School’s out for summer, the weather is warm and it’s nearly Father’s Day. All of which provide the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with the special dads and father-figures in our lives. Let dad know how much you care this year by planning a zero (or low) waste family backpacking experience at one of the Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks offering free backpacking sites.
To make the experience low-to-zero waste, use these tricks:
- Use reusable plates, cups/bottles, and cutlery instead of single use items which create waste.
- Use grilling baskets instead of aluminum foil which can’t be recycled.
- Eat all the food you prepare.
- Don’t litter.
- Pack it out and recycle. Make sure to carry home with you all the recyclables and other materials that make spending a night together in the wood’s fun.
Get to know our Metro Parks
The Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks offer 230 miles of trails to explore and two of the Metro Parks allow you to sleep overnight. Scioto Grove and Battelle Darby Creek Metro Parks both offer free backpacking sites but backpacking is very different than camping so make sure to read this article before you head out.
Both Metro Parks require site registration if you want to backpack overnight. Check out the availability at Scioto Grove here and Battelle Darby here.
Even though Father’s Day only comes around once a year, the Metro Parks and their backpacking sites can be enjoyed with dad all summer long. No matter how you spend time together, doing so sustainably always feels good.
