Displaying items by tag: Summit Metro Parks

(Summit Metro Parks) This season, residents can celebrate Earth Day and mark the Summit Metro Parks centennial anniversary while promoting a healthy ecosystem at the same time. Park district staff will distribute, free of charge, several species of native tree saplings that are offspring of iconic trees within Summit County.

On Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Summit County residents may visit any of nine Summit Metro Parks locations to collect one free native tree sapling, while supplies last. Participants need not leave their vehicles for this drive-through style event and masks are requested. Locations and tree species include:

Firestone Metro Park / Tuscarawas Meadows

2620 Harrington Rd., Akron 44319

Species available: Redbud, Yellow Buckeye, Sugar Maple

Furnace Run Metro Park / Brushwood

4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield 44286

Species available: Ohio Buckeye, Sugar Maple

Goodyear Heights Metro Park

2077 Newton St., Akron 44305

Species available: Pawpaw, Sugar Maple

Liberty Park / Nature Center

9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg 44087

Species available: Buttonbush, Spicebush, Gray Birch, Sugar Maple

Munroe Falls Metro Park / Tallmadge Meadows

1088 North Ave., Tallmadge 44278

Species available: Sugar Maple

Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park / Lot C6

6194 Christman Rd., Green 44319

Species available: Tamarack, Tulip, Sugar Maple

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm

1828 Smith Rd., Akron 44313

Species available: Scarlet Oak, Tulip, Sugar Maple

Silver Creek Metro Park / Big Oak

5199 Medina Line Rd., Norton 44203

Species available: Red Oak, Ohio Buckeye, Sugar Maple

Springfield Bog Metro Park

1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp. 44312

Species available: Sugar Maple

“We consider these saplings unique; not only are they symbolic of the park district’s past, present and future, some are the offspring of trees that many of our visitors would recognize,” said Rob Curtis, supervisor of ecological resources. “Trees like Silver Creek Metro Park’s ‘Big Oak’ and Ohio’s record-breaking tallest tree – a nearly 200-foot tulip – are represented in the mix of saplings we have available,” he shared.

As symbols of the park district’s long-term stability and growth, trees are also vitally important to the environment and our community’s physical and mental health. For these reasons and more, Summit Metro Parks is celebrating its centennial by reforesting 100 acres in 2021. “Centennial Groves” of trees are planned for several park areas, with opportunities for the public to become involved in the future. In addition, those who would like to create a lasting legacy may choose to “give a Centennial Tree” through a donation to the Summit Metro Park Foundation’s Tree Fund. 

For more information about the centennial anniversary of Summit Metro Parks, including the Heritage Tree program and other initiatives, visit summitmetroparks100.org.

Established in 1921, Summit Metro Parks is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. The park district manages more than 14,000 acres throughout 16 parks, several conservation areas and more than 150 miles of trails, including 22 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Annual attendance in 2020 was 6 million visits. Visit us online at summitmetroparks.org.

:17 - Bret Ernst is an actor and comedian who’s lived in Los Angeles for the last two decades, but has recently made Akron his home. He joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about his background, his love of sports (mainly football and boxing), and promote his two June 15th comedy shows at The Tangier.

15:50 - The summer weather is upon us, and that means the area hiking and bike trails will be populated. Lindsay Smith and Stephanie Walton from Summit Metro Parks stopped by to talk about all things outdoors for our area.

23:09 - A new X-Men film is in theaters, and Godzilla is still stomping around. Our movie guy Scott Wynn gave us a preview at what’s happening at the theaters this weekend.

(Summit Metro Parks) For the safety of our visitors, Summit Metro Parks centers will be closed, and all programs are canceled on Wednesday, January 30 and Thursday, January 31, due to extremely cold temperatures forecasted for those dates. Closed locations include:

• F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron
• Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg
• Summit Lake Nature Center, 390 W. Crosier St., Akron

Sled hills and ice skating ponds will also be closed. All other park areas will remain open. For more information, call 330-867-5511 or visit summitmetroparks.org.

Summit Metro Parks manages more than 14,000 acres, including 16 parks, several conservation areas and more than 150 miles of trails, with 22.4 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Annual attendance averages 5 million visits.

I'm well into my second week of training for the Akron Children's Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series. While I'm nowhere near ready to hit the Blue Line yet, I've already made a few observations:

• The right pair of shoes helps. Brian Polen, the race director for the Akron Marathon and my running coach, brought me to his store to get fitted for a proper pair of running shoes. At Vertical Runner of Wooster, Brian was able to watch how I walk and recommend shoes that would correct my stride. That said, if you have a pair of athletic shoes already you have all you need to get started. Which brings me to my next point...
• Just get moving. I had to tell myself that a few times this week. To say the weather this week was less than ideal is an understatement. I've only had one workout so far that didn't involve snow or ice. It's been in the 30s or lower for most of the last week. But if you wear a few layers, the cold isn't so bad. I figure I'll be missing this weather when it's 90 degrees in August.
• Start slow. Slow and steady might not win the race, but I'm just trying to get to the finish line so I'm fine with that! I have yet to do a workout that actually involves running. Instead, Brian has me doing brisk walks at increasing distances. Despite that, my pace is still getting quicker each time out.
• We're lucky to be in Akron. I live halfway up a pretty steep hill, so my options for places to run close to home that don't involve a ridiculous climb are a bit limited. Luckily we have the Towpath Trail, the jogging trail in the Sand Run Metro Park, and a bunch of other great places to run in Akron that are not only less hilly, but also absolutely beautiful.

We're less than 200 days away from the Akron Marathon, but that doesn't mean it's too late to get started on your own Blue Line journey! One of the cool things about the Akron Marathon Race Series is that they have different distances at different races throughout the summer, so if a half marathon or a relay leg seems too daunting you can start with something as short as a 1 mile and work your way up from there.

The week ahead: Two more brisk walks at longer distances... hopefully with less snow!

Follow Jasen's journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Strava. For more information or to register for the races, go to www.akronmarathon.org.