Summit Metro Parks offers a variety of winter sports activities including snowshoeing, shown above. Photo courtesy of Summit Metro Parks
GREATER AKRON — As the weather turns cold and snowy, there are plenty of winter activities for people of all ages being offered in Summit Metro Parks.
“Spending more time at home in winter can lead to feeling isolated,” Summit Metro Parks Marketing and Public Relations Manager Claire Merrick said. “Whether you’re meeting a friend for a winter hike on a trail or joining a Metro Parks program, leaving your home for nature can help combat cabin fever and connect with others.”
She added spending time outdoors including during the winter can improve a person’s physical and mental health.
Some of the winter sports offerings in the parks include sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Sledding is offered at: Firestone Metro Park (Warner Road area), 200 E. Warner Road and (Tuscarawas Meadows area), 2620 Harrington Road; Goodyear Heights Metro Park (main entrance), 2077 Newton St.; and Sand Run Metro Park (North Hawkins area), 800 N. Hawkins Ave.
Ice skating is available at Sand Run (Big Bend area).
Ice fishing is offered at Nimisila Reservoir (Lot C4), 5550 Christman Road in Green, and Silver Creek Metro Park, 5000 S. Hametown Road in Norton.
Cross-country skiing is offered at Firestone (Warner Road Area, Redwing Trail, Walking Course and Willow Trail); Goodyear Heights (cross-country course), 550 Frazier Ave.; Silver Creek (cross-country course), 4579 Medina Line Road in Norton (Pheasant Run area, Chippewa and Pheasant Run trails); and Springfield Bog Metro Park (Prairie Trail), 1400 Portage Line Road.
Merrick said visitors are encouraged to check park and trail alerts listed at summitmetroparks.org prior to visiting the parks to get updated information. Officials also suggest visitors should dress in layers and bring water as drinking fountains are closed during the winter season.
Visitors can check hours of operation by visiting the above website or by calling 330-867-5511. Most areas of the parks are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
To check sledding conditions and for additional winter sports offerings and locations, visit bit.ly/SMP-WinterSports.
Sledding is also available at Boettler Park, located at 5300 Massillon Road in the City of Green, when snow conditions permit.
In addition, winter activities are offered at Lock 3, located at 200 S. Main St. in Downtown Akron. Ice skating, ice bumper cars and ice bikes hours vary, as do costs. For more information, call 330-375-2877 or visit www.lock3live.com/winteractivities.