Stephanie Walton, Chief of Marketing & Communications
If you haven’t been to Liberty Park in Twinsburg lately, you are in for a treat! Since joining Summit Metro Parks in 2001, Liberty Park has only gotten better with time — adding a nature center, trails and many other visitor amenities. As the largest natural area managed by the park district, the 3,000-acre property is a unique partnership with the City of Twinsburg. The city manages the park’s 1,100-acre recreation area, including the sports fields and playground, while Summit Metro Parks oversees the remaining acreage, including a state-designated nature preserve and a protected conservation area.
The park features many rare and endangered species, including Indiana bats, marsh wrens, ospreys and bald eagles, and has been recognized as an Important Bird Area by Audubon Ohio. In 2017, park staff identified a federally endangered northern long-eared bat — a species that had not been seen for five years due to the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome. Park visitors might also glimpse beavers, long-tailed weasels, dragonflies, butterflies, red-backed salamanders, wood frogs and turtles. Liberty’s size allows it to support large mammals — in fact, Summit Metro Parks biologists have found evidence of at least one black bear hibernating here. While you aren’t likely to spot a real one, a selfie with our black bear statue is definitely the next best thing!
At the Ledges
At the Twinsburg Ledges Area (9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg), you’ll find a nearly 4,000-square foot trailside nature center featuring seasonal exhibits, live native animals and activities for kids. Along the walkway from the parking lot, visitors can explore the story of the park’s past and how humans have utilized this land from prehistory to today. The nature center is universally accessible and was specially designed to be inclusive of people with low vision or sensory impairments.
Something for Everyone
The nature center is also where the entire family can discover a vast array of naturalist-led programs. From nature art and astronomy to snowshoeing and night hikes, Liberty Park has it all. Spring is an especially exciting time at the nature center, as we’ll host a hands-on maple sugaring demonstration, World Turtle Day activities and an otter open house!
Liberty Park’s trail system offers a variety of landscapes and fun for all skill levels, including two flat, paved options. On Ledges Trail, visitors can explore the park’s unique sandstone ledge formation, which is covered in a beautiful “living skin” of ferns, mosses and lichens. The new Black Bear Trail is Liberty’s longest trail at 2.1 miles. Though it is never far from the nature center and Liberty Road, Black Bear’s serenity gives it the feel of a remote hike.
Pond Brook
Liberty is also home to one of the largest stream restoration efforts in Ohio. Within the Pond Brook Conservation Area (3973 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg), Summit Metro Parks biologists have been working since 2004 to restore five miles of stream and tributaries into a healthy habitat for wildlife. Made possible by outside funding, the project is nearing completion and has already resulted in significantly improved water quality.
We’re seeing a return of native fish and aquatic insect populations, as well as migratory birds that rely on the newly-restored wetlands. On Buttonbush Trail, you can walk along a boardwalk and through the wet woods to hear frogs calling each spring — and if you’re lucky, you may even see a river otter as well.
Visit us!
Come out today and explore all that Liberty Park has to offer! The nature center is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. To stay up to date with activities at the park, visit the Programs & Events Guide on our website: summitmetroparks.org.
For more great stories like this, check out Green Islands Magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks.