Trail Change and Closures
- Date Posted
- Oct 27, 2024
- Section
- Akron
- Chapter
- Crooked River Chapter
This map update removes several trail alerts related to 2024 closures in Summit Metro Parks (SMP) Sand Run Metro Park, from Point 13 to Point 15 in the Akron Section.
Construction between these points permanently closed this section of Sand Run Parkway to vehicles to protect wildlife and allow for future trail connections. The work included removal of a culvert, placement of a pedestrian bridge, narrowing of the road to trail width, and removal of roadway elements. At Point 14, Summit Metro Parks relocated the BT and Parcours Trail to a new paved trail that was built on an old section of Sand Run Parkway from N Portage Path to Merriman Rd.
In addition to the construction changes, this map update also addresses the change of names for various facilities and trails within Sand Run Metro Park. Mingo Lodge’s name has changed to Chestnut Lodge. The Mingo Trail name has been changed to the Nuthatch Trail. The SMP BT Trail symbol has a blue B and is displayed throughout the entire route within Sand Run Metro Park. Follow this symbol.
The following trail log addresses all these changes:
PT 13. Crosswalk at Riverview Rd and Smith Rd.
Cross Riverview Rd on crosswalk; continue W on Smith Rd for 400 ft. Just after crossing Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) tracks, exit Smith Rd; turn S on footpath past Summit Metro Park’s marker with their BT Symbol into Sand Run Metro Park (a unit of SMP). After 0.11 mi, cross through the Chestnut Lodge parking oval and join the Nuthatch Trail (which also exits W) as it descends S on the paved driveway and joins the Parkway Jogging Trail going S to cross the Sand Run bridge. Immediately exit the driveway onto a footpath and head SW with the Nuthatch Trail into scrubby woods along Sand Run. After 350 ft, cross Sand Run Pkwy at crosswalk; turn SE up hill. After 50 ft, the Nuthatch Trail joins the Dogwood Trail, a loop trail; head E. After 0.4 mi, pass a short access trail to the Shadowfield Area (P, PT). After 600 ft, at the trailhead where the Nuthatch Trail ends, the Dogwood Trail heads W uphill, and the Valley Link Trail (VLT) heads generally S, join the VLT. After 300 ft near a Pr, follow the VLT SE across the Wadsworth Area (P, PT). After 400 ft, reach the southern end of parking row along Sand Run Pkwy in the Wadsworth Area; turn generally S. After 400 ft, continue on the VLT heading S. After 0.3 mi, ford a small stream. After 0.14 mi, pass by the Lone Spruce Area (P, Pr, PT, W). After 0.28 mi, pass Old Portage Shelter and continue through the Old Portage Area (250 ft, P, Pr, PT, W) a grassy area towards a parking area. At the edge of the parking area, turn E to reach the end of Sand Run Parkway at N Portage Path. Follow SMP BT and VLT symbols on posts and cross Sand Run Parkway N to rejoin the Parkway Jogging Trail.
PT 14 Valley Link Trail (VLT) at N Portage Path.
Turn E and use the crosswalk on the VLT to cross N Portage Path and immediately cross the pedestrian bridge. Follow VLT for 0.5 mi. Continue NE on the VLT, cross Merriman Rd at crosswalk, and in 250’ descend steps into bottom land to cross CVSR RR tracks to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail (OECTT).
