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Summit Metro Parks

Summit Metro Parks

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History

History

Beginning January 2026, all program registration will be online. Registration will now open at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of the month prior to the program. If you have questions regarding this new process, please call Nature Realm Visitors Center at 330-865-8065 (Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.).

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Two cyclists riding down a paved trail with Summit Lake to their left.

Summit Lake History Hike

Without Summit Lake Akron would not be the city we know today. Take a walk around the lake to explore the many roles it has played in our…

SLNC
A gravel and dirt path leads through prairie to a forest.

Self-Guided Hike: Meet the Seiberlings

Learn about the Seiberling family’s role in preserving F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm and their contributions to Akron and Summit Metro Parks…

FASN/Nature Realm
a dirt trail surrounded by grass and trees on a sunny day

Hike the Hills

Lace up those hiking boots and hit the Hampton Hills with a naturalist. Along the 3.2-mile Adam Run Trail, we’ll discuss the natural history…

HH/Main Entrance
A stone and grass path leads to the chiseled rock of Deep Lock Quarry.

Geology & History of Deep Lock Quarry

Join a naturalist as we examine the geology and history surrounding Deep Lock Quarry. Learn how the Berea sandstone was formed and its significance…

DLQ/Quarry Trail
Fern growing up out of the forest floor.

Old Mill Hike

Join a naturalist for a hike along the 1.4-mile Old Mill Trail. We will be brushing up on our plant and bird ID while we talk about the interesting…

FR/Brushwood Area
Several people sitting in kayaks on land with paddles in hand.

Ohio & Erie Canal Kayak Paddle

Join a certified instructor on the Ohio & Erie Canal for a guided, round-trip kayak paddle from Summit Lake to Manchester Road. Learn…

SLNC
A statue of an Indigenous person portaging a canoe.

History of the Portage Path

Join us for a walk from Big Bend to the northernmost point of the Portage Path. You’ll learn about the history of this vital link between…

TT/Big Bend Trailhead
Tall grasses sway in the sunlight against a blurred background

Terrifying Titans: Megafauna

Halloween is known for monsters, so let’s talk about the behemoths that once covered Ohio! Come learn about the megafauna that towered over…

FASN/Visitors Center
Two bats rest next to one another.

Spooky “Tails” Around the Campfire

Go on a ghostly tour through Akron’s haunted past and learn about local spirits whose stories linger, as well as fun facts about several captivating…

FASN/Nature Realm
A stone and grass path leads to the chiseled rock of Deep Lock Quarry.

Deeper Into the Quarry Hike

Learn about the important role of the Berea sandstone quarries along the Cuyahoga River during the canal era and the many ways in which the…

DLQ/Quarry Trail
A fallen log with moss and lichen on it.

Reading The Forested Landscape

Ever wonder if the landscape around you always looked the way it does now? Chances are it hasn’t! Join a naturalist to learn some skills…

CV/Valley View Area
Liberty Park Nature Center and an outdoor shelter.

Glacial Geology of Summit County

Join a naturalist to learn how the last glacial event profoundly changed the Summit County landscape. See how Summit County looked 10,000…

LP/Nature Center