Michael Johnson, Chief of Conservation Coyotes are out there. They live in each of our Metro Parks. They live along railway lines, gas and electric rights-of-way. They live in small woodlots and even around the stormwater ponds in the center of most new housing developments. In many respects, they are the biggest wildlife problem we have never had.

Mike Greene, Education & Recreation Manager Over the nearly 60-year history of naturalists working for the park district, starting with our first naturalist Bert Szabo, we have deployed diverse tactics to help park users understand and appreciate the full value of their parks.

First Naturalist for the Akron Metropolitan Park District — Mike Greene, Education & Recreation Manager Bert Szabo began his career with the Akron Metropolitan Park District in 1957. While working as the area manager for Goodyear Heights Metro Park, early on he started presenting programs for schools, churches and other organizations before being appointed as the park district’s first chief naturalist in 1963. Among his many accomplishments at the park district, Szabo:

Christy Counterman, Marketing Assistant The first Fall Hiking Spree lasted just two months, from October 1 to November 30, 1964. That inaugural year, 1,530 area residents each completed seven hikes in six parks for a total of 9.8 miles to earn the inaugural hiking staff.

Stephanie Walton, Chief of Marketing & Communications In the heart of Akron lies a hidden oasis. Although it’s only a short drive from the city center, once you arrive at the 200-acre Valley View Area, you’ll find yourself transported to a land that feels miles away from civilization. “Special” is the word most visitors use to describe this property, and this fall, you can experience this unique Summit County treasure for yourself. …

Megan Shaeffer, Ph.D., Cultural Resource Coordinator Summit Metro Parks is unique in that it is the only county-level park district in Ohio with its own cultural resources staff. These staff members protect and conserve the historic and archaeological sites within the park district — work which would not have been possible without the efforts of Dr. Lynn Metzger.

Mike Johnson, Chief of Conservation The river that burned is the river that’s turned… In the 100 years Summit Metro Parks has been in existence, the local fishing experience has undergone drastic transformations. In the 1970s, an angler wading in much of the Cuyahoga River would more likely catch cholera than fish. Decades of industrial and municipal pollution left…

Stephanie Walton, Chief of Marketing & Communications Life is full of meaningful moments. With 100 years of history, how many memories have been created right here in your Summit Metro Parks? For many residents, those priceless recollections include visits to the parks with their families. When her four now-grown children were small, Sujata Patel remembers visits to Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton for “hiking, exploring, looking for fish in the ponds, picnics at…

A look back at March 2020 to June 2021 It’s been a unique and challenging year, and while we’ve seen more of you than ever in the parks and on our spree trails, we are thrilled to finally be able to welcome you back into our facilities. As always, our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones to the pandemic, and we are eternally grateful for the support from our community that allowed us to keep parks and trails safely open, continue to provide nature-based programming and launch our centennial year.