Summit Metro Parks

Magnificent Moths
2026-06-06 21:30 - 23:30 (America/New_York) | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Join a naturalist as we delve into the nighttime world of moths. These amazing insects come in many different shapes, colors and sizes. From the pink and yellow rosy maple moth to the camouflaged Pandora sphinx moth, come and see what flies in. Bring bug spray and your camera.

Self-Guided Storybook Trail: Little Mole
2026-06-07 06:00 - 2026-06-28 23:00 | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Earn Spree for All credit and enjoy a laugh while reading a story trail based on the book “The Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit.” This experience is available through June 28.

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.

Senior Ice Cream Social
2026-06-10 10:00 - 14:00 | MF/Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
Seasoned citizens, drop by for an afternoon of lakeside fun! Enjoy fishing, nature related activities and more. Those with limited mobility have the opportunity to take an adaptive bike ride as a passenger aboard our fleet of trishaws on a first-come, first-served basis. Cool off with lemonade, watermelon and ice cream (while supplies last) or bring a picnic to enjoy by the water. This program is made possible with support from The Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation.

Kinderealm: Clever Crows
2026-06-10 10:30 - 11:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, 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 May 1, 2026.

Book Club: A Sand County Almanac
2026-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Whether a first-time visitor or a longtime book club member, all adults are invited to share in a lively discussion about the inspiring book “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold. Don’t forget to bring your mug — we’ll supply the beverages.

Nature Saunter
2026-06-13 11:00 - 13:00 | LP/Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve, 1230 Old Mill Rd., Aurora, OH, 44202, United States
Appreciate the outdoors at a leisurely pace with a stroll along the 1.8-mile Seven Ponds Trail.

Bank Swallow Stroll
2026-06-14 10:00 - 11:00 | CV/Overlook Area, 354 Sackett Ave., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Everyone is invited to join a naturalist and Open Trail Collective to learn all about bank swallows! This accessible, 0.5-mile trail will allow for a glimpse of their annual nesting colony, providing an up-close opportunity to experience the beauty of nature, flight and new life.

Let's Get Crafty: Nature Embroidery
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-14 14:00 - 16:00 | FASN/Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Start an embroidery project with park staff while learning about the wildlife in your creation, then finish the project at your own pace. Guidance and supplies are included in the registration fee. For crafty people ages 16 and older. Cost: $10/person. Registration begins 5/1. All sales are final.

Fly vs. Fly
2026-06-14 20:00 - 21:30 | SFB/Prairie Trail, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp., OH, 44312, United States
Discover the world of insect subterfuge. Plenty of insects engage in mimicry, but none quite like the firefly. Join a naturalist on a catch and release mission along the 1.6-mile Prairie Trail to crack the code of these cunning insects.

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.

Conservation In Action: Migratory Songbirds of Cuyahoga Valley
2026-06-17 18:30 - 20:00 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Biologists Mariamar Gutierrez and Daniel Toth will discuss the ongoing migratory bird monitoring efforts conducted jointly by Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks.

Lil' Sprouts
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.

Summer Nature Tales
2026-06-19 10:30 - 11:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Summer is a few days away! Young children and their adult companions can enjoy an interactive story time focused on nature in the new season. Make it a fun, family-friendly morning by exploring the park or visiting the Nature Play area after the program.

Bird Nerds: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
2026-06-20 10:00 - 11:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Bird enthusiasts of all kinds are welcome to join us for a deep dive into one of Ohio’s most recognizable species each month. You see them. You love them. But how well do you really know them? After our indoor presentation, those interested can join for a guided birding walk.

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!

Kinderealm: Clever Crows
2026-06-24 10:30 - 11:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States

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.

Fabulous Fireflies
2026-06-27 20:30 - 22:00 | WH/Downy Loop Trail, 2121 Barlow Rd., Hudson, OH, 44236, United States
Join a naturalist for nature’s nightly fireworks, presented by the family Lampyridae: fireflies! Learn about the life cycle of these fascinating beetles and discover how you can help protect them so future generations can enjoy this amazing display. Jars will be available for brief, up-close observations.

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.

Summit Lake 5th Anniversary Celebration
2026-07-01 16:00 - 20:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Summit Lake Nature Center with family-friendly activities, music, food and more!
Ongoing Activities:

Crafts
Sensory-friendly room available, inside the nature center
Yard games
Refreshments

Scheduled Activities:
4-6 p.m. Hoverball archery (Age 8+)
4-6 p.m. Play time with Akron Children’s Museum
4-7 p.m. Music in the garden (DJ)
5-7 p.m. Fishing fun — rods and bait available, ages 16 and over need a fishing license
7- 8 p.m. Summit Lake Hike — Explore the nature, history and community of Summit Lake with Naturalist Jason

Kids in the Garden
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.

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 of Summit Metro Parks
2026-07-04 13:00 - 15:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Join a naturalist as we discover the world of snakes. Did you know there are no venomous snakes in Summit County? Learn why these misunderstood creatures play a vital role in the health of our parks. We may even have some slither in for an up-close encounter!

Self-Guided Trail: Banquet for Biodiversity
2026-07-05 06:00 - 2026-07-26 23:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Walk the 0.25-mile Maple Loop Trail through July 26 to discover how native plants support biodiversity, particularly pollinators! Informative signs will guide your learning experience.

Self-Guided Story Trail: Some Bugs
2026-07-05 06:00 - 2026-07-26 23:00 | FR/Daffodil Trail, 3100 Brush Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Enjoy fun and exploration while following a self-guided story trail based on the book, “Some Bugs.” This experience will be available along the 0.8-mile Daffodil Trail through July 26.

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.

Summer Nature Tales
2026-07-10 10:30 - 11:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Young children and their adult companions can enjoy an interactive summer-themed story time. Make it a fun, family-friendly morning by exploring the park or visiting the Nature Play area after the program.
