Plan Your Visit
Alerts
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 November 10, 2025
General
Holiday closures
Administrative Offices (975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron) will be closed on November 11 in observation of Veterans Day. Nature and visitors centers will be closed under regular operating hours.
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
Crews have started winterizing water fountains for the season ahead of expected cold temperatures. 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)
- Munroe Falls Metro Park (Munroe Falls)
- Sand Run Metro Park (Akron)
- Wood Hollow Metro Park, northern portion of park (Hudson)
Multipurpose Trails
Bike & Hike Trail
10/29/25: The Bike and Hike Trail at Seasons Road will be closed due to construction on the roadway, which will prevent trail users from crossing. The closure is expected to last about three weeks, with the trail reopening mid-November.
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 will be closed until November.
Freedom Trail
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
10/20/25: Paving along the Towpath Trail will take place October 20-31, weather permitting. Locations and intermittent parking lot closures include:
- Between Ley Drive and Manchester Road
- Between Snyder Avenue and Fairview Avenue
- Barberton Trailhead South Lot (5 Fairview Ave, Barberton)
- Long Lake Area (2845 Manchester Rd, Akron)
The trail will remain open, but we ask that visitors avoid the areas where our crews are actively working. If you must pass through a work area, please use extreme caution and be aware of equipment and personnel.
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.
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.
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.
Sand Run Metro Park
11/17/25: Sections of the Jogging Trail between Shadowfield and Old Portage areas will be closed daily, November 17-20 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving. Pedestrians will need to return on the same trail during the closure hours, as passage through the paving area will not be permitted. (Please note: Dates are weather-dependent.)
Silver Creek Metro Park
The Disc Golf Course (4579 Medina Line Rd., Norton) will be closed on the following dates for cross country meets:
- November 8