Location: Blacklick Woods Metro Park, 6975 East Livingston Avenue, Reynoldsburg, OH 430698

I arrived around 9:00 am. The official time of the hike is 10:00 am. I was able to park in the lot closest to the start of the walk. My advice? If you don’t want to walk a long way to the start of the walk and where the soup is located at the end, arrive early.

My last name is a palindrome. The spelling is the same way forwards and backwards. I have been with Metro Parks since 2011.  Blacklick Woods opened in 1948. We have been here for 70 years and we also host the first winter hike. The winter hike is one of our longest standing traditions.

Tell me a little bit about the winter hike

The winter hike offers people the opportunity to walk 2 or 4 miles in the sleet, snow, hail, or sun. It is a healthy way to encourage people to be active in the winter. It is usually a busy hike. We can get upwards of 1,500 people in the park. The last few years it has been about 5 degrees. Today it is headed into the 40s. We serve free soup at the end of the hike. Today’s menu features vegetable minestrone.

This is my second year participating. Last year I made my son participate to get exercise in the winter. After the first hike he enjoyed it. He earned the patch and walking stick last year. He is ready to do more. We have completed some walks in the summer.

How do you earn a patch and a walking stick?

We completed all 13 walks on Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. The walks vary from 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 miles. Then you earn your walking stick the first year. Instead of a walking stick you can get a medallion.  Since we already have the walking stick this year, we plan to earn our medallion to add onto our walking stick.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the walk:

This is our 13 hikes of giving project. This project is in partnership with our winter hikes. We collect food and monetary donations (credit card only) for Mid-Ohio Food bank. You get a mug for a $5 donation or 4 non-perishable items (food, personal hygiene, etc.). The list of most needed non-perishable items are tuna, canned meat, canned vegetables, soup with vegetables, peanut butter, canned fruit, and chili with beans.

Anything else?

Come out to the winter hikes. There are still 12 left. They are a great way to get out of the house. We hope to see you at the Metro Parks.

My take on the Blacklick Woods Metro Park Winter Hike:

This is a great concept! The volunteers are friendly. The bridges were a little slippery. I wore hiking boots and still had to be careful to avoid falling. I would feel safe walking alone the full 4 miles because there are plenty of people walking. It is a good opportunity to get out the house, snap a few pictures, and meet new people.