# Pickerington Ponds Metro Park Winter Waterfowl Viewing > Place to go for families in the Columbus area (OH). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Where: Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 7680 Wright Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 - Ages: All ages (Designated birding hotspot with accessible observation platforms and flat paved trails) - Price: Free public admission, parking, and wetland observation deck access - Organizer: Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks - Official page: https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/pickerington-ponds/ - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/columbus/activities/pickerington-ponds-metro-park-winter-waterfowl-viewing--listing-2190515f8b6006b10c287f33 ## About Designated as an Important Bird Area by Audubon Ohio, Pickerington Ponds Metro Park encompasses 1,608 acres of seasonal wetlands, swamp forests, and marshlands in Southeast Columbus. Because of the combination of wetlands and surrounding farm fields, the park is a vital winter refueling station for thousands of migrating waterfowl. Families bundled up for a winter outing can walk the flat, paved Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail or the gravel Pintail Marsh Trail to dedicated wooden observation platforms. From these blinds, children can use binoculars to observe hundreds of wintering ducks, northern pintails, mallards, Canada geese, and magnificent trumpeter swans swimming in pockets of open water. Wintering raptors, including bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, and northern harriers, can regularly be seen perching on barren sycamore branches overlooking the wetlands. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: The paved Blacklick Creek Greenway section is completely flat and stroller-friendly; wooden viewing platforms feature accessible ramps and safety railings. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Covered picnic shelters and rustic bench seating at trailheads; seasonal portable restrooms available near the Wright Road and Glacier Knoll parking areas. • Age Suitability: Welcoming bird enthusiasts of all ages; flat terrain makes walking easy for young toddlers and grandparents alike. • Sensory Tips: Open, expansive marshland sounds with the honking of geese, duck calls, and rustling reeds; peaceful and uncrowded during winter afternoons. ## Similar picks in Columbus - [Pickerington Ponds Metro Park Autumn Waterfowl & Wetland Stroll](https://grassyknees.com/columbus/activities/pickerington-ponds-metro-park-autumn-waterfowl-and-wetland-stroll--listing-04782569d70d5a2708ff34e5) — Tue, Nov 24 · 10:00 AM · Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, Canal Winchester · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. 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