Summit Metro Parks relies on volunteers for an array of roles that help accomplish all that we do throughout the year. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to achieve a fraction of the work we do to achieve our mission: to conserve, sustainably manage, and value natural resources for the health and enjoyment of the community, while inspiring people to connect with nature through clean and safe parks.
Meet seven volunteers who live our mission while volunteering and during their everyday lives. Whether they found their way to the Metro Parks after retiring, seeing a child off to college or simply through a love of hiking, they all wanted to become further involved with the park district.
By contributing to the greater good and connecting neighbors to nature, these volunteers are making an incredible impact with the park district.
Alan & Debbie
High contributing volunteers
Alan and Debbie started volunteering with Summit Metro Parks in 1999. Since then, they’ve racked up more than 9,600 hours of impact. They have volunteered in a range of roles, including trail monitoring, photography, Fall Hiking Spree assistance, astronomy, event reps and conservation projects (snake surveys, bat monitoring, cloud surveys, salamander surveys, owl surveys and coyote surveys).
They are also active iNaturalist users, which helps our biologists in many ways. (We’ll share more about iNaturalist when we meet Bob.) When asked what observation has been the most awe-inspiring for them, they answered: “Finding our first green snake during one of our snake surveys. AMAZING!”
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
Sharing the amazing [park district] with the public.
What impact do you think volunteering with SMP has on the community?
Our impact is educating the community of the myriad flora and fauna within the parks, simply by asking park users, “Would you like to see…?”
What impact has volunteering had on you?
Better health both physical and mental as well as expanding our knowledge of flora and fauna.
What is your favorite memory from volunteering?
This is a tough one. There are so many WOW moments! At Fall Family Outings, when they were held in the evenings, we would set up our telescope and share the wonders of the night sky with hundreds of attendees.
We had our scope on the Owl Cluster (aka E.T. Cluster) in Cassiopeia and a young boy, maybe 6 years old, looked into the eyepiece and started exclaiming, “I SEE IT, I SEE IT — It looks like E.T.!” That innocent awe and wonder!
How do you enjoy your Metro Parks when not volunteering?
We enjoy family hikes, astronomy and picnics.
After more than 9,600 hours, what has propelled you to continue volunteering?
The excitement of learning something new, from new volunteer activities to spotting something we are uncertain of and going home to do some research.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement volunteering with SMP?
Facilitating finding a lost child. A father approached us when he “lost” his son. We called the Metro Parks police, and within 30 minutes they were reunited.
Adam
A newer volunteer with the Metro Parks
Adam began volunteering with the park district in 2025. After his daughter graduated high school and went off to college, he searched for something meaningful to fill the void of the extra hours now available to him.
He has volunteered for roles such as event rep, Waste Wise, naturalist program aide, trail monitoring, iNaturalist and GLOBE Observer.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with SMP?
Meeting new people has to be my most favorite part of volunteering with SMP. I’m amazed at all the wonderful people who dedicate their time to the park district.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement volunteering with SMP?
Last year, I probably volunteered eight or so times where I was assisting with youth fishing programs. I’m proud of not having any of them catch themselves and being able to manage a group casting hooks in the water successfully.
What impact do you think volunteering with SMP has on the community?
I see the impact every time I volunteer where I’m working directly with the community. I can see the joy in the eyes of the youth, whether they are reeling in their first fish or assisting them in cooking s’mores. It is very rewarding.
What impact has volunteering had on you?
I would say the greatest impact volunteering with SMP has had on me so far is allowing me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Perfect examples would be the evening I helped the SMP biologists with bats at Silver Creek Metro Park and my role in providing cloud data to NASA. It is all very interesting and rewarding.
How do you enjoy your Metro Parks when not volunteering?
I enjoy fishing and hiking when I’m not volunteering.
Bob
High volume of iNaturalist observations
Bob started volunteering in March 2018 and has 1,574 hours under his belt. In addition to roles supporting snake and vernal pool surveys and astronomy program assistant, he submits photographs to iNaturalist.
iNaturalist is a crowd-sourced citizen scientist program where people can share nature observations via their phone or computer. The app can help you identify observations and connect with other naturalists.
At Summit Metro Parks, iNaturalist is a useful tool for our biologists to collect data related to the park district.
What drew you to iNaturalist (iNat for short) and adding your observations?
I’ve always had an interest in photography, and posting observations on iNaturalist requires a photo. A vast database of observations from around the world helps researchers understand and hopefully conserve nature. To be able to contribute, in a small way, is very satisfying.
