Find your summertime adventure in the parks
Stephanie Walton, chief of marketing & communications
Summer is officially in full swing, and SMP has you covered with warm-weather activities for the whole family. Whether you prefer swimming or skating, music or movies, there’s an adventure for everyone this summer in Summit Metro Parks.
Attend Films with the Fireflies
New this summer, Summit Metro Parks is offering a series of free, family-friendly outdoor movies shown at parks across the county. Pack some popcorn and candy, bring a blanket or your favorite chair and join us for a relaxing evening under the summer night sky. Visit the website for showtimes and locations.
Go Jump in a Lake
At Munroe Falls Metro Park (Munroe Falls) and Silver Creek Metro Park (Norton), lake swimming is available with lifeguards on duty May 25 to August 11, from 11a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends and holidays. Daily admission is $5 for adults, teens and kids age 5 and up. Season passes are $40 for adults and teens 13 and older, and $20 for ages 5 to 12 and seniors 65 and older. Children under age 5 are always admitted free. Pack a picnic, or enjoy a selection of treats from the concession stand.
Catch a Concert
Throughout the summer, the all-volunteer Metro Parks Ensemble provides several free “Music by the Lake” performances. These concerts begin at 7 p.m., and feature free lake swimming from 3 to 6:45 p.m. Kids’ activities and dessert are also provided. For a full schedule of Ensemble performances, visit the Summit Metro Parks website.
Perfect Your Paddling
For those who enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding — or want to give it a try — Summit Metro Parks offers a variety of naturalist-led programs for all skill levels at area lakes. Paddle with a certified instructor and a naturalist to learn strokes, practice safety techniques and see wildlife around the water. Visit the website for more information or to register for a program.
Play on the Parkway
Sand Run Parkway goes car-free between N. Portage Path and Merriman Road on summer weekends through Labor Day. The closure of this nearly half-mile section of the parkway allows visitors to walk, jog, skate or bike safely on the road. In addition, a car-free parkway helps protect endangered wildlife and sensitive habitats. Runners and walkers who wish to extend their journey from the Sand Run Jogging Trail can now make a round trip totaling nearly seven miles. Parking nearest this section of the parkway is available at the Old Portage Area of Sand Run Metro Park.
For more information on summertime activities, concerts, movie showings and program schedules, visit summitmetroparks.org
For more great stories like this, check out Green Islands Magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. The magazine is mailed at no charge to subscribers living in Summit County.
