Safari

Peru: Coast to Clouds – Sea Lions, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Trails. **1 spot left** Would you like to go on unforgettable journey through Peru? where ancient legends, natural wonders, and thrilling adventures collide. This unique itinerary takes you from the vibrant streets of Lima to the mystical heights of the Andes, offering a rare blend of wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and bucket-list experiences. ✅What’s Included: Shared accommodation (SEPARATE BED) Entrance & Guide Machu Picchu Experince swim with sea Lion Hike & Guide to Rainbow Mountain Francisco Monastery Catacombs Breakfast, Buffet lunch 1x Lima Walking tour **Date: 16-24 May 2026** Arrival Airport: Lima Airport Meet up: at the accommodation [Click here ](https://www.joinmytrip.com/en/trips/peru-discovery-adventure-machu-picchu-rainbow-mountain-sea-lions-Ufws)for more details or [DM me on WhatsApp here ](https://wa.me/393755267768)or Instagram [@windyrann_](https://www.instagram.com/windyrann_), if you are interested in joining!

Für Abonnenten vom "Autobiografischen Schreiben" von Text Collective Berlin ist die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung kostenlos. Wenn du kein Abonnement hast, bitten wir dich um einen Teilnahmebeitrag von zehn Euro. Hier buchen: [https://textcollective.de/autobio](https://textcollective.de/autobio) Es handelt sich um einen moderierten Workshop für autobiografisches Schreiben in einem sicheren Raum für Selbstreflexion, Erinnerungen und persönliche Geschichten. Bei erheblicher Verspätung ist eine Teilnahme am Termin leider nicht mehr möglich. **Jeden dritten Samstag des Monats von 15:00 bis 17:00 Uhr in der ufaFabrik Tempelhof** **Über den Workshop** Welche Geschichten tragen wir in uns? Welche Erinnerungen wollen erzählt, verstanden oder neu betrachtet werden? Dieser Workshop versteht sich als sicherer Raum, in dem es ermöglicht werden soll, Erlebnisse und Gefühle zu teilen. Das autobiografische Schreiben dient als Werkzeug der Selbstreflexion und inneren Klärung. **Was dich erwartet:** In diesem Workshop arbeiten wir mit gezielten Impulsen, die helfen, eigene Erinnerungen und Lebenserfahrungen in Worte zu fassen. Du schreibst vor Ort, kannst deine Texte mit der Gruppe teilen (freiwillig!) und erhältst achtsames Feedback. Die Atmosphäre ist vertraulich und unterstützend. Hier dürfen auch schwierige Themen Raum finden. In dieser geschützten Umgebung entsteht der Mut, tiefer zu gehen und sich auf den eigenen Lebensweg einzulassen.

***Sketch Berlin’s iconic Museum Island with fellow artists while learning composition, linework & proportion in a relaxed outdoor session.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS EVENT?** Click on link below to get complete info and to sign up for this event by getting your ticket. [https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/museum-island-sketching-16may2026](https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/museum-island-sketching-16may2026) **SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW USERS** * 10% New User Discount using promo code: **MEETUP10** * Valid for this trip or any other trips available on our website. **WHY GO?** * Join us, the afternoon of ***Saturday, May 16th at 13:00*** on Museum Island for an afternoon of sketching. We will meet in front of Humboldt Forum along Karl-Liebknecht Strasse to begin a day of deep seeing while improving our sketching skills. We’ll be meeting up with fellow ***Sketchers & Artists*** to practice our ***sketching skills while enjoying iconic historical architecture.*** We’ll be walking around to three separate sites on Museum Island where we will do guided warmups where we practice ***drawing composure, line weight, and proportion***. These practice warmups will come with an ***accompanying set of worksheets to help you get started on your sketching journey*** no matter if you are a beginner or a professional. You will receive feedback while you sketch by the instructor, and will have time to practice what you’ve learned before moving on to the next subject. Museum Island is a place rich in details for drawing. There is no shortage of subjects to spend your time studying, admiring, and drawing. * If this is your first time sketching or 100th time sketching, you can find subjects that are right for you. ***You don’t need to be a professional at all!*** You should just want to practice your sketching skills while meeting new people, and hopefully sketching a bit better than you did the day before. * If this is your first time to Museum Island, ***please be aware that this is a tourist destination***, and there will be tourists walking around in the area. * We will be stopping to do at least ***3 30 min sketches with the goal of improving our foundational drawing skills***. ***Composition, line weight and proportion are foundational skills that every artist needs to develop*** in order to simplify a scene while communicating the necessary details for a viewer to see and feel a scene or detail. These are sketching skills that can be applied across artistic mediums. * Bring your preferred drawing medium for 30 min ***sketches***, and meet up with fellow Berlin sketchers. There are benches in the area, but you may wish to bring a small chair or cushion to make things more comfortable. Many find that if this is their first time drawing, a simple B4 or B6 pencil, and plain white paper is best to learn on. Others who enjoy ink will benefit equally from instruction. * The drawings are purely for fun, and to get to know other artists and hobbyists in the area! * (This meet-up does *not* include entry to any of the museums on museum island) * Join us at 13:00 at the Humboldt Forum with our host - Elizabeth, we’ll get to know one another and then set out as a group to sketch around the island. We will sketch from 13:00-15:30, before going our separate ways. ### 📲 Stay Connected Please do join our **WhatsApp / Telegram channels** for: * Event updates * Future trips & meetups * Early-bird discounts * Contests & giveaways 1. [WhatsApp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

