“Nature makes me happy” opines Melissa, Out N’ About group member. When asked how nature and the park district impacted her life, she shares that having access to nature through Summit Metro Parks impacts her life greatly; she stays healthy by exercising and walking more.
MyKael, who participates in two Out N’ About groups, shares that “it’s good to get out of the house, so that [she] won’t feel depressed.” She enjoys being outside, working in the garden at Summit Lake Nature Center (SLNC) and meeting cute dogs along the way when she is hiking on the Towpath Trail or in one of the parks.
Out N’ About is a mobile day program for adults living with developmental disabilities. Group leader Foster shared that they first learned about the Summit Lake Nature Center Community Garden in 2024 through their connection to Let’s Grow Akron and their walks around the community.
Out N’ About groups consist of three to four members and a group leader who meet regularly to explore different activities, stores and public spaces in the community. Foster appreciates the SLNC community garden as a space where the group can connect with the community in a positive way.
Foster states that sometimes it’s hard for this group to create true community integration — beyond consumer participation — that builds deep, meaningful relationships, and places like Summit Metro Parks and the community gardens provide just that. Opportunities for people to meet and interact without spending money are crucial third places: spaces for many people in the community to connect with others, get active, connect with nature and learn new things.
Foster leads three Out N’ About groups to work in the SLNC Community Garden and participate in the Fall Hiking Spree. Laughter, knowing looks and warm memories were exchanged when the group reflected on their first memory of hiking the spree together.
On her first day with the group, MyKael, a group participant, went hiking with the group on Deer Run Trail at O’Neil Woods Metro Park. MyKael, who has done track and field since childhood and participates in many other sports, found the hiking challenging and didn’t like the rocks or the slippery part of the trail. Melissa, a group participant who loves gardening and hiking in nature, remembers the hike being very difficult, slippery and tiring — but the group worked as a team, and they got through it. Despite the challenge, the group kept coming back to the Metro Parks and finished the spree together.
Out N’ About plays such an important role in our community creating experiences, like gardening and visiting the parks, that add to the quality of life for their members. Melissa said, “Community spaces like parks and community gardens are important for people to come together, help nature grow, meet new people and build relationships.”
What role do parks play in your life? Do you think they are important?
You can support Summit Metro Parks by visiting one of our parks, attending a program or special event, volunteering your time or making a gift to the Summit Metro Parks Foundation.