The Last of Autumn
Enjoy Fall’s Final Moments @ The Summit Metro Parks
By Cory Trayer
As fall winds down, people are already breaking out the winter coats and hiding indoors, but in these last few weekends of autumnal weather, it’s important to get out and enjoy the changing season. The Summit Metro Parks offers several wonderful opportunities to do just that. With over 125 miles of trails and 14 parks to choose from, if you’re in the Akron area, the Summit Metro Parks provide the perfect place to relax, unwind, take a nature walk with your significant other or spend some time with your family in the beautiful outdoors. This week offers several events in the Summit Metro Parks that everyone should enjoy before the last leaf falls.
My favorite place in the Summit Metro Parks is in the Cascade Valley South park; it’s called overlook trail. Overlook trail takes you right into the heart of the Cascade Valley, and lets you look out onto one of Akron’s most astonishing views. Standing at the overlook, the scene is expansive and breathtaking. A shallow river below is surrounded by trees as far as the eye can see. Looking out onto the valley, it becomes clear that the Metro Parks has preserved large untouched swathes of the valley for everyone to enjoy. Visiting the overlook and the trails always gives me an opportunity to explore my creative side as I take photos of nature, or to reflect and spend some time alone in a serene setting.
While Cleveland has the beautiful Emerald Necklace, there are a lot of reasons to head down to Summit to check out the parks to the south. Being separate from the Cleveland parks, the Summit County Metro Parks has a different focus. “Each park district is guided by a separate mission,” says Nathan Eppink, Chief of Marketing and Communication for the Metro Parks. “We’re funded by a Summit County real estate tax, last approved by voters in 2006. We don’t manage golf courses, a zoo or toboggan chutes,” says Eppink. “Instead, we have natural areas for experiencing wildlife and enjoying hikes and programs with limited development. Over our 11,000 acres, only about 5% of the land has been developed,” he says. “That includes the trails, parking lots, pavilions and picnic areas.”
Unspoiled, undeveloped nature is a great reason to visit, but one of my favorite reasons to visit the Metro Parks in Summit is the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm. Seiberling was a generous donor who gave more than 400 acres to expand the Sand Run Metro Park, and in 1964, the land for the Nature Realm was purchased from land he had owned from 1920 to 1948. The special-use area has undergone recent environmentally-friendly renovations and now offers several trails, gardens, a tall-grass prairie, and a new visitor’s center. While walking through the Nature Realm, you will find many labels on trees, shrubs and flowers letting you know what their names and a little something about their history and purpose. Among the new green innovations in the Nature Realm, one of the most interesting is in their parking lot. The cement used to pave the lot is permeable and collects rain water, filtering it through the park to water the gardens, replenish the wetlands, and keep the entire Nature Realm healthy and natural. What a great way to recycle water.
The Metro Parks offers some wonderful events. Not only are the trails and parks available to the public, but there are events each month that everyone who enjoys the Metro Parks can enjoy. Four such events are coming up this weekend, and should not be missed! Get out and enjoy the last drop of autumn before the snow.
Serenity Lunch
Are you in need of a break from your stressful morning? On Fri 11/18 at 10:30AM, bring a sack lunch and beverage to the Summit Metro Parks’ Serenity Lunch at Good Year Heights Pioneer Trail. Follow naturalist Meghan Doran on a peaceful escape through the crisp morning dew on the trail. After the hike, the group will pause by the fire, giving everyone a chance to eat their sack lunch. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.
Owl Prowl
If you’re not a morning person, the Owl Prowl is a great chance to check out the park after dark. Staring at 6PM on Fri 11/18, at Silver Creek’s Pheasant Run, naturalist Sarah Putnam will take attendees on a hike to visit the vocal owls and active bats. Flashlights and lanterns are welcome to shed some light on the nightlife. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.
Hike and Breakfast
Saturday morning is the perfect time to spend with family and friends, and what better way than to enjoy breakfast together. The breakfast on Sat 11/19 starts off with a hike and ends with breakfast together. Participants are asked to contribute to the feast — just like the first Thanksgiving! For more information and to register, call 330-865-8065 today. Pre-registration required.
Indian Flute Workshop
Indian flutist Billy Crowbeak will demonstrate how to make your own Indian flute on Sat 11/19 and Sun 11/20. He will also share music. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 330-865-8065.
These are only a few of the fun events offered at the Summit Metro Parks over the next few weeks. If you plan a trip down to visit the park, be sure to take a few minutes to stop by overlook trail. I promise you won’t be disappointed. To learn about all of their upcoming events and the events listed above, please visit The Summit Metro Parks Event Page.
With a number of daily events, including several from Fri 11/18 – Sun 11/20, The Summit Metro Parks is a place to be to celebrate the changing seasons. To learn about all of their upcoming events and the events listed above, please visit The Summit Metro Parks Event Page.
Cory Trayer is a Public Relations major at the University of Akron. Having lived in Akron his whole life, he can’t wait to share all of the interesting tidbits and well-kept secrets he’s learned about his hometown over the years. Outside of school and work, Cory enjoys skateboarding with friends and his favorite hobby: photography.