Summit Metro Parks

Summit Metro Parks We conserve, sustainably manage and value the natural resources of Summit County, Ohio. Annual attendance is approximately 5.5 million visits.
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Established in 1921, Summit Metro Parks celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2021. The park district manages more than 16,000 acres throughout 16 parks, three nature centers and over 150 miles of trails, including 22 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. View our Social Media Code of Conduct here: https://bit.ly/3oEEx1J

This week in your Metro Parks: Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension for tips on planting gar...
09/28/2026

This week in your Metro Parks: Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension for tips on planting garlic this fall, earn spree credit while exploring the many exciting pieces of nature to be found along Downy Loop Trail, learn Portage Path’s history as a vital link between North American waterways and more.

Find details on our Programs & Events calendar at bit.ly/SMPevents.

(Hiking shield denotes a program that counts toward Fall Hiking Spree credit.)

09/27/2026

Heyyy, it’s your girl, Cuyahoga River. Come with me to celebrate the best day of the year: World Rivers Day.

Find me flowing through your Metro Parks! xoxo

Preserve our waterways and Akron’s history along the Ohio & Erie Canal! Join Cascade Locks Park Association on October 3...
09/25/2026

Preserve our waterways and Akron’s history along the Ohio & Erie Canal!

Join Cascade Locks Park Association on October 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a Fall Canal Cleanup.

Registration is not required, but appreciated. Email Cathy at [email protected].

09/25/2026

Thinking about hiking Missing Link Trail as one of your Fall Hiking Spree choices? Enjoy a preview of Cascade Valley Metro Park, narrated by young hikers Norah and Paige. Follow along as they share what you might see and experience along the way!

For a full list of trails included in the 63rd annual Fall Hiking Spree and to sign up, visit hikingspree.summitmetroparks.org.

Bats are some of nature’s most misunderstood creatures! Swipe through to dispel rumors and discover the truth about thes...
09/24/2026

Bats are some of nature’s most misunderstood creatures! Swipe through to dispel rumors and discover the truth about these winged wonders.

09/23/2026

Our rat snake at Liberty Park Nature Center gave us an incredible look inside his mouth — and there’s a lot to see!

The black hole is known as the glottis, which is the opening to his trachea (windpipe). Snakes can move forward to help them breathe while swallowing their prey whole.

You can also see his forked tongue tucked neatly into a sheath along the bottom of his mouth. When he flicks it out, the tongue collects tiny chemical particles from his surroundings and delivers them to a special sensory organ in the roof of his mouth that sends the info on to his brain. That famous fork even helps him tell which direction a scent is coming from!

And check out that jaw! Contrary to popular belief, snakes don’t “unhinge” their jaws. Their skulls have highly mobile joints and flexible connections that allow the jaw bones to move in ways ours simply can’t.

Finally, notice all those tiny, backward-curving teeth. Rat snakes are nonvenomous, so there are no venom-injecting fangs — just a lot of little teeth perfect for gripping prey.

Snakes are incredible examples of how specialized animals can be. Sometimes all it takes is a really good yawn to see it!

Say “Hello!” to this animal ambassador inside Liberty Park Nature Center during open hours (Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 12 to 5 p.m.)

09/23/2026

“Leaf” your worries behind and join us for Fall Family Outing! Hop aboard public transit for some fall fun. On Saturday, October 3, METRO RTA’s Route #80 will depart the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center (631 S. Broadway St., Akron) for Munroe Falls Metro Park every 45 minutes beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Ride FREE on METRO Direct and METRO ADA services that day when you show the paper or digital flier. The digital flier can be found on the Fall Family Outing event listing in the Programs & Events link in our bio.

Fall Family Outing is a FREE event for you and your family to enjoy the change of season and the feeling of fall with free c***r, apples and popcorn while enjoying lumberjack shows, naturalist activities, hayrides, bonfires, music, food and more.

Visitors can also purchase food and drinks from food trucks. Maple Leaf Gifts, the park district’s gift shop, will have merchandise for sale, including Fall Hiking Spree t-shirts (credit cards only).

Leashed dogs are welcome at the event.

Address

975 Treaty Line Road
Akron, OH
44313

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