Summit Metro Parks is enhancing its fitness offerings with upgraded parcours trails, providing a unique way to exercise outdoors throughout the year. These trails, featuring strategically placed exercise stations, offer a full-body workout amid scenic natural settings. This initiative aims to promote physical activity, making fitness accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of the season.
What is a Parcours Trail?
A parcours trail, also known as a fitness or trim trail, is an outdoor exercise course that integrates a path with various exercise equipment or obstacles. Originating from the training methods of Georges Hébert, these trails are designed to enhance physical fitness by combining cardiovascular exercise with strength and agility training. Summit Metro Parks has incorporated this concept, creating trails that challenge and engage users of all fitness levels.
Benefits of Outdoor Fitness
Exercising outdoors provides numerous physical and mental health benefits that cannot be replicated indoors. The fresh air and natural surroundings can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, exposure to sunlight helps boost vitamin D levels, crucial for overall health. Outdoor workouts are often more enjoyable, which can lead to better exercise adherence and consistency.
Improved Mental Wellbeing
Studies have shown that outdoor exercise has a positive impact on mental health, boosting mood and reducing stress levels. The natural environment provides a calming effect, helping to clear the mind and improve focus.
Enhanced Physical Health
Outdoor fitness parks offer a variety of exercises that improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and increase flexibility. The combination of aerobic activity with strength training stations allows for a well-rounded workout. These activities can also lower blood pressure and heart rate, making exercise feel less strenuous than similar indoor activities.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
One of the key advantages of outdoor fitness areas is their accessibility to everyone, regardless of income or gym membership. These trails are free to use and encourage community building by providing a space for people of all fitness levels to get active together.
Summit Metro Parks’ Parcours Trail Upgrades
The Summit Metro Parks system features over 150 miles of trails spread across 16 parks. These trails are not just for hiking; they offer various recreational opportunities including the upgraded parcours trails. One of the popular locations is the Parcours Trail at Goodyear Heights Metro Park, a 1.8-mile trail with 18 exercise stations. These stations provide a variety of exercises, including jumping jacks, pull-ups, balance beams, and stretching areas.
All-Season Accessibility
The upgrades to the parcours trails ensure that they are accessible throughout the year. In winter, these trails provide an opportunity to stay active despite the cold. While some facilities like drinking fountains might be closed during winter, the park district encourages visitors to dress in layers and bring water to stay comfortable and hydrated. Summit Metro Parks also offers a variety of winter activities, such as hiking, cross-country skiing, and sledding, allowing for varied outdoor experiences.
Trail Variety
Summit Metro Parks provides a range of trails to suit different preferences and fitness levels. From easy strolls to more challenging hikes, there is something for everyone. Some popular trails include:
- Sand Run Metro Park: Known for its natural beauty and historic sites, Sand Run features a parcours trail on Treaty Line Road, a jogging trail on Sand Run Parkway, and several picnic shelters. It’s one of the most visited parks within the system.
- Goodyear Heights Metro Park: This park offers the 1.8-mile parcours trail with 18 exercise stations. It also features giant hills that are great for sledding in the winter.
- Cascade Valley Metro Park: With varying trail ratings and scenery, including an overlook and views of the Cuyahoga River, this park is a great option for both casual and avid hikers.
- Hampton Hills Metro Park: Features the Adam Run Trail, a 3.2-mile trail that takes you past glacial hills and across small streams, providing a more challenging hiking experience.
- Liberty Park: This park has the Liberty Park Nature Center which offers various programs and family-friendly activities throughout the year.
How to Use the Parcours Trails
Using the parcours trails is straightforward. The exercise stations are designed to be intuitive, with many providing visual cues or instructions. Here are a few tips:
- Warm-up: Begin with a light warm-up, such as a brisk walk or some dynamic stretches, to prepare your muscles for exercise.
- Follow the Sequence: Proceed along the trail, using each exercise station as you come across it. Some stations focus on cardio, while others are for strength or balance.
- Listen to Your Body: Don’t push yourself too hard, especially if you are new to exercise. Take breaks as needed and adjust the exercises to your fitness level.
- Stay Hydrated: Always bring water, especially during warmer months.
- Cool-down: End your workout with some static stretches to help reduce muscle soreness and improve flexibility.
Winter Activities in Summit Metro Parks
Summit Metro Parks offers a wide array of winter activities, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. These include:
- Hiking: Many of the trails are open for hiking throughout the winter, providing an opportunity to explore the parks in their winter splendor.
- Cross-country Skiing: Several parks, including Firestone, Goodyear Heights, Silver Creek and Springfield Bog offer designated cross-country skiing courses.
- Sledding: Designated sledding hills are available at Firestone, Goodyear Heights, and Sand Run Metro Parks.
- Ice Skating: Ice skating is available at Sand Run (Big Bend area), offering a fun and active way to enjoy the winter.
- Ice Fishing: For those interested in a more leisurely outdoor activity, ice fishing is permitted at Nimisila Reservoir and Silver Creek Metro Park.
Summit Metro Parks: A Community Asset
Summit Metro Parks is a crucial community asset, providing over 15,000 acres of recreational space, including 16 developed parks, six conservation areas, and more than 150 miles of trails. The parks system is supported by a levy, and rangers ensure safety and security within the parks. The parks provide opportunities to connect with nature, promoting both mental and physical wellbeing.
Conclusion
The upgraded parcours trails at Summit Metro Parks are a great example of how outdoor spaces can be used to promote fitness and wellbeing. These trails offer an accessible, enjoyable, and effective way to exercise year-round. Whether you are looking for a quick workout, a scenic hike, or winter fun, Summit Metro Parks has something to offer. By providing diverse opportunities for recreation, the parks continue to be a vital part of the Summit County community.
