Summit Metro Parks

Kids in the Garden
2025-08-21 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-08-28 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron for weekly hands-on gardening activities for children of all ages. Seed, sow, water, harvest…and enjoy! Each week 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.

Kayak Open House
2025-08-21 16:00 - 19:00 | MF/Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
Stop by to learn basic kayak techniques and take a short self-guided paddle on the lake under the guidance of certified instructors. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. Wear clothes that can get wet and bring a water bottle. All equipment, including life jackets, will be provided. Space is limited and kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Location subject to change based on water conditions.

Homegrown Habitat: Late Bloomers
2025-08-21 18:30 - 20:00 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Calling all people with yards or green spaces big and small: Join us for this monthly series and learn how to re-wild your home landscape. This month we’ll highlight some of the late blooming wildflowers that support pollinators throughout the autumn season.

Summer Nature Tales
2025-08-22 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.

Date at the Lake
2025-08-22 18:00 - 19:30 | OH
Bring a date and join us for a night of great views and memorable fun. Enjoy BYOB (building your own birdfeeder, of course!) No babysitter? No problem! Drop them off downstairs for a simultaneous kids’ bird program for ages 5 to 13. Registration is required for grown-ups and kiddos and begins 8/14.

Sunset Birding
2025-08-22 18:30 - 21:00 | SFB/Prairie Trail, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp., OH, 44312, United States
Enjoy some birding along the 1.6-mile Prairie Trail while basking in the setting sun. Binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

Summer Saunter
2025-08-23 09:00 - 10:00 | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Take a leisurely hike on the 1.3-mile Rock Creek Trail to enjoy the summer morning and talk about seasonal changes.

Intro to Archery
2025-08-23 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-23 11:30 - 13:00 | LP/Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora Hudson Rd., Streetsboro, OH, 44241, United States
Participants will learn international-style target archery and test their marksmanship at an outdoor range. All equipment and hands-on instruction provided. Must be 9 years old and 50 inches or taller. Cost: $10/person. Registration is required and begins on 8/1.

Gone Fishin'
2025-08-23 17:00 - 18:30 | MF/Shady Shelter, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
Anglers ages 15 and younger can learn the basics of fishing, then drop a line and see what they catch! Some rods and reels will be available for use. Bait is provided. Adults must supervise their children and must have a current Ohio fishing license if they want to fish.

Gone Fishin'
2025-08-24 14:00 - 15:30 | F/Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH, 44319, United States
Anglers ages 15 and younger can learn the basics of fishing, then drop a line and see what they catch! Some rods and reels will be available for use. Bait is provided. Please note: Little Turtle Pond is a youth only fishing site where adults must supervise children.

Drawing Outdoors
2025-08-27 09:00 - 11:00 | FASN/Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Bring your drawing pad and pencils for an outdoor lesson in drawing. Beginners are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. Portable chairs and drinking water are recommended. Program will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

Kinderealm: Seeds-n-Such
2025-08-27 10:30 - 11:30 | F/Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH, 44319, United States
Children 3 to 5 and their adult companions will explore the amazing, tiny world of seeds — how they grow and travel and who they feed. Activities include a short hike. Please make arrangements for younger children unable to remain in infant seats or strollers. Registration is required and begins 8/6.

Meet Me In The Garden: The Unusual World of Carnivorous Plants
2025-08-27 19:00 - 20:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Learn about the amazing adaptations of carnivorous plants from around the world and unique biomes in which they live. There will be a focus on the kettle bogs of Northeast Ohio and the carnivorous plants that can be found within them.

Lil' Sprouts
2025-08-28 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. Each class builds upon the last and will be centered on what’s growing and ready to harvest! Adults are asked to actively participate with children during the program. Registration is required and begins on 8/7.

Intro to Stand-Up Paddleboarding
2025-08-28 16:00 - 18:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Learn how to paddleboard and take a guided tour around the lake with a certified instructor. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. Wear clothes that can get wet and bring a water bottle. All equipment, including life jackets, will be provided. Location subject to change based on water conditions. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required and begins 8/21.

Sunset Stand-up Paddleboarding
2025-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Learn how to paddleboard and take a guided tour around the lake with a certified instructor to view a beautiful sunset. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. Wear clothes that can get wet and bring a water bottle. All equipment, including life jackets, will be provided. Location subject to change based on water conditions. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required and begins 8/21.

