3 days agoA Naturalist’s LegacyMeghan Doran, Community Engagement Manager What do you get when you combine a teacher, an enthusiastic steward of the outdoors and a performer? A naturalist, of course! Add puns, loyalty, wit and theatrical production to the mix, and you can imagine what a joyful career it is to be an…2 min read
Jul 28Community Feature: Let’s Grow AkronKatelyn Freil, Marketing Specialist Stop by the community garden at Summit Lake Nature Center on any given day this summer and you’ll see neighbor helping neighbor next to raised beds, where fresh greens are intertwined with vibrant colors of tomatoes or peppers. Chances are one of those neighbors will be…3 min read
Jul 19Wild Back Yards: RainwaterCollecting rainwater in your yard positively impacts local ecosystems and may even save you a bit of money when watering your own garden, but how? Read on to learn more! The Effect on our Ecosystem During rainstorms, water falls to our roofs or streets, down…Summit Metro Parks3 min read
Jul 6Summertime Fun in SMPStephanie Walton, Chief of Marketing & Communications Now that summer is officially underway, Summit Metro Parks invites you to enjoy our local rivers and lakes with a variety of fun activities for the whole family. Paddle, cast, snap and observe your way through summer while exploring all that SMP has…Summit Metro Parks4 min read
Jun 8A Guide to Fishing in Summit Metro ParksEach spring, ponds and lakes across Summit Metro Parks are stocked to provide anglers of all ages the best opportunity to nab a fish. Hundreds of channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass join fellow native species like black crappie…Summit Metro Parks3 min read
May 25Building Trails for the FutureKevin Fink & Paul Neal, Park Managers This spring, Summit Metro Parks will reroute Deer Run Trail at O’Neil Woods Metro Park to bypass an aged staircase leading up the hill from Bath Road. This isn’t the first time Summit Metro Parks has rerouted park goers’ favorite trails, but why…Summit Metro Parks4 min read
May 11Wetland Wildlife at Liberty ParkJanean Kazimir, Interpretive Naturalist Misty morning fog hangs low over the water, a bald eagle floats lazily overhead and the haunting calls of sandhill cranes echo in the distance. This picturesque scene can be found at Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve (1230 Old Mill Rd., Aurora), part of Liberty Park. …Summit Metro Parks2 min read
May 10East End closure paves the way for improvements at Sand Run Metro ParkAfter carefully considering options for the future of the Jogging Trail at Sand Run Metro Park, Summit Metro Parks has determined the section of Sand Run Parkway between Portage Path and Merriman Rd. will remain closed to vehicles to protect wildlife and allow for future trail connections. The East End…2 min read
May 4Spring Wildflowers of Summit Metro ParksDave Daly, Interpretive Naturalist Spring wildflowers are harbingers of warmer times to come. …Wildflowers5 min read
Apr 20More than one way to plant a treeJen M. Harvey, Chief of Philanthropy Acorns are future things. Inside is a complete kit to grow a tree through its first year — with water, soil and sunlight — a botanical package of hope. In 2021, with your help, we planted over 100 acres of acorns and trees to…3 min read