Plan Your Visit
Alerts
Be prepared for your next visit. View a list of park and trail alerts below, and call the park district’s Administrative Office for details: 330-867-5511 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Last updated January 17, 2025
General
Weather Reports
Weather stations located across Summit Metro Parks provide real-time weather data, including temperature, rain fall, humidity and wind speed. Visit the links below to view data from different areas of the county and plan your upcoming trip to the parks.
Water Fountain Winterization
All water fountains across the county will be winterized for the season ahead of expected cold temperatures. Park fountains are exposed to all elements and internal parts do not hold up to any freezing, making this a necessary step in winter preparation in the Metro Parks. Remember to bring your water bottle on your next visit to the Metro Parks!
Paddling
Please note that the paddling access point at the Oxbow Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park has moved to the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park.
Ongoing: The presence of a harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected on Silver Creek Lake. Private and rental boaters are advised to take caution against swallowing water and keep pets away from algae. Learn more about the impact of HABs on our blog.
Boundary Surveys
The park district is conducting boundary surveys to identify property boundary lines. In this type of survey, the surveyor sets (or recovers) property corners and produces a detailed plat or map. To accomplish this, the surveyor researches public records and conducts field research by taking measurements and performing calculations. The areas being surveyed are as follows:
- Munroe Falls Metro Park, entire park boundary (Munroe Falls, Tallmadge)
- Silver Creek, entire park boundary (Norton, Wadsworth)
- Wood Hollow, northern portion of park (Hudson)
Multipurpose Trails
Freedom Trail
1/16/25: The Freedom Trail will be closed between Arlington Road and Mill Street from January 21 through January 25 due to construction on State Route 8.
9/25/24: Construction of the Middlebury bridge and trail connector between the Freedom Trail and Portage County Bike & Hike Trail has begun. Visitors to the Middlebury Trailhead are encouraged to use caution near construction equipment and vehicular traffic.
Towpath Trail
12/11/24: The restroom at the Wolf Creek Trailhead is closed for the season.
Parks
Cascade Valley Metro Park
Ongoing: The Chuckery Area is closed for site preparation associated with the removal of the Gorge Dam. Following this work, the City of Akron will begin preparations for the Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) in the same area. The Chuckery Area will continue to be closed as necessary for public safety throughout the Gorge Dam and NSIT construction work, with closures expected to last through mid-2027.
Firestone Metro Park
1/2/25: Starting January 6, Redwing Trail will be closed weekdays through early March for a boardwalk decking project. The trail will open on weekends.
Goodyear Heights Metro Park
10/15/24: Summit Metro Parks will begin a conservation maintenance project to remove invasive tree species. Removal will occur in phases, with the first phase taking place October 15 through the end of the year. The park district does not anticipate project-related park or trail closures. Read more.
Gorge Metro Park
Ongoing: Highbridge Trail is closed until further notice due to a damaged pedestrian bridge and the City of Akron’s sewer construction project.
Fall 2024: Beginning in late 2024, the park is anticipated to close for the removal of the Gorge Dam. Closures are expected to last for at least two years. Please check back for updates.
Hampton Hills Metro Park
11/14/24: The lot at the Top O’ the World Area is closed.
Mountain Bike Trails will be closed during wet or dangerous conditions. Status updates are shared via X (formerly Twitter). Please check before you ride: @SMPmountainbike. Please note: X currently requires users to log in with an account to view current tweets. We apologize for the inconvenience. The Mountain Bike Trail status is displayed at the Hampton Hills Metro Park Mountain Bike Area lot, or you may call our Administrative Offices during business hours: 330-867-5511.
Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park
12/20/24: Nimisila Reservoir Campground will be closed for the offseason from January 1 through February 28. It will reopen on March 1.
9/1/24: The Ohio Division of Wildlife is operating a controlled waterfowl hunting program on Nimisila Reservoir September 1, 2024 through February 3, 2025. Please contact the Ohio Division of wildlife at 330-644-2293 with questions.
Ongoing: To align with the park district’s mission to protect natural resources, Summit Metro Parks biologists increased the protective buffer around the reed beds used by purple martins at Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park. We understand that this decision may be disappointing to some visitors. Unfortunately, in recent years kayakers and boaters have encroached into the birds’ space, discouraging them from using this valuable habitat on their seasonal journey to South America.
Sand Run Metro Park
1/14/25: One stall of the restroom at Treaty Line Area is closed for maintenance.
11/25/24: A portion of the Jogging Trail is closed to provide necessary repairs to a failing retaining wall. The trail is closed from Chestnut Drive (the entrance to Chestnut Lodge off Sand Run Parkway) to the Shadowfield Area. Please obey the signage for the safety of construction crews and park visitors.
Sand Run Parkway is closed Monday through Friday between the Shadowfield Parking Lot and Sand Run Road. The parkway will open on the weekends and for lodge rentals as needed, with a portion of the road at the construction site converted to one-way traffic. Please obey the traffic signal for the safety of construction crews and park visitors.
Repairs are expected to be complete by May 2025 or sooner.
Silver Creek Metro Park
12/19/24: The horse trailer and Archery Range parking lot may be closed intermittently due to icy conditions. If closed, visitors may access the bridle trail from the Boathouse Area (5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton).