Spree for All Stroll
2025-05-30 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | TT/Clinton Trailhead, 2749 North St., Clinton, OH, 44216, United States
Enjoy a casual 1-mile round-trip stroll while learning some interesting tidbits about local history and nature. Good for spree credit.

Sunset Bike Ride
2025-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | TT/Big Bend Trailhead, 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Join us for an evening bike ride! Expect to ride at least 10 to 12 miles, at a casual (10-12 mph) pace. Bring your own helmet and bicycle. Helmets are required to participate. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in.

Kids in the Garden
2025-05-29 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-05-22 15:30 - 16:30 | 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.

Senior Cycling: Utilitarian, Sport and Recreation
2025-05-29 10:00 - 13:00 | BHT/SR 303 Lot, 64 W. Streetsboro Rd., Boston Heights, OH, 44264, United States
Join us in collaboration with South Street Ministries for a 10-mile bike ride as we discuss the purpose of cycling for sport, recreation and utility. This is a casually paced bike ride with frequent stops on the trail. Please bring your own bicycle and helmet. Helmets are required to participate.

Meet Me In the Garden: The Everyday Conservationist
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:30 | FASN/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
From lessening the lawn and planting native to leaving your leaves and supporting pollinators, there’s no shortage of ways to help the planet from home. Join conservation photographer and author Danae Wolfe to explore ways you can curb carbon and bolster biodiversity in your own back yard.

Kinderealm: Turtles
2025-05-28 10:30 - 11:30 | SLNC, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH, 44301, United States
Its turtle time! Children 3 to 6 with their adult companions can come and learn about our scaly, shelled friends through a story, craft and more. Please make other arrangements for younger children unable to remain in infant seats or strollers. Registration is required and begins on 5/7.

Trees: A Photographic Journey
2025-05-27 19:00 - 20:30 | CV/Himelright Lodge, 1212 Cuyahoga St., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Join the Greater Akron Audubon Society to celebrate the trees of Summit Metro Parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and more with Ohio landscape and nature photographer, writer and educator Ian Adams. Honoring the legacy of Bert Szabo, the park district’s first naturalist, Adams will share stories of his various collaborations with Szabo to produce mural displays and posters for the park district.

Music in the Park: Season Kick-Off
2025-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | GYH/Goodyear Heights Lodge, 2077 Newton St., Akron, OH, 44305, United States
Celebrate the beginning of the concert season with a performance by the Metro Parks Ensemble. Please bring your own chairs and blankets, and a picnic if you prefer. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held indoors.

Kids First Creek Hike
2025-05-26 14:00 - 15:30 | FR/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Take a creek hike perfect for littles just starting to explore the wonderful world of water. Wear closed-toe footwear and get ready to get wet as we catch critters, splash and play in the low and slow waters of Furnace Run.

Blacklight Night Hike
2025-05-25 20:30 - 21:30 | FT/Middlebury Trailhead, 1324 Middlebury Rd., Kent, OH, 44240, United States
Take a peek just beyond the visible spectrum as we explore Freedom Trail by blacklight.

Bike Boston and Brandywine
2025-05-24 18:00 - 19:30 | BHT/SR 303 Lot, 64 W. Streetsboro Rd., Boston Heights, OH, 44264, United States
Join a naturalist on a fun bike ride and learn about the geology of the Boston Ledges and Brandywine Falls. The ride will be slow to moderate-paced and a total of 8.6-miles round-trip. Helmets are required. Please bring drinking water.

Kayak Open House
2025-05-24 11:00 - 15:00 | 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 kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Location subject to change based on water conditions.

Spring Bird Stroll
2025-05-24 08:00 - 10:00 | CV/Valley View Area, 1134 Cuyahoga St., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
For some folks, spring means birds. We are those folks! Join a naturalist on a guided hike to see which bird species are present at the Valley View Area during the late stages of migration. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you’ve got ’em!

Tent Camping for Women
2025-05-23 16:00 - 2025-05-24 11:00 | SC/Lake House Area, 5000 S. Hametown Rd., Norton, OH, 44203, United States
Women and girls 14 and older are invited to join naturalists for a fun and relaxing overnight tent camping experience. We’ll be hiking, cooking, crafting and fishing as a group. Please bring your own camping equipment, including sleeping gear, toiletries, snacks and a chair. No gear? No problem! Request a free camping kit with essentials during registration, available while supplies last. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and begins on 4/24.

Spring Nature Tales
2025-05-23 10:30 - 11:00 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Young children and their adult companions can celebrate spring during an interactive, spring-themed story time. Make it a fun, family-friendly morning by exploring the park or visiting the Nature Play area after the program.

Lil' Sprouts
2025-05-22 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 5/1.

Kinderealm: Turtles
2025-05-21 10:30 - 11:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
It’s turtle time! Children ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions can come learn about our scaly, shelled friends through a story, craft and more. Please make other arrangements for younger children unable to remain in infant seats or strollers. Registration is required and begins on 5/7.

