Have the Metro Parks been important to you or your family? Tell us your SMP story and share how the parks have had an impact on your life. The 16 parks making up Summit Metro Parks are firmly woven into the history of Summit County itself, and they have played an important role in many lives over the years. Your personal history is our shared history — tell us what the parks have meant to you or your family and you might be featured online, in the local media or in other future projects.
Here are some questions to get the creative juices flowing:
- What is your most meaningful memory from the Metro Parks?
- Do you have a Summit Metro Parks love or friendship story?
- Was Summit Metro Parks a part of your childhood, or is it part of your family life now?
- How are the Metro Parks part of your routine?
Still not sure where to begin? Here’s an example from local resident Meghan Meeker to get you started:
The parks are a huge part of my life in Akron, they made me fall in love with the city, were the backdrop for falling in love with my husband, and now they are the literal backyard of my first home. My husband Scott Roger and I got married at the old Wadsworth Shelter on October 1st, 2011. We had what many of our friends and family still refer to as the “most magical wedding ceremony ever.” It was a freezing cold day with icy rain, but the giant stone fireplace in the shelter kept us all warm. We had two hammer dulcimer players, a fiddler, an upright bass player, and a guitarist make music for us that day, so we can see why people were so transported. The amazing music amid the backdrop of falling leaves and a beautiful shelter really set the mood. For several years after our wedding, we would have our family photos taken in front of the shelter as we knew it would be coming down soon. So we have many beautiful photos with our dogs with the shelter as a gorgeous backdrop. We are so connected to the park that we purchased our first (and current!) home on Thurmont Rd. because of its proximity to Sand Run… which is literally our backyard. We enjoy the park’s beauty every day and cherish all the creatures that come visit our yard (we have a resident pileated woodpecker whose home is somewhere near our house in the park).
Visit the centennial website today to share your story! You may submit it in writing, or call in to leave us a message. We look forward to creating many more memories with you in the Metro Parks.
Originally founded in 1921, Summit Metro Parks is the second-oldest park district in Ohio. Summit Metro Parks today manages more than 14,000 acres, including 16 parks, several conservation areas and over 150 miles of trails, and each year connects nearly 100,000 people to nature through community events and naturalist-led programs. Annual visitation in 2020 is expected to reach six million visits, approximately one million more than a typical year. The park district’s mission is to conserve, sustainably manage and value natural resources for the health and enjoyment of our community, and inspire people to connect with nature through clean and safe parks. Learn more.