the knowledge and stay for the great company (and snacks!). 📅 **Date:** Wednesday, May 13 🕒 **Time:** 18:00 📍 **Location:** Gett Offices, HaBarzel 19, Entrance D, 1st floor, Tel-Aviv ### **Agenda** * **18:00 – Mingling, Drinks & Snacks** 🍕🥤 * **First talk: From Browser Tab to Native App: Building Go-powered Desktop Application** By **Ivan Litvakovskii**, Senior Backend Engineer at Gett * **Second talk: Using AI Agents to write Go code, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly** by **Miki Tebeka.** CEO at 353solutions 📢Please note: The meetup will be held in **English**. We can't wait to see you there!
 AI מתחילים
AI מתחילים
AI מתחילים צעד ראשון בעולם הבינה המלאכותית - סדנה פרקטית וקצרה, שתעשה לכם סדר בעולם העתיד. נכיר כלי בינה מלאכותית (ChatGPT, Gemini, Notebooklm, Suno) , נלמד מה זה LLM, נתנסה ביצירת תמונות, עריכת טקסטים ושימוש נכון בכלי AI, באופן שחוסך זמן, משפר רעיונות ועובד בצורה יעילה יותר, בעבודה, בלימודים ובחיים האישיים. בסיום תצאו עם ארגז כלים עדכני ומעשי שבוודאי ישרת אתכם ממש מיד. למבוגרים (16+) עלות: 170 ש"ח (לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון: 120 ש"ח) שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://link.makelab.org.il/AI-one-meeting
Frontendistim Community May Meetup at Orchid!
Frontendistim Community May Meetup at Orchid!
Join us for an evening of focused tech talks, real-world frontend knowledge, and good people. We’ll hear from experienced engineering leaders on modern web practices. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate with fellow frontend enthusiasts! This meetup is organized by **[Enpitech](https://enpitech.dev/)**, a frontend-focused team helping startups build reliable, production-grade web products. This special event wouldn't be possible without the generous support of **Orchid**, our gracious hosts. **Agenda:** **18:00** \- Doors open \- Mingling \+ Food **18:30** \- Opening Remarks **18:40** - **Yoni Naim -** Fullstack Team Lead @ Orchid. **Identity Crisis: Redefining the Frontend Developer** For years, "Frontend developer" meant something specific - a clear skill set, a defined role, a professional identity. But the borders between frontend, backend, and design are blurring, and AI is holding the eraser. In this talk, we'll confront the identity crisis head-on and explore the mindset shifts needed when frontend stops being a role and starts being a skill. **19:10 - Sagi Carmel** -Founder and CTO @ Reeeally **Why I choose AstroJS instead of NextJS in 2026?** In the landscape of the JS ecosystem this one framework isn't the most know, and just like other great things it should! It was bought by cloud flare and features one of the best DX experience out there when it comes to both static and ssr website development. Let's explore why by using nextJS as comparison. **When?\*** Wednesday, 13 May 2026 - **18:00 We start on time!** \* = (לאור המצב. (יש מרחב מוגן במקום **Where?** Tozeret HaAretz 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo - Stage 7
Go Israel May Meetup
Go Israel May Meetup
Hosted by Gett! Agenda: \- Mingling \- From Browser Tab to Native App: Building Go\-powered Desktop Application by Ivan Litvakovskii\, Senior Backend Engineer at Gett \[in 🇬🇧\] \- Break \- Talk 2: Using AI Agents to write Go code\, the Good\, the Bad and the Ugly\. by Miki Tebeka
GameDev + AI #2
GameDev + AI #2
מפגש שני בזום מה יהיה לנו - 1\. הרצאה בנושא של הג׳אם שהיה 2 הרצאה של 10 דקות tbd קשקשת וכיף אולי יהיה הגרלה לפרס

