Plan Your Visit

Alerts

Two kids hiking along Redwing Trail in Firestone Metro Park

Be prepared for your next visit. View a list of park and trail alerts below, and call the park district’s Administrative Offices for details: 330-867-5511 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Last updated December 10, 2025

General

Holiday closures

12/24/25 & 12/25/25: F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitors Center, Liberty Park Nature Center, Summit Lake Nature Center and Administrative Offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

1/1/26: F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitors Center, Liberty Park Nature Center, Summit Lake Nature Center and Administrative Offices will be closed on New Year’s Day. All nature and visitors centers will be open under regular operating hours on New Year’s Eve.

Weather Reports

Weather stations located across Summit Metro Parks provide real-time weather data, including temperature, rain fall, humidity and wind speed. Visit the links below to view data from different areas of the county and plan your upcoming trip to the parks.

Drinking Fountains

Drinking fountains have been turned off for the season. Park fountains are exposed to all elements and internal parts do not hold up to any freezing, making this a necessary step in winter preparation in the Metro Parks. Remember to bring your water bottle on your next visit to the Metro Parks!

Paddling

Please note that the paddling access point at the Oxbow Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park has moved to the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park.

Boundary Surveys

The park district is conducting boundary surveys to identify property boundary lines. In this type of survey, the surveyor sets (or recovers) property corners and produces a detailed plat or map. To accomplish this, the surveyor researches public records and conducts field research by taking measurements and performing calculations. The areas being surveyed are as follows:

Cascade Valley Metro Park (Akron)
Freedom Trail (Tallmadge)
Liberty Park (Twinsburg)
Riding Run Conservation Area (Cuyahoga Falls)
Sand Run Metro Park (Akron)

Multipurpose Trails

Bike & Hike Trail

10/29/25: The Bike and Hike Trail at Seasons Road is closed due to construction on the roadway which prevents trail users from crossing.

8/18/25: The trail between Alexander Road and Sagamore Road will be closed for a waterline replacement project with the State of Ohio. This section of trail is estimated to reopen in late December.

Freedom Trail

12/8/25: Starting December 8, the Freedom Trail will be closed between Brittain Road and Southwest Avenue in Tallmadge due to construction. Trail users will not be permitted to pass through this area and are encouraged to use alternative sections of the trail during this time. The trail is expected to reopen in May 2026.

12/8/25: Starting Monday, December 8, the Freedom Trail will be closed between the Adams Park connection and Union Street as part of the State Route 8 bridge construction. A detour around the area will be in place during this time. The closure is expected to last through the end of April 2026.

3/3/25: The next phase of the Freedom Trail is under construction from Mill Street south to Buchtel Avenue in downtown Akron. This project will extend the trail south behind The University of Akron, near EJ Thomas Hall and across the University Avenue bridge, ending at Buchtel Avenue. Current construction is expected to continue to July 2026. During this time, the Mill Street connection for the Freedom Trail will be unavailable. Visitors traveling south from Arlington Road should turn around at the Mill Street bridge and return on the same trail.

Towpath Trail

12/8/25: Starting December 8, contractors will be completing sewer utility work on the Towpath Trail between W. North Street and Beech Street for about two weeks. Trail traffic will be maintained, however there may be some congested areas with workers and equipment.

Parks

Cascade Valley Metro Park

Ongoing: The Chuckery Area is closed for site preparation associated with the removal of the Gorge Dam. Following this work, the City of Akron will begin preparations for the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) in the same area. The Chuckery Area will continue to be closed as necessary for public safety throughout the Gorge Dam and NSIT construction work, with closures expected to last through at least 2028.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm

11/17/25: Over the next several weeks, a contractor will be upgrading the lighting in various areas of the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitors Center. While the building will remain open, some areas may be inaccessible during this time. Maple Leaf Gifts will remain open.

Please call prior to your visit to confirm current availability of displays and activities: 330-865-8065.

1/7/26: F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitors Center will be closed for maintenance. The center will reopen on January 8.

Furnace Run Metro Park

12/10/25: The Daffodil Trail parking lot is closed due to icy conditions.

Gorge Metro Park

7/14/25: Glens Trail and lower path to the observation deck will close while a U.S. EPA contractor prepares to remove the built-up sediment behind the dam as part of the project to remove the Gorge Dam.

6/2/25: The Highbridge Trail Area is closed while a U.S. EPA contractor prepares to remove the built-up sediment behind the dam as part of the project to remove the Gorge Dam. Other remaining areas of Gorge Metro Park are expected to close later this summer and will remain closed for several years during the project. The city of Akron’s sewer construction project will continue concurrently.

Hampton Hills Metro Park

Mountain Bike Trails will be closed during wet or dangerous conditions. Status updates are shared via Bluesky. Please check before you ride: @smpmountainbike.bsky.social. Please note: You do not need a Bluesky account to view updates. The Mountain Bike Trail status is also displayed at the Hampton Hills Metro Park Mountain Bike Area lot.

11/25/25: The Top O’ the World Area parking lot is closed.

Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park

9/1/2025: The Ohio Division of Wildlife is operating a controlled waterfowl hunting program on Nimisila Reservoir September 1, 2025, through February 9, 2026. Please contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 330-644-2293 with any questions.

Ongoing: To align with the park district’s mission to protect natural resources, Summit Metro Parks biologists increased the protective buffer around the reed beds used by purple martins at Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park. We understand that this decision may be disappointing to some visitors. Unfortunately, in recent years kayakers and boaters have encroached into the birds’ space, discouraging them from using this valuable habitat on their seasonal journey to South America.

O’Neil Woods Metro Park

9/22/25: The restrooms are closed for maintenance and will reopen as soon as possible.

Silver Creek Metro Park

12/2/25: The parking lot to access the archery range and Bridle Trail at Silver Creek Metro Park (89 Eastern Rd., Doylestown) is closed due to icy conditions. Horse trailers may park at the Boathouse Area ( 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton) to access the Bridle Trail.