Plan Your Visit
FAQs
Do you have a question about Summit Metro Parks?
Find answers to frequently asked questions below, or check out our park & trail finder. If you still haven’t found your answer, contact us to learn more.
Parks & Trails
Summit Metro Parks locations are open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Each park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
No, visiting your Summit Metro Parks is free.
Pets are allowed in most parks, as long as they are kept on a leash 8-feet long or less. Dogs are not permitted at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, which is a designated nature study area, or the Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve in Liberty Park.
Firefly Trail at Munroe Falls Metro Park, the Jogging Trail at Sand Run Metro Park and Miner’s Trail at Silver Creek Metro Park are plowed in the event of snow. All other trails remain unplowed.
We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to report suspicious activity. Call the Summit Metro Parks Administrative Offices at 330-867-5511 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and the SMP ranger line at 330-475-0029 (after hours, during weekends and on holidays). We encourage you to keep these numbers saved in your phone for easy access.
In the event of emergencies, contact 911.
Summit Metro Parks strives to balance conservation with recreation. Traveling off trail can disrupt and damage natural resources, as well as cause erosion, which leads to costly and time-consuming repairs. Staying on trail ensures the longevity of the parks as recreational assets and protects our local ecosystem. There are plenty of beautiful sites and wildlife to see from the trails!
Activities
Geocaching and letterboxing are not permitted, but virtual caches and “EarthCaches” are, as long as visitors stay on designated trails. Items may not be left behind for other visitors to find. As the saying goes, “Take only photographs, leave only footprints.”
No, the use of metal detectors and drones is prohibited in Summit Metro Parks.
We encourage the use of personal cameras, provided the photography does not interfere with park operations and visitation.
Group photography, professional photography and photography for commercial purposes are prohibited at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm (including the visitors center), Liberty Park Nature Center and Summit Lake Nature Center. Professional photography sessions for weddings and other special occasions are welcomed at all other parks with an approved special-use permit.
Summit Metro Parks does not permit the use of its name, image or logo for commercial purposes without prior approval. Arrangements to film, tape, record, photograph or create artistic renderings or displays must be made in advance by submitting a special-use permit.
Visitors must bring their own equipment. During the summer season, canoes and paddle boats can be rented at Silver Creek Metro Park.
Getting Involved
If you would like to become a volunteer, visit the volunteer page and fill out the included forms, or call 330-865-8047 for more information.
The Tree Trust is a fund of the Summit Metro Parks Foundation dedicated to the purchase of trees and shrubs for planting in the park district. Donations over $300 to the Tree Trust are recognized (if desired) with a small, engraved plaque displayed inside the visitors center at F. A. Seiberling Nature Realm.
The Summit Metro Parks Foundation offers several different funds to which you can give, including funds for trails, conservation efforts, general support and the hiking sprees. You can also learn about planned giving options or make donations in honor or memory of someone. Find out more about Ways to Give and make your gift by online, by mail (975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron OH 44313), or by contacting the Foundation.
Lodges & Shelters
You can check availability, amenities, prices, and make a reservation on our website.
Wedding ceremonies and other events are available in most Summit Metro Parks locations with an approved Special-use Permit. Ceremonies and events are not available at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm (nor inside the visitors center), the Twinsburg Ledges Area of Liberty Park (nor inside the nature center), Summit Lake Nature Center or at any other park area that would prevent public access during your event.
You must be 18 or older to make a reservation.
Alcohol is prohibited in Summit Metro Parks, except under certain conditions at Himelright Lodge. Renters of the Himelright Lodge may apply for approval by the Executive Director to serve alcohol at their events.
Pets are not permitted in or near the lodges, shelters or picnic sites. Pets are also not permitted at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, a designated nature study area, or Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve in Liberty Park.
Once a reservation is paid for there are no refunds. If you need to cancel your event, it must be two weeks prior to the reservation date. Those that cancel two weeks or more in advance will be offered one re-use, up to one year from the original reservation date, pending availability. Reuse reservations also must be made one year to the day.
Shelters and lodges may be reserved 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Arrival and departure times are strictly enforced.
A responsible adult must remain at the lodge once park staff has opened it.
Decorations must be freestanding and not attached to the walls or features, and decorative candles may not be used inside/outside of the facility.
Tables, chairs or picnic tables may not be removed from the facility.