(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.