Celebrating 50 Years - Wildwood Preserve

May Programs

Wildwood Preserve Wildflower Walk (Ages 12 and up)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables
May 4, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $3 [REGISTER] 

Blue Week celebrates the wonderful blooms of our native flowers in early May.  Join a naturalist-led walk through Wildwood not only to see the blooms but also our resident and migrating birds. This program runs rains or shine, dress for the weather, wear comfortable footwear and minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.

Toddler Trails (Ages 0-3)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables
May 7, 10 to 11 a.m.
Reservations Required, Free [REGISTER] 

This outdoor, multi-sensory nature play and exploration introduces your toddlers up to three years of age to the natural world and promotes its preservation. Adult companions accompany and assist in their child's experience at the program. Register toddlers only. 

Wildwood 50^th: Wildwood Night Hike (All Ages)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables parking lot
May 30, 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $3 [REGISTER] 

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit the park after hours and join a naturalist for a night hike. Learn about nocturnal animals, the moon, and the night sky. Enjoy activities that heighten your senses and fool your brain. This program runs rain or shine, dress for the weather, bring a reusable water bottle filled with water and minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. 

April Programs

Metroparks Homeschool Series
Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall
April 4, 10:45 a.m. to Noon or 1:45 to 3 p.m. [REGISTER]
Reservations Required, Fee: $75

Calling all homeschoolers - discover the Forces of Nature through a program series just for you. Students are groups into classes by age and ability level (5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 year old's) and meet once a month for the school year. Each month focuses on a different topic and culminates with an optional project fair. All classes include group activities, nature exploration, and inquiry-based learning all while having fun and covering science concepts. Choose from Friday morning sessions (10:45 a.m. to Noon) or Friday afternoons (1:45 to 3 p.m.). Students should dress for the weather, as the majority of the program is held outside. 

5 Mile Hike (Adults and 16+, Dog Friendly)
Wildwood Preserve, Ward Pavilion parking lot
April 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Reservations Required, FREE - REGISTER

Look for spring flowers and hear the birds sing while taking a step toward your fitness goals. The focus of these hikes will be exercise, but we will make occasional nature stops. This program is dog friendly for friendly dogs. All dogs must stay on trail and on a 6ft leash for the duration of the program.

Toddler Trails (Ages 0-3)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables
April 9, 10 to 11 a.m.
Reservations Required, FREE - [REGISTER]

This outdoor, multi-sensory nature play and exploration introduces your toddlers up to three years of age to the natural world and promotes its preservation. Adult companions accompany and assist in their child's experience at the program. Register toddlers only.

These hikes are brought to you by Metroparks volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Hike Leader, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Gillen at Hannah.Gillen@MetroparksToledo.com or by phone at 419.407.9840.

1 Hour Fitness Hike (Adults and 16+, Dog Friendly)
Wildwood Preserve, Manor House
April 15, 7 to 8 p.m.
Reservations Required, FREE - [REGISTER]

Celebrate 50 years of Wildwood Preserve Metropark as we hike through the beautiful habitats and look for spring flowers and hear the birds sing. The focus of these hikes will be exercise, but we will make occasional nature stops. This program is dog friendly for friendly dogs. This program is brought to you by Metroparks volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Hike Leader, please contact Hannah Gillen at Hannah.Gillen@MetroparksToledo.com or 419-205-7715.

Celebrating 50 Years of Citizen Support (Ages 16 and up)
Wildwood Preserve, Manor House
April 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Reservations Required, FREE - SOLD OUT 

Join Dr. Ted Ligibel, Art Weber, Steve Pollick and Jim Kimble as they relate the historic events that transpired to save Stranleigh, and turn it into the peoples' park now known as Wildwood. Light refreshments will be followed by an engaging panel discussion from the folks who helped lead the charge to save over 490 acres in the globally rare Oak Openings Region.

March Programs

Fishing 101: Fly Tying (Ages 8 and up)
Wildwood Preserve, Wildwood Farmhouse
March 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $10 - [REGISTER]

Think like a fish and learn how to tie flies that will mimic local insects. This fly-tying program will teach you the basic skills you need to tie your own fly patterns. Learn and tie 3-4 patterns consisting of an egg, spongy spider, Ausable Wulff, and then use those newfound techniques to get creative! All materials provided and you get to take the flies you tie home. All equipment provided. Minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.

