Summit Metro Parks

Building for Biodiversity
2026-01-10 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Monarch waystations and rain gardens make great additions to your Wild Back Yard! Discover their unique roles in supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. Join a naturalist to compare the similarities and differences between these yard additions. Learn which plants are suitable to both, which are not and how to design and maintain these beneficial backyard spaces!

MLK Day of Service — Seed Balls
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Martin Luther King Jr. continues to inspire communities with the work he did over half a century ago. In his honor we will be making seed balls with native, pollinator friendly plant species that can be planted during spring in areas lacking vegetation. Dress for a mess. Please bring an egg carton to transport seed balls. Registration is required and begins on 12/1.

Back Yards Gone Wild: A Fresh Start
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Want to start a new native planting but not sure where to begin? Join a naturalist gardener to discuss creating both small scale native garden beds as well as prepping large scale areas for seeding. We’ll cover turf removal methods, invasive species management, soil preparation and first-year maintenance.
Please note: Due to snowy weather in the forecast, this program now includes a virtual Zoom option. The program will still be held in person indoors at Liberty Park Nature Center (weather-permitting), but those who prefer not to travel can join virtually from home using the Zoom link (Meeting ID: 897 3559 1089).

Meet Me In The Garden: Gardening for a Sustainable Environment
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Do you love gardening and have an interest in doing your part to improve the health of your local environment? Are you concerned about the mass extinction facing our planet? If so, join Rachel Chapman to learn about how you can make a big impact for wildlife even in a small space. You’ll also learn tips for healthier plants, better sustainability and ways to reduce your lawn care costs!

Lawnspiracy!
2026-02-01 17:30 - 18:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Fertilizer, gallons of water, hours of mowing all for a plant that can’t even support a fraction of the life of our native plants can. Why do we think grass lawns are a must and what can we do about it? Follow the money, unravel the history and learn how you can fight back against the “lawnspiracy” with your own Wild Back Yard.

Cozy Up with Chamomile and Bergamot Teas
2026-02-07 18:00 - 19:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Learn all about comforting chamomile and wild bergamot, a native plant that supports human health as well as gardening benefits for pollinators. Enjoy samples of both teas.

Birdfeeder Bakery
2026-02-08 14:00 - 15:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Regular feeders are for the birds! Join your fellow parkgoers in whipping up delightful dishes for our feathered friends.

Dazzle with Basil
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Learn about one of the world’s most popular herbs — its origins, history, popular varieties and how to best use it when cooking. Enjoy a food sample including basil.

Kids in the Garden
2026-03-05 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-04-02 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-06-04 15:30 - 16:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron for hands-on gardening activities for children of all ages. Seed, sow, water, harvest . . . and enjoy! Each month we’ll have a game or craft, garden activity and a snack themed around what is growing and ready to harvest in the garden. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors.

Good Garden Talks: Seed Starting
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension to learn best practices for starting seeds for the vegetable garden. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors.

Livable, Sustainable Akron
2026-03-14 11:00 - 12:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Explore ways to make your home more sustainable and see how local Akron organizations are helping lead the effort!

Back Yards Gone Wild: DIY Bluebird Boxes
2026-03-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-29 15:00 - 16:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Join a naturalist to learn about cavity-nesting birds such as chickadees, bluebirds and wrens. After a short presentation, participants can make a bluebird box to take home, free of charge, courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Limit: one kit per household. Program will take place in the outdoor shelter, so dress for the weather! Registration is required and begins on 2/1.

Good Garden Talks: Soil Health
2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Soil is the foundation of your garden and determines how well your plants will thrive. Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension to learn how to build and maintain healthy, living soil in your vegetable garden. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors.

Lil' Sprouts
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-16 10:00 - 11:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
This biweekly program is designed to engage young children and accompanying adults in the wonderful world of gardening and nature. Each class will be centered on what’s happening in nature and what’s growing and ready to harvest! Adults are asked to actively participate with children during the program. Registration is required and begins 3/1.

Good Garden Talks: Creating Soft Landings
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:30 | GYH/Goodyear Heights Lodge, 2077 Newton St., Akron, OH, 44305, United States
Discover how native plantings under native trees provide critical shelter and habitat for one or more life cycle stages of moths, butterflies and beneficial insects whose numbers are in decline.

Earth Fest Open House
2026-04-18 10:30 - 14:00 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Get an early start on celebrating Earth Day 2026 and enjoy games, a craft and music. You’ll learn the history of Earth Day, plus easy ways you can live greener and adopt sustainable practices.

Take Home Terrariums
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Learn how to make a simple terrarium to house rolly pollies! Participants will go home with a large glass jar fully furnished for their backyard friends. Afterward, take a short stroll along part of the paved Maple Loop Trail in search of life under logs — it’s bound to be a flippin’ good time! Registration is required and begins on 3/1.

Kids in the Garden
2026-05-07 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-07-02 15:30 - 16:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron for hands-on gardening activities for children of all ages. Seed, sow, water, harvest . . . and enjoy! We’ll have a game or craft, garden activity and a snack themed around what is growing and ready to harvest in the garden. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors.

Good Garden Talks: Plant Swap
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron to swap some plants! These can be cuttings from plants in your yard or freshly grown from seed. Plants should be labeled by name and contained in pots. Vegetables, herbs and native plants are preferred, but all plants are welcome! All are encouraged to attend, even without plants to share. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors.

Back Yards Gone Wild: Gardening on a Budget
2026-05-10 14:00 - 15:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Native plant gardening doesn’t have to be expensive! Join fellow gardeners for a discussion of how to get the best bang for your buck — learn about local sales, how to start plants successfully from seed or cuttings and how to split mature plants through hands-on demonstrations. We’ll end with a plant swap, so bring any cuttings, starts or seeds from your yard, labeled in containers, to share.

Moon Gardening for Nocturnal Creatures
2026-05-16 10:30 - 11:30 | MF/Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
From flickering fireflies to dancing bats and marvelous moths (butterflies of the night) — how can you use native plants to make your back yard more inviting to our nocturnal neighbors? We’ll talk night-blooming flowers, habitat features, firefly-friendly yards and more.
This program takes place during the Native Plant Festival.

Good Garden Talks: Plant Swap
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | GYH/Goodyear Heights Lodge, 2077 Newton St., Akron, OH, 44305, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron to swap plants! These can be cuttings from plants in your yard or freshly grown from seed. Plants should be labeled by name and contained in pots. Vegetables, herbs and native plants are preferred, but all plants are welcome. All are encouraged to attend, even without plants to share. Meet in the Community Garden. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held inside Goodyear Heights Lodge.

Good Garden Talks: Small Scale Composting
2026-06-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Stadelman Community Garden, 845 Stadelman Ave., Akron, OH, 44320, United States
Healthy plants rely on soil microbes for nutrients. Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension to learn how to make and use compost from food and garden waste to build soil that supports productive gardens.

Lil' Sprouts
2026-06-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-18 10:00 - 11:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
This biweekly program is designed to engage young children and accompanying adults in the wonderful world of gardening and nature. Each class will be centered on what’s happening in nature as well as what’s growing and ready to harvest! Adults are asked to actively participate with children during the program. Registration is required and begins 5/1.
