Mark Szeremet, Land Acquisition Specialist/Park Planner
One of the park district’s newest conservation properties was donated by local residents James and Neille Vitale and is now named the John R. Morris III Nature Preserve in honor of Neille’s father. This preserve is located adjacent to Seven Ponds Trail in the Tinkers Creek Area of Liberty Park, on Old Mill Road in Twinsburg Township.
The property protects 44 acres of high-quality riparian forest and Category 3 wetlands and connects to other protected natural areas along the Tinkers Creek corridor. A special feature of this property is a stream that artfully meanders, creating several oxbow wetlands that are habitat for a variety of sensitive amphibian species. As a protected conservation area, it will remain closed to the public.
Summit Metro Parks took over management of the 355-acre Tinkers Creek State Park and 786-acre Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve in 2014. Together, these parks are now known as the Tinkers Creek Area of Liberty Park. Most of the Tinkers Creek Area is maintained in its original state as a swamp and marshland that abounds with diverse plant and animal life. Nesting waterfowl and songbirds may be seen during the spring and early summer. Canada geese and wood ducks nest throughout the marshes and can be viewed from the trails around the Seven Ponds area. Beaver ponds dot the preserve and add to the diversity of plant and animal life by providing habitat for a greater number of species. White-tailed deer, raccoon, mink, weasel, muskrat and fox are also frequently spotted in this area. Among the reptiles and amphibians present are snapping turtles, water snakes, four-toed salamanders and bullfrogs. Even though it is located near a large metropolitan region, the Tinkers Creek Area has remained isolated from development and retains much of its pristine charm and natural integrity.
Summit Metro Parks is grateful to the Vitales and other generous citizens who have helped us achieve our mission over the years. If you are interested in donating property for protection and conservation by the park district, please contact Mark Szeremet at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands Magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.