Raising Capital Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

Founders Running Club :: Tel Aviv
Founders Running Club :: Tel Aviv
**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. Join locall Tel-Aviv chat with all news and updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWWgu9DznjzLvMe8p6cVCu?mode=ac_t For any questions pleae contact Tel-Aviv city leaders: Lev +972 55-7704496 Ilia +972535007183 Nastya +972533838320 Dan +972537162316 More about FRC global: 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)
סדנת ריתוך - יוצרים בחמרי גלם
סדנת ריתוך - יוצרים בחמרי גלם
כבר רכשתם/ן את יסודות הריתוך ואתם מוכנים לקדם את המיומנות שלכם לשלב הבא? הסדנה הזו היא בשבילכם/ן! מרכז החדשנות מייקלאב מזמין אתכם/ן לסדנת ריתוך - יוצרים בחמרי גלםגלם. בסדנה תעמיקו את הידע שלכם בריתוך ותתנסו ביצירה אמנותית ופונקציונלית עם מתכת. נתרגל שליטה בטכניקות ריתוך, עיבוד חומרי גלם, עבודה בטוחה ומקצועית ופתרון בעיות בזמן אמת. בסיום הסדנה המשתתפים יצאו עם פרויקט אישי. למבוגרים/ות (18+) שעברו סדנת ריתוך למתחילים או בעלי נסיון מינימלי בעבודה עם הרתכת. עלות: ₪240 לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון: ₪190 שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא https://www.makelab.org.il/registration/practicalwelding
TAMI Sonic (Music Night)
TAMI Sonic (Music Night)
**TAMI Sonic (Music Night)** Join our bi-weekly informal meetups devoted to playing and experimenting with sound. ========== TAMI wiki: [https://telavivmakers.org](https://telavivmakers.org) TAMI main Telegram channel: [https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8](https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8)
[Guest Event] THE GAMEDEV DRINKUP
[Guest Event] THE GAMEDEV DRINKUP
\-\-\- Update: The Gamedev Drinkup was postponed and is back to its regular format \-\-\- Game developers, come meet each other, make connections, talk about games, learn from one another, and drink beer. Whether you’re seasoned professionals or just starting out, you’re invited to a casual, relaxed Drinkup with people from all fields: programmers, artists, game designers, project managers, musicians, community managers, and more. \-\-\- עדכון: הדרינקאפ נדחה וחזר למתכונת הרגילה \-\-\- מפתחי/ות משחקים - בואו להכיר זה את זה, ליצור קשרים, לדבר על משחקים, ללמוד אחד מהשניה, ולשתות בירה. מקצוענים או בתחילת דרככן, מוזמנים לדרינקאפ קז'ואלי ורגוע של אנשים מכל התחומים - מתכנתות, ארטיסטים, מעצבות משחקים, מנהלי פרוייקטים, מוזיקאיות, מנהלי קהילה ומה לא. \*הכניסה חופשית ומגיל 18 ומעלה \*\*הדרינקאפ שם לעצמו למטרה להיות מקום בטוח, מכיל ונעים לכל המשתתפים והמשתתפות. אם משתתף/ת מרגיש/ה לא בנוח, מוטרד/ת או מותקף/ת במהלך האירוע (או מחוצה לו בהקשר שלו) יש לדווח למארגני האירוע שנוכחים במקום, או לצוות המקום המארח ואנחנו נטפל בכך באופן מידי. אין מקום להטרדות מכל סוג בעולם בכלל ובטח לא בדרינקאפ, אנחנו נעשה הכל כדי למגר אותן. אנחנו מעדכנים גם בקבוצת ווטסאפ שקטה של הדרינקאפ, מוזמנים להצטרף: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GiWvNFXKStBCphLrCNKDMa](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GiWvNFXKStBCphLrCNKDMa?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQTgwOUxxM3FaS01QbUV5UnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5BZo_KHdOFbTVrZscJVNkPpiJsVNdjQ2cEOY-ILQQJ9toX1p_UoGQgPCH4Gw_aem_2rcK8czrAh-_6wzeCCZeOw) או לקשקש עם הקהילה ההולכת וגדלה שלנו בדיסקורד: [https://discord.gg/MwgCRdkz7h](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2FMwgCRdkz7h%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQTgwOUxxM3FaS01QbUV5UnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR60uF74NOAQyXUgqvCC-h81Azuj11bM-2Kl2W1kKIQ9RL85CNwl59oUlRnVmw_aem_oj_6IwiGggE2fpl-V3N1vA&h=AT4FWnF78lAVzQjRNEqKlofwduao0oQyDsc5KBD5IPN-uBlkdbhFVyGYEU-_ydBZQzGc_c_GfZwbKg6RI22TULXnTzrPGNbAz-x25St8CLxXi0Dr4fZA-I5eM1Y_gXfoyd1QzfT_CT4e4ojNxO1GCxT2pSZBe-vojec&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT4cViAWpWg0o2kCdLrA3Fjoawb3xeJrwUUjr2L3rq0gbBR2TlleOn42VIkrHQvtlRkBqWh0_vY7jcKOgAboAY3m0lYtwoeNCMBlwcQDzTqCNmoYmHRaUlhKkW9DApFO)
