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Exploring the Richness of Highbanks Metro Park
Residents in Central Ohio take pride in enjoying one of the premier park systems in the United States. Founded in 1945, the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks began its journey with the establishment of its first park, Blacklick Woods, which opened its gates to the public in 1948.
Fast-forward nearly eight decades, and the park system now boasts 20 parks, covering an impressive area of almost 30,000 acres. Annually, park staff conduct around 3,500 interpretative programs while supporting the conservation of 2,500 different plant and animal species.
The fifth addition to this metro park system was Highbanks, inaugurated in 1973. This expansive 1,200-acre park features 14 miles of trails and is conveniently located just north of I-270, on the west side of U.S. 23.
Recollecting personal memories, one visitor recalls being just 11 years old when Highbanks opened. Living only a few miles away in Worthington, family visits to the park were a delightful journey through the countryside, a simpler time marked by nostalgic stops such as the now-closed Jerry’s Drive-In.
Today, as urban expansion increasingly encroaches upon natural landscapes, Highbanks remains a vital refuge. In 2024 alone, the park attracted over 1.3 million visitors, a number that mirrors the entire population of Franklin County.
However, the impact of Highbanks extends beyond its human visitors. Soon after its establishment, the park welcomed a rare Bachman’s sparrow, with visitors rushing in to witness this territorial bird, representing the last of its kind in Ohio. Before its decline, this species was once common in the area.
The ecological significance of Highbanks is profound, as urban parks gradually emerge as critical areas for wildlife conservation. Currently, 203 bird species have been documented in the park, highlighting its importance in preserving nearly half of all bird species recorded in Ohio.
Visitors to Highbanks often encounter local barred owls, while bald eagles frequently soar above. The park also serves as a home to all seven woodpecker species found in the region, with the pileated woodpecker being a notable highlight, as well as keen sightings of wood ducks, belted kingfishers, and hooded mergansers along the Olentangy River.
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Highbanks also plays an essential role in the broader bioeconomy, particularly for warblers. Among the 22 species that breed in Ohio, a dozen make Highbanks their home, including the increasingly rare Louisiana waterthrushes that prefer the streams winding through its deep ravines.
Not to be overlooked by bird enthusiasts, summer tanagers also nest within the park, their bright brick-red males entertaining visitors with their melodious songs as they forage for large insects.
These birds travel south to their wintering grounds spanning Mexico, Central America, and many parts of South America.
Recently, after a snowfall blanketed the area, one couple visited the park to capture its transformed winter landscape, highlighting the park’s year-round beauty.
Among the park’s many trails, the Overlook Trail is particularly noteworthy. This path traverses ancient forests and steep ravines before culminating at the impressive high banks, characterized by a nearly 110-foot tall shale bluff offering stunning views of the Olentangy River and features significant to the Adena culture.
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Visitors are encouraged to explore the nature center, which attracted 145,749 visitors in the previous year. It features extensive bird-feeding stations observable through giant windows, along with informative displays. The center’s naturalist, Chrissy Hoff, is available to share her extensive knowledge of the park’s flora and fauna.
More details about Highbanks and the wider metro parks can be found at: metroparks.net.
Naturalist Jim McCormac shares insights in his periodic column and also writes about nature on his blog: jim mccormac.blogspot.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Nature: Birds flock to Highbanks Metro Park
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