F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm is a 104-acre special-use area within the Summit Metro Parks system in Akron, Ohio. The park is named after Frank A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and an early Metro Parks commissioner who donated over 500 acres to help establish Sand Run Metro Park.

The Nature Realm features three hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. Cherry Lane Trail is an easy 0.6-mile loop that includes a 110-foot-long suspension bridge over a 45-foot-deep ravine. Fernwood Trail is a moderate 0.9-mile loop that shares part of its path with Cherry Lane Trail before branching off. Seneca Trail, a 1.4-mile mostly unpaved loop, is considered more challenging due to its hilly terrain.

The park's centerpiece is the 10,000-square-foot Nature Realm Visitors Center. This facility houses seasonal exhibits, kids' play areas, live native animal displays, and a gift shop called Maple Leaf Gifts. Naturalists are available to answer questions about local flora and fauna. The building's large windows offer views of wildlife, particularly birds.

Outside the visitor center, the grounds showcase several gardens, including a Rock & Herb Garden, observation decks, two ponds, wetlands, and a tall-grass prairie. The park is known for its diverse plant life, with over 300 species of shrubs and trees in its arboretum. Visitors can often spot various wildlife, including birds, fish, turtles, and small mammals.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm is dedicated to nature study and enjoyment. As such, it has some special guidelines: dogs are not permitted, bicycles are only allowed in the parking lot, and visitors are asked to remain on designated trails and walkways. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the visitor center operating Wednesday through Sunday.