Shut Up & Write!® at Beit Ariela
Shut Up & Write!® at Beit Ariela
Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! If you don't know how to find the location, or how to find us inside - write me (the organizer, Alex Zak). **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: TBD Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.
Philosophy Group Meeting -- English
Philosophy Group Meeting -- English
Join us in the search for the true, the good and the beautiful. We will be reading and discussing a fascinating philosophical text in English. Welcome anyone interested in understanding life more deeply, regardless of age or prior knowledge. The love of wisdom is enough. Please join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CDjIJ8i1LZsJ2a7WJXFxhG?mode=wwt Sapere Aude! (Kant's Motto: Dare to Think!)
Philosophy Group Meeting -- Hebrew
Philosophy Group Meeting -- Hebrew
Join us in the search for the true, the good and the beautiful. Each meet is in one of two formats: a shared reading and open discussion of philosophical texts, or a continuing series of lectures based on the reading of a fascinating book of philosophy. Both formats are in Hebrew, with some reading of English texts, assisted whenever needed. We meet weekly Friday on 80 Rokach Boulevard, Tel Aviv, at the gardens of the Council for a Beautiful Israel. Welcome anyone interested in understanding life more deeply, regardless of age or prior knowledge. The love of wisdom is enough. Please join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JeAa2uRNTlF0rdrVTLzUC0?mode=wwt Note: there's always enough sitting room, but some of it is on the grass or a mat on the floor. If you want to guarantee yourself a chair, please bring one with you. Sapere Aude! (Kant's Motto: Dare to Think!)

Raising Capital Events Near You

Connect with your local Raising Capital community

Must See Thursday: I LOVE BOOSTERS at the Drexel + GRAETER'S!
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
Rays Of Light Spiritualist Church Service
Rays Of Light Spiritualist Church Service
Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.
General Business Networking - Columbus
General Business Networking - Columbus
**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*
Brain Tumor Support Group
Brain Tumor Support Group
**Welcome to the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky’s Support Group.** *\*\*This meeting has been moved to the 4th Monday of each month.* This group is a safe space for **survivors of traumatic and acquired brain injuries**, as well as their **families and caregivers**, to find support, share experiences, and connect with others who understand the journey. Whether you're newly injured, a longtime survivor, or supporting a loved one, you’ll find comfort, information, and encouragement here. Our professionally facilitated groups offer a confidential, compassionate setting for healing, learning, and growing together. Join us to discover the power of community—because no one should walk this road alone. *All survivors of ABI/TBI and those who care for them are welcome.* \* This meeting is for persons with brain tumors and their guests. \*\* This is a hybrid meeting. For those meeting in-person dinner is served at 5:45pm. Online begins at 6:30pm.
CMG Gives Back: Serve Brunch at FAITH MISSION GRANT KITCHEN!
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
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
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.