Summit Metro Parks

Wildlife Trek
2026-05-17 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | F/Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH, 44319, United States
Spring has sprung and summer is on the way! Join a naturalist as we take a hike along the canal and around the pond to see what critters might be stirring.

C-Change Conversations
2026-05-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Akron-Summit County Public Library – Main Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, 44326, United States
The Akron Garden Club, in association with the Akron-Summit County Public Library and Summit Metro Parks, invites the community to a special evening program featuring Kathleen Biggins, founder of C-Change Conversations. C-Change Conversations is a nationally recognized, non-partisan educational initiative designed to help audiences better understand the science and real-world impacts of climate change. Through an engaging multimedia presentation, Biggins explores how climate change affects our health, economy and natural resources — and highlights practical, science-based solutions.

Self-Guided: Birds & Blooms
2026-05-19 00:00 - 2026-05-28 23:59 | FASN/Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Spring migration has reached its peak! Take a walk through the Rock & Herb Garden between May 19 and May 28 to learn about how native plants help birds all year long.

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.

Conservation in Action: Smooth Greensnakes
2026-05-21 18:30 - 20:00 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Join researcher and herpetologist Jason Bracken to learn about the fascinating lives of state endangered smooth greensnakes. Jason has been studying this species for 5 years throughout Ohio and has insight into their behavior, distribution, abundance and genetic diversity.

Young Birders: Thrush Rush
2026-05-23 10:00 - 11:00 | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Kids ages 8 and up are invited to join naturalists who are “veery” excited about this fascinating group of birds! Learn about family Turdidae through a short presentation and bird walk. An adult companion is required to remain for the entirety of the program.

Bees & Blooms
2026-05-30 10:00 - 11:30 | SFB/Prairie Trail, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp., OH, 44312, United States
Join naturalists to look for emerging bees and late spring blooms flowering as we discuss the dynamic of early summer and its effects on pollinators.

Sunset Photo Hike
2026-05-31 19:00 - 20:30 | SFB/Prairie Trail, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp., OH, 44312, United States
Explore the wonders of nature and photography! Hike the 1.6-mile Prairie Trail, explore your favorite plants, and learn basic photography rules of composition, moment and light using an SLR (Single-Lens Reflex), mirrorless camera, or cell phone. Bring your creativity, curiosity and camera and nature will do the rest!

Self-Guided: Pollinators
2026-06-03 08:00 - 2026-06-17 17:00 | MF/Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge, OH, 44278, United States
Summer is all about insects: butterflies, beetles, bees and many more! Enjoy a self-guided hike along the 0.35-mile Meadow Loop Trail to discover fast facts about pollinators. This experience is available through June 17.

Bears for Kids
2026-06-08 10:30 - 12:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Kids and their adult companions join a naturalist to learn all about bears through fun outdoor activities! We will start in the shelter for a discussion and craft, then walk the 0.25-mile Maple Loop Trail to search for the “bear” necessities our furry neighbors need to survive.

Kinderealm: Clever Crows
2026-06-17 10:30 - 11:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Children ages 3 to 6 with their adult companions will learn all about crows — considered to be among the most intelligent of all birds because of their tool use, problem solving skills, ability to plan tasks and more! Please make other arrangements for younger children unable to remain in infant seats or strollers. Registration is required and begins 5/1.

Archaeology in Action
2026-06-20 10:00 - 14:00 | CV/Valley View Area, 1134 Cuyahoga St., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Discover how archaeology uncovers hidden stories from the past. Join Summit Metro Parks cultural resources staff at the north section of Prather Trail to observe and learn about ongoing excavations at the former Wheelock Cuyahoga Acres (WCA), a once vibrant, racially integrated community in Cascade Valley Metro Park.
Drop by anytime to observe cultural resources staff at work, or join guided talks by our archaeologists at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for the people who once called WCA home and the ongoing efforts to preserve and share their legacy.
Since 2017, archaeologists have been investigating the remains of this mid-20th century neighborhood, focusing on sites like the former homes of the Prather and Johnson families (two Black-owned properties). Through excavation, research and collaboration with descendants and partners like The University of Akron’s Anthropology Department, staff have uncovered foundations, artifacts and personal histories that paint a vivid picture of life along Honeywell Drive. Learn more.

Pop-Up Nature Center: Furnace Run
2026-06-22 11:00 - 15:00 | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Our nature centers are hitting the road! Join us as Brushwood Lodge transforms into a nature center for a day, complete with activities for all ages including education stations, a storybook trail, fishing and an opportunity to shop our pop-up Maple Leaf Gifts. Bring any nature or history questions for our naturalists and cool off with lemonade and watermelon, while supplies last!

