Thinking Outside the Park: Extending Sustainable Practices to Every Corner

Katelyn Freil, Marketing Specialist

A sunrise along the Bike & Hike Trail. Photo by JJ Prekop Jr.

Summit Metro Parks manages 15,000 acres of land for the enjoyment of the community and health of our local ecosystem. But there’s more to being green than just our forests and fields — the park district works to actively incorporate sustainability into its daily practices as well. SMP is proud to share its sustainable victories in the past year, from upcycling materials into art to hosting its first large-scale, limited-waste event.

Left: E-waste and paper recycling bins at Sand Run Metro Park. Right: Participants at the 2023 Mother’s Day 5K were offered muffins and bananas, the wrappers and peels for which were composted. Photo by Rob Vaughn.

You can join our efforts to support a sustainable future:

• Recycle your electronic devices in new e-waste collection bins located at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Firestone Metro Park, Liberty Park, Sand Run Metro Park and the Memorial Parkway Trailhead along the Towpath Trail. Recycle bins for paper products are also located throughout the park district.
• Planning to grab your 2024 SMP desk calendar? We’re ditching plastic calendar holders in favor of wood calendar stands crafted right here in the park district. Wooden stands will be available wherever you get your calendar, while supplies last.
• Complete your holiday shopping at Maple Leaf Gifts, located in the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitors Center, which offers a variety of products made and ordered with sustainability in mind. Visit the SMP website to view products and store hours.

For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.