**One year of Kunstraum Heartspace:** One year of heart connections through art. Kunstraum Heartspace is a space for connection, a space where each person's creativity can interfere with the creativity of others, and a space that invites everybody to participate in this connection. For our anniversary exhibition, artists of different disciplines have been invited to explore the theme of diffraction and connection. The theme takes inspiration from the physical phenomenon of interference: When waves hit an obstacle, they will bend around the obstacle. This applies to any type of waves - water waves, sound waves, light waves. Once waves have hit the obstacle, they will connect and interfere behind the obstacle – constructively, or destructively. Connections do not always happen seemlessly. Thinking through the lense of diffraction, obstacles are a necessary component for interference and (re-)connection. Connections can teach us about the different and diffracted parts of ourselves that are yet disconnected. And: Diffraction is an absolutely necessary process in order for us to perceive the manifold colours of life – metaphorically speaking, and literally, physically speaking. A year has passed and the once newborn Kunstraum Heartspace is now entering adult life. This transition, too, does not come without obstacles – but this year has proven to be a powerful testimony of an ever-growing art community with strong and radiant hearts, making Kunstraum Heartspace a beautiful space for real connections. We are looking forward to welcoming you there!

2 EURO DONATION FEE PER PERSON IS REQUIRED (on site, in cash), to pay back the Meetup subscription fees and support my Events. READ THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE INFO (IMPORTANT). WHATSAPP LINK BELOW 📳​ We take the RE3 train that arrives to Eberswalde at 11,02 🚉😀 and stops in Berlin Hbf at 10,23 The train stops not only in Berlin Hbf (I attach below the screenshots with the stations and the timetable 🕐) Once in Eberwalde station, we follow this route 🍃🍃 [https://www.komoot.com/tour/2383133702](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2383133702) Bring your own food 🍔 and water 🥤, for the about 15kms of Hike. After the Hike, we come back to Eberswalde town center 🏘️ to take a coffee ☕ or a cake 🍰 here, for the people who want (the others can directly take the first train to come back to Berlin): [https://maps.app.goo.gl/YeLEY8FFMWsSLwtv6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YeLEY8FFMWsSLwtv6) One train per hour is available to come back to Berlin 🚉 NFO ℹ️ℹ️ Route distance: 15 kms Pace: about 14 minutes per km (know by experience with my events) Breaks ⛔: 2 breaks at approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of the way I do not provide a "personal support" for people who do not take the indicated train. You are responsible to check for the weather and decide if come or not. Thanks for understanding. If you have to contact me, make it via Whatsapp, not here on Meetup. WHATSAPP COMMUNITY 💬 to find each other (join it, we use this group to find and synchronize us, as well as post photos) [https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/](https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/)