Fishing Fridays
2025-08-29 13:00 - 15:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Come try your hand at fishing. We’ll provide the rods and bait, so all you have to do is show up! Anyone over the age of 16 will need a valid Ohio fishing license.

Sunset Hike and Fire
2025-08-29 19:30 - 21:00 | FASN/Campfire Area, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Daytime descends into night and nocturnal creatures begin to stir. Join a naturalist as we hike into the woods and watch the forest transform from day to night. After our hike, sit around a fire and listen to the nightlife over the crackle of the campfire.

Flora of Firestone
2025-08-30 10:00 - 11:30 | F/Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH, 44319, United States
Take a hike along the 1.1-mile Redwing Trail to learn about some of our local plant life and pick up plant identification tips and tricks.

Dragons and Damsels
2025-08-30 13:00 - 15:00 | LP/Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve, 1230 Old Mill Rd., Aurora, OH, 44202, United States
Join a naturalist as we look for dragonflies and damselflies along the edges of the ponds in Tinkers Creek Nature Preserve. Discover how these acrobatic creatures fly, hunt and patrol their territories. Learn about their amazing lifecycle and their importance to the ecosystem. Bug spray is recommended.

Bike Ride & Picnic
2025-08-31 14:00 - 16:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Join us in collaboration with South Street Ministries to celebrate “National Eat Outside Day” with a bike ride and picnic. This will be a casual pace (10-12 mph), 10-12-mile ride to downtown Akron and back. Upon return, join us for some meaningful conversation and a picnic. Light refreshments will be provided.

Guided Forest Therapy
2025-08-31 14:00 - 16:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Feeling ready to slow down and reconnect to the present moment? Do you feel most grounded and nurtured when spending time with nature? During this immersive experience, participants will be guided through a series of invitations that allow us to deepen our connection to our senses, awareness and interconnectedness with the forest. Registration is required and begins 8/20.

Intro to Kayaking
2025-08-31 16:00 - 18:00 | NR/Lot C6, 6194 Christman Rd., Green, OH, 44319, United States
Learn how to kayak and take a guided tour around the lake with a certified instructor. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. Wear clothes that can get wet and bring a water bottle. All equipment, including life jackets, will be provided. Location subject to change based on water conditions. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required and begins 8/21.

Sunset Kayak
2025-08-31 19:00 - 21:00 | NR/Lot C6, 6194 Christman Rd., Green, OH, 44319, United States
Learn how to kayak and take a guided tour around the lake with a certified instructor to view a beautiful sunset. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. Wear clothes that can get wet and bring a water bottle. All equipment, including life jackets, will be provided. Location subject to change based on water conditions. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required and begins 8/21.

Submit Photos for Amateur Photography Exhibit
2025-09-01 00:00 - 2025-11-16 23:59 | OH
From September 1 through November 16, visitors may submit two entries for our Annual Amateur Photography Exhibit, which will be displayed at the Nature Realm Visitors Center and by virtual exhibit. Only two printed photographs will be accepted, and all images must be taken in areas managed by Summit Metro Parks. Where possible, please do not share contact information with other entrants. Entries should not be matted, framed or include watermarks, and should be one of the following sizes: 5″x7″, 8″x10″ or 11″x14″ and printed on photo paper. You may drop off entries at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm (1828 Smith Rd., Akron) or mail them to 975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron OH 44313, Attn: Amateur Photography Exhibit. A completed entry form is required.

Submit Entries for Verdant Wonders
2025-09-01 00:00 - 2025-12-31 23:59 | OH
Ohio residents are invited to submit their creative works for publication in Verdant Wonders, the park district’s new literary journal that focuses on nature and culture. Submissions of fiction, creative nonfiction, personal essays and poetry are welcome September 1 through December 31, 2025. Learn more about submission guidelines and fill out a submission form: Verdant Wonders Submission Form

Intro To Stand-Up Paddleboarding
2025-09-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-01 13:00 - 15:00 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Learn how to paddleboard and take a guided tour around the lake with a certified instructor. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. All equipment will be provided. Location subject to change based on water conditions. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required and begins on 8/22.