Do you go looking specifically for iNat entries? Or do you prefer to add them when you come across specific plants and wildlife?
Both. Many times, I leave home with the intended purpose of pursuing iNat observations. But, whenever I’m outdoors, I am always on the lookout for anything in nature that could be submitted to iNat.
What observation has been the most awe-inspiring for you?
I don’t have one specific observation in mind, but anytime I find an unusual bird, insect, plant or animal I get excited. I would love to find a bobcat in the Metro Parks!
What is your favorite part of volunteering with SMP?
Participating in citizen science projects.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement volunteering with SMP?
The diversity and quantity of iNaturalist observations.
What impact do you think volunteering with SMP has on the community?
It contributes to a greater understanding and appreciation of nature.
What impact has volunteering had on you?
It motivates me to get out and feel connected to nature while contributing in a small way to science in my post-retirement years.
What is your favorite memory from volunteering?
While scouting out a location for the vernal pool survey, I used makeshift field markers to help mark the route into one of the vernal pools. Later, I was surprised when two park police officers pulled into my driveway, asking why there were markers hanging from trees with my name and address on them.
It seems that my makeshift field markers were pieces ripped from mailing bags that I had tried to cross out my name and address, but the officers could still see through.
How do you enjoy your Metro Parks when not volunteering?
The Fall Hiking Spree has become tradition, and I like to keep learning by attending various programs presented by the naturalists. The parks also offer ideal environments for pursuing one of my favorite hobbies: birding.
Judy & Ed
Consistent public engagement
Judy and Ed started volunteering in 2003 with the bike patrol. Since then, Ed has contributed 1,180 hours and Judy has 1,215 hours. They have been more involved now that they’re retired.
The couple often volunteer for roles that involve a high percentage of public interaction: Cycling Without Age, tours at Himelright Lodge, event reps, special events and Fall Hiking Spree Shield Assistance.
Why do you enjoy interacting with the public as a representative of SMP?
There are so many positive things to say about Summit Metro Parks, and people are so thankful it’s all available. Plus, people are glad to see that their tax dollars are used for a very worthwhile cause.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement volunteering with SMP?
We both love taking elderly folks and those with limited mobility — especially our 102-year-old friend — for rides on the trishaws during Cycling Without Age events at Munroe Falls Metro Park.
What impact do you think volunteering with SMP has on the community?
We spread the word about various activities that are available. Communicating with others while in the parks or at park activities, we hear how grateful they are for the Metro Parks and how thankful they are for volunteers.
What impact has volunteering had on you?
We both feel that we’re more outgoing and enjoy talking to various people. It made us realize just how much people enjoy the parks and all the various activities that are offered.
What are your favorite interactions with the public while volunteering with SMP?
Ed: “I enjoy Shield Assistance events because I like the interaction with the people and hearing their stories.”
Judy: “I enjoy taking the folks from the nursing homes for rides on the trishaws. It’s so interesting hearing their stories about riding bikes and how they used to go to the Munroe Falls swimming park back in the day.”
Nan
Behind-the-scenes roles
Nan started volunteering in 2024 after she, along with members of the Akron Garden Club, helped plant the native pollinator garden at the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park. She learned from members of the Akron Garden Club and SMP staff, watched a bald eagle fly overhead and appreciated how well the volunteer opportunity was organized. She moved to Akron in 1994 and frequently visited the Metro Parks. After this experience, she was invited to be a volunteer gardener and went all-in on volunteering.
In addition to helping with the planting, care and maintenance of the garden, she also helps with invasive plant management in other areas of Cascade Valley Metro Park to optimize habitat for native species.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with SMP?
I love to be in the garden, learn from staff and contribute to Summit Metro Parks. The park is a gem and something incredibly close to home that I get to share.
Why do you enjoy this role?
Valley View Area is so beautiful, full of bees, birds and plants, along with children and their sounds — and no car noises.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement volunteering with SMP?
I love being in the park. I feel a sense of ownership now that I help care for the garden and the park, while representing the Metro Parks to visitors. SMP is addressing climate change in its work, convincing people to participate in abatement and remediation, sustaining our environment.
What impact do you think volunteering with SMP has on the community?
Taking care of the park makes our community better, which benefits all residents and visitors.
What impact has volunteering had on you?
I feel connected to nature and my community. I’m a contributor. I belong.
What can you do?
Feeling inspired by these incredible volunteers? You can make a difference too by exploring your Metro Parks, leaving no trace and following good park etiquette.
And, be sure to thank our volunteers when you see them at events or working throughout the park district.