Conservation

Sustainability in SMP

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm frog

We’re seeing green. At Summit Metro Parks, we’re working to improve sustainable practices and share ways our visitors can, too.

Our Greener Future

As a conservation agency, Summit Metro Parks is a leader in protecting native biodiversity and providing nature-based solutions for mitigating environmental impact. But we can’t do it alone. Together, we can reduce waste, conserve energy and support a thriving local ecosystem.

Follow along as we share sustainability updates from the park district and tips for you through four focus areas:

Your park district is in a unique position to positively affect biodiversity — and you can help! We are committed to managing developed and conservation areas for biodiversity, from the smallest critters to the tallest trees. We’ve developed the Wild Back Yards program for residents to support these efforts from their own home. Businesses, municipalities and organizations are also invited to join as Wild Back Yards partners, following similar guidelines to make an even greater impact.

A monarch butterfly on yellow goldenrod flowers.

SMP Green Team

The park district’s staff-led Green Team has been making strides to improve our organization’s sustainable practices, including offering limited-waste events and launching internal composting efforts.

Initiatives

See why conservation is at the forefront of our mission.

Learn More

We’re Your Back Yard

Green actions you take at home can have a huge impact on the local ecosystem. Whether growing a Wild Back Yard or attending naturalist-led programs to learn more about living sustainably, your actions can support a greener future for our community and wildlife.

Check out options below for opportunities to compost and recycle with SMP, and follow along with us for more opportunities to get involved.

Hands holding dirt above a pile of compost.

Summit Metro Parks has partnered with Rubber City Reuse to bring community composting bins to F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Firestone Metro Park (Tuscarawas Meadows Area), Goodyear Heights Metro Park (Main Entrance), Liberty Park (Twinsburg Ledges Area & Nature Center) and Wood Hollow Metro Park. Bins will be picked up and replaced at least once a week, ready for visitors to refill with the following compostable items:

Fruits and vegetables (remove produce stickers)
Meat, bones, seafood, shellfish and egg shells
Bread, pasta, grains, legumes and nuts
Dairy products (limit liquids)
Leftovers and spoiled food
Coffee grounds, filters and tea bags (remove metal staples)
Paper napkins (with no chemicals) and BPI-certified products, including bags, cups, cutlery and packaging

Please only drop off non-bagged items unless the bag is BPI-certified. Do not include trash, yard waste, oil or shortening, plastic bags, plastic foam, twist ties or recyclables (plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, metal or cans).

Are you interested in composting at home or the differences between at-home and commercial composting? Check out our composting guide for more information.

Annually more than 10,000 pounds of e-waste are recycled through Summit e-Waste Recycling Solutions bins located throughout the park district. Drop off your e-waste (including old cords, cables, monitors, laptops, Christmas lights, and batteries) at bins located in the following areas:

Since the early 1970s, tens of thousands of Christmas trees have been dropped off by local residents and chipped into mulch, used by crews to beautify Summit Metro Parks. You, too, can enjoy your Christmas tree well beyond the holiday season.

Annually, live Christmas trees – cleaned of all decorations, garland and tinsel – can be dropped off at the following locations, December 26 through January 31:

Firestone Metro Park / Little Turtle Pond: 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron
Furnace Run Metro Park / Brushwood Area: 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield
Goodyear Heights Metro Park / Main Entrance (rear parking lot): 2077 Newton St., Akron
Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park / South Main 2 Lot: 5531 S. Main St., Green
Sand Run Metro Park / Treaty Line Area: 995 Treaty Line Rd., Akron
Silver Creek Metro Park / Big Oak Area: 5199 Medina Line Rd., Norton

Visitors should look for the small signs that identify the drop-off locations.

On average, about 1,000 trees are collected each year. The resulting mulch is spread out near trailheads and used to create landscaping compost.

Want to know more?

Attend a sustainability program

Explore our programs and events listing for opportunities to learn how to go green and become more sustainable at home.

Find a Program

Sustainability in SMP

Our Greener Future

Responsible Resource Use

Promote Native Biodiversity

Ecosystem Services

Waste Reduction & Disposal

SMP Green Team

See why conservation is at the forefront of our mission.

We’re Your Back Yard

Composting

E-waste Recycling

Christmas Tree Recycling

Attend a sustainability program