Liberty
Park
At 3,000 acres, Liberty Park is the largest natural area managed by Summit Metro Parks and is home to many unique geological features.
Long before Liberty Park was formed, prehistoric people camped here, drank from the clean, cold springs and hunted game. Upon European settlement, trees were cleared for farming, but maples were spared for their sweet sap.
Today, the 3,000-acre park is a unique partnership between the City of Twinsburg, Ohio State Parks and the park district. In 2001, Twinsburg residents passed a bond measure to purchase the Twinsburg Ledges Area. In 2014, Summit Metro Parks entered into an agreement with the Ohio State Parks to manage Tinkers Creek State Park and Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve. The state properties are contiguous with Liberty Park’s Pond Brook Conservation Area.
The park harbors countless rare and endangered species, including Indiana bats, marsh wrens and bald eagles, as well as more common species like beavers, otters, red-backed salamanders, wood frogs, gray ratsnakes, and numerous dragonflies and butterflies. Large trees stand on rock ledges and in wetlands within the conservation area, where fens and bogs are “protected” by poison sumac and swamp rose. In 2006, Liberty Park was designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society and in 2020, Summit Metro Parks completed a 15-year project to restore 5 miles of stream and 100+ acres of wetlands at Pond Brook.
Explore the park
Liberty Park is an enormous property with many trailheads and park areas. To help you navigate, we have broken down each area’s trails, activities and amenities below. All areas are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., unless otherwise noted. We have also provided a key to help you find the perfect trail.
Liberty Park Ledges is a special ecological area that has been set aside for the study and enjoyment of nature. For the protection of this park and the safety and enjoyment of other visitors, please keep pets on leash and on trail, keep bicycles in the parking lot (bicycling and rollerblading are prohibited on trails) and refrain from climbing ledges and boulders. The use of portable cooking grills is not permitted.
Trail Classes: A = Multipurpose | B = Accessible* | C = Basic | D = Primitive** | E = Bridle Trail
Ratings: 1 = Easy | 2 = Moderate | 3 = Difficult
*Flat, easy trail or section with asphalt or crushed limestone surface. ** Rugged and challenging with uneven surfaces and steep, narrow routes
Pond Brook Conservation Area
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
The trail first follows Pond Brook before winding through woods where the trail’s namesake native plant, buttonbush, grows. The trail continues along a wooden boardwalk and travels through the wet woods, where you can hear frogs calling each spring.
Recreation Area
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
To get to the trailhead, travel along the north side of the ballfields back to the woods. Here the trail loops through a beautiful beech-maple forest. In the fall, this trail is ablaze with oranges and reds. The distance measured does not include the walk to the trailhead. For more information about the recreation area, please call the city of Twinsburg’s Parks & Recreation Department at 330-963-8722.
Tinkers Creek Area
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
This trail travels around the fishing pond, where you can sit and enjoy the view while watching several species of waterfowl that take advantage of the waterbody. While walking, look for wildflowers and signs of muskrats and beavers.
Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
Walk out to the observation deck to view the eagles’ nest, a beaver lodge and migrating waterfowl stopping here on their springtime journey. Pets are prohibited.
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
Stop at the observation deck to view the wetlands where waterfowl, beavers, muskrats and otters have been spotted. This area is great for viewing spring wildflowers and migrating birds. Pets are prohibited.
Twinsburg Ledges Area & Nature Center
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
Starting at the nature center, this loop trail will take you through a meadow to discover several prairie plants, insects and birds. Keep your ears open for the frogs that call throughout spring and summer.
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
Along the trail’s west rim, hikers can view evidence of several large, uprooted trees that have left large depressions in the ground and huge root systems on display. Three freshwater springs are also visible in this section of the trail. The east rim of Black Bear Trail skirts Liberty Park’s famous ledges, where picturesque sandstone is covered in a living skin of moss, ferns and lichens.
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
This paved loop trail utilizes an existing neighborhood connector and a service drive which takes you around the Liberty Park Nature Center. Keep an eye open for red-tailed hawks and other predatory birds looking for their next meal.
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
Visitors pass by a unique system of sandstone ledges, into Glacier Cave and to a wetland before traveling back to the trailhead over a long boardwalk. The plants growing close to the rock are called a “living skin” and are made of ferns, mosses and lichens. For the protection of natural resources, please stay on the trail.
- A – Multipurpose
- B – Accessible*
- C – Basic
- D – Primitive**
- E – Bridle
This accessible, paved trail begins at the parking lot and travels through a section of beech-maple forest before passing by the Liberty Park Nature Center. If you have young children, be sure to stop by the nature play area.
Photo Gallery
View photos of Liberty Park’s past and present, scenery and visitors.
Events in Summit Metro Parks
Come Join the Fun!
From kayaking to birdwatching, we’ve got you covered. Explore the calendar to find and register for upcoming events and programs.
