RICHFIELD, Ohio — The first day of spring is less than a week away and people are itching to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and nice weather.
A great place to get out and explore is the Summit Metro Parks, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“We say 'Our parks are your backyard,' and that’s what we mean,” said Stephanie Walton, Chief of Marketing and Communications for the Summit Metro Parks.
Beginning this month, the park is offering the Centennial Tour, which encourages visitors to get out and explore 20 park locations with a commemorative map. Guests who complete all 20 locations will earn a special key tag reward with a newly created logo celebrating the centennial.
“We know a lot of people are still looking for safe outdoor family-friendly activities, now more than ever,” Walton said. “This is a perfect way to get out and do something fun with the whole family.”
Guests can also learn from new display panels that highlight what’s unique about each particular park.
“Furnace run is really cool because it was donated to the park by Dorothy Hamilton Brush,” Walton said. “She was a really incredible lady in her own right, but her sister is Margaret Hamilton who played the Wicked Witch of the West in the 'Wizard of Oz.'”
As part of the 100-year celebration, Summit Metro Parks also plays to reforest 100 acres of parkland. You can even donate your own Centennial Tree to the Metro Parks foundation.
“We have grown a number of trees from special species that are found right here in your Metro Parks,” Walton said. “We’ll be giving those away throughout the year. We call those our heritage trees.”
Additionally, the public is invited to share its favorite memories of Summit Metro Parks.
“It’s so important to both our mental and our physical well-being to spend time out in nature,” Walton said. “That’s what these parks are really here for. We want you to come out and enjoy your backyard.”
To learn more about taking the Centennial Tour, click here.