Toddler Trails (Ages 0-3)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables
March 5, 10 to 11 a.m.
Reservations Required, FREE - [REGISTER]

This outdoor, multi-sensory nature play and exploration introduces your toddlers up to three years of age to the natural world and promotes its preservation. Adult companions accompany and assist in their child's experience at the program. Register toddlers only. 

Behind the Scenes at Stranleigh
Wildwood Preserve, Manor House
Reservations Required, Fee: $15

Have you ever wondered about daily life in a mansion? Join us for this unique opportunity to see all four floors of the Manor House and discover what life was like on the Stranahan Estate

• March 6, 6 to 9 p.m. [FULL]
• March 9, 5 to 8 p.m. [FULL]
• March 22, 9 a.m. to noon [FULL]

Metroparks Homeschool Series
Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall
March 7, 10:45 a.m. to Noon or 1:45 to 3 p.m. [REGISTER]
Reservations Required, Fee: $75

Calling all homeschoolers - discover the Forces of Nature through a program series just for you. Students are groups into classes by age and ability level (5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 year old's) and meet once a month for the school year. Each month focuses on a different topic and culminates with an optional project fair. All classes include group activities, nature exploration, and inquiry-based learning all while having fun and covering science concepts. Choose from Friday morning sessions (10:45 a.m. to Noon) or Friday afternoons (1:45 to 3 p.m.). Students should dress for the weather, as the majority of the program is held outside.

Tai Chi for Beginners (Ages 18 and up)
Wildwood Preserve, Ward Pavilion
March 10 through April 14, 4 to 5 p.m. [FULL]
March 10 through April 14, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. [REGISTER]
Reservations Required, FREE 

Connect to the natural energy flows around you as you learn Tai Chi in this six-week with Certified Tai Chi Instructor Dr. Holly Eichner. Poses can be accomplished in seated or standing positions. Wear tennis shoes (no sandals) and loose, comfortable clothing that allows your body to move freely. This program will be held indoors and bring a reusable water bottle filled with water.

Nature Scavenger Hunt: St. Patrick's Day (Families)
Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall
March 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $3 - [REGISTER] 

Use the power of magnetism to navigate around a St. Patrick's Day themed scavenger hunt! Find nature clues to solve riddles and puzzles along the way. Register all participants. This program runs rain, snow or shine, dress for the weather and minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. 

Park in a Day: Wildwood (Adults and 16+)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables
March 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $15 - [REGISTER] 

Bundle up for a winter wonderland hike at Wildwood Preserve Metropark! Our 8.5-mile trek will take us through floodplains, upland woods, prairies, and meadows. Warm up with a hot chili lunch to keep you fueled for the journey. Trail Challenge participants will earn the Wildwood sticker for hiking all of the trails in the park. The program end time is approximate and may vary depending on the pace of the group. This program runs rain, snow or shine and dress for the weather, and minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.

School’s Off, Parks On Mini Camp: Spring Sprouts
Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall
March 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $35 - [REGISTER] 

Winter is on its way out, and spring has sprung! It may be time for a break from school, but we can still have a fun-filled day of learning in the park. Spring in the new season with a day of games, crafts, experiments, and nature strolls all themed around wildflowers, wildlife, weather, and all the fantastic features of this time of year. Activities include story time, crafts, experiments, nature strolls, and games. Daily snack included.

Woodcock Watch (Adults and 8+)
Wildwood Preserve, Metz Stables
March 25, 7:45 to 9 p.m.
Reservations Required, Fee: $3 - [REGISTER] 

Observe the fascinating courtship sky dance of the American Woodcock. We will take a short hike to reach woodcock habitat, then watch and wait for their beautiful sunset performance. Listen for the bird’s peenting call and swooshing wings, and search the skies for their spiraling dance. Field guides and binoculars are welcome. Please note that this program requires some quiet downtime as we wait for the birds. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy hiking shoes/boots and minors must be accompanied by an adult.