Metro Parks opens new jogging trail extension

Outdoor enthusiasts can now enjoy the East End, a stretch of roadway that Summit Metro Parks converted into an extension of the park district’s most popular trail.

Located in Sand Run Metro Park, the East End (a section of Sand Run Parkway between Portage Path and Merriman Road) was closed to vehicles in spring 2022 to protect wildlife and allow for future trail connections.

The East End project is the most recent phase of efforts to restore and protect Sand Run Metro Park. Improvements include removal of a culvert, placement of a pedestrian bridge, narrowing the road to trail width and removal of roadway elements. The new  trail extension  will connect users to the Valley Link and Towpath trails near Big Bend.

Project funding included a $175,000 Clean Ohio Funding grant from Ohio Public Works Commission and a $7,500 Summit County Community Grant. ∞