\*\*The run with the highest goat count in Berlin!!\*\* Join us for a run this Saturday! Whether minus temperatures, snow, rain or shine - we run! Enjoy the virtually traffic free route, and take time out to commune with the goats and lop-eared rabbits at two mini zoos we pass on the way. Your weekend is guaranteed to start right! Stretch your legs on Saturday morning with the three parks run in the north of Berlin. We meet on Brunnenstraße across the street from Gesundbrunnen Bhf at the edge of Volkspark Humboldthain, see the map pin! From there we run towards Mauerpark, then towards Pankow along the Mauerweg. Then through Bürgerpark Pankow and back along the Panke towards Volkspark Humboldthain. The route takes about an hour, depending on our pace Highlights: \- Volkspark Humboldthain steps to the top of Flakturm \- Mauerpark grafiti wall \- option for a short uphill\, or you can stay on the flat \- Mauerweg \- Goats and rabbits at the Mauerpark mini zoo \- Trail running \- Bürgerpark Pankow \- Saying hi to the goats in the park :\) \- Panke \(river\) \- Only 1 traffic light \(to cross Osloerstr\.\) We have some options to do and usually do some altitude, i.e. stairs, in the Humboldthain park and "hill" in Mauerpark! :) We have a few variations of the route that we sometimes do to keep things interesting, they add up to the same distance. Our pace is typically \~5.45 min/km, but we'll wait for everyone! Feel free to bring friends! There is also the option to finish up at Flying Roasters on Hochstraße for a coffee afterwards! Route: https://onthegomap.com/s/ttbndkk4

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 \(@siphappens\.berlin\)

**💔 Keine Lust mehr auf Swipen? Triff echte Singles in Berlin.** Zeya wurde von einer Frau gegründet, die die Herausforderungen des modernen Datings kennt. 🤗 Wir bringen organische Verbindungen zurück: Keine Apps, kein erzwungener Smalltalk – nur **6 kuratierte Singles** in einem gemütlichen Berliner Café. ☕️ **[RSVP jetzt!](https://zeya.cc/register)** ✅ **Sicher & Vertraut:** Von Frauen gegründet, legen wir Wert auf eine respektvolle und hochwertige Atmosphäre. ✅ **Experten-Kuratierung:** Wir wählen 6 Personen basierend auf Vibes und Interessen aus – keine Zufallsbegegnungen. ✅ **Bewährter Erfolg:** Stolzes **Web Summit Alpha Startup** \| **92 %** 🙌 erschienen \| **43 %** 🔥 Hangouts gematcht \| **60 %** 💖 wieder teilgenommen \| **16 💬** Hangouts **📋 So funktioniert es / How it works:** 1. **Anmelden (1 Min.):** Fülle das Kuratierungs-Formular aus: [https://zeya.cc/register](https://zeya.cc/register) 2. **Matching:** Wir finden die besten Matches unter den Berliner Singles für dich. 3. **Der Hangout:** Sobald du ein Match hast, erhältst du eine WhatsApp-Einladung zu einem schönen Spot in Berlin. 4. **Kein Risiko:** Nur 🤍 Erstes Mal 9 € \| 💖 Regulär 12 € Teilnahmegebühr \(sichert die Ausgewogenheit und verhindert No\-Shows\)\. Kein Hangout innerhalb von 31 Tagen? **100 % Rückerstattung.** **🥰 Warum Berliner Zeya lieben / Why Berliners love Zeya:** * 🔒 **Privatsphäre zuerst:** Keine öffentlichen Profile. Niemand sieht dich, bis du die Leute persönlich triffst. * ⏳ **Null Aufwand:** Vergiss das endlose "Hey, wie war dein Wochenende?". Wir übernehmen die Arbeit. * ☕ **Organische Vibes:** Keine peinlichen Eisbrecher. Nur 6 gleichgesinnte Leute, die eine gute Zeit haben. * 💌 **Einfaches Follow-up:** Jemand gefällt dir? Sag es uns privat nach dem Event. Bei einem Match vernetzen wir euch! **Bist du bereit für einen Sonntagnachmittag ohne Bildschirm?** **[RSVP jetzt!](https://zeya.cc/register)** #BerlinSingles #ZeyaHangouts #SocialMatchingBerlin #BerlinEvents #SafeDatingBerlin #BerlinSinglesHangouts #SinglesEventsBerlin #WomenFounded #CoffeeDate #NeuinBerlin #Leutekennenlernen #Socialize #DatingAlternative #FreundeFinden

