Closed roads and Stan Hwyet gardens provide choices for being outdoors

Park districts are creating places for more people to walk or run on park roadways that are closed to vehicular traffic.

Ledges and tall trees surround the trails at Whipp’s Ledges.
Whipps Ledges provides opportunities for rock climbers.

The Cleveland Metroparks’ Hinckley Reservation has multiple hiking trails, and to be very isolated, the trails at the Top of the Ledges spread across a very wide area. In addition, the roadway to the Whipps Ledges picnic area is closed to vehicular traffic so walkers and joggers can maintain a wide physical separation.

In Brecksville, Meadows Road is closed to vehicular traffic, providing close to 2 miles (one way) of a wide path with beautiful terrain on each side.

Summit Metroparks has closed Sand Run Parkway to vehicles from Sand Run Road to the ford.

A special moment shared along the trail.

For the more casual walker, the beautiful walking paths surrounded by spring flowers at Stan Hywet Gardens in Akron are open to the public at no charge during the pandemic.

The gardens will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, 8:30–10 a.m. for seniors, and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. for all guests. Donations will be accepted.

Featured image photo caption: Children can feel some freedom walking along a wide trail.