Free the Falls Public Meeting
2025-05-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Akron-Summit County Public Library – Main Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, 44326, United States
Members of the public are invited to attend a community update on the process to remove a 420-foot-wide, 60-foot-tall dam within Gorge Metro Park. The dam is one of the largest unresolved impediments to restoring the water quality of the Cuyahoga River and its removal will improve river ecology, create recreational opportunities and drive economic benefits within the local community.
On Monday, May 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Akron-Summit County Public Library Main Branch (60 S. High St., Akron), partners will present a project status update. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Before the meeting, enjoy refreshments and browse Free the Falls t-shirts for sale.
Parking is available at the garage at 40 S. High St. or the surface lot at 71 S. High St. Parking in the High and Market Deck is free after 6 p.m. on weekdays, with one free hour available through validation at the library welcome desk. Additional parking information can be found online.
ASL interpretation (English to ASL) will be provided during the meeting. The meeting will also be live-streamed and available for later viewing at youtube.com/summitmetroparks.
Now in its ninth year, the dam removal project is managed by a group of partners that includes the City of Akron, City of Cuyahoga Falls, FirstEnergy, County of Summit, Summit County Council, Summit Metro Parks, The University of Akron, Ohio EPA, Ohio Lake Erie Commission and U.S. EPA.
Learn more about the effort to remove the Gorge Dam and sign up for email updates at bitl.ly/freethefalls.

Secret Life of Trees
2025-05-18 15:00 - 16:30 | CV/Oxbow Area, 1135 Cuyahoga St., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
They’re tall, they’re silent, they’re beautiful — but what really is a tree? Join a naturalist to learn about the wonder of trees as we hike along the wooded 1.2-mile Oxbow Trail. Be prepared for steep hills.

Let's Go Green: Risks and Rewards
2025-05-18 13:00 - 14:30 | LP/Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH, 44087, United States
Join us for the next program in our series “Let’s Go Green.” We will discuss the risks of maintaining the status quo and the rewards of adopting a more “green-minded” approach. Learn how you can make small changes to reduce your carbon footprint, save money and become part of a movement that will help preserve our planet for our children and future generations.

Wetland Walk
2025-05-18 10:00 - 11:00 | GYH/Pioneer Area, 550 Frazier Ave., Akron, OH, 44305, United States
Spring is here, summer is fast approaching and now is the time for birds and amphibians! Join a naturalist for a walk on Alder Trail to view the beautiful wetland area as nature begins to fully bloom.

Gone Fishin'
2025-05-18 09:30 - 11:00 | 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 their children.

More Than Milkweed
2025-05-17 11:00 - 12:00 | MF/Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
Join a naturalist as we take the next step in developing our Wild Back Yards. This session will focus on how to incorporate grasses, ground covers and other native plants into your existing spaces. We will explore the ecosystem services, form and function of several species, including late boneset, Culver’s root, prairie dropseed and giant hyssop, among others.

Native Plant Festival
2025-05-17 10:00 - 16:00 | MF/Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
Kick off summer at the 4th annual Native Plant Festival, presented by Wayside Furniture! Learn how to welcome wildlife into your yard with beautiful and beneficial native plants. Join Summit Metro Parks staff, local native plant nurseries and partner organizations to discover the vital role of native plants in our ecosystem. Browse a wide variety of plants available for purchase or attend an educational session to learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping. Visitors can receive a FREE seedling or seed packet, while supplies last.
Two programs will take place at the event:
• 10 – 11 a.m. | Edible Native Plants for the Home Landscape
• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | More Than Milkweed
Additionally, visitors can enjoy live music by Jen Maurer & Bill Lestock (10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) and Hot Djang (12:45- 3:15 p.m.). Food will be available for purchase from Rabbit Food (vegan) and Henry’s Creamery (gluten-free and vegan options available). Coffees and tea will be available (vegan milk options available) for purchase from Bereka Coffee.

Edible Native Plants for the Home Landscape
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:00 | MF/Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH, 44262, United States
Native plants aren’t just for the birds! From strawberry and elderberry to pawpaw and persimmon, join a naturalist to learn about incorporating attractive, edible native trees, shrubs and perennials into your outdoor spaces for backyard snacks that come back year after year.

Friday Night Frogs
2025-05-16 20:30 - 22:00 | SR/Big Bend Area, 1337 Merriman Rd., Akron, OH, 44313, United States
Venture out on a night hike in search of frogs and discover the important roles amphibians play in our world. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Nature Saunter
2025-05-16 12:00 - 13:30 | FR/Daffodil Trail, 3100 Brush Rd., Richfield, OH, 44286, United States
Appreciate the outdoors at a leisurely pace and admire the beauty beyond daffodils that the 0.6-mile Daffodil Trail has to offer. Enjoy a beverage and more nature conversation afterward.

Homegrown Habitats: From the Ground Up
2025-05-15 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 talk about habitat structure. From supporting nesting sites to incorporating soft landings, we’ll discover how to intentionally make your home landscape a nursery for wildlife.