Lange Dammwiesen und Annatal is a beautiful and scenic nature reserve in Brandenburg in the area of Strausberg. It has a mixture of dry grassland, wet meadows and forest. It has unique small hills in the shape of a dam. We will hike in this nature reserve. After the nature reserve we will pass the beautiful lakes Kleiner Stienitzsee and Stienitzsee. After 3 hours of hiking I plan to have a coffee but can't promise there will be something open. I am asking for a donation of 2€ for this event. **Good to know:** We will meet at the Station Strausberg (not Strausberg Stadt) **at 12pm** in front of the Service store/main station building. You need ABC-Ticket or Deutschland Ticket.

After a lovely first Poetry in the Park gathering in Bürgerpark Pankow, we’re bringing the idea into a second round — this time with a photographic twist. Join us for a spring afternoon around Schloss Charlottenburg where photography and poetry meet. Bring a poem you love — or one you wrote — and we’ll begin by reading a few poems together. Then we’ll set out for a gentle 30 minute photo walk through the park, capturing details that catch our attention: blossoms, reflections, statues, hidden corners, fleeting scenes. Using the images we gather as inspiration, we’ll meet again on picnic blankets to write short poems from guided prompts and share them in an informal circle. No photography skills needed. No poetry experience required. Just curiosity, observation, and a bit of spring magic. Bring: * A poem to share (optional) * A journal + pen * Your phone or camera * A picnic blanket Duration: approx. 2 hours. This meetup is donation based. Your contribution helps keep this community alive and is highly appreciated. You can either contribute in cash or via Buy me a Coffee: [https://buymeacoffee.com/butterflyradar](https://buymeacoffee.com/butterflyradar) Questions? Check our Meetup-FAQs: [https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/](https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/) Meet your host I’m Julia — a Berlin local who loves bringing people together. My path went from growing up in a dance school to studying philosophy to working in IT support, and somehow all of that led me here: hosting meetups and creating spaces where people can show up, relax, and connect. Insta [https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/](https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/) About The Social Butterfly Club 🦋 is a Berlin-based community that has been bringing people together for over three years. Each gathering is part of a larger framework designed to help friendships grow through shared experiences in the city — with a long-term vision of turning Berlin itself into a shared, playful experience. Love the vibe? There’s a whole community waiting for you. 🦋 Join the Social Butterfly Club and experience Berlin together: [https://socialbutterflyradar.substack.com/](https://socialbutterflyradar.substack.com/)

**Route:** [Link](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2955043547?ref=itd&share_token=ap7b44apshBXv9yZbxaMOqj1HmDLRPkQv5bobKaR8qtrs6g1oi&ref=its) **Walking Speed:** ~4.5 km/hr **Highlights:** Köthener See, Triftsee, Mittelsee, Schwanensee, and Wehlaberg Observation Tower. **General Notes:** Participants with past no-shows or unexplained cancellations on the event day will be deprioritized, and only confirmed RSVP may join the hike. Regular group members as well as hikers who show genuine intent could be given priority on the waiting list. We will take brief breaks for refreshments, but don't plan for coffee stops. Please bring your water, snacks, mosquito repellent, and dress suitably for the day's weather. Please make every effort to be on time. I'm not a professional guide and according to Meetup rules not liable for anyone's safety. If you can't make it, please be respectful enough to update your confirmation of participation in a timely manner to give those in waiting list a fair chance to prepare.

No agenda. No awkward intros. Just good people. Just Gutsy is a weekly meetup for solo travelers, nomads and locals who love meeting them, a simple way to find your people in a new city. Who comes: Solo travelers in transit · digital nomads · curious locals who love meeting travelers What to expect: casual and self-led · small group energy · show up, talk to someone, see where it goes Not sure how to talk to strangers? I put together a set of questions that actually make it easy — find them here: [justgutsy.com/icebreakers](http://justgutsy.com/icebreakers) The only things you need to do: → Comment below so others know you're coming → If plans change, update your RSVP → When you arrive: comment "Here, [what you're wearing]" so people find you When & where: • Every Sunday · 4PM local time Meetup.com sometimes shows a different timezone — ignore it, it's always 4PM where you are • Location: in front of the Indischer Brunnen Join Just Gutsy → [justgutsy.com](http://justgutsy.com/) · Early members get lifetime premium access to the app

