General Information
Project Updates
See the latest updates on current park district projects.
We strive to create park amenities and experiences that deliver exceptional visitor experiences. We’re hard a work on short and long-term park improvement projects.
Freedom Trail
Summit Metro Parks staff have worked for more than a decade to deliver the Freedom Trail—a rails-to-trails multipurpose trail conversion—to Summit County residents. Completed in phases, this trail begins at the Portage County line and is currently rideable to Mill Street in Akron.
Phase 4 of Freedom Trail is under construction from Mill Street south to Buchtel Avenue in downtown Akron. This project will extend the trail south behind the University of Akron, near EJ Thomas Hall, and across the University Avenue bridge and end at Buchtel Avenue, please see attached PDF document. A small parking lot and trailhead facility will be constructed at the corner of Mill and Lincoln Streets. Phase 4 will continue in following years to allow riders to cross from Downtown Akron to connect to the METRO RTA Station and Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail near the Spaghetti Warehouse.
Freedom Trail Bridge Replacement
Replacement of a bridge on the Freedom Trail between Southwest Avenue and Brittain Road is currently underway. The existing bridge will be removed due to age and high maintenance, and will be replaced with a precast concrete box culvert. Trail users will not be permitted to pass through this area and are encouraged to use alternative sections of the trail during this time. The trail is expected to reopen in May 2026.
Gorge Dam Removal
A diverse group of community partners is working to remove the 420-foot-wide, 60-foot-tall dam within Gorge Metro Park. The dam, which is no longer in use, is a significant impediment to the water quality of the Cuyahoga River. The effort to “Free the Falls” through dam removal is expected to improve river ecology, create recreational opportunities and drive economic benefits.
The Free the Falls project is managed by a group of stakeholders that includes the City of Akron, City of Cuyahoga Falls, FirstEnergy, County of Summit, Summit County Council, Summit Metro Parks, Ohio Lake Erie Commission, Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA.
Central Maintenance Facility
Renovation of the Central Maintenance Facility on North Broadway has begun. The existing building will be used to service, repair and maintain vehicles and equipment; to receive and store purchased items; and as offices for operations and purchasing staff. The project includes full structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology work for interior and exterior sitework, along with replacement of the roof. The project is scheduled to open in spring of 2027.
Park alerts
Know before you go!
Please visit our park and trail alerts page before your next park outing. This page will have the latest information about park closures and other updates.