About the Region:

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• Geology of the Cuyahoga Valley: A FIELD GUIDE

  • We are honored to host this field guide that was compiled, edited, and written by Susan Richards, MS Geology, Kent State (retired consulting geologist)

  • Copyright © Susan S. Richards, 2025*.​​

• We love the 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Cleveland guidebook by Diane Stressing to take our trail ​research off of our phones and into a book. This book is available for purchase at our beloved CVNP, Summit Metroparks, and Cleveland Metroparks gift shops.

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Accessibility Resources:

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• Adaptive Hiking 101 by Grit 

  • Start & operate an adaptive hiking program with information about all-terrain mobility equipment, funding, liability, marketing, and more!

• Challenged Athletes Foundation - CAF believes that the high costs of adaptive sports equipment and lack of resources should not keep individuals with physical disabilities from being active. Check out their grants to apply for your own adaptive equipment to hike, bike, ski, etc! ​

• ODNR Accessible Trails Guide​

• Everyday Akron: Accessible Parks and Trails in Summit Metropark

• Everyday Akron: Accessible Parks and Trails in CVNP

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Family Hiking Resources:

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• NEO Family Hiking 101

  • Check out our favorite "family-friendly" hikes in Northeast Ohio 

  • This document also holds our best tips for prepping for and enjoying a hike with your kiddos.

  • We recommend most of these hikes for ages ~4yo + but please do your research before embarking on any hike to ensure that it fits your family's abilities.

  • This document is a working document that we will continue to add our favorite hikes to as we explore further. If you have a favorite hike that's not listed, shoot us a message and let us know!

• Spring and Summer Scavenger Hunt + Hiking Prep​

  • This document has a fun scavenger hunt and a summary of some of the hiking tips in the NEO Family Hiking 101 document above.

  • We recommend printing this doc and laminating it so you can use it over and over with a dry erase marker​​.

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Local Volunteering Opportunities

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• 3WheelTherapy: 

  • Using an adaptive tricycle, 3Wheel Therapy provides a free therapeutic riding experience to those who cannot ride a traditional bicycle. Volunteer pedalers (called Pilots) provide the leg work for a unique bicycle ride through tree-lined trails, at local parks or at partner facilities like nursing homes, day programs, schools or senior centers. Volunteer bicyclists accompany the Pilot and rider for safety. The team rides along the trail with conversation, appreciation of the natural environment, smiles and laughs. 3Wheel Therapy serves New Hanover County in Southeastern North Carolina and Summit County in Ohio.

• Big Love Akron​:

  • Big Love is Akron’s local environmental health equity organization.  We are an evolving network facilitating neighbor-led/creative placemaking, sustainability, and health equity efforts throughout Akron as a means for social change.

• City of Cuyahoga Falls:

  • Volunteering and clean ups​

• Keep the Lakes Great:​

  • ​Serving the community through beach cleanups to better the recreational and environmental quality.

• Northern Ohio Surfrider Foundation:​

  • ​Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Surfrider Foundation. Join their network and help them tackle the issues that face the Great Lakes, our ocean, waves and beaches​

• Summit Metroparks​:

  • ​Volunteering at Summit Metro Parks is a satisfying way of giving back to your community while enjoying the beauty of the parks. There are many ways you can help care for your parks, from one-time, drop-in service days to ongoing volunteer opportunities. We look forward to your support of our mission!

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