Young Birders: Brilliant Blackbirds
2026-06-27 10:00 - 11:00 | SR/Big Bend Area, 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Kids ages 8 and up are invited to learn about family Icteridae’s brilliance in color and cleverness through a short presentation and bird walk. An adult companion is required to remain for the entirety of the program.

Tree Trek
2026-06-28 15:00 - 16:00 | CV/Oxbow Area, 1135 Cuyahoga St., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Take a hike along the 1.2-mile Oxbow Trail as we learn about the surrounding trees and critters and how the trees can tell us about the history of the park.

Good Garden Talks: Pest Management & Beneficial Insects
2026-07-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Let’s Grow Akron Headquarters, 467 Harvey Ave., Akron, OH, 44314, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension to learn how to encourage beneficial insects and manage pests in the vegetable garden.

Booming Blooms
2026-07-04 09:00 - 10:30 | SFB/Prairie Trail, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp., OH, 44312, United States
Discover nature’s fireworks in the form of beautiful blooms as we celebrate and discuss all the land has to offer.

Snakes for Kids
2026-07-06 10:30 - 12:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Kids and their adult companions: Join a naturalist to learn about the fascinating slithering creatures found in our parks. We’ll start in the shelter for activities and to meet an animal ambassador before walking along the paved 0.25-mile Maple Loop Trail in search of snakes in their natural habitat.

Kinderealm: Butterflies
2026-07-08 10:30 - 11:30 | FASN/Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Children ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions can learn all about amazingly beautiful butterflies and their mesmerizing metamorphosis through a story, craft and short hike. Please make other arrangements for younger children unable to remain in infant seats or strollers. Registration is required and begins 6/1.

Back Yards Gone Wild: Just Add Water
2026-07-12 14:00 - 15:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Join a naturalist to learn how to help backyard wildlife beat the heat by adding water to your landscape! We’ll cover everything from bird baths and bubblers to misters and small ponds with tips and tricks about how to get started.

Kinderealm: Butterflies
2026-07-15 10:30 - 11:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Children ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions can learn all about some amazingly beautiful butterflies and their mesmerizing metamorphosis through a story, craft and short hike. Please make other arrangements for younger children unable to remain in infant seats or strollers. Registration is required and begins 6/1.

Powering Tomorrow Sustainably
2026-07-19 13:00 - 14:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Join a naturalist in this monthly series to explore how emerging energy technologies and evolving policies are shaping our daily lives and paving the way toward a more sustainable future. This month, we’ll take a look at the local, state, national and global policies driving green energy and funding sustainable development.

For Kids: The Wonders of Flight
2026-07-20 10:30 - 12:00 | WH/Downy Loop Trail, 2121 Barlow Rd., Hudson, OH, 44236, United States
Kids and their adult companions: Join a naturalist to learn about birds, flying squirrels, butterflies and other creatures that float, fly and glide through the air! We’ll start in the shelter for an introduction and simple craft, then take a short walk in search of animals in the sky before trying our hands at flying kites. Some will be available to borrow, or feel free to bring a kite from home.

Kinderealm: Butterflies
2026-07-22 10:30 - 11:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States

Young Birders: Swoopin' Swallows
2026-07-24 20:00 - 21:00 | NR/Lot C4, 5550 Christman Rd., Green, OH, 44319, United States
Kids ages 8 and up are invited to learn about swallows and martins through a short presentation, then watch as these birds prepare for a long journey south. An adult companion is required to remain for the entirety of the program.

Bees and Blooms
2026-07-25 10:00 - 11:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Join naturalists to look for midsummer bees and blooms as we discuss the dynamics of the dog days of summer and its effect on pollinators.

Fossils for Kids
2026-08-03 10:30 - 12:00 | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Kids and their adult companions can join a naturalist to explore the stream in search of fossils and learn about the ancient creatures that once called this park home. Follow posted signs to meet in the picnic area for an introduction and to make a fossil of your own to take home. Dress to get wet; closed-toe shoes required.

Good Garden Talks: Watering the Garden
2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Let’s Grow Akron Headquarters, 467 Harvey Ave., Akron, OH, 44314, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and OSU Extension to discuss effective methods for watering in the vegetable garden.

Bats, Up Close & Personal
2026-08-06 20:30 - 22:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Bats are some of the most fascinating and beneficial creatures of the night! Join us to learn about these fantastic flying insect controllers up close as park biologists attempt to catch them with nets for observation and data collection. The program will take place in the outdoor shelter.

Bug Hunt for Grown Ups
2026-08-09 10:00 - 11:30 | WH/Downy Loop Trail, 2121 Barlow Rd., Hudson, OH, 44236, United States
Do you remember exploring as a kid, searching for bugs with a net and jar in hand? Join a naturalist for a hands-on dive into the world of insects to rekindle that sense of wonder! We’ll begin in the shelter for an introduction and microscope viewing, then strike out into the field and pond edge to search for insects for observation.
