Information
Landmark: Goodyear Heights Metro ParkCity: Akron
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Goodyear Heights Metro Park, Akron, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
Goodyear Heights Metro Park sprawls across 410 acres in Akron, Ohio, with winding trails and quiet pockets of woods.Founded in 1930, it offers a quiet escape where maple leaves rustle over winding trails, wetlands shimmer, and visitors enjoy a mix of recreation and nature.This park, part of the Summit Metro Parks system, draws people in with its vibrant mix of wildlife, winding hiking paths, spots to get your heart pumping, and playgrounds where kids’ laughter carries on the breeze.The park began with a gift of land from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Gilbert Waltz, a local philanthropist whose donation turned acres of open field into a place for the community.Over the decades, more parcels joined the park, stretching its boundaries until they reached what you see today-oak trees casting shade over the far edge.The name “Goodyear Heights” nods to its history with the Goodyear company and the high ground that rises above this part of Akron.They built the park to protect green spaces from the spread of concrete, giving locals a quiet spot where they can hear wind in the trees and feel close to nature.In the park’s woodlands, you’ll find a mix of trees-beech with smooth gray bark, sugar maple, basswood, pin oak, red maple, and the dark, glossy leaves of blackgum.The varied canopy shelters countless birds and animals, from chattering finches to rustling squirrels.Alder Pond, one of the park’s highlights, sits ringed by a cattail marsh where ducks paddle past snapping turtles, muskrats, and a chorus of frogs.It shelters distinctive wetland life, from soft, springy sphagnum moss to the bright leaves of yellow birch.Wetlands stretch low and green while upland forests rise behind them, together forming vital habitats for local wildlife.It’s the kind of place where you might spot a heron lifting off the water or hear the rustle of leaves during a quiet nature study.Goodyear Heights Metro Park has several trails for hiking, jogging, or just staying fit, including the Alder Trail-a 1.4‑mile path that twists through quiet woods and ends at the calm waters of Alder Pond.A wooden boardwalk stretches across the cattail marsh, easy to walk and perfect for spotting herons or bright green lily pads.Piney Woods Trail stretches two miles through cool, shaded forest, its path lined with tall hardwoods and the scent of old pines once planted here, offering a quiet place to walk.Parcours Trail (1.8 miles) winds through the trees with 20 exercise stations tucked along the way, ideal for anyone looking to mix a brisk hike with strength and stretching stops.The Piney Woods and Alder Trail Loop is a 1.9‑mile route that links the two paths, giving you a longer walk through shifting landscapes-oak groves, damp creekside brush, and open meadows.The park also offers fishing at Alder Pond, where anglers often cast their lines into the still, glassy water.In winter, the park offers gentle slopes and long trails perfect for cross‑country skiing or a fast run down on a sled.At the park, you’ll find baseball and softball fields where locals gather to play on sunny afternoons.At Goodyear Heights Lodge, you can rent cozy indoor spaces for events, meetings, or celebrations-think warm lighting and the scent of fresh coffee in the air.There are two main rooms.The East Room holds up to 150 guests and comes with kitchen essentials-a refrigerator humming softly, a microwave, a coffee urn, and counters for prepping food.West Room: a cozy, smaller space perfect for intimate gatherings, with the same amenities-soft lighting included.All through the park, you’ll find picnic tables and shelters-some tucked under shady oaks-offering inviting spots for family gatherings, shared meals, or a peaceful moment alone with the rustle of leaves.Restrooms with flush toilets are easy to find, just a short walk from where most visitors gather.You’ll find several parking lots close to the trailheads and the lodge, so getting to either spot is simple-just a short walk past the pine trees.You’ll find visitor information at 2077 Newton Street in Akron, Ohio, 44305.It’s open every day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and you can call Summit Metro Parks for details or to reserve a lodge-imagine stepping into one with warm wood beams overhead.Goodyear Heights Metro Park offers something for everyone-hikers breathing in fresh pine air, runners chasing the trail curves, families picnicking under wide oaks, and event planners scouting their next perfect spot.Lush habitats invite you to watch herons glide above still ponds, and quiet trails wind through the trees, while the fitness course and sports fields keep energetic visitors moving.With its rustic lodge and shaded picnic tables, the park offers a perfect spot for gatherings surrounded by tall pines and open sky.Hike the winding trails, cast a line into the still pond, or spread a blanket for a picnic-either way, you’ll discover a friendly stretch of green just minutes from the city.