***Discover the mystical sunken birch forest, the valley and its unspoilt nature while hiking along river Briese.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS EVENT?** Click on link below to get complete info and to sign up for this event by getting your ticket. [https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/briesetal-fairytale-forest-17may2026](https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/briesetal-fairytale-forest-17may2026) **SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW USERS** * 10% New User Discount using promo code: **MEETUP10** * Valid for this trip or any other trips available on our website. **WHY GO?** The Briesetal is one of Brandenburgs most scenic valleys, formed by river Briese. The quiet nature preservation area is home to mischievous beavers whose dams created a sunken birch forest. The valley is still dominated by unspoilt nature, seemingly untouched by humans. It's only a 40 minute train ride north of Berlin, making it the perfect day trip getaway from the city's hustling. Following the meandering river we traverse the mystical forest, walk on wooden planks through moors and marshes and explore natural habitats and endemic wildlife. On this hike, immerse yourself into nature’s wonder! Have you ever observed the tiny details of the outdoors? Such as the intricate veins on the back of a leaf? Or the delicate edges of flowers’ petals? Or the movement of a cheeky squirrel? On this walk, you will have the chance to truly connect with the natural world around you. No experience or preparation is needed, just your curiosity. You will be guided through every step of the way. **TRIP DETAILS** **Distance:** 13 km walking, 7 hours from start to closing, multiple break times **Hiking Difficulty:** Easy – walking on marked paths / dirt roads, mostly flat terrain, relaxed pace **Kid Friendly:** Yes **Pet Friendly:** Yes **What is included?** * Community Leader and Guide for the entire duration. * Guided hike. * Access to Google photos album dedicated for this trip for sharing all your amazing pictures and videos from the trip. * Access to a WhatsApp group for the confirmed participants. **Note:** Please contact us immediately if you do not have WhatsApp and we can make alternate arrangements from our end to ensure you do not miss out on any communication. **FOR FUTURE TRIP UPDATES:** Please do join our WhatsApp / Telegram channel for updates about our future trips including possible early bird discounts, contests etc. 1. [WhatsApp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

Join us for a 1day tour from Berlin to the historical mega project Prora on the Baltic Sea (Binz/Ostsee) & back. Quick history: Originally built during the Nazi era as part of the "Strength Through Joy" (KdF) program the Prora Project was designed as a massive seaside resort for German workers. The war halted construction, and after 1945 the complex was used by the Soviet and then East German military. Since reunification, it has been gradually renovated, some blocks serve as museums, hostels, and apartments, while others remain as historical ruins, offering a striking look into its layered past. List of historical and natural attractions: * Dokumentationszentrum Prora (Block 1) * Prora KdF-Bad / Prora building complex (southern/central renovated blocks) * Prora northern ruins / Block 5, 6 viewpoint (fenced Soviet-damaged shells) * Prora Strand / Prora beach (directly in front of the blocks) * Binz Seebrücke (Binz Pier) * Naturerbe Zentrum Rügen / Baumwipfelpfad (Forsthaus Prora 1, 18609 Ostseebad Binz) * Feuersteinfelder / Feuersteinfelder Mukran (flintstone fields) * Galileo Wissenswelt Prora / Galileo Wissenswelt Rügen * Eisenbahn & Technik Museum Rügen / Oldtimer Museum Rügen * Kletterwald BinzProra * Jagdschloss Granitz Transportation suggestions: Travel by regional train or ICE, both options take a similar amount of time. Option 1: 06:58, 10:33 ICE 938 Berlin Hbf -> Ostseebad Binz, then a short walk + Bus 29 -> Prora Neue Mitte Estimated cost: €39.00 Option 2: 07:46, 10:51 RE5 Berlin Hbf -> Stralsund Hbf, 10:58, 11:35 RE9 -> Lietzow, 11:40, 11:46 RE9 -> Prora, short walk -> Prora Nord Estimated cost: €39.00 Free if you have Deutschland- or Semesterticket Food is not provided, you can take food from home or eat in nearby Binz If you re interested in joining, please RSVP the event & send a message to [t.me/joejung](https://t.me/redpxm)

**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.

5:45-7:45 in Conference Room B, Library lower level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there!

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!