Metro Parks Open, Not Part of Shutdown

The shutdown of the federal government has not affected access to the 14 parks and 125 miles of trails managed by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. The park district is funded by a 1.46-mill Summit County real-estate tax. 

“Frankly, we’ve lost count,” spokesperson Nathan Eppink said of the questions received in person, on the phone and online since October 1. “It’s in the hundreds. Many people have us confused with Cuyahoga Valley National Park.” 

All CVNP facilities are closed, including its section of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. But more than half of the towpath in Summit County remains open, from the Boztum Trailhead in Akron to the Stark County line. Metro Parks manages all but three miles in that 25-mile stretch; the City of Akron operates the trail through downtown. 

Countywide, most Metro Parks areas are open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 

For more information about the park district, visit summitmetroparks.org or call 330-865-8065.